Last summer, I decided to stop playing “lifeguard” to my own pool and finally outsourced the scrubbing to the experts. My garage currently looks like a robotics lab because I’ve been running the Dolphin Nautilus CC and the Dolphin Explorer E40 back-to-back to see which one truly handles the “scum line” struggle. If you’ve ever spent a Saturday afternoon on your hands and knees scrubbing that stubborn ring of grime at the water’s edge, you know exactly why I was looking for a mechanical savior.
While both machines come from the legendary Maytronics stable, they represent two very different philosophies. The Nautilus CC is the “utility player”—reliable, compact, and straightforward. The Explorer E40 is the “heavyweight champion,” packed with Wi-Fi brains and a specific set of skills for the most neglected part of any pool: the waterline. After watching them navigate my 40-foot inground setup, I’ve found that the price gap between them isn’t just about “extra features”—it’s about how much manual work you’re still willing to do.
The Key Difference: Basic Climbing vs. Waterline Mastery
The main difference between the Dolphin Nautilus CC and the Explorer E40 is the cleaning reach and connectivity. The Nautilus CC is designed for pools up to 33 feet and provides floor and wall climbing, but it stops short of scrubbing the waterline. The Explorer E40, however, is built for larger pools up to 50 feet and features waterline scrubbing technology along with Wi-Fi connectivity. While the Nautilus is a “plug-and-play” manual-start machine, the E40 allows you to schedule and monitor cleanings from your phone using the MyDolphin Plus app.
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Nautilus CC climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the surface type. This model does not...
- ACTIVE SCRUBBING: Elevate your pool maintenance with the Dolphin Nautilus CC - active scrubbing brush eliminates manual effort, guaranteeing a pristine pool. Gentle...
- ALWAYS CONNECTED: With the Dolphin Explorer E40 robotic pool vacuum cleaner, schedule your pool cleanings from anywhere with always connected Wi-Fi.
- WATERLINE SCRUBBING: Dolphin's powerful technology ensures a spotless waterline. As your robot constantly grips the pool walls, it guarantees a thorough cleaning.
Comparison Table: Dolphin Nautilus CC vs. Explorer E40
| Feature | Dolphin Nautilus CC | Dolphin Explorer E40 |
| Ideal Pool Length | Up to 33 Feet | Up to 50 Feet |
| Cleaning Coverage | Floor and Walls | Floor, Walls, & Waterline |
| Connectivity | None (Manual Start) | Wi-Fi (MyDolphin Plus App) |
| Brush Type | Single Active Scrubber | Dual Active + 3rd Row Brush |
| Navigation | CleverClean™ Technology | Dual-Drive Precise Movement |
| Filter Access | Top-Load Basket (Fine) | Top-Load Basket (Multi-Layer) |
| Cable Length | 50 Feet | 60 Feet with Swivel |
| Weight | ~14 lbs (Lightweight) | ~24 lbs (Heavy Duty) |
| Buy NOW | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review: My Deep-Dive Experience
Watching these robots work is strangely mesmerizing, but they behave very differently once they hit the vertical surfaces of the pool.
Design: The Compact Sprinter vs. The Tech-Heavy Tank
When I first unboxed the Nautilus CC, I was struck by how light it is. At just around 14 pounds, it’s a breeze to haul out of the water. It’s compact and doesn’t take up much space in the shed. Its design is all about efficiency—there’s one big button on the power supply, and that’s it.
The Explorer E40 feels like a different beast entirely. It’s significantly heavier, which you really notice when you’re pulling it up by the handle. However, that weight translates to stability. The E40 features a Dual-Drive motor, which gives it much better traction. While the Nautilus CC looks like a consumer appliance, the E40 looks like a piece of industrial equipment. The extra weight and the more robust treads allow it to “grip” the walls with a level of confidence the smaller Nautilus just can’t match.
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Nautilus CC climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the surface type. This model does not...
- ACTIVE SCRUBBING: Elevate your pool maintenance with the Dolphin Nautilus CC - active scrubbing brush eliminates manual effort, guaranteeing a pristine pool. Gentle...
Ease of Use: Set-and-Forget vs. Always Connected
Using the Nautilus CC is the definition of “idiot-proof.” I dropped it in, hit the button, and walked away. Two hours later, the floor was spotless. If you don’t care about apps or smart homes, the Nautilus is incredibly refreshing. There are no firmware updates to worry about and no Wi-Fi signals to drop.
However, the Explorer E40 changed my routine. Because it has Wi-Fi connectivity, I could be at the grocery store and realize the pool needed a quick skim before guests arrived. I just pulled out my phone, launched the MyDolphin Plus app, and started a cycle. The E40 also has a weekly scheduler, meaning I can set it to run every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday automatically. With the Nautilus, I have to remember to go out and physically press the button every single time.
Functions: The “Waterline” Reality Check
This is where the “rubber meets the road” (or the brush meets the tile). The Nautilus CC is a great wall climber. It will scale the sides of your pool and scrub away algae, but once it reaches the top, it just turns around and goes back down. It never actually stays at the surface to scrub the “ring” where the water meets the air.
