Hayward
Hayward TigerShark QC
- Autonomy
- IIAssisted
- Score
- 68/100Capable
- Readiness
- Ready Now
- Price
- $1,489list
ComparisonHayward TigerShark QC and Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus Titan
Maytronics
Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus Titan
- Autonomy
- IIAssisted
- Score
- Not scored
- Readiness
- Not assessed
- Price
- $1,599list
Up to three
Autonomy Ladder
- IManual
- IIAssisted
- IIIConditional
- IVEnvironmental
- VGeneralized
All robot pool cleaners. Every figure below is placed against the whole class, so a gap can be read against how much the class itself varies.
Where each one suits you.
The conditions each robot was assessed against, side by side. Rows marked in gold are where these machines genuinely differ.
| Condition | Hayward TigerShark QC | Dolphin Nautilus Titan |
|---|---|---|
| Pool type | ||
| In-ground | GoodStandard in-ground operation; random pathing works well in pools under 15k gallons with consistent pump schedules. | GoodMaytronics classifies it for in-ground pools in rectangular, round, free-form and kidney shapes. |
| Above-groundthey differ | GoodSuction cleaners pair directly with above-ground pump filtration; no separate equipment required. | PoorMaytronics lists in-ground pools only, so above-ground pools fall outside its classification. |
| Mixed setupthey differ | GoodWorks with either pool type, provided pool size stays under 15k gallons and floor is stable. | PoorA setup that includes an above-ground pool is outside Maytronics' in-ground classification. |
| Pool size | ||
| Small (< 400 sqft) | GoodRandom pathing naturally recycles the floor; small pools see consistent weekly coverage with light debris loads. | GoodRated for pools up to 50 ft long, well beyond a small pool's length. |
| Medium (400 – 800)they differ | DependsPool size around 12k–15k gallons benefits from 8+ hour daily pump schedules; shorter cycles risk coverage gaps. | GoodMaytronics' 50 ft length rating comfortably covers typical mid-size in-ground pools. |
| Large (> 800)they differ | PoorPools over 15k–20k gallons show unvisited dead zones; random pathing cannot ensure complete coverage. | DependsRated to 50 ft long; pools beyond that exceed Maytronics' stated range, and no large-pool test was found. |
| Debris load | ||
| Fine (sand / silt)they differ | Poor100-micron mesh basket clogs rapidly with fine silt or algae; fine debris forces daily basket empties instead of weekly. | DependsAn ultra-fine filter kit is included, but no independent test of fine debris pickup was found. |
| Leaves / large debris | DependsModerate leaf load manageable with weekly emptying; heavy seasonal leaf fall requires two to three empties per week. | DependsNo independent test of heavy leaf loads was found, and there is no full-filter warning. |
| Algae / heavy foulingthey differ | PoorActive algae blooms clog the fine-mesh basket within hours; unsuitable for pools experiencing algal blooms without chemical treatment. | DependsTwo active brushes scrub surfaces, but no independent algae test was found. |
| Coverage you want | ||
| Floor only | GoodPurpose-built for floor cleaning with fine-mesh debris capture; operates unattended on level floors. | GoodMaytronics lists floor cleaning as part of its default 2-hour cleaning cycle. |
| Floor + wallsthey differ | DependsFloor cleaning is effective; walls and steps require separate manual tools or a dedicated wall-climbing cleaner. | GoodMaytronics lists floor and wall cleaning, with brushes that scrub vertical surfaces. |
| Floor + walls + waterlinethey differ | PoorNo built-in capacity for wall or waterline cleaning; random pathing keeps the cleaner on the pool floor. | DependsMaytronics claims waterline scrubbing, but no independent waterline test was found. |
A robot being poor for a condition is a fact about fit, not a fault. “Depends” means the record names a limit worth reading, not that the answer is unknown.
How far apart is a long way?
A number only means something next to the spread it sits in. Each track is the real range across every classified robot in the class, with the median marked.
Price70 with a published figure
$1,489$1,599
- Hayward TigerShark QC$1,489
- Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus Titan$1,599
$299median $1,272$4,250
Weight70 with a published figure
21.5 lbs22.6 lbs
- Hayward TigerShark QC21.5 lbs
- Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus Titan22.6 lbs
7.9 lbsmedian 20.9 lbs46.3 lbs
Height67 with a published figure
13.5 in12.5 in
- Hayward TigerShark QC13.5 in
- Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus Titan12.5 in
3.8 inmedian 10.5 in29.9 in
Not compared, because fewer than two of these robots carry a published figure: Runtime, Charge time, Noise.
