Introduction
The Aiper Seagull SE and the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus are two robotic pool cleaners that target budget-friendly and mid-range price points, respectively. We purchased these units to delve into their performance and effectiveness. We aimed to identify which cleaner offers the best value for money when keeping pools spotless.
Our review of the Aiper Seagull SE highlighted major pitfalls, such as its need for daily recharges, limited floor coverage, and lack of navigational intelligence. While affordable, it often left debris untouched and sometimes failed to maneuver simple inclines. Although the battery life saw some improvement, it still fell short in overall performance.
In stark contrast, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus managed to climb walls and clean floors with greater efficiency. However, it also had its shortcomings, particularly in waterline cleaning and the absence of advanced filtration options such as NanoFilters. Compared to newer models, it uses outdated Gen-1 filters that struggle to capture finer debris.
"Understanding both strengths and limitations is key to choosing the right cleaner."
As experts, we evaluated each unit based on rigorous testing criteria to give you the most comprehensive review. We're now going to guide you through how we test these robotic pool cleaners.
How We Test
At Pool Pad, we rigorously test each robotic pool cleaner over a span of three months to thoroughly understand its performance, strengths, and limitations. Our goal is to provide you with an honest and comprehensive review.
"Consistency in testing is key to an accurate evaluation."
For the Aiper Seagull SE, we conducted daily tests in a standard-sized pool. Our primary focus was on its floor cleaning capabilities, battery life, and navigation. Despite its sleek design, the Seagull SE required frequent recharges and failed to efficiently navigate the pool, often missing debris and getting stuck on inclines.
Conversely, we put the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus through similar rigorous testing in a slightly larger pool. With its ability to clean walls and floors, it showed promising results in its navigational skills and cleaning efficiency. However, it fell short in waterline cleaning, and the absence of NanoFilters was a distinct drawback.
"Testing across different scenarios helps reveal true performance."
During the three-month testing period, we noted that the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus handled everyday debris with ease but struggled with finer particles due to its outdated Gen-1 filters. This limitation became more apparent compared to advanced models like the Dolphin Quantum, which includes NanoFilters for superior filtration.
We monitored the ease of use, maintenance requirements, and the overall user experience for both cleaners. The Aiper Seagull SE required frequent intervention for charging and manual adjustments due to its lack of navigational intelligence. This made daily maintenance cumbersome.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus offered a more hands-off experience, especially with its weekly timer feature. This allowed for scheduled cleanings without daily manual input, significantly reducing the time spent on pool maintenance.
"Ease of use can be a game-changer in choosing the right pool cleaner."
While testing, we found that the Seagull SE was more of an entry-level option that struggled with thorough cleaning tasks, particularly in larger pools. The Nautilus CC Plus, although more robust, still had room for improvement in filtration and waterline cleaning, areas where competitors like the Dolphin Premier excel.
Our comprehensive testing ensures that we can provide the most reliable and insightful recommendations for your pool cleaning needs. Check back soon as we continue to explore and review the best options available.
Coverage
The Aiper Seagull SE is an entry-level robotic pool cleaner that focuses on floor cleaning only. This means it can only handle the flat surfaces at the bottom of your pool, and it struggles with inclines and slopes. The Seagull SE does not come equipped with a navigation system, resulting in a random cleaning path which often leaves many spots untouched.
In contrast, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus excels in covering more areas of the pool. Unlike the Seagull SE, the Nautilus CC Plus can climb walls, offering a comprehensive clean for both the floors and walls. However, it falls short when it comes to waterline cleaning. The Nautilus CC Plus uses advanced navigation, ensuring efficient and systematic cleaning across the pool.
"Effective coverage extends beyond flat surfaces, making wall cleaning a significant feature."
Both robots have their strengths and weaknesses. Where the Seagull SE lacks in thorough coverage due to its inability to clean walls or navigate effectively, the Nautilus CC Plus compensates with dual scrubbing brushes and superior maneuverability. However, it still misses out on cleaning the waterline, an area that can accumulate significant debris and grime.
Given the scores, the Seagull SE has a coverage score of 1.5, reflecting its limited cleaning range and inefficiency in covering diverse surfaces. Conversely, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus scores 3.5, indicating its better but not perfect coverage capabilities. The CC Plus’s ability to clean walls adds significant value, although it still leaves room for improvement at the waterline.
