Robotic mowers are no longer a gimmick, but have now become extremely practical helpers with real everyday potential. But while many (cheaper) models still rely on boundary wires or external antenna systems, the Dreame A1 Pro promises something different: free navigation via LiDAR, precise route guidance with 3D sensor technology – and all without tangled cables or RTK tinkering. Sounds like an empty promise? It’s not.
With a current street price of around 1,400 euros, the A1 Pro is positioned in the upper segment. Priced below high-end models such as the LUBA, but technically quite ambitious. LiDAR instead of wire, off-road tires for better grip off-road, an app with map management for several areas – and all of this fully recharged and ready for the next mowing session in under 65 minutes. But does the Dreame A1 Pro deliver everything it promises? We take a closer look at the new member of the Dreame family and test it under real-life conditions.
Dreame A1 Pro: Technical specifications in detail
| Model | Dreame A1 Pro |
| Robot dimensions | 643 × 436 × 261 mm |
| Robot weight | 12.6 kg |
| Charging station | 778 × 490 × 309 mm, 3.3 kg |
| Cutting width | 22 cm |
| Cutting height | 30-70 mm, adjustable in 5 mm increments via app |
| Battery capacity | 5 Ah lithium-ion battery |
| Charging time | approx. 65 minutes |
| Area coverage | up to 2,000 m² / day (depending on mode) |
| Navigation | 360° LiDAR with 3D point clouds & multi-zone maps |
| Max. Slope | 45 % or 24° |
| Water protection | IPX6 (housing waterproof) |
| Safety features | Lifting alarm, child safety lock, rain sensor |
| App functions | Mapping, schedules, no-go zones, cutting patterns |
| Special features | Dual map, LiDAR cleaning brush, night mode |
| Price | 1,599 € (RRP) |
Unboxing & design: The sports car on the lawn
As soon as the Dreame A1 Pro is unpacked, or rather when the accessories box on top is removed to reveal the Dreame A1 Pro, it becomes clear that this robotic lawn mower wants to stand out. Not only because of its chic design and clear color scheme, but also because of its understatement.
The rear? Strongly shaped, deep-drawn, wide profile. Anyone with an overview of the newer models from a Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer will immediately recognize certain parallels. However, this model does not speed along German highways, but across the green. A sports car for (for) racing, in a double sense.
And the packaging immediately reveals something positive – namely a kind of garage, which comes in two parts. A base plate with guide grooves and a roof structure. The latter not only houses the charging socket, but also has a small recess. The soft brush, which is also included in the scope of delivery, can be inserted here. However, the purpose of this only becomes clear once the Dreame A1 Pro is in the garage: The brush cleans the LiDAR installed at the top every time it is parked.
First operation and setup: There’s even more automobile in here
The control unit is concealed under a hinged cover on the top of the robot: four buttons and a central rotary wheel are revealed above the STOP button – not unlike the infotainment controllers in a certain Munich premium sedan. It clicks pleasantly, looks well thought-out and immediately makes a high-quality impression – without taking your attention away from the traffic with all the turning around.
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Before the robot can get started, however, a PIN code must first be assigned – a security feature and setup start at the same time. There was a brief hitch here in the test: the code could not be used after saving, and it was only a few minutes later that it worked as intended.
Presumably this was a side effect of the firmware update starting at the same time, which also takes some time in other respects. A lot of time. It feels like the entire operating system is being reinstalled here, not just a patch. And unfortunately, the procedure could not be skipped.
However, in order to be able to control the Dreame A1 at all, the Dreamhome app must first be installed from the respective store using a QR code on the quick guide. Registering a new account is also a bit rough here. The verification e-mail did not arrive and probably ended up in some spam filter. However, registration by cell phone number was then possible directly and without any problems. Hurray for the good old SMS.
