Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up Review

For only $500, you will not find a better pool cleaner than the new Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up. Let's dive in and show you why.

Hey there, I’m Justin, your resident pool aficionado. And today, I am going to be diving into my review of one of the newest Dolphin robotic pool cleaners, the Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up.

Let me take you on a quick dive into what it’s really like to use this thing and why I couldn’t stop raving about it. Then we’ll summarize with why it might just be the smartest choice in the $500 range.. We’ll also size it up against a few of the top robotic pool cleaners to help you figure out if this robot is right for you. Let’s get started.

Design and Setup

The Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up keeps things refreshingly simple with its clean, no-nonsense design. Forget flashy features and marketing fluff—this is all about delivering top-notch cleaning performance at a lower price, plain and simple.

Setting up the Dolphin Pool Up was a breeze. Plug it in, drop it in, and watch it get to work. No assembly or booster pump needed, just a standard outlet. The corded design is an absolute game-changer. After testing countless cordless models from brands like Aiper, Beatbot, and Wybot—it’s clear that power of corded cleaners leave them in the dust.

If you’re new to robotic pool cleaners, trust me on this: you’ll love the consistent, reliable power of a corded model. In many cases, the suction power from a corded unit is more powerful by a factor of at least two. No mid-clean battery interruptions, no constant recharging—just uninterrupted, hassle-free cleaning every time.

Performance

The Nautilus Pool Up doesn’t just clean—it performs like a champ, rivaling robotic cleaners that cost twice as much. It tackled my 8x20 pool with ease, vacuuming and scrubbing like a pro.

Floor and Walls

This robot means business. Whether it’s vacuuming the floor or scaling the walls, the Pool Up scrubs away dirt and algae with its dual brushes. It even handled stubborn spots that most budget cleaners I’ve tested miss.

One word of caution in this price range. Some models give the illusion of a brush but it’s a static, non-rotating brush that doesn’t do much. You’ll find these on some cordless Aiper models-- The Pool Up has the real deal - dual rotating scrubbing brushes do the heavy lifting. They’re not just an upgrade—they’re a total game-changer, giving the Pool Up a serious edge over its competition in this entry-level price range.

And the power? Unreal. The Pool Up’s dual motors pack a punch that rivals even some of the top-tier Dolphin models. With an impressive 4500 gallons per hour suction rate, this cleaner seemed to effortlessly vacuum everything from dirt to leaves. The suction power is over three times the power of cordless competitors like the Aiper Scuba SE that only has 1320 gallons per hour of flow rate. It’s the kind of performance that makes you stop and think, “How is this thing not more expensive?”

Filter Bag: A Lifesaver

But wait—it gets better. The filter bag inside the Pool Up dives deeper than the standard Dolphin mesh filters, trapping even the tiniest debris. Sure, it’s a bit trickier to clean compared to the Dolphin Cayman’s top-loading basket, but for the dirt loading capacity, it’s a beast. The sheer amount of gunk it pulls out is downright impressive.

Corded Design: Reliable Power

It’s as straightforward as it gets: you want a corded pool cleaner. More power, zero recharging headaches, and the option to add a Weekly Smart Timer make it a no-brainer. Cordless cleaners? Not for me.

After testing over a dozen cordless models, I can tell you the recharging routine gets old fast.

A corded connection means you’re in and out once a week to turn it on. For many robots with a Weekly Timer upgrade, I only need to step outside once a week to clean the filter. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Read my full breakdown on Corded vs Cordless Pool Cleaners →

Dual Active Scrubbing Brushes

These dual brushes and intake ports help the Nautilus Pool Up vacuum and pickup some serious debris. In my testing, I was blown away with how well the Pool Up could scrub and vacuum compared to models from other brands in this price range.

The results speak for themselves. The power, scrubbing, and vacuuming ability is a hot value at this price point.

Upgrade Options: Customizable for Your Pool Needs

What’s great about the Nautilus Pool Up is how flexible it is. Part of Dolphin’s Evolution series, it lets you upgrade and customize your cleaner with ease, turning a solid performer into a personalized powerhouse.

