Dreame A1: The Cordless Wonder that Frees You from Lawn Mowing Chores

In the realm of home automation, Dreame has been blazing trails since 2015, revolutionizing the navigation capabilities of robotic vacuum cleaners. Now, the Chinese brand has ventured into uncharted territory with the unveiling of its inaugural robotic lawnmower, the Dreame A1. Leveraging its expertise, Dreame has infused some of the best features from its vacuum cleaners into this intriguing new offering. Let's delve into the details of this game-changing product.

The Dreame A1's design is a sight to behold, bearing a striking resemblance to a sleek automobile fresh from the minds of Porsche designers. Bidding farewell to the conventional matte orange or green plastic of its competitors, the A1 dons a captivating metallic silver finish that is sure to turn heads as it diligently manicures your lawn.

While the automotive-inspired design is undoubtedly eye-catching, it's the A1's dimensions that demand attention. Measuring 77.8 x 49 x 30.9 centimeters, you'll need to allocate a dedicated space for its base station. But fear not, the setup process is remarkably straightforward.

Preparing the A1 for its maiden voyage requires a mere 30 minutes of your time. No intricate assembly is required; simply find a suitable spot for the base station, secure it to the ground using the provided screws, and ensure a nearby power outlet is available for charging purposes.

Once the physical installation is complete, the software setup follows. Akin to Dreame's robotic vacuum cleaners, the A1 seamlessly integrates with the Dreamehome app via Bluetooth and WiFi connections. A simple pin code configuration ensures the mower remains inaccessible to unauthorized users, safeguarding it from potential theft or misuse.

After a (lengthy) firmware update, you'll have the opportunity to unlock the A1's crowning glory: its ingenious boundary mapping system.

Goodbye, Cumbersome Wires

One of the most significant hurdles in setting up traditional robotic lawnmowers is the installation of boundary wires. These wires define the mowing area and must be meticulously laid out, adhering to precise distances from lawn edges. The Dreame A1, however, elegantly sidesteps this laborious task.

To establish your lawn's boundaries, simply take the reins via your smartphone, guiding the A1 like a remote-controlled vehicle. With a single pass, the mower maps out the area, eliminating the need for cumbersome wires altogether – a truly game-changing feature.

Intelligent Zone Management

The latest firmware update for the Dreame A1 introduces an ingenious feature: the ability to divide your lawn into five distinct zones. This functionality is particularly advantageous for those with multiple parcels, allowing you to customize the mowing height for each designated area as per your preference.

Unparalleled Mowing Prowess

Let's address the elephant in the room: the Dreame A1's mowing capabilities. In a bold move, we intentionally neglected to conduct the first spring mow, leaving the grass a towering 20 centimeters tall. While the recommended height range is a modest 3 to 7 centimeters, we sought to push the boundaries of the A1's performance.

To our utter astonishment, the Dreame A1 rose to the challenge, effortlessly slicing through the overgrown grass. Although it's advisable to refrain from using the mower on grass exceeding 10 centimeters in height, the A1's remarkable power and precision left us thoroughly impressed. 

The mower's razor-like blades, conveniently replaceable with a spare set included in the box, delivered a pristine, manicured finish, even in the presence of stubborn weeds.

Silence is Golden

One of the A1's standout features is its whisper-quiet operation. You're likely aware of the restrictions on mowing lawns on Sundays and holidays due to noise pollution concerns. The Dreame A1's near-silent performance circumvents this issue entirely, allowing you to maintain your lawn without disturbing the peace.

Navigational Prowess on Par with Top Robotic Vacuums

Dreame's expertise in robotic navigation shines through in the A1's performance. Leaving unsightly tufts of grass behind would be unforgivable, but the A1 navigates with precision, ensuring a uniform cut throughout your lawn.

The mower deftly avoids obstacles such as sun loungers, table legs, and intentionally scattered balls. An optional setting allows the A1 to disregard obstacle detection, enabling it to mow through taller grass. However, remember to reactivate this feature afterward to ensure continued obstacle avoidance.

Real-time progress tracking is available through the app, displaying the mowed area and completion percentage – a handy feature for monitoring the mower's whereabouts and performance.

Bid Farewell to Mowing Chores

The Dreamehome app's functionality for the A1 mirrors that of Dreame's robotic vacuums, allowing you to schedule automatic mowing sessions for specific days and zones. With this level of automation, the Dreame A1 liberates you from the arduous task of manual lawn mowing.

Concerns about inclement weather are also addressed. The A1 is equipped with rain sensors that trigger an automatic return to the base station when precipitation is detected. Furthermore, its IPX6 water resistance rating ensures easy cleaning and maintenance.

In the event of any issues during operation, a conveniently located stop button halts all activities, and the app sends notifications to keep you informed.

While the A1 can operate without a smartphone after the initial configuration, the on-board display and buttons provide additional control options.

Impressive Battery Life

During our testing, the Dreame A1 maintained a mowing time of 1 hour and 45 minutes before returning to its base for a 1 hour and 5 minute recharge. This equates to approximately 180 square meters of coverage before requiring a battery top-up.

For larger lawns, the A1 automatically returns to its base when the battery drops to 15%, resuming the mowing task once recharged. In our case, the mower completed a 280 square meter area in 3 hours and 45 minutes, including the charging time.

Dreame's inaugural robotic lawnmower, the A1, is an exceptional debut. Leveraging its expertise from robotic vacuums, the A1 delivers flawless navigation and impressive mowing capabilities.

Its wire-free boundary mapping system is a game-changer, eliminating the hassle of traditional wire installations. The mower's near-silent operation allows for mowing at any time without disturbing the peace, while its precise and efficient cutting ensures a well-groomed lawn.

With programmable scheduling, the Dreame A1 effectively eliminates the need for manual mowing, freeing up valuable time for its users to enjoy their impeccably manicured outdoor spaces.