Dreame Z10 Pro Review with Auto-Empty Dock

The last Dreame robot vacuum I reviewed was the L10 Pro, and after less than a year, they’ve released another variant – this time with an auto-empty dock.

It’s an upgraded version with slightly more airflow based on the tests that translated into better carpet pick-up.

This robot has a similar 3D sensor on the front like the L10 Pro, with better obstacle avoidance capabilities than brands using a front-facing camera. It’s identical to the Ecovacs N8 Pro+ but with a larger bag; thus, longer intervals between replacing it.

Pros

• Excellent obstacle avoidance
• Improved cleaning performance over the Dreame L10 Pro
• Decent at deep cleaning carpet
• Large capacity bag in the dock
• Proficient navigation because of LIDAR
• Compatible with the Xiaomi Home App, so expect a great app experience
• Above-average mopping performance
• Self-emptying feature

Cons

• Subpar coverage results with the rubber flaps blocking the debris path towards the main brush
• The port design could use some improvement and a better seal.

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Introduction to the Dreame Z10 Pro

One new brand aggressively getting into the robot vacuum space is DreameTech. I’ve reviewed two of their products before, the D9 and L10 Pro, and the Z10 Pro is their latest offering to date.

It’s their first with a self-emptying feature, something more and more brands are integrating.

This variant retains the front 3D laser sensors for obstacle avoidance, and after testing it extensively, it’s one of the best at such.

Auto Empty Dock

The most significant upgrade with the Z10 Pro is its self-emptying feature with the auto-empty dock.

Like other major brands, it has a ramp-style dock where the robot sits. And if you’ve followed my blog, you’ll know that I’m a fan of this design because of its stability.

There are no alignment issues to worry about, and it’s usable on carpets or hard floors.

You’ll notice there are two ports, but only one of them is functional. The other connects to a second port and acts as a release valve, so air flows smoothly.

These ports connect to the underside of the robot’s dustbin. And frankly, I’m not a big fan of the design since it lacks a seal and opens easily, so debris can fall out if you tilt the bin.

It was decent at emptying debris like dust, but it struggles with emptying long hair.

Front 3D Laser Sensors

I’ve reviewed other brands with front-facing cameras (Ecovacs T8 and Roborock S6 MaxV) that claim obstacle avoidance, but the Z10 Pro’s laser 3D sensors trump them both.

Laser is superior to a camera in this aspect, providing better precision at avoiding smaller objects.

I did extensive testing with different things like wires, toys, shoes, slippers, and even fake poop – it avoided most of these items well.

But there is a limit. It will not avoid mini-figure-sized toys, or thin wires stretched out.

While it can avoid pet feces, I wouldn’t rely entirely on the 3D lasers entirely as the side brush could touch it.

4000 Pa suction

DreameTech claims this variant has a 4000 Pa suction, one of the highest amount brands that disclose this stat.

I use an anemometer for all robot vacuums I review, which measures airflow. The Z10 Pro has a max of 19.33 CFM. Not the highest, but almost at par with the Roomba 980 and a touch more than the Dreame L10 Pro.

2-in-1 Functionality

Like the previous model, the Z10 Pro also has a mopping feature to complement its improved vacuuming performance.

It utilizes the same rear-mounted electronic water tank (150 ml capacity) for mopping floors.

Having an electronically controlled water tank means better precision since users can control water flow through the app.

Unlike gravity tanks, where water continually seeps through the pad, an electronic tank doesn’t allow water to flow unless the vacuum runs.

Mopping performance is surprisingly good, not as good as the S5 Max or S7, but it’s decent enough for light-duty tasks.

Dustbin design and capacity

The Z10 Pro retains the same top-mounted dustbin but with a lower capacity at 400 ml (L10 Pro is at 570ml).

But the self-emptying feature makes up for the downsized capacity with its 4-liter bag capacity that Dreame says can hold up to 65 days’ worth of debris.

One reason for the volume drop is these ports underneath that taper up. It’s what the base station uses to pick up debris when it engages its auto-empty mode.

Design

The Dreame Z10 Pro retains the same round frame and design. There isn’t much difference between the L10 Pro and Z10 Pro with their button layout, design, brush configuration.

It has the top-mounted LIDAR and three-button spread with a top-mounted door that houses the dustbin.

Underneath, it retains the same single brush and combo brush structure.

Behind the brush is a slot for the water tank/mopping pad.

Combo brush

Another similarity with the older L10 Pro is the combo brush design.

I don’t see any noticeable difference between the Z10 Pro and L10 Pro brush, as both use the same bristle and rubber blade combo.

How does the Dreame Z10 Pro navigate?

