RELEASED 2018.06REASSESSED 2026.08.07

Maytronics

Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC

Name: Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC
Brand: Maytronics

Random-walk floor and wall cleaner for small to medium pools. Pedestrian automation that handles routine debris and scrubs walls, but does not run the waterline. Eight-year-old platform; the CC Plus and Pro add a dedicated waterline cycle.

Autonomy Ladder

Why Level II.

One five-rung scale, every category, from acting only on command to working unsupervised anywhere.

VGeneralized AutonomyAny task, any setting. No consumer robot has reached it.
IVEnvironmental AutonomyHandles new obstacles and re-plans in real time; rare in consumer products.
IIIConditional AutonomyFinishes whole jobs in familiar spaces; struggles at the edges.
To reach Level IIIMost sessions finish without intervention. Rescue is occasional, not routine.
IIAssisted AutonomyThis robot

Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC runs preset routines on its own, and the owner is its recovery system.

Navigation and control
Random-path with edge-detection bumpers and preset timer
Why this level
- Random-path navigation with preset timer-based operation.
- Robot covers floor and walls over the course of a cycle via random movement with edge-detection bumpers.
- No mapping, no obstacle reasoning.
- Meets L2 assisted-autonomy threshold: reduced owner effort vs. manual cleaning but requires schedule supervision and does not adapt to debris distribution or pool layout.
Autonomy dimension 44 / 100 · 2 sources reviewed
IManual AutomationOne action on command; no independent operation.

How we assign a level →

Behind the classification

Sources we reviewed.

Provisional2 sources reviewed

Enough has been reviewed to classify, but gaps remain across source types.

Sources reviewed

Press & video reviews1 sourceReviewed

Random-path navigation efficiency, filter maintenance burden, cable durability, debris handling capability, waterline reach limitations

Third-party pool cleaner reviewsYouTube reviewers

Firmware release notes1 sourceOngoing

Maytronics publishes firmware releases and software notes through its support portal; reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Maytronics Dolphin supportmaytronics.com

Specification sources1 sourceReviewed

Pages the published specifications were read from.

maytronics.commaytronics.com

Also monitored, nothing listed yet

Manufacturer documentationPending

Technical specifications, suction power, runtime, cable length, filter capacity, floor and wall reach

Owner reportsOngoing

Real-world filter clogging frequency, cable swivel wear cycles, coverage efficiency on various pool sizes, debris handling patterns

Longitudinal signalPending

Eight-year market presence with documented owner experiences; cable swivel and filter longevity patterns

How we evaluate evidence →

Robovations Score

How this number was reached

64of 100

CapableAt or above 37% of the 355 robots we scoreand 53% of the 53 scored robot pool cleaners

DeficientLimitedCapableStrongExemplary

Measured on 7 of the 9 inputs24% not counted

Our assessment did not establish an independent source for edge-case recovery, software stability on this machine, so those inputs are left out of the score rather than guessed at, and the rest re-weighted to fill the space. A gap in what we have been able to verify is not evidence against the robot. Where it reaches 30% of the rubric we publish no number at all.

What moved itpoints gained or lost against a typical robot

Carried by

Support longevity94+3.1
Consumables89+1.6

Held back by

Field failure rate46−3.8
Coverage and navigation50−2.0
Task completion60−1.9

Capability40% of the score58What it does without you.

Task completion16% of the score60

Evidence

The Pool Nerd's Dolphin Nautilus CC review (the base CC, not the Plus or Supreme) reports the power supply is a single on/off button, so "every single cleaning cycle, you walk out to the pool, plug it in, and start it by hand", and that while it climbs the walls "it has no lateral waterline cleaning", leaving a scum line the owner must brush by hand. It does the floor and walls inside a 2 hour cycle, but a person opens and closes the loop on every run.

