This is our review of the Cleverspa Manhattan (updated in 2023)
The hot tub market is fiercely competitive, with new models and designs released all the time, each trying to outdo its rivals.
The Cleverspa Manhattan certainly has a stylish look and boasts some impressive features, but is it really all it’s cracked up to be and could it be the perfect spa for you?
- Freeze Guard protection
- Excellent customer service
- Colour changing LED lights
- Takes a while to heat up
The first thing you will notice about this inflatable hot tub is the striking Manhattan skyline design; the linear light feature shines through the semi-transparent lining to produce an NYC at night effect, which looks really good. The Cleverspa Manhattan doesn’t just rely on looks either there are a fair few features tucked beneath the lid of this 4 person round hot tub.
Over the last ten years, we’ve seen a lot of improvement in blow-up spas; from expensive paddling pools, they’ve evolved into well constructed hot tubs packed with features to enhance your spa experience. So exactly how does the Cleverspa compare. Let’s find out!
In this guide, we’ll look at:
- Who should buy this hot tub?
- Is it good value for money?
- What things make it better than the competition, if any?
Keep reading to see if the Cleverspa Manhattan ticks all the boxes or if it comes up lacking!
The Cleverspa Manhattan is a luxurious offering from the Clever Company. Straight off the bat, we were impressed with the subtle design, which is further enhanced by the integrated LED strip that runs around the tub’s base.
There are 110 air jets to provide an invigorating massage and Cleverspa has also included Freeze Guard protection to enable you to use this inflatable hot tub during colder weather.
Like most blow up hot tubs, the Manhattan spa can be inflated in just a few minutes and takes about an hour to fill. Heating times are around 12-24 hours, depending on the time of year. One feature it lacks is an integrated filtration system; it depends on the standard filter cartridge and chemical route.
Quick Glance
Capacity
4 adults
Set Up Time
Under 10 minutes to inflate
How Long To Heat Up
Clever Company say 12-24 hours
Running Costs
£40-£50 per month used 2-3 times a week
Winter Frost Protection
Yes
Currently in Stock
Yes, the Manhattan Spa is in stock
Pro’s
Modern design, LED lights included, FreezeGuard technology
Con’s
Some customers have experienced heating issues
What We Liked - Key Features
LED lights
This is a feature some people love and lighting has been proven to enhance mood. Not only does the Manhattan hot tub have a colour changing LED light, but it also has a strip which illuminates the lining making the New York skyline really pop.
FreezeGuard
This stops the water in the tub from freezing which can cause irreparable damage to your spa. In newer tubs like the Manhattan, it is activated by pressing the 365 FreezeGuard button on the control panel.
This will maintain the temperature as long as the hot tub is switched on
The design
We can’t ignore the look of this chic spa; it screams luxury and makes this inflatable hot tub an ideal addition to any modern garden.
The outer walls are constructed from Triple S PVC, making them robust enough to withstand damage and sturdy, although we wouldn’t recommend sitting on them. The round shape offers plenty of legroom for couples and it won’t take up too much space.
Size, Dimensions and Specifications
Item Number:
N/A
Inflatable Capacity:
4 people
Water Capacity (70%):
176 gallons ( 800 litres )
Inflated Size:
71 x 26 inches
Filled Weight:
N/A
Cable Length:
5m
Max heat capability:
40 degrees Celcius
Is this a wi-fi controlled hot tub?
Unfortunately, the Cleverspa Manhattan isn’t Wi-Fi compatible and whilst we usually say you won’t miss this feature, you will in this spa. Because it takes quite a while to heat, if you don’t switch the heater on until you get in from work, you won’t be enjoying a soak much before bedtime.
Does this model have lighting?
One of the Cleverspa Manhattan’s stand out features is the lighting. Not only is there a LED strip which shines through the semi-transparent inner lining to illuminate the Manhattan skyline design. There is also a colour changing LED with seven colour options to create the perfect ambience.
How many people can it accommodate?
Like most 4 person Jacuzzis, the Manhattan spa is a bit of a tight squeeze at maximum capacity, but there’s plenty of room for 2 adults and 2 children to fit comfortably and for couples ample space to kick back and relax.
What about safety features?