Navigation is a strong suit for the Z10 Pro with its top-mounted LIDAR (or laser) sensor, which is my preference.

Laser sensors provide better precision, and their non-reliance on light means you can run it with the lights off.

It has a similar navigating pattern as other LIDAR-based robots like Roborock, where it cleans the edges before vacuuming the middle portion in straight lines.

The front-facing 3D laser sensor adds another wrinkle of obstacle avoidance not present in other brands.

I’ve tested it extensively, and it’s much better than a camera sensor with fewer blind spots.

It avoided various obstacles like fake feces, rolled-up wires, small toys, and shoes. But, as I’ve said earlier, there’s a limit to the size it can evade.

I still wouldn’t recommend leaving things scattered around as it hinders the robot and lessens its efficiency.

Efficiency and Coverage

One part of the navigation tests I do is efficiency, where I record how much time it takes the robot to complete a two-pass run inside a small room.

The Dreame Z10 Pro finished the run in around 16 minutes, one of the fastest times, better than the Roomba S9+ and I6+, and at par with the Roborock S7.

Unfortunately, it didn’t do as well in the coverage test, where I scattered quaker oats all over the room to check how much it picks up.

This is a standard test I do will all robot vacuums, and it’s a good barometer of how efficient the brush is at picking up debris.

It left a significant amount after the first two pass run. One reason it didn’t do as well is the presence of these rubber flaps in front of the main brush.

I’m not sure why Dreame utilizes this design as it hinders the debris path going to the brush.

App features

This variant is compatible with the Xiaomi Home app with some neat features. We’ll go through them one by one.

1. Live map

One feature I like with LIDAR-based robots is the live map. It shows users, in real-time, the robot’s location on the map, which is useful in case the robot is lost or stuck.

2. Map saving and mapping runs

The Dreame Z10 app can save up to three map levels – one more than the L10 Pro.

Users can add multiple invisible wall, no-go zones, and no mop zones on each level.

These are must-have containment features that every homeowner will find helpful in blocking off-limit areas.

Another upgrade from the L10 Pro is mapping runs, where the robot goes in exploratory mode to draw the map.

Mapping runs are more efficient since the robot doesn’t have to go through every nook and cranny to create the map, taking full advantage of the laser sensor’s ability to fire signals 360-degrees.

Since the motor is shut off, the robot can cover a larger expanse much faster than a camera-based robot with the same feature.

Once the robot is done with the mapping run, it automatically adds divisions, and based on what I’ve seen – it’s pretty accurate with these partitions.

If you’re not satisfied, it’s possible to delete the default partitions and set your own through the map management tab on the bottom right.

3. Containment zones

Another app feature I like is the various containment options. For the Z10 Pro, there are three: invisible walls, no-go zones, and no-mop zones.

An invisible wall functions as a virtual wall, blocking the robot from passing through a line on the map. It brings a lot of conveniences since there’s no need to use a physical barrier.

No-go zones and no-mop zones have similar functions, blocking the robot from square or rectangular areas.

The difference is no-mop zones stop the robot from mopping the zone in its mopping configuration, while no-go zones prevent the robot from vacuuming.

4. Selective room cleaning

Consumers can choose a specific room they want to be cleaned with selective room cleaning. With the Xiaomi Home App, tap on the desired room or area.

Another option is setting the preferred power settings on each area to suit the task.

5. Zoned cleaning

Users who want to zero in on an area they want to be cleaned can use the zoned cleaning function.

Inside of cleaning an entire room, you can select a smaller rectangular or square zone. It’s like spot cleaning in older random navigating robots, but there’s no need to carry the robot to the location.

Once you draw the box on the app, the robot goes on the area, cleans it, the returns to base.

6. Auto empty settings

The Xiaomi app also provides several auto-empty settings to adjust frequency between one and three cleaning tasks.

You can also choose to turn the feature off and manually empty the dustbin.

However, it doesn’t have quick access to the empty dustbin feature on the main interface, which I think should be added in future updates.

5. Carpet boost

The carpet boost setting is also available through the device settings tab. With this setting on, the robot increases suction when it detects carpet.

It provides a balance between power and run time since this robot has enough suction to clean hard floors even in standard mode.

6. Scheduling

A scheduling feature is available to automate the vacuuming process. Unlike the iRobot app with a minimum gap of three hours, the Xiaomi doesn’t have these restrictions, and you can schedule as many runs as needed.

This feature is usable with selective room cleaning, so it’s possible to schedule runs on specific areas at preferred times to automate the task further.

Combined with the self-emptying capabilities, enable this robot to be truly autonomous.

How much power does the Dreame Z10 Pro have?

