A1 / A1 Pro
5 tests across the A1 and A1 Pro · 4 publishersRead the findings →Dreame's first robot mower, guided by laser rather than a wire or aerial. It mows level lawns in tidy straight lanes. It misses small objects on the grass, though, and leaves edges for the strimmer.
Updated
Check the manufacturer’s site for current availability.
Where it sits in Dreame’s range
Feedback
What reviewers found
There are five tests from four outlets, across two versions. Notebookcheck and Android Police tested the original A1, while Notebookcheck, Basic Tutorials and commaik tested the A1 Pro. Both versions were praised for their cut, but both left edges needing a strimmer and missed small objects. The Pro's tyres improved grip in some conditions, though loose and slippery ground still caused trouble.
Notebookcheck, hands-on, Jul 2024 (tested on the Dreame A1) · Notebookcheck, hands-on, Jul 2025 (tested on the Dreame A1 Pro) · Android Police, hands-on, May 2024 (tested on the Dreame A1) · Basic Tutorials, hands-on, Jul 2025 (tested on the Dreame A1 Pro) · commaik, hands-on, Several weeks, May 2025 (tested on the Dreame A1 Pro)
Cut quality and edges
Reviewers rate it highlyAndroid Police got perfectly parallel lanes and Basic Tutorials an even, almost streak-free finish, even on uneven ground. Edges are the catch: Notebookcheck and Notebookcheck measured an 11 to 12cm strip left at the border, so plan to strim.
Setup and boundaries
Reviewers rate it highlyNo wire or aerial is needed; you steer it round the edge once in the app. Notebookcheck found that precise and easy, and Basic Tutorials found mapping quick after a long firmware update. Android Police says it can take over an hour on a big lawn.
Navigation
Mixed resultsOn open lawns it works in straight, systematic rows, per Notebookcheck and Basic Tutorials. Android Police found it less at home in gardens with many corners, where it takes curved paths and leaves grass unmown, and Notebookcheck saw it skip patches before going back.
Slopes and rough ground
Mixed resultsFirm, gentle slopes are fine: commaik had no trouble on a moderate, firm slope in wet grass, and Basic Tutorials found the Pro's rear wheels gripped well. Loose ground isn't: commaik saw the Pro slip on gravel, and Notebookcheck found the original A1 lost grip on slippery surfaces.
Obstacles and safety
Reviewers found problemsIts laser misses low objects. Notebookcheck found the A1 reliably failed to spot hedgehog figures and sports gear, the Pro caught a toy hedgehog only about half the time for Notebookcheck, and commaik watched it run over a hose. Clear the lawn first.
Weather
Mixed resultscommaik found it coped with a firm, wet lawn on a slope. Basic Tutorials found that mowing damp grass builds up residue under the free-swinging blades, so it needs checking after wet runs.
App and software
Mixed resultsNotebookcheck found the app clear and stylish, with adjustable obstacle sensitivity. commaik found it sometimes slow and too keen on notifications, and Basic Tutorials wanted more fine-tuning.
Upkeep
Mixed resultsAndroid Police found care straightforward, hosing it down while the dock's brush keeps the laser clean. Basic Tutorials liked the laser brush too, but thinks blade cleaning could be easier, especially after damp grass.
Reliability and support
Not enough evidenceNone of the reviews we use covers long-term ownership or judges Dreame's support. Basic Tutorials found the body still looked as good as new after several weeks.
Value
Not enough evidenceOnly Notebookcheck judged value, calling the A1 Pro fairly inexpensive for a solid mower for gardens up to 2,000m², and cheaper than the original A1.
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
Neat lanes and an even finish
Android Police got perfectly parallel lanes, and Notebookcheck found navigation across three test lawns largely systematic and in straight lines, though it skipped some patches at first and went back for them later. Basic Tutorials described the A1 Pro's cut as even and almost streak-free, even on uneven ground. If you want a lawn that looks mown in rows rather than at random, this does it.
Misses low objects on the grass
This is the big weakness. Notebookcheck found the A1 reliably failed to spot small objects such as hedgehog figures and sports gear. The A1 Pro did better for Notebookcheck, spotting footballs and a toy hedgehog about half the time, but it still missed tennis balls and hoses. commaik watched it run over a garden hose, a sponge and a toy hedgehog. Clear the lawn before every mow, and skip dusk runs if hedgehogs visit.
Expect a wide strip at the edges
The body is wider than the cutting disc, so the blades can't reach the border. Notebookcheck found the A1 stays about 11cm back from the edge, leaving grass where the lawn meets a level path, and Notebookcheck saw a 12cm gap with the Pro. Android Police found it takes a curved path at right-angled corners, leaving some grass unmown there. Switching off obstacle detection for edge runs helped Notebookcheck, but plan to strim.
Grip improved, but not a climber
Dreame rates it for 45% slopes. Notebookcheck found the original A1's wheels lost grip on slippery surfaces, and the A1 Pro's new treads were the main improvement Notebookcheck noticed. commaik had no trouble on firm, wet lawn at about 20%, but saw the Pro slip and take a while to free itself on gravel and loose ground. For real slopes, look at a four-wheel-drive mower.