Want it to clean your pool automatically every day? Just add the weekly timer upgrade. It’s a must-have if you want set it and forget. I’ve used weekly timers on other models, like the Dolphin Cayman, and they’re a lifesaver. Once it’s set, you’ll only need to clean the filter once a week. No more daily trips outside—just pull it out of the pool once a week, clean the filter, toss it back in, and let it do its thing.

With a corded cleaner, it’s a quick trip outside once a week to check the filter and let it keep working its magic. Compare that to a cordless model, where you’re heading out twice a day—once in the morning to charge it and again in the evening to drop it in the pool. That’s 14 trips a week versus as few as one.. The math speaks for itself, and so does the convenience.

Need even better filtration? Upgrade to the UltraFilters. They work like NanoFilters, capturing even more debris and transforming your robot into a cartridge system instead of a bag. Is it essential? Maybe not, but it’s a fantastic option if you’re looking to take your cleaning to the next level.

These upgrades let you tailor the Nautilus Pool Up to fit your pool’s needs perfectly—without blowing your budget. It’s versatility like this that makes this robot such a standout.

Comparing the Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up vs Cordless Cleaners

I’ve put plenty of cordless pool robots to the test, and the Nautilus Pool Up blows them out of the water when it comes to power, suction and runtime. Say goodbye to batteries dying mid-clean and the endless cycle of recharging. With the optional weekly smart timer, you can automate the whole cleaning process and barely give it a second thought. Don’t want to spring for the timer? No problem. The standard power supply still cuts your trips down to just once a day to turn it on, instead of twice with a cordless model.

But here’s the kicker: the power difference is like night and day. The Pool Up’s motors clean with the kind of intensity you’d expect from a much more expensive model. It’s honestly hard to wrap your head around the fact that this is a budget-friendly option—it performs like anything but.

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up vs Dolphin Cayman

The Pool Up boasts a higher flow rate—4500 gallons per hour compared to the Cayman’s 4000. However, the Cayman comes with the weekly timer included and features the MaxBin with NanoFiltration, which I find a bit faster to clean than the Pool Up’s filter bag. Once you add up the cost of the weekly timer option and the Pool Up, it costs slightly more than just getting the Cayman. If automation is your top priority, the Cayman edges ahead. But for a budget-friendly powerhouse, the Nautilus Pool Up is the clear winner.

Read my full review on the Dolphin Cayman →

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up vs Dolphin Quantum

If you’re eyeing top-tier performance, the Dolphin Quantum is hard to beat. As part of the Dolphin ProLine, it offers an XXL Filter Basket, a built-in weekly timer, and the ability to clean the waterline. For larger pools, the Quantum is worth the investment. For smaller pools, though, it may be overkill—and the Pool Up offers all the performance you’ll need at a fraction of the cost.

Read my full review on the Dolphin Quantum →

In the end, the Nautilus Pool Up strikes the perfect balance between price and performance, making it a standout choice for anyone looking to get the most bang for their buck.

Value: A Solid Investment

At its low price point of around $549, the Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up stands out as Maytronics' best value in its lineup. If you're fed up with underperforming cleaners or spending hours vacuuming manually, this robot is a game-changer.

I've tested numerous cleaners in this price range, and none have impressed me as much as the Nautilus Pool Up. Its corded power ensures uninterrupted operation, the filter bag captures substantial debris, and the upgradable options allow for customization to your pool's specific needs. It's easily one of my top picks this year for robotic pool cleaners.

Final Verdict: Pool Nerd Approved

So what’s my final verdict on the Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up?

It’s Pool Nerd approved.

After testing the Nautilus Pool Up, I can confidently recommend it—especially if you’re working with a budget or don’t need every fancy feature right out of the box.

The best part? You can always upgrade to those bells and whistles later. It’s powerful, dependable, and ridiculously easy to use—everything you could want in a robotic pool cleaner.

Whether you’re battling stubborn algae, clearing out leaves, or just ready to automate your pool cleaning, the Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is a no-brainer. It’s earned a spot on our list of top robotic pool cleaners.

If you wanna keep nerding out over your pool, head on over to my deals page at ThePoolNerd.com/deals where I post the best deals on robotic pool cleaners and other pool equipment.

Your resident pool aficionado.

For over 4+ years, The Pool Nerd has been a leading source in the swimming pool industry. With years of experince owning a swimming pool, our hope here is to guide and help making owning a swimming pool easier.