I use an anemometer to measure airflow on the brush roll. While it’s not the best way to gauge suction, it provides a uniform statistic to compare different robot vacuums.

Due to the robot’s design, it’s impossible to use a vacuum gauge to measure water lift, which is an industry-standard (at least) for upright and central vacuums.

Here are the results for the Dreame Z10 Pro on all the power settings.

• Quiet: 9.8 CFM
• Standard: 11.33 CFM
• Strong: 13.91 CFM
• Turbo: 19.33 CFM

The 19.CFM result is in the upper echelon among robot vacuums and slightly better than the L10 Pro.

I also tested this robot using the standard-setting on hard floors, and it has enough to pick up stuff like dust and hair.

You could leave it in this setting for most cleaning tasks, except for heavier debris like sand or pet litter.

Cleaning performance

Next, we’ll look at how well the Dreame Z10 Pro cleans various debris types. I tested it on stuff like Quaker oats, coffee grounds, pet litter, quinoa, sand, and hair.

Here are the overall scores from the tests.

• Overall: 93.45%
• Hard floors: 98.45%
• Sand on hard floor: 97%
• Carpet: 98.42%
• Deep cleaning: 79.95%

Looking at the overall scores, the Z10 Pro did better than the L10 Pro, especially on carpet, where it picked up more.

One reason for the uptick would be the higher airflow and possible brush roll enhancements.

Hard floor

• Quaker oats: 99.4%
• Coffee grounds: 99%
• Quinoa: 98.4%
• Pet litter: 97%

The Z10 Pro was slightly better on hard floors, with an average pick-up of 98.45%.

It did well across the board, and one reason it didn’t pick up above 99% is the fast-spinning side brush and the lack of a third pass.

The side brush scattered portions of debris around, thus the slightly lower score, but it’s not far off the best performing robot vacuums.

Sand on hard floor

Cleaning sand is one of the most challenging things to clean, especially for a robot vacuum with less power than an upright or stick vacuum.

The Dreame Z10 Pro was decent, picking up a tidy 97%. Not a clean sweep, but it got most of it and is above-average compared to other brands.

Hair wrap test

I also tested this robot how it resisted hair tangles, and it was decent, at least with five-inch strands.

• 5-inch hair: 83% inside dustbin; 17% on the brush
• 7-inch hair: 28.5% inside dustbin; 71.5 on the brush

However, it was sub-par on longer seven-inch strands, picking up only 28.5%.

This robot is usable on short strands, but longer hair will wrap on the brush and axles, which requires more upkeep.

Edge cleaning

The round frame hinders this robot from cleaning edges efficiently.

After running it twice, it got a good chunk of the debris scattered, but there was plenty left.

It’s not as efficient as a Roomba S9+ or Ecovacs T8 with the twin-side brush system.

Carpet cleaning

I did tests on both low and mid pile carpet with the same debris group. Despite the slight bump with airflow, the Z10 Pro picked up a higher percentage, especially with embedded dirt.

Low pile results

• Quaker oats: 98.2%
• Coffee grounds: 95.8%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet litter: 99%

The results on low pile carpet are slightly better than on mid pile. And based on the eye test, it made cleaner passes, doing best with cleaning quinoa and worst on fine coffee grounds.

The latter is something that most robot vacuums struggle to clean.

Still, these results are encouraging and represent a step up over the older L10 Pro results.

Mid pile results

• Quaker oats: 96.4%
• Coffee grounds: 95.6%
• Quinoa: 100%
• Pet litter: 99.4%

While it did slightly worst in mid-pile carpet, the drop-off isn’t significant. It got an above-average result across the board with scores above 95%.

Like with the low pile test, it did worse on coffee grounds and best at cleaning quinoa.

Surprisingly, it was slightly better with heavier debris like pet litter.

Deep cleaning tests

The biggest surprise for me doing these tests is the results on mid-pile carpet. I wasn’t expecting much since the L10 Pro was below average.

It picked up an average of 79.95%, which is more than 10% better than the L10 Pro (64.75%).

Not as good as airflow monsters – the Roomba 980 and S9+, but it’s close to the likes of the Roborock S4 Max, S6 Pure, and better than the Ecovacs T8.

Mopping results

Electronic water tanks are becoming a norm and the Z10 Pro has one with a 150-milliliter capacity. Unlike the Roborock S7 with the vibrating element, this robot does not and only drags a wet pad.

I scattered red wine stains to test how well it mops and it was decent.

It cleaned most of the red wine stains but needed a second run to remove the remnants.

Certainly better than a robot utilizing a gravity tank, but it’s a notch below the likes of the Roborock S5 Max and Yeedi Vac Station that had less residue.

I’d recommend this on light stains, but it’s not something that will replace a dedicated mopping tool.

