Roborock has only been in the robot vacuum game for eight years, but it’s already built a reputation for bold, eye-catching innovations. There’s the Saros Z70 with its robotic arm that can scoop up dropped socks (a feature still missing from my husband), and the pricey yet powerful Qrevo Curv, which is exceptional when it comes to powerful suction and mopping. In early September, at Berlin’s IFA tech show, Roborock stepped outside the living room with its first three robotic lawn mowers — and I got a sneak peek during an exclusive demo in Munich this week.
Roborock showcased three new models at the event — the RockMow Z1, RockMow S1, and RockNeo Q1, all of which promise to bring something new to the robot lawn mower market currently dominated by the likes of Husqvarna, Gardena, Stihl and Honda. But it was the top-of-the-line Z1 that really grabbed my attention. Here's why...
1. It corners like it's on rails
Of all the Z1’s “particular set of skills,” the standout for me was its cornering — slick enough to give an F1 car a run for its money. The secret lies in its four-wheel drive, with each wheel powered by its own motor, and suspension that allows the mower to handle gentle undulations in the terrain.
Instead of awkwardly shuffling back and forth like many robot mowers, the Z1 glides around corners in one clean sweep. Add in its floating blade design and AI smarts, and it can trim right to the edge — or even while straddling the lawn and your garden path.
Another perk of the Z1’s cornering and smart suspension is less lawn damage. Many robot mowers scuff bald spots as they drag around corners, especially on damp grass. Roborock claims the Z1 avoids this with smoother turns and no back-and-forth grinding.
It's allegedly also able to get as close as 3cm to a wall, fence or flowerbed with its PreciEdge blade, meaning less manual strimming is needed. It's tech we can't wait to try out at home.
2. It's the mountain goat of robot lawn mowers
Next up, we have the Z1's promised ability to power up steep slopes with a gradient of up to 80% (38.7°).
I'd previously seen Husqvarna's Automower 535 AWD handle 70% gradient inclines, but this represents a literal new high for the market.
I actually saw this skill from Roborock live at IFA (fellow Chinese competitors Dreame also presented a robot mower that could hit an 80% gradient), and sadly the Z1 wasn't able to replicate the live demo at the Munich event.
But should Roborock get the tech working reliably, this promises to be a godsend for anyone who has a steep slope, pond or river bank in their garden.
3. It can mow messages into your lawn
Yes, it’s a gimmick — but what’s new tech without at least one delightfully bonkers feature? In the case of the Z1, it’s the option to program it to cut patterns into your lawn. You can go wholesome with a cheerful greeting, celebratory message, or (perhaps more fittingly) a passive-aggressive “Keep Off My Grass.”
Roborock even hints at more creative potential, and I can’t help wondering if it could manage Wimbledon-style stripes. If so, my lawn roller may be out of a job.
What else can the RockMow Z1 do?
The Z1 also packs what Roborock grandly calls “Sentisphere AI Environmental Perception,” which, in plain English, means it can steer confidently through shaded areas and tight passages. If you’ve used robot mowers before (as I have), you’ll know these spots often confuse them, leaving behind scruffy patches of grass.
Equally impressive is the Z1’s stamina: it claims to cut up to 5,000 sq m of grass in just 24 hours — roughly the size of an American football field. It's fair to say other robot mowers (including the aforementioned Husqvarna) can cover that kind of area, albeit with no set time frame. But we'd love to race them and see who does the job the quickest – with no missed bits.
What does the full Roborock mower lineup look like?
Launching alongside the Z1 is the RockMow S1, which offers most of the same features but with two-wheel drive, a smaller 1,000 sq m daily cutting capacity, and slightly less ground clearance at 4cm. It still packs Roborock’s AI system and what the company touts as “industry-leading” 3cm edge cutting.
Then there’s the RockNeo Q1, a close cousin to the S1 with the same AI, 3cm edge cutting, and 1,000 sq m mowing ability, plus matching gradient and obstacle handling. Its standout feature is an optional Wildlife-Friendly Mode, which prevents nighttime runs to avoid disturbing nocturnal visitors — from foxes and raccoons to, yes, your cat.
However, we're guessing the Neo Q1 is also your most affordable option, with certain manual settings like cutting height.
When will Roborock's robot mowers be available?
Before you get too excited, the mowers are so far only confirmed for the European market, launching in Spring 2025, with pricing to be revealed later in the year. However, Kai Zantke, Roborock’s German Communications Lead, told me that there are plans to bring the line to North America in 2026.
MRSPs are also yet to be announced — they're promised at the end of 2025. However, based on Roborock’s robot vacuum pricing, I'd bet on a premium tag – especially for the flagship RockMow Z1 and all its smarts.
More from Tom's Guide
- Robot lawn mowers — the next big frontier for smart homes
- I just tried a robot lawnmower for the first time — here's how it went
- I tested the Mowrator S1 2WD, and it took the stress out of my yard work — here’s how
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