"A higher coverage score means fewer manual interventions for pool owners."
While reviewing both robotic cleaners, it becomes evident that the Nautilus CC Plus outperforms the Seagull SE in terms of coverage. The higher coverage score of the Nautilus CC Plus justifies its price point by reducing the manual effort required to maintain the pool, unlike the Seagull SE that requires frequent human intervention.
If you seek a robotic pool cleaner that offers extensive coverage without breaking the bank, the Dolphin Cayman might be worth considering. It provides a balanced mix of cost-efficiency and robust coverage, climbing walls and cleaning efficiently without sacrificing a lot of features.
In conclusion, while the Nautilus CC Plus leads in pool coverage among the two, it is essential to consider your specific pool cleaning needs. Whether it’s the entry-level ease of the Seagull SE or the more comprehensive but still limited covering capabilities of the Nautilus CC Plus, understanding the strengths and limitations of each can guide you to make the best choice for your pool.
Filters
The Aiper Seagull SE features a flat filter designed to capture standard debris in your pool. Unfortunately, this filtration system falls short in multiple areas. It cannot effectively filter out microscopic particles, such as algae or fine dirt. These limitations significantly impact the Seagull SE’s overall filtration performance.
"Filtration efficiency is key to clean, transparent pool water."
On the other hand, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus employs a more advanced filtration system. It comes with a standard fine filter designed to handle everyday debris like leaves and small twigs. However, it does not include NanoFilters, significantly impacting its ability to clear fine particles from the water.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus has a slight edge over the Seagull SE because it covers wall cleaning, a crucial area where debris often gathers. Despite not having NanoFilters, its dual scrubbing brushes provide a more thorough clean than the Seagull SE's static brushes.
"Removing microscopic particles is where advanced filters make a difference."
Compared to other models, including some Dolphin options, both the Seagull SE and the Nautilus CC Plus fall short. The Dolphin Quantum features an advanced NanoFilter system that captures finer particles, setting a higher standard in filtration. The lack of such advanced filters in the Nautilus CC Plus is a missed opportunity.
In terms of debris capture, the Seagull SE struggles more than the Nautilus CC Plus. While they can handle larger debris like leaves, neither can adequately manage finer particles without advanced filters. Nonetheless, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus performs slightly better overall due to its broader cleaning capabilities.
"Effective filtration directly impacts the pool's cleanliness."
When comparing the filter scores, the Seagull SE scored a mere 1.5, whereas the Nautilus CC Plus achieved a 2. Although the Nautilus CC Plus performs better, it is still not exemplary. For a truly efficient cleaning solution, advanced models like the Dolphin Premier or Dolphin Quantum are more compelling options.
In conclusion, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus wins in the filtration category. Its more thorough coverage and dual scrubbing brushes offer a slight edge, despite its outdated filter system. For optimal pool cleanliness, consider exploring advanced models that incorporate NanoFilters for superior performance.
While the Aiper Seagull SE offers a budget-friendly option, it significantly lacks in filtration efficiency. The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus, although better, still does not meet the highest filtration standards. Understanding these strengths and limitations helps you make an informed decision for your pool cleaning needs.
Feature Set
When comparing the Aiper Seagull SE and the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus in terms of their feature sets, the contrast is quite striking. The Seagull SE’s feature set is noticeably minimalist, boasting primarily a cordless design and a faster-charging battery. The Nautilus CC Plus offers additional functionalities such as a programmable timer and dual scrubbing brushes, making it more robust in its offerings.
"A feature-rich cleaner reduces manual effort for pool owners."
One standout feature of the Nautilus CC Plus is its programmable timer. This allows users to set cleaning schedules for daily, every other day, or every three days, offering considerable convenience. Unfortunately, this functionality is absent in the Seagull SE, forcing users to manually start and stop the cleaning process after each battery charge. This lack of automation can be a significant drawback for those looking for a more hands-off approach.
The Nautilus CC Plus also includes dual scrubbing brushes, which play a pivotal role in dislodging debris. This feature ensures a more thorough clean compared to the Seagull SE’s static brushes, which fail to adequately scrub surfaces. The efficiency of active brushes over static ones is evident in how well each unit handles stuck-on dirt and algae.
"Active scrubbing brushes are a game-changer for pool cleanliness."