How noisy is the Dreame Z10 Pro?

The Dreame Z10 Pro isn’t very noisy outside the Turbo option, ranging between 60 and 65 decibels. But it gets loud using the highest setting at 75.5 decibels.

Here are the complete results after the sound meter test.

• Quiet: 60.3 dB
• Standard: 63.6 dB
• Strong: 65 dB
• Turbo: 75.5 dB

Fortunately, consumers don’t need to use the turbo setting exclusively as the standard, or strong settings have enough oomph for cleaning hard floors.

Users can opt for these lower modes then turn on the carpet boost setting to balance run time and cleaning performance.

How long will the Dreame Z10 Pro run?

In its lowest setting, it will run for up to 2.5 hours or 150 minutes. Not as lengthy as the Roborock S7, but it’s enough for cleaning a medium to a large home.

Efficient navigation comes into play here since it doesn’t take as long to finish the cleaning task, maximizing the run time.

What comes in the box?

1. Dreame Z10 Pro robot
2. Auto empty dock (w/ one bag installed)
3. One extra bag
4. One side brush
5. Manual and quick start guide

Parts availability

Since Dreame is a new brand, don’t expect much with parts availability. You can buy parts like the filter or brushes from Dreame’s Amazon storefront, but that’s it. Third-party manufacturers won’t sell its components since it isn’t as popular as other brands like Roomba.

Maintenance

Upkeep is a significant part of robot vacuum ownership and should dictate how long it lasts. If you’re spending this much, it pays to learn the ins and outs of caring for it. I’ll quickly go through the different parts you’ll need to check, clean, and replace.

1. Primary brush roll: This part gets the most abuse. Do a visual check once a week to check for any hair and debris build-up on the roller and axles.
2. Side brush: Another part that accumulates hair is the side brush. Check the arms and base for any hair wrap.
3. Dustbin and filter: I’m not a big fan of the Z10 Pro auto-empty design, so you’ll have to check the robot’s dustbin for any accumulation inside and on the brush inlet for any dirt sticking on it. Tap the filter on a solid surface to dislodge any debris and to extend its service life. Replace it once every two or three months.
4. Wheels: Clean the side and caster wheels to remove and dirt sticking on the surface.
5. Drop sensors: Flip the robot, then wipe the drop sensors to prevent an error code firing, preventing the robot from running.
6. Auto-empty dock: Keep the ports free from any obstruction and replace the bag when full. It seems to have a sensor that notifies users if its full. But give a visual check to confirm and replace when needed.

Product Specifications

Where can I buy the Dreame Z10 Pro?

You can buy this self-emptying robot vacuum from online stores like Amazon. Check the link below for more details.

• Dreame Z10 Pro on Amazon

Disclaimer: I will earn a commission if you purchase through the link above, but at no extra cost to you, so it’s a win-win for us!

Is the Dreame Z10 Pro worth it?

Depending on the introductory price, the Dreame Z10 Pro, could be a good, less expensive option than a Roomba I6.

I’m pleasantly surprised at how well it picked up since its predecessor (L10 Pro) didn’t do as well, making this bonafide option for those looking for a self-emptying robot vacuum.

The front 3D sensor adds that obstacle avoidance element you won’t see in most other brands, so you could leave shoes where they are, and it won’t push them around.

Unfortunately, the self-emptying design could use some improvement. I’m not a big fan of its port design as it doesn’t have a good seal and easily opens.

5 Reasons to get the Dreame Z10 Pro

1. Improved cleaning performance: One surprise for me is the much-improved performance of the Z10 Pro, especially on carpet.
2. Obstacle avoidance: The front 3D laser sensor is better than a front camera sensor at detecting and avoiding objects with fewer blindspots.
3. Decent at cleaning embedded sand: The higher airflow enables this robot to clean embedded sand better than the Dreame L10 Pro.
4. Empties itself: This robot comes with an auto-empty feature that empties the robot’s dustbin automatically.
5. Cheaper than a Roomba I6/I7: Dreame offers a more affordable option to the more expensive Roomba I6 and I7 with comparable cleaning performance.

The Verdict: Improved Cleaning Performance, Excellent Obstacle Avoidance, Below-Average Auto-Empty System

When I got this robot, I honestly didn’t expect much from it. But the cleaning performance results were a pleasant surprise.

Even with only a slight uptick in airflow, this variant cleaned much better than the Dreame L10 Pro, especially on carpet and much better at embedded sand.

Based on cleaning tests, this variant is close to the Roomba I6+ and slightly better than the I3+, with a better app and navigational efficiency.

If you don’t mind trying out a new brand at a lower cost, give this robot vacuum a look.