Roborock's Budget Mower: Smart Enough for Simple Lawns?

Roborock has entered the robot mower market with its budget-friendly RockNeo Q110H, priced at $1,300. This model requires manual adjustments for mowing height and a hands-on setup of its RTK antenna. While it offers a guide-wire-free experience, its two-wheel-drive system and swiveling front wheels falter on uneven terrain and obstacles like pavers, as noted during a week of testing.

The setup process involves plugging in the dock, connecting via the Roborock app, and installing the RTK antenna. Manual mapping by walking the mower around the perimeter was necessary for complex yards. The mower operates quietly on grass but can be noisy on hard surfaces.

Navigation proved inconsistent, with the mower occasionally ignoring sections of the yard or hitting obstacles. However, performance improved over time, especially when switched to NRTK mode. The two cameras offer adequate obstacle avoidance, though the mower bumped legs when tested directly.

Roborock's app is intuitive, allowing for schedule setup and rain detection. However, it lacks advanced features like drawing map boundaries directly on the phone. The Q110H is best suited for simple, flat lawns, as complex environments may require significant user intervention.