The Cleverspa Manhattan includes the safety features you would expect with childproof safety locks to keep little ones out of the tub when not in use. Plus, an RCD unit’s standard electrical protection will cut power to the spare if any faults in the power supply are detected. We would have liked to see a little more consideration towards hygiene like MSPA’s Smart filtration system.
Detailed Review
How comfortable is the Cleverspa Manhattan hot tub?
The Manhattan Hot tub’s Triple-S PVC fabric makes this spa comfortable, although without a ground mat underneath, it’s not designed for long periods and, like most models, would benefit from some seating. However, these can be purchased relatively cheaply, so it’s not a big issue.
Running costs
The Clever Company recommend on their website to only engage the heater 24-36 hours before use to keep costs down; however, we’ve found that keeping the heater at a lower temperature prevents long heat-up times and is more economical in the long run. Of course, how much electricity you use will depend on how often you use the hot tub and your supplier also.
Heat up times
This is where we think this tub fails a little, it takes a long time to heat up due to its heating system and after reading a lot of reviews, we found that the Manhattan finds it hard to retain heat or stick to the desired temperature.
How noisy is the Cleverspa Manhattan model
Hot tubs are surprisingly noisy when you turn on the bubble jets and the Cleverspa Manhattan is no exception. The good news is there are things you can do to turn down the volume, such as placing your inflatable spa in a sheltered position or using a thick ground mat.
Winter usage
We don’t like to limit hot tub experiences to the summer months, so we were pleased to find that the Cleverspa Manhattan includes an anti-icing system to prevent the water from freezing and causing damage to the pipes. This means you don’t need to empty and store away the Manhattan spa when the temperatures drop.
Price and discounts
The Cleverspa Manhattan is comparably priced in the mid-range 4 person arena, but like any spa, there are bargains to be had if you shop around or purchase through a cashback site. Towards the end of the year, when demand is low, you may see prices drop quite a bit.
Warranty and support
The Clever company have a FAQ page on their website with some common queries and reassuringly a UK based support team for any aftersales questions. We didn’t have any issues with our Cleverspa Manhattan, but reviews say the customer service is excellent, plus you get a 12-month warranty against manufacturer defects.
Cleverspa Manhattan Reviews
The reviews of the Cleverspa Manhattan are very good with much of the feedback highlighting the durability of the lining, how spacious the tub is and that it offers a touch of class and relaxation.
The contemporary design and lights make this spa ideal for younger couples and urban living; however, we felt the heating issues let it down. Overall, we liked a lot of the Clever Spa features from its colours to its overall style and thought the construction was decent, but there are similarly priced inflatable hot tubs available that we reviewed on our Cleverspa main page which may offer a bit more for the money and are more energy-efficient.
How does it compare?
At around the same price and also with a lit-up contemporary design, the 6 person Lay Z Spa Hollywood has a much bigger water capacity at 314 gallons compared to the Cleverspa Manhattan’s 176, making it much better for those who enjoy entertaining.
It’s also more energy-efficient, includes Freeze Shield Technology and comes with 4 padded headrests, so it’s a no brainer which one wins in this match!
The Atlantic Wave Spa offers a more rustic grey stone design and is a 2-4 person portable hot tub like the Cleverspa Manhattan. However, it has fewer jets and less water capacity at just 644 litres; it’s also slightly cheaper.
There isn’t much to choose between the two really apart from the lights and the Cleverspa in our opinion is slightly less energy efficient, so this one really is down to personal choice!
How to Set Up The Cleverspa Manhattan
Inflatable spas are incredibly easy to set up with no specialist knowledge or tools required and the Cleverspa Manhattan is no exception. All you need to do is unpack the unit, connect it to a power source and attach the inflation hose to the pump. It takes around 5 minutes for the spa to fill with air, then an hour to fill with water. Once done, you can pop in the chemicals and wait for it to heat up.
Last Word
The Cleverspa Manhattan is a good looking outdoor hot tub of that, there’s little doubt and it packs in some great features like an integrated lighting system and Freeze Guard. However, we feel in a fiercely competitive market, it doesn’t do quite enough to beat the competition.
Other options are bigger, have better insulation and better heating times at a similar price point. There’s nothing wrong with the Cleverspa Manhattan and lots of people like the design, but that is its main selling point.
