RockMow S1
Limited evidenceRead the findings →Roborock's mid-range wire-free mower, with an edge-cutting disc built in. It's quiet and precise on fairly gentle lawns, even under trees. It still leaves grass standing beside walls, and misses hoses and thin cables.
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Where it sits in Roborock’s range
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What we know
PC-WELT ran the larger S115 on an 85m² lawn and found setup, navigation and the app polished, with quiet, precise, parallel mowing, even under dense trees. What it didn't like: an edge cut that stopped short at walls and kerbs, hoses and thin cables it didn't spot, and software features Roborock had promised but not yet shipped. Notebookcheck tested the cheaper RockNeo Q1, which shares the cameras and edge disc, and found the same caution at the edges.
PC-WELT, hands-on, May 2026 (tested on the S115; Tested on an 85m² lawn) · Notebookcheck, hands-on, Jul 2026 (tested on the RockNeo Q105; A review of the cheaper RockNeo Q1, cited only for the edge disc both models share)
Quiet, straight and dependable
In PC-WELT's test, the S115 mowed in clean, parallel lanes, missed nothing and didn't cover the same patch twice. After a pause or a trip back to the dock, it picked up exactly where it had stopped. Navigation stayed steady under dense tree cover and through passages from about 70cm wide. It ran at around 59dB, quiet enough for close neighbours. Longer grass needed several passes for an even finish, so it's best run little and often.
Edge disc: good at paths, not walls
The built-in edge disc reaches to about 3cm from the edge, and PC-WELT found it visibly neater than string-trimmer rivals where the lawn meets a flush path or patio, and quieter too. Against high walls and kerbs, a strip was still left. The app also promises the mower can cross the mapped boundary by up to 20cm, but the tester never saw it do that, and in places it kept further back than expected. Notebookcheck saw similar caution from the same disc on the RockNeo Q1.
Clear small things off the lawn
In PC-WELT's garden, the two front cameras reliably spotted garden furniture, bigger toys and people, and steered round them. Thin cables, garden hoses and branches under 4cm tall weren't always seen, so tidy up before a run. It drove over bare patches and the level paving round the tester's pool without fuss. Rear-wheel drive kept its grip on damp ground and slopes, though the tester couldn't try really steep or washed-out ground.
A tall aerial, and mapping by hand
Pairing with the Roborock app took seconds, and PC-WELT rates setup among the best parts of the test. The awkward bit is the satellite reference aerial, which stands about 150cm tall and needs a clear view in every direction, so it's hard to hide. Mapping was manual only at the time: you drive the mower round the lawn edge with the app, which worked reliably but takes a while on bigger plots. Automatic mapping and extra mowing patterns were promised for later updates.
PC-WELT tested the 1,500m² S115, not the smaller S108. Notebookcheck's edge findings come from the RockNeo Q105, which shares the S1's navigation, cameras, 22cm deck and edge module (optional on the Q1) but has manual height adjustment and a smaller battery. So we don't count that review as a test of the S1.
Our take
Should you buy the RockMow S1?
Best for: Fairly flat lawns where trimming the borders is the main chore. Skip it if: Your lawn is steep, soft or full of bumps.
buy it for a fairly gentle lawn up to 1,500m², if you want less edge trimming without paying for four-wheel drive. For a steep or lumpy garden, the RockMow Z1 is the Roborock to get, and the Segway Navimow i2 LiDAR needs no aerial.
The RockMow S1 is the middle of Roborock's first mower range, above the RockNeo Q1 and below the four-wheel-drive RockMow Z1, in two sizes, the S108 and the S115, for lawns up to 1,500m². It steers by satellite with a reference aerial on a pole near the dock, and two front cameras keep its bearings under trees and spot obstacles. Over the Q1 it adds cutting height set zone by zone in the app and an edge-cutting disc as standard. It's rear-wheel drive only, so it's rated for gentler slopes than the Z1.
