The catch
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi
It covers walls, yet skips the waterline.
Side by side
Dolphin CC Plus Wi-Fi vs Polaris ERA 842 Compared: Polaris brings canister room and Easy Lift, Dolphin puts fine media first
Quick verdict
If your pool stays within 40 feet, the Dolphin is the pick for finer filtration. For a larger pool with more leaves, the Polaris offers a 60-foot cable, a four-liter canister and Easy Lift.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Where these two really part ways
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi is the better match for “My pool collects fine dust, sand or dead algae”. Polaris ERA 842 Smart is the better match for “My pool is large or nearly 50 feet” and “The main trouble is leaves and larger debris”.
Where this comes from
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
The catch
Polaris ERA 842 Smart
As a corded cleaner, it needs storage space on the deck.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi
- Why pick it
- Fine debris shows up often.
- Your pool tops out at 40 feet in length.
- The catch
- It covers walls, yet skips the waterline.
Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Why pick it
- Reach from the cable is vital.
- You need room for leaves.
- The catch
- As a corded cleaner, it needs storage space on the deck.
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What this page compares
Two connected corded wall cleaners, weighed against each other on filtration, retrieval and cable reach.
This one comes down to cable reach and filter first, then to the limits of your own setup.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
My pool collects fine dust, sand or dead algae
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi lists “Ultra-fine top basket” for filter, while Polaris ERA 842 Smart lists “4-liter canister”. This shows what the treatment path is designed to catch or reduce, and the upkeep it needs.
- Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi
- Better fit
- Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Depends
My pool is large or nearly 50 feet
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi lists “For pools up to 40 ft” for cable reach, while Polaris ERA 842 Smart lists “60 ft cable”. This sets your working reach and where the main unit or power source has to sit while you work.
- Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi
- Good
- Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Better fit
Pulling the robot out of the water has to be easy
A parking or retrieval feature can bring it to where you can reach it. Look for any time window, and for how much wet lifting is still left.
- Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi
- Good
- Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Better fit
I would like to empty the filter less often
Its larger nominal basket gives debris more room. When it needs attention depends on debris size, how loaded the filter gets and the cleaning mode.
- Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi
- Depends
- Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Better fit
I want to steer it to a spot it missed
Some models only respond at the surface, so check the supported mode and the connection state before you count on steering it remotely.
- Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi
- Depends
- Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Better fit
The main trouble is leaves and larger debris
The intake and the debris canister leave useful room for leaves and twigs.
- Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi
- Depends
- Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Where these two really part ways
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi is the better match for “My pool collects fine dust, sand or dead algae”. Polaris ERA 842 Smart is the better match for “My pool is large or nearly 50 feet” and “The main trouble is leaves and larger debris”.
How we worked this out
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
These needs do not split the pair
Both meet the same 3 of the 3 needs this comparison is built around, so the choice comes down to “cable reach” and “filter”.
How we worked this out
Both products are checked against the same needs. The first verified differences still standing are named here.
Models that handle “I want an app for controls and status” and “I would rather have corded power than a battery deadline”
6 of the 27 robot pool cleaners checked handle both “I want an app for controls and status” and “I would rather have corded power than a battery deadline”. Both make the cut.
How we worked this out
You can reproduce the count by filtering the current category for models with a strong or useful fit on both needs.
Option A
Dolphin, 99996409-PCI
Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi
This connected two-hour cleaner suits buyers who want proven wall cleaning and scheduling through an app.
- Best for
- Medium in-ground pools whose owners value app control and can do without waterline scrubbing
Facts we checked
- Pools up to 40 feet are what the current US page rates it for.
- Its cycle is two hours, floor and walls.
- It comes with MyDolphin Plus control, a swivel cable and an ultra-fine top-load basket.
Option B
Polaris, FERA842
ERA 842 Smart
This connected ERA model lets you select zones, set schedules and pull it out with Easy Lift.
- Best for
- App scheduling and easier water removal on a 60-foot-cable Polaris setup
Facts we checked
- A 60-foot swivel cable and a four-liter canister are used.
- iAquaLink gives you scheduling and remote cycle control.
- Front-and-rear brushes, Easy Lift, a caddy and a cover come with it.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi | Polaris ERA 842 Smart | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable reach | For pools up to 40 ft | 60 ft cable | It determines how far you can reach while working and where the main unit or power source has to be placed. |
| Filter | Ultra-fine top basket | 4-liter canister | It shows what the treatment path is built to catch or reduce, and what upkeep that requires. |
| App | MyDolphin Plus | iAquaLink | Setup and everyday use depend on it more than the core physical job does. |
| Waterline | No | No dedicated mode listed | As an owner, how much cleaning, filling and emptying you do yourself depends on it. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi
- Lifting it takes more effort than lifting the Nautilus CC, since it weighs about 20.8 pounds dry.
With Polaris ERA 842 Smart
- Polaris lists floor and floor-plus-wall zones, with no dedicated waterline mode.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the robot pool cleaners we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 6 of the 27 models checked meet every need here: “I need the walls scrubbed as well”, “I want an app for controls and status”, and “I would rather have corded power than a battery deadline”.
6 models fit, out of 27 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I need the walls scrubbed as well”, “I want an app for controls and status”, and “I would rather have corded power than a battery deadline”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi |
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| Polaris ERA 842 Smart |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with Wi-Fi
Fine debris shows up often.
See price & reviews on AmazonPolaris ERA 842 Smart
Reach from the cable is vital.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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