Dreamhome app & commissioning
Once installed, the Dreamhome app allows you to select the device you want to control or configure. The app itself follows a logical, clear structure and all functions appear to be clearly laid out. However, the application is probably designed more for smaller smartphones. On the 8-inch phablet, some buttons are too close together, menu items overlap and texts/descriptions are sometimes a little awkwardly arranged. However, the Dreamhome app can still be used – and so we start mapping our test lawn straight away.
Instead of relying on GPS or RTK, the mowing area is mapped manually. This is done in the classic way using the on-screen joystick, and anyone who has ever operated a remote-controlled car or drone will find their way around here straight away. The A1 Pro should get as close as possible to the edge of the lawn and circle the area once. Once it has circled the garden, the robotic lawnmower creates a map (including a digital fence). If you love your freshly planted flowerbed, you can also define exclusion zones so that flowerbeds, ponds, trampolines or the wildflower meadow become no-go areas. Virtual walls are also helpful – for example, if several sections of lawn are to be mowed with different parameters.
In short, the software works amazingly well in conjunction with the hardware – no frippery, no over-engineering. Of course, a little reworking of the design would be welcome, but we are complaining at a high level here. All the important functions are easy to access:
- Define mowing times
- Adjust cutting height
- Vary mowing direction
- Activate night mode
- Switch safety features such as lifting alarm or child safety lock on or off
The wild garden as a test track: How does the Dreame A1 Pro perform?
The first real use starts where every A1 Pro excursion begins: in the garage. Or rather: in the sporty high-tech bay, somewhat protected by the canopy to the conservatory. And right at the start, a small (but in hindsight insignificant) everyday problem becomes apparent: the robotic lawnmower is stuck backwards in the charging station. Although it can confidently show off its pretty rear end, it needs a turning maneuver every time it leaves the charging station. This is not really dramatic, but if there is not enough space in the landing bay, it can sometimes cause the robotic mower to get stuck before it can do its job.
After parking, the Dreame A1 Pro immediately starts calibrating and then begins its work – quietly and unhurriedly. Acoustically absolutely unobtrusive. It starts rolling as if it had never done anything else and follows the previously defined route exactly. The tracks appear even and systematic, without any hectic turning maneuvers or confused zigzag patterns.
On its course, it nevertheless encounters a few obstacles, such as trees, a climbing tower and some uneven areas with a slight incline. However, the robot maneuvers calmly and reliably avoids all obstacles thanks to 3D-LiDAR and omnidirectional sensor vision. The device usually prefers to play it safe here and keeps too much distance rather than too little. What remains are isolated islands of grass, which then have to be manually reworked if necessary.
For perfect lawn edges, the app also provides another mode – namely edge finishing. With this mode, the Dreame A1 Pro then goes over the edges of the declared zone again.
Cutting quality and suitability for everyday use
Mowing the lawn is one thing – mowing well is another. But this is where the A1 Pro shows that it can do more than just drive around the garden. Right from the first pass on grass around 7 cm high, the robotic mower leaves behind a convincing cutting pattern. Even, fine, almost streak-free. Even on uneven ground, the fixed cutting height remains almost constant.
The cutting width is 22 cm, which ensures efficient work in small to medium-sized gardens without appearing bulky in narrow places. The cutting height can also be set variably in 5 mm increments. From neatly trimmed to meadow-like, the app gives you complete freedom of choice.
Inside, a 3-blade system with freely rotating blades is at work. This not only ensures a clean cut but, according to the manufacturer, should also protect the lawn and cause less stress for the turf. Is that measurable? No idea. But the result is impressive.
In terms of volume, the Dreame A1 Pro also runs a pleasant program – it is hardly noticeable acoustically. If you want, you can also activate the night mode, which reduces the speed and volume (speed) even further. Ideal for sensitive neighbors or small animal visitors in the garden.
More than just looks: Driving behavior, sensors & material on the test bench
Admittedly: Dreame has already delivered a decent design with the A1 Pro, but what’s really under the hood in terms of technology? In summary, a whole range of sensors. LiDAR (Light Detecting and Ranging), ultrasound, bumper (front) and obstacle detection with 3D depth view. The interaction of the installed sensors works convincingly well.
