In a direct comparison of two popular mops, the Philips One Up electric mop came out on top for effortless cleaning, delivering a streak-free shine with less effort than the Flash power spray mop.
Nicola Roy, a Spare Time writer, tested both mops in her flat, which has mostly wood and tile floors. She used the Flash mop in the hallway and the Philips One Up in the bathroom, after vacuuming both rooms first to capture lingering dust and dirt.
Flash mop: lightweight but spray function broken
Roy has owned the Flash mop for a few years, having bought it to replace a standard mop and bucket. She praised its slim, easy-to-store design and lightweight, flexible build, which reaches awkward spaces and cleans bathroom wall tiles.
However, the spray function has never worked, so she must use her own cleaning solution. She sprays it onto the floor and buffs it in with the mop. She typically uses Fabulosa disinfectants, mixing a few capfuls with water in a spray bottle.
The mop is compatible with stick-on microfibre pads, which are machine-washable and available on Amazon, though not the Flash brand. Roy said the pads lift dust easily and leave a shine, as seen on her wooden hall floor.
Philips One Up: electric, self-cleaning, streak-free
The Philips One Up was Roy's first electric mop. Setup was straightforward: slot a bottle of concentrated floor cleaner into the handle, fill the water container, and press the water button. The solution releases gradually from the bottom of the cleaning pad, with no mess.
Roy was surprised by how easily it glided over bathroom tiles, leaving them spotless with no streaks. The mop dispenses clean water and sucks up the dirty water, with separate clean and dirty water tanks to prevent contamination. It comes with one bottle of cleaner, said to last 40 cleans, and one machine-washable, reusable pad.
Verdict: Philips wins on results, but Flash has unlimited runtime
Each mop has its own pros and cons. The Flash mop is not electric and has no function to suck up dirty water, so it can sometimes spread it back around. However, it does not require a charge, giving it unlimited runtime.
The Philips One Up is said to have 70 minutes of battery life, which is probably enough for most homes, though larger houses might struggle to finish mopping in time. It only comes with one bottle of cleaner and one pad, and no other cleaners or pads are compatible, meaning replacements must be bought direct, which could be pricey in the long run.
Based on results and ease of cleaning, Roy chose the Philips One Up. It costs £150, so it is not cheap, but she said it is ideal for anyone looking for a really effective electric mop who does not mind spending a bit.
