Dreame Z1 Pro Pool Cleaning Robot

Design and Features: Powerful Suction, Autonomous or Remote Control

The Z1 Pro is designed to handle pools of all shapes and sizes, up to 2,160 square feet. It measures 16.6 by 11.0 by 18.5 inches (HWD) and weighs 26 pounds. This model uses dual bulldozer-type treads for propulsion, similar to other high-performing pool cleaners. The front and back scrubbers help loosen and sweep away debris, while two pump motors provide an impressive 8,000 gallons per hour (GPH) of suction.

This level of suction is among the strongest in the market, surpassing models like the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra with its 5,500 GPH rating and the Wybot S2 Pro with a 3,700 GPH suction rate. The Z1 Pro is cordless and runs on a rechargeable battery that offers up to three hours of continuous cleaning time. A full charge takes about four hours, which is slightly better than the Polaris Freedom Plus, which offers 2.5 hours of battery life and requires five hours to fully charge.

The robot includes a magnetic charging adapter and power brick instead of a caddy or charging station. Its front edge houses a Sensor Fusion Module that provides ultrasound, Time of Flight (TOF), and infrared sensing capabilities. This technology works with Dreame’s PoolSense Technology to offer precise mapping and obstacle avoidance. Additional sensors are embedded on the left side, along with a separate IR sensor.

The top of the robot has a handle for easy transportation, a magnetic charging port, a lid that opens to access the filter basket compartment, two water outlets, an LED indicator strip, and an onboard control panel. The LED strip changes colors based on the robot's status—blue when powered on, solid blue when a cleaning mode is selected, blinking green when charging, glowing green when fully charged, and turning red when there is an error.

Control Panel and Remote Wand

The control panel includes a light receiver for use with the included remote wand. This wand uses light communication technology to allow remote control of the robot while it is underwater. Unlike the Polaris Freedom Plus, which only works when partially submerged, the Dreame Z1 Pro's wand can be used out of the water. The remote has a USB-C charging port on the bottom, a four-way dial for navigation and spot cleaning, and buttons for Pause/Resume, Power, and Retrieval.

A small LED on the remote glows green when the battery is charged, orange when low, and blinks red if the device overheats. The cleaner also comes with a retrieval hook, a USB-C cable for charging the remote, and a user manual.

Cleaning Modes and Operation

The Z1 Pro offers five cleaning modes: Standard, Wall Only, Floor Only, Waterline Only, and Complete. In Standard mode, the robot cleans the pool floor first, then the walls, and finally the waterline. Individual modes tackle specific areas, while the Complete mode continues until the battery is depleted. Regardless of the mode, the Z1 Pro will park at the side of the pool on the surface and expel water for easy retrieval. It will sit there for five minutes before sinking to the bottom, at which point you can use the remote wand or the hook to bring it back to the surface.

The filter basket is easy to remove and can be cleaned with a garden hose without touching any debris. The control panel has a power switch and a Mode button for selecting a cleaning mode. Each mode has a backlit icon that lights up when it is selected.

Mobile App Integration

The Z1 Pro has built-in Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) and Bluetooth radios, allowing it to work with the Dreame mobile app for Android and iOS devices. While the robot loses communication with your phone when underwater, it reconnects automatically once it surfaces and sends the latest cleaning data to the app.

The app displays the robot's current battery level, a map of the latest cleaning cycle, and options to select new modes or set up routine cleaning schedules. You can also access settings, manage Wi-Fi connections, update firmware, and enable notifications. Experimental Lab Mode settings allow users to enter specific wall height measurements, enable extreme condition cleaning, and create alternate cleaning paths.

Setup and Performance

Setting up the Z1 Pro was straightforward. After charging the device and the remote wand, I downloaded the mobile app, created an account, scanned the QR code, connected to Wi-Fi, and initiated pairing. Once the LED began blinking blue, the robot was connected and ready to use. A firmware update took about five minutes to complete.

I placed the robot in my 16-by-32-foot inground pool, selected Standard mode, and watched as it calibrated itself and began scanning the edges of the pool to create a cleaning map. It cleaned the floor, moved on to the walls, and then scrubbed the waterline. The pool was spotless after the cleaning session, which took 2 hours to complete. Cleanup was simple—removing the filter basket, rinsing it with a garden hose, and ensuring the charging terminals were dry before recharging the battery.