The Explorer E40 is a specialist in this department. I watched it climb to the top, lock itself against the tile line, and move horizontally along the perimeter. It has a third-row active brush that spins at twice the speed of the robot itself. It spent a good 20 minutes of its cycle just patrolling the waterline, which is where 90% of the bacteria and oils usually accumulate. After a week of using the E40, I realized I hadn’t touched my manual pool brush once.
- ALWAYS CONNECTED: With the Dolphin Explorer E40 robotic pool vacuum cleaner, schedule your pool cleanings from anywhere with always connected Wi-Fi.
- WATERLINE SCRUBBING: Dolphin's powerful technology ensures a spotless waterline. As your robot constantly grips the pool walls, it guarantees a thorough cleaning.
Performance: Handling Obstacles and Debris
Both robots have top-load filters, which is a massive improvement over the old “bag” styles that required you to flip the robot upside down. The Nautilus CC basket is great for leaves and medium debris, but I found the E40’s multi-layer filtration to be superior for fine sand and silt.
The E40’s Precise Movement system also handled my pool steps much better. The Nautilus would occasionally get a little confused by the tight corners of my shallow-end stairs, often bumping into them and spinning for a few seconds. The E40, thanks to its Dual-Drive steering, navigated around the stairs like it was on rails. It seems to have a better “map” of where it has been and where it needs to go.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Nautilus CC climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the surface type. This model does not...
- ACTIVE SCRUBBING: Elevate your pool maintenance with the Dolphin Nautilus CC - active scrubbing brush eliminates manual effort, guaranteeing a pristine pool. Gentle...
Pros:
- Ultra-Lightweight: Easy for anyone to lift in and out of the pool.
- Simple Operation: Zero learning curve; just one button.
- Affordable: Best “bang for your buck” for smaller pools.
- Compact: Doesn’t require a large storage caddy.
Cons:
- No Waterline Cleaning: You’ll still have to scrub the tiles manually.
- Manual Start: No remote scheduling or app control.
- No Tangle Swivel: The cable can occasionally get twisted on longer runs.
Dolphin Explorer E40 Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
- ALWAYS CONNECTED: With the Dolphin Explorer E40 robotic pool vacuum cleaner, schedule your pool cleanings from anywhere with always connected Wi-Fi.
- WATERLINE SCRUBBING: Dolphin's powerful technology ensures a spotless waterline. As your robot constantly grips the pool walls, it guarantees a thorough cleaning.
Pros:
- Total Coverage: Scrubs the floor, walls, and the all-important waterline.
- Wi-Fi Enabled: Remote start and scheduling via the app are huge time-savers.
- Superior Scrubbing: Third active brush attacks stubborn algae.
- Anti-Tangle Swivel: The 60ft cable stays straight no matter how many turns it takes.
Cons:
- Heavy: At 24+ lbs, it can be a workout to pull out of a deep pool.
- Price: A significant jump in cost over the Nautilus line.
- App Dependent: You need a decent Wi-Fi signal near your pool to use the smart features.
The Final Recommendation: Which Robot Wins?
After letting these two battle it out in my backyard, the winner depends entirely on your pool’s “personality.”
I recommend the Dolphin Nautilus CC if you have a smaller pool (under 30 feet) and you don’t mind spending ten minutes a week doing a quick manual scrub of your waterline. It’s a powerhouse for the price, and if you just want the floor and walls clean without any “smart home” fuss, it’s the most reliable workhorse on the market.
I recommend the Dolphin Explorer E40 if you have a larger inground pool and you are truly over the manual labor of pool ownership. The waterline scrubbing and the ability to schedule cleanings from your phone make this a “set it and forget it” luxury. In my experience, the E40 is the machine that actually gives you your weekend back.
If I had to choose just one to keep, the Explorer E40 takes the trophy. The peace of mind that comes with a perfectly clean waterline—without me lifting a finger—is worth every extra penny.
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Nautilus CC climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the surface type. This model does not...
- ACTIVE SCRUBBING: Elevate your pool maintenance with the Dolphin Nautilus CC - active scrubbing brush eliminates manual effort, guaranteeing a pristine pool. Gentle...
- ALWAYS CONNECTED: With the Dolphin Explorer E40 robotic pool vacuum cleaner, schedule your pool cleanings from anywhere with always connected Wi-Fi.
- WATERLINE SCRUBBING: Dolphin's powerful technology ensures a spotless waterline. As your robot constantly grips the pool walls, it guarantees a thorough cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can the Nautilus CC be used in an above-ground pool?
A: Yes! The Nautilus CC is actually one of the best robots for above-ground pools up to 33 feet because it is lightweight and has excellent wall-climbing traction.
Q: Do I need a Caddy for the Explorer E40?
A: While it’s not required, I highly recommend it. The E40 is heavy, and the caddy makes it much easier to transport the robot and the power supply to your storage area.
Q: Does the Wi-Fi on the E40 work if my router is inside the house?
A: It depends on the distance. Most users (myself included) find that as long as the power supply is within 30–40 feet of a window, the connection is stable. If your pool is far from the house, you might need a Wi-Fi extender.
Q: How often do I need to clean the filter baskets?
A: For both models, you should rinse the basket after every cleaning cycle. It only takes about 30 seconds with a garden hose, and it keeps the suction at maximum power.