Coverage and navigation10% of the score50

Evidence

The Pool Nerd's CC review describes the wall pattern as driving up, losing suction near the top, falling back down and moving over to try again, and reports the 50 foot cable has no anti-tangle swivel so it coils on itself, with owners pulling the robot out "just to lay the cable flat in the sun so it'll relax and reach the deep end again". Nothing is retained between runs, so coverage is re-established every 2 hour cycle.

Edge-case recoverynot countedno source verified22

Evidence

Edge-detection bumpers are contact sensing that redirects, not recovery, and there is no connectivity, app or alert of any kind on this model, so a stalled unit is found by looking at the pool. Below the found-stalled anchor for a specific reason: this model has no anti-tangling swivel, so the cable twists in normal use and must be laid out straight by hand, a failure path an anti-tangling swivel designs out.

Operating envelope4% of the score70

Evidence

Owner reviews on Robotic Reviews' Dolphin Nautilus CC page report the 50 foot cord covering a 40 by 20 foot pool and the unit being "strong enough to clean the 12' deep end of the pool and move up to the 3' shallow end", and a Florida owner running it with a solar cover on the pool, curious how it would handle crawling up to the water line, finding "it has not had any problem". No source shows it holding past the cord's reach.

Dependability40% of the score64Whether it keeps doing it.

Field failure rate16% of the score46

Evidence

Eight years of market presence with no recall and wide parts availability. Cut hard by proportionality: the drive motor unit failure mode documented across Dolphin owner forums is repaired only with a complete assembly at roughly $300 to $600, which approaches or exceeds the $499 to $799 this cleaner sells for, making it an effective write-off rather than a repair. The record's independent evidence is also not citable, its press source being a YouTube search URL rather than any specific review.

Software stabilitynot countedno source verified37

Evidence

There is no software, no connectivity and no update channel on this machine, so nothing regresses and nothing gets fixed. Scored on what the control system does: a preset two-hour timer driving random movement with bumper edge detection, which it has done consistently for eight years. It earns nothing for having no cloud to fail, and the record's firmware source is boilerplate pointing at a support portal for a machine with no firmware to update.

Support longevity10% of the score94

Evidence

Discontinued, yet the parts position remains strong and demonstrated rather than promised: Nautilus is named explicitly among the model families the independent Dolphin aftermarket stocks, at InyoPools, Leslie's, PoolWeb, Wild West and EZ Pool, alongside Maytronics' own OEM store, and filters and wear parts are widely available eight years on. Below the current corded Dolphins because the line is retired, and no software support window applies since there is no software.

Ownership burden20% of the score75What it asks of you.

Routine maintenance12% of the score65

Evidence

At 15 lb this is a light machine to lift, and the top-load basket empties in about two minutes, which is genuinely quick. Offsetting that, 60 ft of cable is handled every cycle and this model has no anti-tangling swivel, so laying the cable out straight to untwist it is a standing chore no other corded unit here carries. Add weekly cable and brush inspection and monthly algae clearing from the brush and wheels.

Consumables8% of the score89

Evidence

The top-load basket and filter panels rinse and reuse with no cartridge program, no scheduled purchase and no subscription, and parts are widely available through both Maytronics and a competing aftermarket that keeps prices honest. Slightly below the flagship Dolphins because recurring wear parts weigh more heavily against a $499 to $799 machine, and because the absent cable swivel makes the cable itself a likelier replacement item over eight years.

middle half of the databaseits medianthis robot

Reported, not scoredneither measures how well the robot works

Five-year cost$900

An inexpensive machine at a $699 MSRP, street $499 to $799, plus roughly $200 over five years in wear parts; no subscription and nothing bought on a schedule

Data postureLocal

Core function needs no account and no network.

What leaves the homeNot documented

Read the full methodology →

FIT CHECK

Will the Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC work in your pool?

Describe your pool using the controls. Each choice reads the spec sheet for you, flagging where the Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC is built for your space and where it isn’t.

