As we could see during previous shows (notably IFA and CES), the specialist in robotic vacuums, after stepping into the garden with its lawn mower robot Dreame A1, is now invading pools with the Dreame Z1 Pro, which we are going to discover today. But this Dreame Z1 Pro is not coming in as a rookie: it immediately displays a sharp technical sheet, an overflowing appetite for dirt, and modern connectivity worthy of the stars in the genre. But behind the enticing marketing… how effective is this robot in the field, where algae show no mercy? After several weeks immersed in its company, it’s time to take stock.
Unboxing the Dreame Z1 Pro
When you receive the box of the Dreame Z1 Pro, the first impression that comes to mind: it’s massive, it’s solid, and it exudes the promise of premium equipment from the very first handling.
First, there’s the size: the Z1 Pro weighs 19 kg out of water, a real broom closet grafted with silicon muscles.
The finishes confirm this first impression: the entire structure is robust, and each assembly seems designed to withstand time, shocks, and chlorinated water. It’s a miniature tank!
But what stands out is the generosity of the technical provision: under the hood, we find two independent pump motors capable of delivering a record suction power of 30 m³/h.
The filtration module, equipped with 180 µm baskets, promises to capture both the smallest debris and stubborn leaves or pine needles that join the party.
Emptying the basket is done in the blink of an eye: lift, rinse, replace. No need to be an engineer to understand it!
Underneath, two rotating brushes (in silicone, so as not to damage the coating) compete in efficiency and flexibility, while the PoolSense™ technology comes into play: here, Dreame focuses on smart mapping and anticipating obstacles.
This robot does not approach cautiously; it literally scans the pool (nothing like the old “star” robots that seemed to dance the lambada with every change of direction). Its arsenal of sensors is impressive: ultrasonic, 3D structured light, infrared detection, ToF (“Time of Flight”) to measure each relief precisely. Suffice it to say that it detects stairs, slopes, or objects fallen to the bottom in real-time.
I was also impressed by the connectivity: the LiFi remote control (which exchanges data via light!), the magnetic charger that clips on by itself, and universal compatibility with all types of pools (up to 200 m², including diamond bottoms or slanted walls).
No power cord; everything runs on lithium battery offering a claimed autonomy of up to 4 hours. Enough to imagine several cycles without ever panicking about a premature cutoff.
Nice detail: at the exit of the box, we discover an “integrated cloth” attached to the cable to systematically wipe the device when it comes out of the water. Do this before placing the magnetic charger.
In short, the Dreame Z1 Pro displays the perfect array of a premium robot from the get-go, ready to take on all challenges. The profusion of sensors, the onboard power, and the impeccable finish already set the tone: it is there to play in the big leagues, and, believe me, it makes you want to quickly move on to the testing phase!
Setting up and discovering the Dreame Z1 Pro
Installing the Dreame Z1 Pro is a detail. You pull out your smartphone and download the Dreamehome app (available on iOS and Android, to be installed via QR code in the box or simply via the App Store). The robot is already in pairing mode as soon as it is powered on. Dreame has thought of everything to make our lives easier!
In just five short minutes, everything is up and running: you just need to create an account, add the Dreame Z1 Pro by scanning the QR code (located on the cover, impossible to miss), connect the robot to your Wi-Fi network (note: only 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz remains on the sidelines), and hop, you’re already piloting the beast from your couch.
No wild disconnections, no bugs on each click: the stability is frankly on point.
The app is clear, fully translated into English, and it gets straight to the point: you can find the battery level, cleaning progress, the ability to start or stop the robot remotely, as well as the history of cycles.
For each cleaning, you can choose from four modes adapted to the situation: bottom only (perfect before the big splash on Saturday), walls, waterline for finishing, or total cleaning. Total freedom!
Do you want a cleaner that adapts to the volume, shape, and even the season? Easy: the PoolSense navigation with the fusion of sensors (ultrasonic, ToF, structured light…) adjusts each path hyper-precisely for all pools up to 200 m², whether they have a flat bottom, diamond, steps…
A killer detail: even the power settings and cycle management are accessible in two clicks!
A word about the LiFi remote control: yes, the robot is really controlled underwater, where neither Wi-Fi nor Bluetooth can go. Convenient for sending the robot to recover a specific area or calling it back to the edge without getting wet. A simple light point and it obeys instantly, although, let’s be clear, under the full sun, the signal lags a bit.
For those skeptical of technology, all the settings can also be done directly on the robot using physical buttons and well-thought-out LED color codes. The LEDs display different states: charging, error, ongoing cycles… hard to get lost.
