RockMow Z1 LiDAR
2 independent reviewsRead the findings →Roborock's flagship mower, with four-wheel drive and a spinning laser instead of a satellite aerial. It suits steep, bumpy or shaded gardens, climbing and turning superbly. It runs over low objects, though, and leaves wide uncut edges.
Updated
See the alternatives below, or switch market.
Where it sits in Roborock’s range
- RockMow S1Two-wheel-drive mower for up to 1,500m², edge disc included
- RockNeo Q1Entry-level mower for lawns up to 1,000m²
- RockMow Z1 LiDARThis model
- RockMow Z1Same four-wheel-drive body, steered by a satellite aerial instead
- RockMow X1 LiDARUS version of this mower, sold as the X120H LiDAR
Feedback
What reviewers found
Two home tests, both with the optional edge disc fitted. Notebookcheck and SmarthomeAssistent agree on what it does well: straight lanes, an even cut, and front wheels that steer, so it turns on the spot without marking the lawn. Both also found automatic mapping unavailable, low objects like a garden hose missed, and wide uncut edges even with the disc. Notebookcheck also found its area per charge modest for the price, while SmarthomeAssistent found narrow passages its clearest weak spot.
Notebookcheck, hands-on, Aug 2026 (tested on the Z120 LiDAR; Tested with the optional edge disc) · SmarthomeAssistent, hands-on (tested on the Z120 LiDAR; Tested with the optional edge disc on a 200m² garden)
Cut quality and edges
Mixed resultsOpen lawn is cut neatly in straight lanes, per SmarthomeAssistent and Notebookcheck. Edges aren't: even with the edge disc, Notebookcheck often saw a 10cm gap on flat borders, and SmarthomeAssistent found it kept too far back from walls.
Setup and boundaries
Mixed resultsConnecting it was painless, but automatic mapping didn't work for Notebookcheck and wasn't yet available for SmarthomeAssistent. Both drove the boundary by hand instead, which worked well once they'd got used to the steering.
Navigation
Mixed resultsThe laser kept it on straight lanes, and SmarthomeAssistent saw it move reliably between two zones. Tight spots are its weak point: SmarthomeAssistent had it avoid a 60cm gap after one run and shuffle at a 1m one, and Notebookcheck saw wide detours round branches.
Slopes and rough ground
Reviewers rate it highlyBoth call the hardware its strongest point. SmarthomeAssistent saw it climb steep slopes with no turning marks, and Notebookcheck saw it get most of the way up a very steep test ramp, on a par with rival four-wheel-drive mowers.
Obstacles and safety
Reviewers found problemsIt avoided a hedgehog dummy in both tests, but low, flat objects are a problem. SmarthomeAssistent saw it drive over a trowel and a straight hose on the most sensitive setting, and Notebookcheck saw it usually run over a tennis ball and hose.
Weather
Not enough evidenceNo review we use tested it in rain or on wet grass.
App and software
Mixed resultsSmarthomeAssistent found the app reliable, with no-go zones easy to set. Notebookcheck blames the software for most of its complaints, from beta mapping that wouldn't start to weak edge and obstacle handling.
Upkeep
Not enough evidenceNo review we use has reported on cleaning or blade changes in use. Notebookcheck notes the blades swap with a screwdriver and you can hose it down.
Reliability and support
Not enough evidenceNo review we use has run it long-term or judged Roborock's support.
Value
Not enough evidenceOnly Notebookcheck weighed the price, finding its area per charge modest and its software disappointing for a flagship. No other review we use judged value.
Verdicts come from independent, hands-on, finished reviews. An area needs at least two of them before we say more than “Not enough evidence”. We don't score robots ourselves. How this works
Climbs and turns without scuffing
The front wheels steer independently, almost 90° each way, so it can turn on the spot. SmarthomeAssistent saw no marks on the lawn from turning, and it handled slopes of about 20% and 45% without trouble. Notebookcheck sent it up an artificial-turf ramp, where it got most of the way to the claimed 80% before stopping with a tip-over error, a result on a par with rival four-wheel-drive mowers. Both call the hardware its strongest point.
Straight lanes, even cut
The laser kept it on straight, overlapping lanes in both tests. SmarthomeAssistent rated the cut neat and even, with visible stripes, and it moved reliably between two zones along a mapped path. Notebookcheck found little to criticise on open lawn across two test plots. Neither could use automatic mapping: it was in beta and wouldn't start for Notebookcheck, and wasn't yet available for SmarthomeAssistent. Driving it round the edge by hand worked well once they'd got used to its nimble steering.
Edges: wide gaps, even with the disc
Its single cutting disc sits in the middle, so without the add-on edge disc, Notebookcheck measured an uncut strip of at least 12cm along raised borders, and SmarthomeAssistent saw up to half a metre by curved walls. With the disc fitted, both still found it kept too far back. Notebookcheck often saw a 10cm gap even on clear, flat edges, and wide detours round single branches poking out of beds. Updates were improving this during the test, but budget for a strimmer.
Misses low, flat objects
Both testers laid out obstacles. It avoided a hedgehog dummy in both tests, and for SmarthomeAssistent it also steered round a wooden horse, children's shoes, a coiled hose and some solar lights. But it ran straight over a garden trowel and a straight hose there, even on the most sensitive setting. Notebookcheck saw it usually drive over a tennis ball and a piece of hose, worse than some entry-level mowers. Clear tools and hoses off the lawn before it runs.