Pool type

Pool size

Debris load

Coverage you want

A classification of fit for the conditions you set, not a recommendation. Verdicts describe engineering design intent, not test results.

SPECIFICATION

The full spec sheet.

Priced below the category median, with every figure charted against the category below.

Dimensional drawing

Key specificationsManufacturer-published

Footprint: 17.1 × 17.5 in · 9.8 in tall
Weight: 15 lbs

Where it lands · ranked across 65 robot pool cleanersThis robotMedianTypical range

Runtime120min

90 min1,800 min

Bottom of range

Price$699

$299$4,250

Below median

Noise75dB

52 dB82 dB

Above median

Weight15lbs

7.9 lbs37 lbs

Below median

Position shows where the figure sits across the tracked category, not a quality judgment.

Official referencesOwner manual Manufacturer support Manufacturer site

OWNERSHIP

Living with it.

Mature entry-level platform; filter clogging and cable-swivel wear are most common maintenance issues.

Owner reports and manufacturer documentation show consistent floor coverage over 8+ years. Motor reliability good; filter design adequate for light debris. Cable swivel failures reported occasionally after 3-4 years of use.

Owner effort~2 hrshands-on per month

Consumables$110replaceable parts / yr

Reliability trend Stableowner-reported arc

What goes wrong · 5 documented · 0 self-recover

Common

Filter basket saturationReduced suction; robot slows or stalls

Owner fixEmpty basket after every run; rinse under hose to restore water flow.

Occasional

Cable swivel deteriorationCable tangles or twists; motor strain; potential electrocution risk if insulation damaged

Owner fixReplace swivel assembly (~$30-50) every 3-4 years; inspect cable before each use.

Occasional

Drive track debris cloggingReduced traction; robot unable to climb or navigate slopes

Owner fixManual removal of algae and debris from tracks weekly; brush bristles to restore contact.

Occasional

Motor overheat from clogged filterAutomatic shutdown; robot stalls and requires cooldown

Owner fixPrevent by emptying filter after each run; if overheated, leave unplugged for 30 minutes before retry.

Occasional

Brush bristle wear or breakageReduced scrubbing effectiveness; particles not dislodged from floor

Owner fixVisual inspection before each run; replace brush assembly (~$20-40) if bristles shortened to half length.

Step-by-step fixesBrushes or Tracks Not Scrubbing?Cable Floating, Kinking, or Coiling?Cable Keeps Tangling?All robot pool cleaner guides

Upkeep routine

Each useEvery cycle

Empty the top-load filter basket (~2 minutes); rinse it under a hose to clear debris and restore flow.

Weekly52×/yr

Inspect the power cable and power supply for cracks, cuts or damaged insulation, and take the unit out of service if any are found. Check the brush for tangled debris.

Monthly12×/yr

Rinse the filter panels thoroughly; clear algae buildup from the brush and wheels so traction and scrubbing pressure stay even.

Seasonal4×/yr

Remove from pool; store indoors in a dry location out of direct sun; drain residual water from the unit.

As neededno fixed schedule

Remove the cleaner from the pool and unplug the power supply. The cleaner is not to be left in the water while the pool is in use. · Clear the intake if debris lodges; lay the cable out straight to untwist it, since this model has no anti-tangling swivel.

Cost over time · past the sticker

PurchaseRunning cost

Year 1

$809

Year 3

$1,029

Year 5

$1,249

$699 to buy, then about $110 a year in replaceable parts. Over three years that is roughly $330 past the sticker price. Excludes electricity and any repairs.

Safety notes

CautionCable entanglement and electrocution hazard: Power cable subject to tangling, twisting, and insulation wear. Inspect cable before every use; do not assume swivel prevents entanglement. Risk of electrocution if insulation damaged.

NoteSuction entrapment risk: Suction port can trap hair, limbs, or loose pool equipment. Do not run with swimmers present; ensure port covers intact before operation.