The chassis of the robot lawn mower is also impressive. The two large rear wheels have a good grip, are lightly rubberized and offer sufficient traction even on wet surfaces. Nothing spins or gets stuck here. The A1 Pro maneuvers unerringly through unpaved terrain – albeit sometimes a little too carefully.
Another positive aspect is the material quality. What looked like inexpensive plastic during the initial unboxing turned out to be robust, dirt-repellent plastic during the test, which still looks as good as new even after several uses. The rough surface also conceals dirt a little and is very easy to clean – a wipe with a damp cloth is usually sufficient. The parts are all solidly screwed together and nothing rattles. Only the gigantic STOP button has a little more play than expected. And a little dust occasionally collects under the flap, but that’s absolutely bearable.
Maintenance and cleaning: When the brush gently caresses the LiDAR
The Dreame A1 Pro is designed for everyday use – this is immediately apparent. With its IPX6 certification, it doesn’t need to be afraid of the garden hose, and this is absolutely necessary for cleaning. The LiDAR dome is also cleaned automatically with the brush used every time it is parked and the app even reminds you regularly of the maintenance intervals if you wish.
However, a chain of unfortunate circumstances (a time-consuming firmware update combined with an unforeseen summer thunderstorm) meant that not everything went as smoothly as expected. If the robotic mower mows slightly damp grass, residue builds up on the free-swinging 3-blade system. After prolonged operation, these can then stick together and block the suspension of the blades. A regular look under the hood is therefore essential. However, with gloves, a brush and a little water, this can be quickly remedied.
Endurance and area coverage in practice
On paper, the Dreame A1 Pro promises decent values in terms of battery performance and charging process. 5 Ah battery capacity, a charging time of less than 65 minutes and an area coverage of up to 2,000 m² per day. And practical use also confirms this. Even our test area, which is not quite so robot-friendly, is easily completed on a single charge. The app reports the battery status at all times, but there was never any cause for concern. For larger areas – i.e. if the battery should actually run out along the way – the robotic mower returns to the charging station on its own and refuels before continuing.
Conclusion
The Dreame A1 Pro leaves a positive impression in our test – and not just because of its sporty rear view. With LiDAR, sophisticated app control, robust hardware and extensive sensor technology, it has a lot of what makes a modern robotic lawnmower. And fortunately, the manufacturer has dispensed with superfluous bells and whistles.
Navigation is precise, mapping is done in no time at all and the mower is not fazed even in gardens with many obstacles and adventurous slopes of up to 45%. The cutting pattern is impressive, the noise level is always pleasantly restrained (unlike its sports car colleague) and the battery power is sufficient for much more than just the playing field.
Points of criticism? Yes, there are some. The app could do with more fine-tuning. The cleaning of the blades could also work better – or the manufacturer could have installed a protected blade system. In addition, the front wheels seem a bit flimsy compared to the thick wheels at the back. Sure, the appliance doesn’t use four-wheel drive, but some office chair castors are more solid.
But that’s about it. All in all, the Dreame A1 Pro is a successful plug & play solution at a high level. A real everyday helper for anyone who doesn’t want to mess around with cables, GPS boxes or other wild tinkering. And that’s exactly what this is all about: Automated lawn mowing. That’s all you need.
- Navigation without RTK or boundary wire
- Very good cutting performance & uniform cutting pattern
- Automatic LiDAR cleaning
- Strong traction and reliable off-road capability
- Intuitive app with extensive features
- Firmware update very slow
- Damp grass can cause problems
- App design not optimized for large smartphones
Dreame A1 Pro
Design and processing
Navigation
Obstacle detection
Ease of use
Mowing performance
Price-performance ratio
89/100
The Dreame A1 Pro impresses in everyday use with a clean cut, sophisticated sensor technology and uncomplicated setup - a powerful robotic mower without GPS tinkering that also looks good. Only when the grass is damp should you occasionally take a look under the blade.
