I’ve used this electric mop over 100 times, and this is how I honestly feel about it eight months after my first review

As Ideal Home’s House Manual Editor, it’s literally my job to test cleaning products. And as I test so many, it’s become pretty hard to impress me - let alone create a product that I’ll willingly use in my own home for months on end. But Philips did just that when they launched the Philips OneUp 5000 Series Electric Mop (£149.99 at Amazon) last year.

For years, the best mops have been fairly repetitive in terms of design and delivery. And while I wouldn’t use the word ‘old-fashioned,’ I do think the mop world needed to be shaken up. This happened when this battery-powered model thrust me into my electric mop era eight months ago.

I was impressed back then, but I’m not someone who continually recommends something without following up. So, as I’ve used this electric mop multiple times a week for the past eight months (I worked out that I’ve used it over 100 times, in fact), I thought I’d share what I love - and the things I don’t love - about this viral floorcare product.

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1. The water tank drains quite quickly (but the cleaning solution lasts ages)

The main USP of the Philips OneUp Electric Mop is, unsurprisingly, the patented OneUp technology that continuously pumps clean water onto the floor while simultaneously sucking up the dirty water it leaves behind. And while the 281ml clean water tank is fairly large, I have found that it empties quite quickly.

Philips claims that one tank should be enough to cover 125 square meters, and I personally find it suitable for a quick once-over of my three-bedroom home. For deeper, weekly cleans in the winter, however, I often needed to top up the tank to clean all my hard flooring.

Despite this, a positive is that very little water is wasted during the mopping process, which is a nice change from traditional mops and buckets - especially as I’m on a water meter and extremely conscious of how much water I use.

And while I may have to fill up the tank a little more than I’d like, I love that the cleaning solution lasts ages. Philips says each cartridge offers up to 40 cleans, but I’ve found I can stretch that further by lowering the dosage for my lighter cleans. So, I’ve only just had to buy a replacement for the bottle that originally came with the electric mop.

2. The run time surprised me (in a very good way)

On paper, the Philips OneUp 5000 Electric Mop has a runtime of up to 70 minutes, depending on the setting you use (and there are two to choose from). But just like how a washing machine lies to you, I’ve found that the run time of the Philips OneUp also surprised me.

On one occasion, I managed to rack up 79 minutes of cleaning time on one charge. And while I don’t want to make false promises or suggest you’ll be able to do the same, I’ve personally thought I’d have to charge it way more than I have.

I also think the 4-hour charge time is pretty respectable, as I’ve never had an occasion when I needed to mop my floors within four hours of cleaning them the first time. I’ve also rarely had to use it for more than 15 minutes at a time, so I’ve found that I can go a couple of weeks without charging it.

The Philips OneUp 3000, which is slightly cheaper, does have a shorter battery life of 50 minutes - but even that would be enough if you’re willing to charge it more often. Just be warned that it also has one fewer power setting and takes twice as long to charge.

3. The mop head is quite sturdy (but not invincible)

I’ve tested so many mops over the years, and one thing I will tell you is that choosing a mop with the right mop head matters a lot. Some are incredibly flimsy during cleaning, which makes it harder to get into nooks, crannies and corners, and this also makes it harder to clean a mop head.

However, the mop pad of the Philips OneUp 5000 is sturdy and solid - though, I guess it has to be to encase the components required of the OneUp technology. And because the mop pads are reusable, I haven’t noticed any reduction in cleaning quality or mop functionality while I’ve been using them, as they’ve stayed solid throughout.

In fact, the only problem I’ve encountered over the past eight months is that these mop pads aren’t invincible. While they can be washed in the washing machine, there are limitations to this - and I haven’t found my experiences to match up with Philips’ claim that one mop pad can last up to six months.

I’ve found that it lasts around four months before it starts to disintegrate in the washing machine, most noticeably when the blue foam comes off in tiny pieces. This is a little annoying, but I love the mop so much that I’m willing to overlook it and buy the replacement pads when needed. This is something to consider if you don’t want to shell out £35 every few months, though.

4. It’s expensive (but I do think it’s worth it)

As part of my job, I test so many different floorcare tools - from regular mops and buckets to the best vacuum mops. And while there’s no denying that the Philips OneUp Electric Mop is on the premium end of the price spectrum, I do think it’s worth it. After all, I wouldn’t still be using it in my own house if I didn’t.

And while I’d always recommend those with a bigger budget to splurge on a proper vacuum mop for more efficient, multi-purpose cleaning, I do think the Philips OneUp offers a nice middle ground for those who find that regular mops just don’t offer the results they’re after.

The battery power and OneUp technology allow it to clean floors effectively (without leaving them too wet) while ensuring that all dirt is removed. This is a major step up from some non-electric mops that can simply spread dirty water around the floor without actually combating the issue.

I’ve also tested the similar Kärcher EWM 2 Electric Wipe Mop, which has a higher RRP than the Philips, and still found the Philips OneUp to be superior. It’s easy to use and easy to maintain, and it offers the clean you’d expect from a product at this price point.

Yep, I'm still firmly in my electric mop era...