What the numbers leave out.
Written on each record, and the only thing here every robot on the site carries.
The trade-off
What each design gives up to be good at what it is good at.
Hayward TigerShark QC
You get full-basin cleaning with no programming overhead, but every session starts and ends by hand: the unit is carried to the water, started, lifted out, and the cartridge rinsed.
Two fixed cycles and nothing between them: four hours for a full clean, or 90 minutes on Quick Clean. No scheduling, no pause and no app, so the choice is made at the deck each time.
Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus Titan
A 50 ft rating and waterline scrubbing at $1,599, with a 1-year warranty and no independent test behind either claim.
Who each one is wrong for
Stated by the record itself. A robot being wrong for a household is a fact about fit, not a fault.
Hayward TigerShark QC
- Above-ground pools
- Hayward sells and rates the TigerShark QC for in-ground pools only, and the model name carries Inground at every retailer. Above-ground use is outside what the machine is sold for.
- Pools with persistent fine algae or silt loads
- The cartridge loads quickly with fine debris under heavy conditions, so rinsing moves from after each run to during it. Algae blooms and clay-heavy surroundings keep the owner in the loop.
- In-ground pools larger than 20 x 40 ft
- Hayward's rated coverage is 20 x 40 ft. Larger basins are outside the rating; that is a size limit rather than a coverage-pattern problem.
- Owners wanting scheduled or remote-controlled operation
- The QC runs the cycle you start, then stops. No scheduling, pause, resume or app control; manual placement and start are required each session.
- Pools without a GFCI-protected outlet within reach of the 55 ft cord
- The transformer runs from a grounded, ground-fault-protected receptacle and the cord is 55 ft. Closing a gap with an extension lead is not an acceptable option on a pool cleaner; an outlet in reach has to be installed by an electrician.
Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus Titan
- Above-ground pool owners
- Maytronics classifies the Nautilus Titan for in-ground pools only.
- Buyers who want independent test results first
- No hands-on review was found; the only independent coverage found is a deals roundup.
- Owners who want a full-filter warning
- Maytronics' spec table lists no full filter indicator, so the filter has to be checked by eye.
- Buyers wanting a longer warranty
- Maytronics lists a 1-year warranty for the Nautilus Titan.
What stays your job
The upkeep ownership hands back to you, whatever the autonomy level says.
Hayward TigerShark QC
- After each run: Unplug the transformer, lift the unit out, open it and rinse the reusable cartridge with a garden hose.
- Monthly: Check the brushes and drive tracks for wear and clear hair or fiber from the rollers.
- Every 3-6 months: Inspect the full length of the 55 ft cord for nicks and cracked insulation, and the transformer connector for corrosion. A damaged cord takes the machine out of service.
- Annually: Before storage, rinse the unit and the cartridge, let both dry fully, and keep the machine and the transformer indoors over winter.
- As needed: Replace the cartridge if the media tears or stops seating; replace brushes when they no longer make contact with the surface.
Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus Titan
- After every use: Lift the robot out using pick-up mode and empty the top-access filter.
- As needed: Switch to the included ultra-fine filter kit for fine debris.
- As needed: Check the anti-tangle swivel cable for twists.
- As needed: Inspect the two active brushes and replace them when worn.
- Seasonally: Rinse and store the robot and power supply out of the sun when the pool closes.
How much each of these is standing on.
Classifications rest on different depths of evidence. A pre-release assessment and a verified one are not the same kind of claim.
| Robot | Evidence status | Sources reviewed | Last assessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hayward TigerShark QC | Provisional | 10 | Aug 2026 |
| Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus Titan | Pending | 3 | Sep 2026 |
Evidence status counts the sources behind a classification, not their kind. A high count can be maker documentation and price coverage, so read it as how much was reviewed rather than as independent testing. How we weigh evidence.
Keep going.
The full recordHayward TigerShark QCSpecifications, evidence, the Fit Check in full, and every tracked change.
The full recordMaytronics Dolphin Nautilus TitanSpecifications, evidence, the Fit Check in full, and every tracked change.Robovations classifies robots; it does not rank them. Nothing on this page is a recommendation, and no manufacturer influences a classification or its placement here.
Add a robot
Comparing across classes is allowed — the page will switch to per-class positioning and tell you it has.