Review: Philips OneUp 5000 XV5113

We have tested many types of wet cleaning machines, all of which have attempted to replace the good old mop and bucket. These are often large, heavy machines with rotating brushes or rollers that work more or less well. Surprisingly often, you then have to spend time cleaning the machine. This makes it more time-consuming, rarely more effective and, above all, more unpleasant, as you have to handle the dirt. Philips has dared to think in new ways, or rather, in old ways. Oneup is simply a better mop.

Note that there are two models of OneUp. We have tested the 5000 series, which has two wet settings so it can also be used on more delicate floors. It also has a longer battery life and charges twice as fast. The 3000 series, on the other hand, is 30 per cent cheaper.

Construction

Philips OneUp is more or less similar to the more modern mops with a microfibre pad at the bottom. The pad is mounted on a ball joint so you can turn and flip it to reach even tight spots. There are two containers in the narrow shaft. One container collects dirty water. The other is for clean water, where you also attach the small bottle of cleaning solution.

Use

OneUp is easily charged using a USB-C cable from a modern, slightly more powerful mobile charger. After a couple of hours, the battery is fully charged. Fill the top container with water up to the mark and press the button to dispense the correct amount of cleaning agent into the tank. The bottle is sufficient for 40 cleanings, and a 2-pack costs €25. It may seem expensive, but Philips claims that one bottle is equivalent to three regular bottles of cleaning solution. Then moisten the pad to get started a little faster and press it onto the underside.

Easy to mop

The great thing about OneUp is that it’s so easy to use. You don’t need to read any instructions; you can give it to anyone and they can get started right away. It’s so flexible that you can reach everywhere, just like with a traditional mop, and it’s so light that your arms won’t get tired. The buttons let you choose how much water you want to use. The lowest level is sufficient for normal floors, and you can add more if you encounter a stubborn stain or an extra dirty floor in the hallway.

The difference compared to a regular mop is that you don’t need to go and wet the pad when it starts to dry out. Oneup ensures that the pad always has the right moisture level. You also don’t need to wring out the pad, as the machine continuously sucks the dirty water into the tank. This means that you always mop with a clean pad instead of spreading dirty water across the floor, which is what you actually do with a traditional mop.

And wow, it gets so clean! The fact that it can clean a normal floor may not be that impressive. But for us, it was the stain removal that stood out from the crowd. If you have pets, you may suddenly find a dried ‘accident’ in a hidden place. You can’t remove that with a mop; you have to scrape it off first. But a little scrubbing with OneUp has actually removed even the worst stains we’ve encountered.

Cleaning

And then we come to the Achilles heel of many competing products, namely cleaning the machine. With OneUp, you remove the dirty water tank and empty it into the sink. There is no dirt to scrape out. Large particles and hair get stuck in the mop pad. You can simply remove it from the machine and rinse it under the tap. If the pad starts to feel dirty, just wash it in the washing machine. Philips claims that a pad should last for six months of cleaning.

Conclusion

Philips has thought carefully when creating OneUp. Instead of a large, heavy, clumsy and complicated wet cleaning machine, they have improved a regular mop. It is flexible so that you can reach everywhere and so light that your arms don’t get tired. The mop pad scrubs away even the most stubborn stains. And the machine ensures that the mop pad is always just the right amount of damp with clean water. The dirty water is sucked up into a container. When you’re done, just pour the dirty water into the bin and rinse the pad under the tap. A truly ingenious cleaning device! Why has no one thought of this before?