{"id":6276,"date":"2026-06-06T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-06T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-roborock-rockmow-z1\/"},"modified":"2026-06-06T08:03:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-06T06:03:18","slug":"review-roborock-rockmow-z1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-roborock-rockmow-z1\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Roborock RockMow Z1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Over the past few years, Roborock has become a name most people recognize when it comes to robot vacuums, and the quality of their products rarely disappoints; most recently, we were very pleased with their flagship Saros 20 Sonic<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now they are heading out onto the lawn instead, promising a robot lawn mower that can handle almost any plot, regardless of slopes, obstacles, and bumpy surfaces. But does a vacuum manufacturer measure up out in the garden, and is the RockMow Z1<\/strong> really worth its substantial price tag? We\u2019re going to find out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Models and the difference between RTK and LiDAR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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It is important to know the difference between RTK & LiDAR. Photo: Roborock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s important to pay close attention here, as there are several variants and they are easy to mix up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RTK version, which we tested, is available in three sizes: Z115, Z130, and Z150. The only thing that separates them is the battery and cutting capacity. Z115 is designed for plots up to 1,500 square meters, Z130 for up to 3,000, and Z150 for up to 5,000. Accordingly, the battery and runtime per charge also increase. Otherwise, they are identical: same terrain capability, same cameras, same everything. You simply choose a model based on how large your plot is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there is the LiDAR version, and this is where the major difference lies. Instead of requiring an RTK antenna at the base station, the LiDAR model uses a rotating 360-degree sensor on the roof to orient itself, and it is adapted for denser, more shaded, and more complex gardens with many trees and bushes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The RTK version we are testing relies instead on satellite positioning (RTK) combined with visual navigation (VSLAM), and is best suited for large, open lawns without too many trees. If you have a lush plot where the sky is often obscured, the LiDAR variant is the obvious choice, but you will also have to pay a good deal more for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Design and Build Quality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Batmobile, ground drone or robotic lawn mower? – Photo: Senses.se<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first thing you notice when lifting the RockMow Z1 out of the box is that this is a solidly built machine. Several people who saw it during the test called it a “Batmobile” or a “ground drone.” It weighs just over 21 kilograms, feels compact and substantial, and has a bit of a rugged off-road look with large treaded wheels and front cameras that almost look like a face. No gaps, nothing that creaks or feels loose. It is simply extremely well-built, exactly the sense of quality we are used to from Roborock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The machine can also withstand quite a bit. It is IPX6 rated, which means it handles rain and can be rinsed off with a garden hose after a muddy day. It also has a rain sensor that causes it to automatically return to the charging station when it starts raining, and then resumes mowing after a set time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Installation and Mapping<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Installing the RTK version was actually very simple. The RTK antenna needs to be placed in an open area with a clear view of the sky, at least two meters away from walls and trees, and standing upright. The smart thing is that a long cable was included in the box, so the antenna doesn’t have to be placed right next to the charging station. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing to keep in mind is that the machine requires Wi-Fi for the actual installation; if you don’t have it out on the plot, sharing a hotspot from your phone works perfectly fine just for setup. Once set up and running, however, it works without problems entirely without Wi-Fi, thanks to the built-in 4G support (three years of free data included). You can therefore control and monitor the mower even when it’s working at the far end of the garden, out of reach of your own network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mapping is done by driving the mower along the edge of the lawn via the app, like a remote-controlled car. No buried cables are needed. During the test period, Roborock also rolled out AI mapping, where the machine can detect boundaries and draw the map on its own. It actually works quite well, but the truth is that it is still more precise if you take the time to drive the round manually yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Terrain and Maneuverability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is where the RockMow Z1 really shows what it’s capable of, and it is impressive. With four-wheel drive, it handles slopes with significant incline (according to Roborock: 80 percent or 38.7 degrees) and obstacles up to 8 centimeters high. In practice, this means it powers through uneven ground, steep hills, and edges without getting stuck, and we have had difficulty finding anything in the garden that actually stops it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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