Z1
2 tests of the Z1 Pro bundle · remote not included hereRead the findings →Dreame's cordless pool robot for floors, walls and the waterline: the Z1 Pro minus its underwater remote. It suits small and medium pools. It's only been tested as the Pro, which was slow and patchy until a firmware update.
Updated
See the alternatives below, or switch market.
Where it sits in Dreame’s range
- Z1This model
- Dreame J1A surface skimmer rather than an underwater cleaner
- Z1 ProSame robot plus an underwater remote and more coverage
Feedback
What reviewers found
We haven't found a review of the Z1 itself yet. Both tests here are of the Z1 Pro, which Android Authority describes as the same robot plus a remote. Android Authority ran it over two days in a small pool that already looked clean and was impressed by how much dirt it still picked up. PCWorld tested it for longer, with real storm debris and scattered leaves, and found it slow and patchy until a firmware update lifted pickup to about 90 per cent. Both liked the magnetic charger.
Android Authority, hands-on (tested on the Z1 Pro; Tested the Z1 Pro in a small pool) · PCWorld, hands-on (tested on the Z1 Pro; Tested the Z1 Pro; results changed after a firmware update)
Floor, wall and waterline
Mixed resultsOn the Z1 Pro, which shares the Z1's pumps and dual brushes the specifications, Android Authority found it lifted plenty of gunk from a pool that already looked clean. PCWorld's storm-dirtied pool was barely touched until a firmware update, and debris still stayed around the steps.
Debris
Mixed resultsOn the Z1 Pro, with the same pumps and filter, fine dirt was no problem for Android Authority. PCWorld saw it leave many test leaves behind until a firmware update, after which pickup was good but not great.
Coverage and navigation
Not enough evidenceWe don't have a review of the Z1 itself that tests its coverage or navigation yet.
Battery and charging
Mixed resultsThe Z1 Pro has the same claimed runtime, charging time and magnetic charger the specifications. Android Authority had battery to spare but found a full charge takes four to six hours, among the slowest it tried. Both it and PCWorld liked the plug-free charger.
Filter and retrieval
Mixed resultsOn the Z1 Pro, PCWorld found the hinged basket easy to empty and Android Authority liked it parking at the waterline, but PCWorld saw it sink again after five minutes. The Z1 lacks the Pro's remote to call it back, so keep the hook handy.
Pool types it suits
Not enough evidenceWe don't have a review of the Z1 itself that tests which pools it suits yet.
Reliability and support
Not enough evidenceWe don't have a review of the Z1 itself that has run it long-term or judged Dreame's support yet.
Value
Not enough evidenceWe don't have a review of the Z1 itself that judges its value for money yet.
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
Cleaning depends on the firmware
Testing the Z1 Pro, PCWorld dropped it into a pool full of storm debris and after three hours found the basket less than half full and the pool barely touched. It picked up only about two-thirds of a batch of test leaves. After a firmware update and six full runs, pickup rose to about 90 per cent, though debris was still left around the steps. Android Authority's pool looked clean, yet the basket came out full of gunk. Update it before you judge it.
Slow, and only waits briefly
PCWorld called the Z1 Pro one of the slowest pool robots it has tested, and once found it spinning on the spot for nearly ten minutes mid-run. When a run ends it climbs to the waterline but holds on for only five minutes before sinking. Android Authority liked this auto-parking. It matters more on the Z1, because there's no remote to call it back up, so watch for the app notification or keep the hook handy.
Easy charging, but not quick
Both testers liked the Z1 Pro's magnetic charger, which snaps on without plugs or rubber seals, and PCWorld found a small cloth on the cable for drying the contacts. The downside, per Android Authority, is time: four to six hours for a full charge, among the slowest of the robots it tested. Battery life was ample in its small pool, with over 60 per cent left after a run. Charge it overnight rather than between cleans.
An app that maps the pool
PCWorld rated the Z1 Pro's app as perhaps the best it has used, and the first to draw a map of the pool after a run. The first map of its L-shaped pool was reasonable, but later ones were much worse, and one report claimed a two-hour run had cleaned three square metres. The single-piece basket lifts out of a top hatch and opens on a hinge, and PCWorld found it easy to empty. The app can't connect while the robot is underwater.
