In the realm of robotic pool cleaners, Maytronics Dolphin remains a top-tier brand known for high-performance, reliable, and user-friendly cleaning solutions. Two of their most popular and often-compared models for in-ground pools are the Dolphin Active 20 vs Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus. While both offer advanced cleaning technologies and deliver exceptional results for residential pools, key distinctions in filtration, mobility, and design make one model more suitable for specific needs than the other.
This detailed comparison explores every crucial aspect of the Dolphin Active 20 vs Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus—including navigation, filtration, cable management, and scrubbing performance—to help homeowners select the best robotic cleaner for their in-ground pool.
Contents
Differences Between Dolphin Active 20 vs Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
Design, Portability, and Ease of Use
The Dolphin Active 20 features a sleek, lightweight design that prioritizes portability without sacrificing durability. It weighs approximately 16.5 lbs, making it manageable for daily use. The built-in handle is ergonomically designed, allowing easy retrieval from the water, and the overall chassis is built from UV-resistant thermoplastic, which resists pool chemicals and prolonged sun exposure.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus, on the other hand, weighs slightly more at 19 lbs, but still falls within the user-friendly range. Its design is also robust and reliable, built to endure frequent cycles throughout the swimming season.
While both units are compact and durable, the Active 20’s lighter weight makes it slightly easier to handle for smaller pool owners or those needing frequent lift-outs.
Winner: Dolphin Active 20
With a more compact frame and easier portability, the Active 20 is more convenient for routine handling and storage.
Cleaning Coverage and Pool Compatibility
The Dolphin Active 20 is built to clean in-ground pools up to 33 feet, making it a great choice for small to medium-sized pools. It delivers comprehensive coverage by cleaning both the pool floor and walls, but does not extend to the waterline.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus, in comparison, can handle pools up to 50 feet in length. It offers the same floor and wall cleaning but is engineered for broader coverage and extended cable reach, making it more suitable for larger residential pools.
Winner: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
With extended pool compatibility and better reach, the Nautilus CC Plus is better suited for medium to large in-ground pools.
Both units employ CleverClean™ Technology, which uses an internal algorithm to scan the pool and optimize the cleaning path. This system ensures that the robot moves with purpose, reducing unnecessary overlap and increasing coverage efficiency within a 2-hour cleaning cycle.
These intelligent navigation systems adapt to rectangular, oval, and irregularly shaped pools, helping the robots avoid obstacles like ladders and drains. The results are evenly cleaned surfaces with fewer missed spots.
Winner: Tie
Both models utilize the same navigation system and offer equally efficient path optimization for standard in-ground pool layouts.
Scrubbing Performance and Wall Climbing
Both the Active 20 and Nautilus CC Plus are equipped with dual active scrubbing brushes. These brushes rotate independently from the unit’s wheels, allowing for more aggressive removal of stubborn dirt, algae, and biofilm from pool surfaces.
Both units reliably climb walls, ensuring vertical debris is scrubbed away. However, neither model includes dedicated waterline cleaning, which is only found in higher-end Dolphin units like the Premier or Active 30.
Winner: Tie
With equal brush strength and wall-climbing performance, both units deliver thorough cleaning on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.
Filtration System and Debris Management
The Dolphin Active 20 features a top-load cartridge system that is compatible with both fine and ultra-fine filters. This allows users to swap cartridges depending on the debris condition—using fine mesh for leaves and large particles, and ultra-fine for pollen, dust, and algae.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus comes with a dual fine filter cartridge, but does not support the ultra-fine option by default. As a result, while it performs very well with standard debris, it may allow finer particulates to pass through unless upgraded with aftermarket filters.
Winner: Dolphin Active 20
With built-in compatibility for ultra-fine filters, the Active 20 is better suited for high pollen seasons or dusty environments requiring precision filtration.
Cable Design and Tangle Resistance
The Active 20 uses a 50-foot non-swivel floating cable, which provides enough length for its intended pool size but can become twisted over time. Manual untangling may be necessary after extended use or multiple cycles.
The Nautilus CC Plus benefits from a 60-foot swivel cable, which actively prevents tangling during operation. This allows for more consistent movement across large pools and reduces user maintenance.
Winner: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
The swivel cable ensures better mobility and long-term reliability, especially in larger or more complex pool shapes.
Scheduling and Control Interface
Both models are manually operated via their power supply units, with no built-in scheduling, app control, or remote interface. Users must start each cycle manually by pressing the control button.
While this keeps things simple, it also means no automation for daily or weekly cycles—an inconvenience for those seeking set-it-and-forget-it functionality.
Winner: Tie
Neither model offers advanced control features or scheduling, maintaining a minimalist, push-button approach.
Energy Efficiency and Operation Cost
Both cleaners complete their cycles in 2 hours and utilize low-voltage DC motors, consuming minimal energy during operation. They are completely independent of the pool’s pump and filtration system, reducing overall utility usage and wear on other pool components.
Operating costs are low, and both units provide efficient cleaning without requiring booster pumps or complex installations.
Winner: Tie
Energy efficiency and low operational cost are equal across both models, making them highly economical choices.
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Active 20
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
Conclusion
Choose Dolphin Active 20 if you have a small to medium-sized in-ground pool and want a cleaner that’s lightweight, compatible with ultra-fine filtration, and easy to manage. Its enhanced debris control and portability make it ideal for users who prioritize ease of use and superior water clarity.
Choose Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus if you need a cleaner for a larger pool, prefer the convenience of a tangle-free swivel cable, and want a trusted model that has long established itself as a favorite among residential users for full-floor and wall cleaning.
Overall Winner: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
With its extended pool coverage, swivel cable, and consistent scrubbing performance, the Nautilus CC Plus stands out as the more versatile and practical option for larger or irregularly shaped in-ground pools. Its superior mobility and wide availability make it a dependable long-term cleaning solution.