NoteMotor thermal risk in warm climates: Extended operation in high-heat or high-debris conditions risks motor overheat. Run in shorter cycles; allow cooldown between sessions in hot climates.

RECORD

How the assessment has moved.

Every announcement, release and reassessment behind the current classification.

Coming soon

Just launched

Active updates

Settled

Discontinued

Sep 2024 · NewsNautilus CC holds sub-$600 floor on Amazon as entry segment consolidates
Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score recorded at 60 of 100
Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score revised 60 → 70
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score rescored under v4.0: 70 → 51
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score rescored under v4.2: 51 → 53
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score revised 53 → 64

Common questions

What people actually ask.

6 answered

OperationDoes the Dolphin Nautilus CC reach the waterline to clean algae, or is it floor-only?

Floor and walls. Maytronics lists the cleaning coverage as floor and walls, and the cleaner climbs and scrubs walls in pools up to 33 ft. The waterline is not covered; scum at the water’s edge needs manual brushing, or the CC Plus or Pro, which add a waterline cycle.

OwnershipWhat happens if I leave the Dolphin running overnight; will the filter clog?

The cleaner runs a fixed two-hour cycle and shuts off, so there is no overnight or continuous mode to enter. Maytronics publishes no limit on how often it may be run. Empty and rinse the filter basket after each cycle, and take the cleaner out of the water before anyone swims.

OperationCan the Dolphin handle a pool with moderately high leaf fallout, or does it need a skimmer basket first?

The top-load basket holds what a two-hour cycle collects and is emptied and rinsed afterward. Maytronics publishes no debris threshold for the cleaner. Under heavy leaf fall the basket fills sooner, so it may need emptying and a second cycle; a working skimmer reduces how much reaches the cleaner.

ComparisonHow long is the power cable, and can I run the robot in a pool farther than 50 feet from an outlet?

Standard cable length is 60 feet, and no longer cable is offered for this model, which is rated for pools up to 33 ft. The deck-side power supply must plug directly into a GFCI-protected outlet; extension cords are prohibited, so an outlet within reach of the pool is required. Remove the cleaner from the water before anyone swims.

OperationIs the Nautilus CC suitable for vinyl-lined pools, or is it gunite-only?

Both. Maytronics classifies the Nautilus CC for in-ground and above-ground pools and states it adapts to any pool shape or surface type, vinyl liners included. It runs on wheels with an active scrubbing brush rather than tracks.

OperationHow does the Nautilus CC differ from the CC Plus, and is the basic model worth buying if I want waterline cleaning?

The CC is floor and lower walls; the CC Plus adds a dedicated waterline brush. If waterline algae is a concern, the Plus model justifies its extra cost. The basic CC leaves waterline cleaning to manual brushing.

Availability

Where it's sold

We may earn commission from qualifying purchases. This does not influence classification.

Amazon Checked Aug 9, 2026 $679In stock

Cite / Embed

Reference the Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC classification.

Embed the Autonomy Ladder™ mark or copy the citation. The mark is served from this record rather than saved as a file, so it always shows the level we currently hold. If we reassess, it updates on your page by itself.

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Citation

Robovations. "Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC: Autonomy Level II (Assisted Autonomy)." Autonomy Ladder™, assessed August 2026. https://robovations.com/robots/maytronics-dolphin-nautilus-cc/

Where to next

Three ways to keep going.

For evaluators

Compare with a peer.

See the Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC and Aquabot Breeze IQ side by side: autonomy level, Robovations Score, readiness, and price. Classification, not a verdict.

See the full comparison

Or compare with Zodiac MX8 Elite, Maytronics Dolphin E10, Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus.

For browsers

See every Level II.

Every robot we’ve classified at assisted autonomy. Sorted by readiness, score, and price. Filter by category, manufacturer, or release date.

Browse the database

Updated weekly with new entries and reclassifications.

Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC

Will the Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CC work in your pool?

The full spec sheet.

Living with it.

How the assessment has moved.

What people actually ask.