The robot remembers up to three different configurations (great for those with a complex pool or who like to change the layout). It also knows where it stands: at the end of its mission, it gently parks at the edge of the pool, ready to be retrieved, exactly where you want it. Let’s be honest: with the ease of installation, the nearly immediate handling, and the ability to customize everything from an app, we are clearly dealing with a robot that prioritizes the user above all.
That’s why, from the first connection to the first big cleaning session, the Dreame Z1 Pro gives the impression of mature, accomplished technology, and frankly well thought out for all the hassles one might encounter around a pool. The kind of gadget that brings a smile and that, for once, doesn’t make you regret wanting to play too much geek!
User feedback: Cleaning, autonomy, and (im)perfection
On the field, the Dreame Z1 Pro does not pretend. Armed with its 30 m³/h suction power (yes, it’s really powerful), it efficiently tackles the dirt on the bottom. Leaves, gravel, algae deposits: it fears nothing.
The smart mapping PoolSense™ works wonders: the robot learns the profile of the pool, adapts its S-shaped paths, and avoids obstacles (and no, it doesn’t stubbornly get stuck under the ladder).
As cycles go by, we particularly appreciate the four cleaning modes suited for each mission: simple floor, walls, waterline, or total cleaning. The history of interventions reassures the geek inside each of us, just like the live notification when the charge becomes troublesome. The robot even goes so far as to automatically park near the edge to facilitate retrieval at the end of the cycle… Goodbye net like sport fishing!
If daily use proves to be a real pleasure (especially since everything can be controlled from the sun lounger thanks to the app), a few points of vigilance remain for cleanliness enthusiasts. On stairs and certain steps, detection sometimes remains improvable, and climbing the walls, while effective, does not outperform the highest-end models on the market.
As with the Maytronics Liberty 600 seen recently, it is a robot I would recommend primarily for an inground pool, where the Dreame Z1 Pro proves easy to retrieve. In the case of an above-ground pool like mine, you have to use some muscle to get it out of the water. Imagine 19 kg + the weight of the water when it is full, at a height of 1.3 m. It can be a bit sporty for Mrs…
Autonomy: Champion endurance, but charging to watch
The claimed autonomy joyously flirts with 4 hours, a score rarely reached in hyper-intensive use, but easily 2h50/3h in normal mode, which is more than sufficient for most pools up to 200 m². For my Gre steel pool (7.5 x 3.5 m), it took no more than 40 minutes for a spotless bottom, with 22% of battery consumed. So we can chain several cycles without issue for impeccable cleanliness. The usual charging time is around 4-5 hours. A little trick for the impatient: you can scrape 25 to 35% battery in an hour of quick charging, to kickstart a mini-refresh before an impromptu garden party. But we avoid overdoing it to pamper the battery, of course!
On the other hand, don’t count on real-time information during cleaning (the robot loses all “cloud” contact once under water), you’ll have to wait until the end of the session for a complete summary.
Be also cautious with the magnetic charger, well thought out, but which can sometimes disconnect if you disturb the cable. But nothing alarming.
Smart details, application, and ergonomics: A concentrate of clever ideas
Daily, some details make the experience really pleasant: the filtration basket empties in one motion, the integrated cloth attached to the cable for wiping the robot upon exit proves incredibly practical. We would have liked a charging station or a cart provided by default (indispensable for some who don’t want to play weightlifters every day). The Dreamehome app evolves regularly, even though the weekly programming remains very basic for now. Looking forward to a more refined update!
And if the LiFi remote control leaves you skeptical at first, it comes in handy as a backup, especially when the robot hides at the bottom of the pool and prefers to play the part of the invisible man. Finally, the compatibility with all types of pools: inground, above-ground, liner, or tiles, rectangular or surprising shapes… it adapts without fuss.
Conclusion
The Dreame Z1 Pro is clearly aimed at those who wish to delegate the regular maintenance of their pool, without compromising on efficiency or reliability. This is not a gimmicky add-on, it’s a real partner for anyone wanting to free up time while keeping a geeky eye on cycle history and pool mapping. Certainly, it requires a modicum of elbow grease for water retrieval, but the effort is worth it for anyone who enjoys the comfort of a hassle-free pool.
In summary: powerful, thoughtful, robust, and connected, the Dreame Z1 Pro well deserves its place in the big leagues. It charms with its generous technical specifications and impresses with the user experience it offers. While its considerable weight and the lack of advanced programming are a bit disappointing, the overall feel is one of seriousness and efficiency. We are far from a mere marketing argument: in the field, this robot delivers, and offers that little something extra we expect from a well-designed device.
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