Manual mapping, quiet running
You map by steering it round the edge with the app. Android Police found that can take over an hour on a big lawn, and Basic Tutorials sat through a long, compulsory firmware update first. Notebookcheck measured 58dB at a metre for the A1 and Notebookcheck 50 to 55dB for the Pro. commaik found the app sometimes slow and too keen on notifications.
Notebookcheck (2024) and Android Police tested the original A1; Notebookcheck (2025), Basic Tutorials and commaik tested the A1 Pro. Both are rated for 2,000m² and use the same laser navigation.
Our take
Should you buy the A1 / A1 Pro?
Best for: Lawns shaded by trees or surrounded by tall buildings. Skip it if: Toys, hoses or other small objects are often left on the grass.
The A1 and A1 Pro suit fairly level lawns where you can clear toys and hoses before mowing and trim the edges yourself. Their laser mapping avoids the need for a satellite aerial. The A2 adds a camera, but check its obstacle tests before choosing it for that feature: a camera by itself is no assurance around small animals.
The A1 was Dreame's first robot mower. It finds its way with a spinning laser on top instead of a boundary wire or a satellite aerial, so it keeps working under trees and close to buildings. The A1 Pro that followed has grippier tyres and a tougher matt finish, and it's the version most shops now stock.
Android Police got perfectly parallel lanes, and Basic Tutorials an even, almost streak-free finish on uneven ground. Small objects are the problem. Notebookcheck found the A1 reliably missed hedgehog figures and sports gear, saw the Pro spot a toy hedgehog only about half the time, and commaik watched it run over a hose. Notebookcheck also measured a strip of around 11cm left uncut at the edges, so you will still need a strimmer. commaik saw the Pro slip on gravel, and Notebookcheck found the original lost grip on slippery ground.
Where to buy
Where to buy the A1 / A1 Pro in United Kingdom
No United Kingdom price checked in the last 21 days. We re-check daily.
We’re still looking for more United Kingdom retailers for this model.
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Before you buy
The questions people ask about this one
Does it need a boundary wire or an aerial?
No. It maps the garden with a spinning laser scanner, so there's no wire and no satellite station, per the specifications. You still drive it round the edge once in the app, which Android Police found can take over an hour on a large lawn.
Is it safe around hedgehogs, pets and toys?
Not reliably. Notebookcheck called the original A1 a danger to hedgehogs and children's toys, and the A1 Pro only spotted a toy hedgehog about half the time for Notebookcheck. commaik saw it run over a hose. Clear the lawn and mow in daylight.
Will it cope with my slope?
Gentle ones. Dreame rates it for 45% (24°), per the specifications, and it only drives the rear wheels. commaik had no trouble at about 20% on firm grass, even when wet, but the Pro slipped on gravel and loose ground. The original A1 had less grip still, per Notebookcheck.
How close does it cut to the edge?
Not very. Notebookcheck found the A1 stays about 11cm back from the edge, and Notebookcheck saw a 12cm gap with the Pro. Android Police also found it cuts corners short on square edges. Budget for regular strimming.
How noisy is it for neighbours?
Reviewers generally found it quiet. Notebookcheck measured 50–55dB at one metre and commaik reported 56dB, while Dreame's the specifications gives 64dB under its own conditions. Those figures use different methods. Because the tests found it unreliable at spotting small animals and objects, keep mowing to daylight when wildlife may visit.
Alternatives
Other robot lawn mowers to compare.
YUKA mini 2 1000
Why consider it: Also laser-guided, so it copes under trees and through narrow gaps, for lawns up to 1,000m².
The compromise: It struggles on steep slopes and may leave a strip along raised edges.
GOAT O1200 LiDAR PRO
Why consider it: Laser-guided with a built-in string trimmer that cuts far more of the border than most robots.
The compromise: The trimmer is loud, and one tester's trimmer failed after two months.
GOAT A3000 LiDAR PRO
Why consider it: A bigger laser-guided mower with a wider 33cm cut and a side trimmer for the edges.
The compromise: Testers with bumpy ground or long tufts found it getting stuck in holes.
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 A1 / A1 Pro?
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: Dreame A1 review ↗Hands-on · Tested on the Dreame A1
- Notebookcheck: Dreame A1 Pro review ↗Hands-on · Tested on the Dreame A1 Pro
- Android Police: Dreametech Robotic Mower A1 review ↗8.5 / 10Hands-on · Tested on the Dreame A1
- Basic Tutorials: Dreame A1 Pro review ↗89 / 100Hands-on · Tested on the Dreame A1 Pro
- commaik: Dreame A1 Pro in test ↗Hands-on, Several weeks · Tested on the Dreame A1 Pro
Sources
- Dreame: A1 Pro product page (Germany) ↗Manufacturer
- Dreame: A1 Pro product page (UK) ↗Manufacturer
- Dreame: Roboticmower A1 product page (global) ↗Manufacturer
Videos
- Search YouTube for Dreame A1 / A1 Pro ↗Search results may include company demonstrations or similar models. Check the source and model name; a demonstration is not an independent performance test.