Narrow gaps and battery life
SmarthomeAssistent found tight spots its clearest weakness. It got through a 60cm gap once, then avoided it on every later run, and even a 1m passage gave it trouble, with it shuffling back and forth. On battery, Notebookcheck got just over two hours and about 300m² per charge, then a 75-minute recharge: decent, but less than rival four-wheel-drive mowers manage. SmarthomeAssistent mowed its 200m² in 109 minutes, using 62% of the battery.
Both reviews tested the European Z120 LiDAR with Roborock's optional PreciEdge edge disc fitted. Notebookcheck's findings reflect the software as of 25 August 2026.
Our take
Should you buy the RockMow Z1 LiDAR?
Best for: Steep or uneven lawns shaded by trees. Skip it if: You want a mower with independent tests of this exact version.
consider it for a steep, bumpy, shaded garden where you'd rather not put up an aerial. The Dreame A3 AWD Pro is a tested laser-guided rival, and if your sky is open the RockMow Z1 climbs just as well.
This laser-guided RockMow Z1 tops Roborock's first mower range. It keeps the Z1's four-wheel drive, steering front wheels and suspension, but swaps the satellite aerial for a 360° laser scanner on its back, backed by front cameras, so there's nothing to put up in the garden and no need for open sky. Its single cutting disc sits well in from the sides, and the edge disc is an optional extra. In the US a near-identical model is sold as the X1.
Both testers call the hardware its strongest point. SmarthomeAssistent saw it climb steep slopes with no turning marks, and Notebookcheck got it most of the way up a very steep ramp, on a par with rival four-wheel-drive mowers, with straight lanes and an even cut for both. The software let it down. Automatic mapping wouldn't start for Notebookcheck and wasn't available for SmarthomeAssistent, so both drove the boundary by hand. Even with the edge disc fitted, Notebookcheck often saw a 10cm gap on flat borders and SmarthomeAssistent found it kept too far back from walls, so budget for a strimmer. SmarthomeAssistent saw it drive over a trowel and a straight hose on the most sensitive setting, and Notebookcheck saw it usually run over a tennis ball and a hose. SmarthomeAssistent found narrow gaps confused it, and Notebookcheck found its area per charge modest and the software disappointing for a flagship.
Before you buy
The questions people ask about this one
Does it need a clear view of the sky?
No. It finds its way with a 360° laser scanner and cameras rather than satellites, per the specifications, so there's no aerial to put up. Notebookcheck notes this helps most where trees and buildings would block a satellite signal, and it found its way reliably on two plots.
Will it cope with my slope?
Very likely. It's rated for 80% (38.7°) and 8cm bumps, per the specifications. SmarthomeAssistent had no trouble with slopes of around 45%, and Notebookcheck saw it climb most of the way to the claimed 80% on a test ramp.
How close does it cut to the edge?
Not close enough yet. Without the optional disc, Notebookcheck measured at least 12cm uncut along raised borders. With it, both Notebookcheck and SmarthomeAssistent found it often stayed too far from walls, kerbs and even flat edges.
Can it handle two lawns or a narrow passage?
Two lawns, yes: SmarthomeAssistent mapped front and back zones joined by a path, and it moved between them reliably. Narrow passages are harder. For SmarthomeAssistent it gave up on a 60cm gap after the first run and struggled with a 1m one.
Is there a subscription for 4G or anti-theft?
Not at first. Notebookcheck says three years of 4G data are included in the price, and Roborock lists 4G tracking and anti-theft protection, per the specifications. Roborock doesn't say on its page what 4G costs after that.
How noisy is it for neighbours?
Fairly quiet. Notebookcheck measured under 60dB from a metre away while it mowed. That's typical for a robot mower, far quieter than a petrol one, and unlikely to bother neighbours.
Alternatives
Other robot lawn mowers to compare.
RockMow Z1
Why consider it: The same four-wheel-drive body and climbing ability, steered by satellite, for lawns up to 5,000m².
The compromise: It needs open sky for its aerial, and its edge disc is a paid add-on too.
A3 AWD Pro
Why consider it: Also laser-guided with four-wheel drive; testers found it climbs well and cuts evenly.
The compromise: Plan to map by hand and keep a strimmer.
LUBA 3 AWD
Why consider it: Climbs slopes most rivals can't and leaves wide, tidy stripes.
The compromise: It's heavy, expensive and can scuff soft ground when it turns.
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 Z1 LiDAR?
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
- Notebookcheck: Roborock RockMow Z1 LiDAR review ↗Hands-on · Tested on the Z120 LiDAR · Tested with the optional edge disc
- SmarthomeAssistent: Roborock RockMow Z120 AWD LiDAR im Test ↗1.7 (Gut)Hands-on · Tested on the Z120 LiDAR · Tested with the optional edge disc on a 200m² garden
Sources
- Roborock: RockMow Z1 LiDAR product page (UK) ↗Manufacturer
Videos
- Roborock : RockMow Z1 LiDAR | Precision Lawn Care with Sentisphere™ LiDAR ↗
- Roborock Support: RockMow Z1 LiDAR / X1 LiDAR Tutorials: Unboxing & Setup ↗
- Search YouTube for Roborock RockMow Z1 LiDAR ↗Search results may include company demonstrations or similar models. Check the source and model name; a demonstration is not an independent performance test.