Both reviews tested the Z1 Pro, which shares the Z1's suction, brushes, filter, battery and app. We've left out what they found about the Pro's remote, because the Z1 doesn't have one.
Our take
Should you buy the Z1?
Best for: Regularly shaped pools needing floor and wall cleaning. Skip it if: You want simple setup with little time spent adjusting maps or settings.
buy it if you want a cordless cleaner for the floor, walls and waterline of a small or medium pool, and you'll keep the firmware updated and give it a few runs to settle. If you want a robot that heads for debris by itself, look at the Aiper Scuba V3, and if you'd rather it floated up and waited for you, the Beatbot AquaSense 2 does that.
The Z1 is Dreame's cordless pool robot for the floor, walls and waterline, and it travels sideways along the waterline rather than only up and down. It is the Z1 Pro with the underwater remote left out. Dreame claims the same suction, brushes and filter, with slightly less coverage per charge.
Nobody has reviewed the Z1 itself. Both tests are of the Z1 Pro, which Android Authority describes as the same robot plus a remote. PCWorld dropped the Pro into a pool full of storm debris and found it slow and patchy, with the basket less than half full after three hours, until a firmware update lifted pickup to about 90 per cent. Android Authority ran it in a small pool that already looked clean and was surprised how much dirt came out. Both liked the magnetic charger, though Android Authority found a full charge takes four to six hours. Without the remote you can't call it to the edge while it's underwater, so you wait for it to park itself or fish it out with the hook.
Before you buy
The questions people ask about this one
Does it climb walls and clean the waterline?
Yes. It has floor, wall, waterline and all-in-one modes, per the specifications, and moves sideways along the waterline. Android Authority used the all-in-one mode on the Z1 Pro. Neither review says much about waterline results, so how well it shifts a scum line is still untested.
How do I get it out of the water?
It climbs to the waterline and parks when it's done. PCWorld found the Z1 Pro holds on there for only five minutes before sinking. The Pro's remote can call it back up; the Z1 has no remote, so after that you need the included hook. PCWorld weighed the Pro at about 27 pounds.
Does it handle leaves as well as fine dirt?
It got better with updates. At first PCWorld found the Z1 Pro missed a third of its test leaves, and it reached about 90 per cent pickup after a firmware update. Android Authority found it lifted plenty of fine gunk from a pool that looked clean. The Z1 uses the same 180-micron basket, per the specifications.
Is it cordless, and how long does a charge last?
It's cordless, with over 180 minutes claimed for floor cleaning in Eco mode, per the specifications. Android Authority had over 60 per cent battery left after a full run of the Z1 Pro in a small pool. Charging is slow, at four to six hours on the magnetic lead.
Does it need an app?
No. A button on the robot picks the cleaning mode, per the specifications. The app adds scheduling, parking settings and cleaning reports. PCWorld rated the Z1 Pro's app very highly, though its maps and reports weren't always accurate. It only connects while the robot is out of the water.
Alternatives
Other robotic pool cleaners to compare.
Z1 Pro
Why consider it: The same robot with an underwater remote for pausing it or calling it to the edge, and slightly more claimed coverage.
The compromise: Both testers found the remote fiddly, needing several tries or waving before it responded.
Scuba V3
Why consider it: It's lighter, and a camera spots debris and drives to it; three testers found it cleans well.
The compromise: You get only about ten minutes to collect it before it sinks.
AquaSense 2
Why consider it: It cleans the floor, walls and waterline and floats to the edge when done, so collecting it is easier.
The compromise: Testers found steps and fine silt hit and miss, and it doesn't skim.
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 Z1?
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
- Android Authority: Dreame Z1 Pro review: Great robot pool cleaner with a handy remote ↗8 / 10Hands-on · Tested on the Z1 Pro · Tested the Z1 Pro in a small pool
- PCWorld: Dreame Z1 Pro pool robot review: Rocky start but a happy ending ↗3.5 / 5Hands-on · Tested on the Z1 Pro · Tested the Z1 Pro; results changed after a firmware update
Sources
Videos
- Search YouTube for Dreame Z1 ↗Search results may include company demonstrations or similar models. Check the source and model name; a demonstration is not an independent performance test.