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Crane Drop Review

A decent choice for small bedrooms, but there are better options in the same price range
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Crane Drop Review
Credit: Crane
Price:  $55 List
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Manufacturer:   Crane
By Sentry Kelly and Ryan White  ⋅  Jun 12, 2024
60
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 12
  • Effectiveness - 40% 6.5
  • Ease of Cleaning - 25% 6.0
  • Convenience - 20% 4.0
  • Run Time - 10% 6.6
  • Operation Cost - 5% 8.7

Our Verdict

The Crane Drop attempts to compete with several other budget-oriented models in our lineup of the top humidifiers but falls short in many regards. First off, it is slightly more expensive than other similarly-performing models. Secondly, it is noticeably harder to clean, and thirdly it is slightly harder to refill the water tank. The Crane Drop is by no means a bad humidifier; it works quite well as a small appliance designed for small rooms. However, other options perform better at a similar or lower price.
REASONS TO BUY
Adjustable mist nozzle
Multiple colors offered
Solid carrying handle
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor controls
Overpriced
Editor's Note: We updated this review for the Crane Drop on June 12th, 2024, to reflect changes to our testing metrics.

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line Adequate for small rooms, but there are better low cost/small room models availableAffordable, feature-rich, and effective, this humidifier is a great all around choiceIt doesn't have the most power, but this device gets the job done at an affordable priceThe design of these humidifiers is pleasing, but you might want more for your moneyThis model checks a lot of boxes, unfortunately it's core functionality isn't great
Rating Categories Crane Drop Dreo Smart HM311S Levoit Dual 150 Ult... Crane Adorables AquaOasis Cool Mist
Effectiveness (40%)
6.5
7.0
5.8
4.9
3.0
Ease of Cleaning (25%)
6.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
8.0
Convenience (20%)
4.0
10.0
7.5
5.0
6.0
Run Time (10%)
6.6
6.9
9.5
7.8
7.9
Operation Cost (5%)
8.7
7.8
6.0
8.3
8.9
Specs Crane Drop Dreo Smart HM311S Levoit Dual 150 Ult... Crane Adorables AquaOasis Cool Mist
Capacity 1.0 gal 1.0 gal 0.8 gal 1.0 gal 0.5 gal
Coverage Area 500 sq. ft. 300 sq. ft. 290 sq. ft. 500 sq. ft. 400 sq.ft.
Built in Humidistat No Yes No No No
Measured Noise (Low) .5 dBa 1.0 dBa .5 dBa .3 dBa 2.0 dBa
Measured Noise (Medium) 1 dBa 2 dBa 1 dBa 1 dBa 3 dBa
Measured Noise (High) 2 dBa 3 dBa 1 dBa 1 dBa 3 dBa
Nightlight No Yes No No No
Sleep Mode No Yes No No No
Available App No Yes No No No
Modes Dial 1-3, Auto Dial Dial 1-3
Relative Humidity Range None 30-90 None None None
Warm Mist No No No No No
Auto Shutoff Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Filter Required No No Optional No No
Aromatherapy Capable No Yes Yes No No
Removable Tank Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Top Fill / Bottom Fill Bottom Top Top Bottom Bottom
Humidification Technology Ultrasonic Ultrasonic Ultrasonic Ultrasonic Ultrasonic
Manufacturer Dimensions 13.4" x 8.6" x 8.6" 10.2" x 11.0" x 5.5" 11.6" x 7.2" x 8.1" 12.8" x 7.0" x 7.0" 10.0" x 4.0" x 5.0"
Weight 4.0 lbs 3.0 lbs 3.0 lbs 2.7 lbs 1.6 lbs
Run Time (High) 16 hr 18 hr 29 hr 21 hr 18 hr
Relative Humidity Change 1 hr 47.3% 52.2% 41.8% 33.2% 16.5%

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Crane Drop performs well as a humidifier for small rooms (100 square feet or less). But in that capacity, it is outclassed at almost every turn by other similarly-priced options.

Performance Comparison


Operating the Crane Drop with the single dial.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Effectiveness


The Crane Drop had a mediocre performance in our humidifying testing, compared to other bigger modes, which isn't necessarily bad for a humidifier of this size — just not great. This appliance is suitable for small bedrooms or even a larger bedroom if you don't mind turning the humidifier on a couple of hours before bedtime. We tested this model in a 150 sq. ft. room, which is the average bedroom size, and it managed to change the relative humidity in the room by 47.8%. Overall, it's more effective than a few other compact options.

crane drop - all-in-all, the crane drop performs decently for the size.
All-in-all, the Crane Drop performs decently for the size.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Ease of Cleaning


The Crane Drop is small enough that there isn't too much area to scrub, but it can sometimes be tricky to get all the nooks and crannies. In the end, it did okay in this metric. The water tank's opening is just under 2 inches wide, making access a bit difficult. You'll need a long-handled brush to reach every part of the tank. Apart from that, cleaning is fairly easy despite a couple of sharp corners. The instruction manual calls for a half-hour soak in a white vinegar solution, and many of the harder-to-clean components are dishwasher safe. We spent 15 minutes getting this machine completely clean (not including soaking time), which was on par with most other models.

crane drop - the crane drop isn't the easiest model to clean, but it's not too...
The Crane Drop isn't the easiest model to clean, but it's not too difficult either.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Convenience


The Crane Drop yet again performed okay in this metric. The Crane features a simple, single-knob control panel that allows you to turn the unit on and select a mist level. However, the indicator is somewhat undefined, making the overall operation experience less than ideal. Additionally, it's designed for bottom filling, meaning you'll need to transport it to the sink whenever you want to fill it up. While it's small and easy to transport, we typically prefer a top fill design to minimize the chance of making a mess. There is also no humidistat, which aids in regulating the amount of humidity it delivers.

crane drop - the crane drop has a single knob control, but it's not exactly the...
The Crane Drop has a single knob control, but it's not exactly the easiest to read.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Run Time


To identify overall run time, we fill each humidifier with the minimal amount of water it needs to operate. We then run it on all available settings until it shuts off and proceed to add 50mL of water to the base of each appliance. This enables to calculate the total average running time for each humidifier. The Crane Drop will last an estimated 16 hours before the auto shut off at 125mL.

crane drop - the crane drop may be small, but it is mighty relative to the...
The Crane Drop may be small, but it is mighty relative to the humidity it can crank out if given enough time.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Operation Cost


The Crane Drop earned a higher score in our operating cost testing. It uses a decent amount of electricity for a humidifier, but runs at an efficient estimated monthly cost of $1.89. Given its overall affordable price, and somewhat low operation cost, it's quite economical overall. Keep in mind that costs will vary.

Should You Buy the Crane Drop?


Given its compact size, the Crane Drop humidifier performs relatively well, although its price (while affordable) places it in competition with more effective appliances. If a small footprint is a high priority for you, and you're willing to overlook its limitations, it may be worth considering.

What Other Humidifiers Should You Consider?


The Crane Drop is a fairly good, low-cost humidifier, but if you're looking for other budget options, the Dreo HM311S has a similar small stature, costs nearly the same, and is a better value overall. Plus it has a humidistat. If you want to step up to a full-sized humidifier to suit a larger space, you cannot go wrong with the top-performing Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart. It's a more capable device across the board.

Sentry Kelly and Ryan White