For pool owners looking for a balance between affordability, performance, and ease of use, the Dolphin Proteus DX3 vs Dolphin Nautilus CC are two leading contenders. Both designed by Maytronics, these robotic pool cleaners are well-known for their reliability and advanced features packed into compact, user-friendly designs.
Targeted at small to medium in-ground pools, these models offer similar functionality but differ in several core areas—ranging from mobility and filtration to navigation and scrubbing technology. This comprehensive guide provides a detailed side-by-side comparison to help you make the right choice for your pool maintenance needs.
Contents
Differences Between Dolphin Proteus DX3 vs Dolphin Nautilus CC
Below is a summary of the specifications:
Pool Coverage and Wall Cleaning Capability
Both the Dolphin Proteus DX3 and the Dolphin Nautilus CC are built for in-ground pools up to 33 feet, making them ideal for a wide range of residential pool sizes and shapes. These cleaners offer complete floor and wall cleaning, which is essential for eliminating algae buildup, grime, and debris that accumulate not only on the pool floor but also along the vertical surfaces.
Neither unit is capable of cleaning the waterline, but they can climb walls with solid traction and deliver consistent results. Their ability to transition from the floor to walls seamlessly ensures more thorough coverage with less manual brushing required.
Winner: Tie
Both models offer equal coverage across floors and walls, ensuring excellent surface cleanliness throughout the pool.
The DX3 and the Nautilus CC are equipped with CleverClean™ Technology, a smart scanning system that uses an internal algorithm to navigate and plan an efficient cleaning route. This ensures that each robot minimizes overlapping, avoids missed spots, and completes its cleaning cycle in an optimized pattern.
The pathing intelligence allows the units to work around obstacles such as drains or steps, increasing efficiency while reducing total cleaning time. Although both use the same navigation tech, actual coverage consistency can slightly differ based on how the internal components interact with pool layouts.
Winner: Tie
Both cleaners use the same intelligent navigation system and offer similar levels of precision and coverage.
Scrubbing System and Cleaning Efficiency
The Dolphin Proteus DX3 features a single active front brush that rotates independently to scrub the pool surface. It provides decent cleaning power for general debris and light algae but may take longer to remove stubborn grime, especially in high-use or neglected pools.
The Nautilus CC improves on this setup by using dual high-speed brushes, which allow for enhanced scrubbing performance at both the front and rear. This dual configuration increases brush contact with surfaces, delivering a more aggressive clean and reducing the number of passes required to achieve the same result.
Winner: Dolphin Nautilus CC
With two brushes working simultaneously, the Nautilus CC achieves faster and more effective cleaning, particularly on tough debris and lightly scaled surfaces.
Filtration System and Debris Handling
Both the Proteus DX3 and Nautilus CC use a top-load filter cartridge system, offering a straightforward way to capture dirt, leaves, sand, and fine debris. The top-access design simplifies filter removal and rinsing, making post-cleaning maintenance less time-consuming.
While both units feature fine filtration, neither includes an ultra-fine filter option by default, limiting their ability to trap microscopic particles like pollen or silt. However, optional ultra-fine cartridges are available and compatible with both units, making upgrades easy for those in dusty environments or heavy pollen seasons.
Winner: Tie
The filtration systems are identical in design, offering easy access and reliable debris capture for day-to-day cleaning.
Cable Length and Tangling Prevention
Each cleaner is equipped with a 50-foot non-swivel floating cable, offering ample length for in-ground pools within the 33-foot range. This ensures that the cleaner can reach all corners of the pool without getting caught short.
However, the absence of a swivel mechanism means that both models are susceptible to cable tangling over time. While the CleverClean navigation reduces erratic motion, the potential for coils or kinks increases with frequent use and longer cycles.
Winner: Tie
Both units include the same length cable with identical tangle risks; neither offers a swivel for tangle-free operation.
Cycle Duration and Energy Efficiency
Both the DX3 and the Nautilus CC complete a full cleaning session in 2 hours, delivering a well-balanced cycle that ensures thorough coverage without excessive energy use. These cycles are optimized for medium-sized pools and are sufficient for removing daily debris from floor and wall surfaces.
Energy-efficient motors and smart pathing algorithms contribute to reduced power consumption during each cycle, helping to maintain a clean pool without increasing electricity bills.
Winner: Tie
With identical cycle times and similar energy efficiency, both models deliver reliable performance without unnecessary power draw.
User Experience and Maintenance
Weighing in at 13.8 lbs, both the DX3 and Nautilus CC are lightweight and easy to handle, making them accessible even for users who may have difficulty lifting heavier robotic units. Both feature ergonomic carry handles and intuitive one-button operation for plug-and-play simplicity.
Filter maintenance is minimal, requiring only a rinse after each cycle. The top-load design prevents mess and splash during cleaning, which makes either unit a great choice for users seeking low-maintenance operation.
Winner: Tie
Equal in weight and usability, both cleaners are easy to deploy, retrieve, and maintain between uses.
Smart Features and Scheduling
Neither model supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, app control, or programmable scheduling. These features are typically reserved for higher-tier robotic cleaners such as the Nautilus CC Plus WiFi or Dolphin Premier. As such, the DX3 and Nautilus CC require manual start-up at the power supply for every cycle.
While this limits automation, it enhances simplicity, making both units ideal for pool owners who prefer basic, reliable operation without the need for advanced controls or remote connectivity.
Winner: Tie
Both models prioritize simplicity and offer consistent performance without smart features or connectivity.
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Proteus DX3
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Nautilus CC
Conclusion
Choose Dolphin Proteus DX3 if you’re looking for an affordable, lightweight robotic cleaner that delivers reliable floor and wall cleaning with basic features and a simple control interface. It’s well-suited for budget-conscious pool owners who want automated maintenance without added complexity.
Choose Dolphin Nautilus CC if you want stronger scrubbing performance and greater overall cleaning efficiency. With its dual-brush design and the same navigation system as the DX3, the Nautilus CC provides more aggressive debris removal with the same energy efficiency and easy handling.
Overall Winner: Dolphin Nautilus CC
With enhanced scrubbing power, equivalent ease of use, and better cleaning results across all surfaces, the Nautilus CC emerges as the more capable and value-driven robotic cleaner for residential in-ground pools.