In terms of charging and usability, the Aiper Seagull SE has a quick charge feature, reducing the charging time from 4-6 hours to 2.5 hours. Although this improvement is beneficial, it is overshadowed by the need for frequent battery recharges, which detracts from its convenience. The necessity to frequently remove the unit for charging disrupts the fluidity of automated cleaning routines.
Warranty is another critical factor in the feature comparison. The Seagull SE offers a one-year warranty, which pales in comparison to the 2.5-year warranty provided for the Nautilus CC Plus. This extended warranty not only reflects confidence in the product’s durability but also provides peace of mind for users investing in a robotic pool cleaner. The longer warranty significantly reduces potential long-term costs associated with repairs or replacements.
"A longer warranty offers peace of mind and reflects product quality."
Given these attributes, the feature score for the Seagull SE stands at a meager 1 out of 5, heavily weighed down by its lack of automation, navigational intelligence, and limited functionality. In contrast, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus scores a respectable 3.5 out of 5, thanks to its programmable timer, effective brushes, and extended warranty, despite missing NanoFilters.
In conclusion, while the Aiper Seagull SE provides basic and somewhat ineffective features, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus brings more useful functionalities to the table, making it a more viable option for those looking for a thorough and more hands-off pool cleaning experience. For those seeking advanced features and performance, models like the Dolphin Quantum or Dolphin Premier are worth considering.
Conclusion
In our detailed comparison of the Aiper Seagull SE and the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus, significant differences emerged. The Seagull SE, despite its budget-friendly price, scored a mere 2.6 overall, largely due to its lack of navigational intelligence, limited floor coverage, and ineffective filtration. Conversely, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus managed an overall score of 6, performing better in terms of wall cleaning and navigation but still falling short in filtration and waterline cleaning.
When it comes to head-to-head performance, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus clearly outshines the Aiper Seagull SE. The Nautilus CC Plus offers more comprehensive cleaning capabilities and better navigational features, making it the more robust option of the two. However, both units have their limitations, particularly in the absence of advanced filtration options like NanoFilters.
"Advanced filtration is crucial for maintaining a truly clean pool."
If you're seeking higher performance and better filtration, we recommend exploring alternatives such as the Dolphin Quantum or Dolphin Premier. These models offer advanced features, including NanoFilters, superior navigation, and comprehensive cleaning from the floor to the waterline.
Overall, while neither the Aiper Seagull SE nor the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus are perfect, the Nautilus CC Plus offers better value and performance. This comprehensive comparison underscores the need to consider advanced models for more effective pool maintenance, ultimately making a compelling case for alternatives like the Dolphin Quantum and the Dolphin Premier.
This analysis ensures you have the critical insights to make an informed decision when choosing the best robotic pool cleaner. Check back with the Pool Pad team for regular updates and reviews, as we continue to provide valuable guidance for all your pool maintenance needs.
Alternate Robots
In our pursuit of finding the best robotic pool cleaners, we also tested other top-rated models that are worth your consideration. Each of these robotic cleaners offers unique features and functionalities, setting them apart from the Aiper Seagull SE and Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus.
Consider the Dolphin Escape, an advanced above-ground pool cleaner that excels in both performance and efficiency. The Escape stands out with its HyperBrush and SmartNav 2.0 navigation, providing exceptional floor cleaning coverage. Unlike the Seagull SE, it features advanced tracking capabilities, ensuring no spots are missed.
Another noteworthy model is the Dolphin Quantum, a part of the new ProLine series. The Quantum boasts an XXL MaxBin and NanoFilters, making it highly effective in capturing fine particles and large debris alike. Its Powerjet 3D mobility ensures thorough cleaning, including the waterline, an area where both the Seagull SE and Nautilus CC Plus fall short.
If you are looking for a versatile robotic cleaner, the Dolphin Cayman offers another excellent choice. The Cayman features a programmable timer, HyperBrush, and the ability to climb walls. These features make it a robust all-around cleaner, capable of handling various pool cleaning challenges efficiently. It bridges the gap between affordability and high performance.
In conclusion, when choosing a robotic pool cleaner, it’s essential to consider models that offer more comprehensive features and functionalities. The Dolphin Quantum, Dolphin Escape, and Dolphin Cayman are all excellent alternatives, each bringing advanced cleaning technologies and efficiency to the table. For more insights on these top choices, check out our best pool robots page.