PC-WELT ran the larger S115 on a small lawn and found setup, navigation and the app polished, with quiet, precise, parallel mowing even under dense trees. Its main complaint was the edge cut, which still left grass standing against walls and kerbs despite the disc. Flat hoses and thin cables can go unnoticed, so clear the lawn first. The slope and lawn size ratings come from Roborock.
Before you buy
The questions people ask about this one
Does it need a boundary wire?
No. It positions itself by satellite, with a reference aerial near the dock, and uses its cameras to keep track under trees, per the specifications. You map the lawn by driving it round the edge in the app. PC-WELT found that simple and reliable, though it takes a while on bigger plots.
Does it need a clear view of the sky?
The aerial does. PC-WELT says it stands about 150cm tall and needs an open view in every direction, so plan where it'll go. The mower itself coped well under dense tree cover in that test, because its cameras help when the satellite signal weakens.
Will it cope with my slope?
It's rated for 45% (24°) and 4cm bumps, per the specifications. PC-WELT found the rear wheels held on damp slopes, but couldn't try extreme hillsides. For steep gardens, Roborock's four-wheel-drive RockMow Z1 is rated for 80%.
How close does it cut to the edge?
Within about 3cm where it can drive right up to the edge, thanks to the built-in disc, per the specifications. PC-WELT found it neat along flush paths and patios, but a strip was left against high walls and kerbs, and in places it kept further back than promised.
Is there a subscription for 4G or anti-theft?
4G is an optional add-on module, per the specifications. Without it, you can still locate the mower and sound its alarm while it's within Wi-Fi range. PC-WELT notes a lift sensor, PIN lock and an alarm if it leaves its area come as standard.
How noisy is it for neighbours?
Not very. PC-WELT measured about 59dB while it mowed and found the edge disc pleasantly quiet too. That's far quieter than a petrol mower and shouldn't bother neighbours, even in a built-up area.
Alternatives
Other robot lawn mowers to compare.
RockMow Z1
Why consider it: Four-wheel drive for big, hilly or cluttered gardens; testers found almost nothing stops it.
The compromise: It's bulky, and its edge disc is a paid add-on.
i2 LiDAR (i208, i210, i215, i220)
Why consider it: No aerial to put up: a laser scanner keeps it on course near trees and buildings, and testers praised its tidy lines.
The compromise: Setup can take tweaking, and the edges still need a strimmer.
GOAT O1200 LiDAR PRO
Why consider it: A built-in string trimmer cuts far more of the border than most robots.
The compromise: The trimmer is loud, and one tester's trimmer failed after two months.
Specs
Full specifications
Each specification names its source. Manufacturer claims are not independent test results; unconfirmed figures are labelled.
Owner reviews
Do you own the RockMow S1?
Tell people how it’s held up: cleaning, maintenance, faults and support. Owner accounts are shown separately from independent reviews.
Sources
Where this page’s findings come from
Editorial reviews
- PC-WELT: Roborock RockMow S1 im Test ↗4.5 / 5Hands-on · Tested on the S115 · Tested on an 85m² lawn
- Notebookcheck: Roborock RockNeo Q1 review ↗Hands-on · Tested on the RockNeo Q105 · A review of the cheaper RockNeo Q1, cited only for the edge disc both models share (not counted towards our two-review minimum)
Sources
- Roborock: RockMow S1 product page (UK) ↗Manufacturer
Videos
- Roborock : RockMow S1 | Effortless Precision for Your Lawn 🌱 ↗
- IsraTecnoLocura - UNBOXING en un MINUTO: Roborock RockMow S1 🏡🌳 REVIEW 🌳🏡 ¡Mantén tu jardín perfecto sin esfuerzos! #RoborockRockMowS1 #S115 ↗
- Search YouTube for Roborock RockMow S1 ↗Search results may include company demonstrations or similar models. Check the source and model name; a demonstration is not an independent performance test.