REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Not suitable for larger rooms
Crane Drop Review
A decent choice for small bedrooms, but there are better options in the same price range
Credit: Crane
RELATED: The Best Humidifiers
Our Verdict
The Crane Drop attempts to compete with several other budget-oriented models in our lineup of the best 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.
Editor's Note: We updated this review for the Crane Drop on April 21, 2022, with a hot take on value and a closer look at other humidifiers.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Crane Drop | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $55 List $39.98 at Amazon | $117 List $68.99 at Amazon | $80 List $79.99 at Amazon | $40 List | Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Inexpensive | Simple interface, good all-around performance, easy to fill, easy to clean | User-friendly interface, control through smartphone, easy to clean | Inexpensive, easy to clean, easy to use | Exceptional output, low lifetime operating costs |
| Cons | Not suitable for larger rooms | No humidistat, pricey | Expensive, average performance | Not the most powerful, no advanced features | Confusing user interface, prolonged cleaning process |
| Bottom Line | A decent choice for small bedrooms, but there are better options in the same price range | An excellent choice for those looking for simplicity, great performance, and an accessible price | Extensive controls, smart home integration, and easy operation provide a trouble-free humidifier experience | The perfect budget model for smaller rooms (less than 150 square feet) | With excellent performance ratings and low operating costs, this is one of our favorite models |
| Rating Categories | Crane Drop | Honeywell HUL430 | Levoit Classic 300S... | Honeywell HUL520B | Levoit Classic 200 |
| Humidifying Performance (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Cleaning (35%) | |||||
| Operating Cost (15%) | |||||
| User Friendliness (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Crane Drop | Honeywell HUL430 | Levoit Classic 300S... | Honeywell HUL520B | Levoit Classic 200 |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs | 6.6 lbs | 4.3 Ibs | 3.0 lbs | 3.5 lbs |
| Dimensions | 8.6" x 13.4" x 8.6" | 13.2" x 8.8" x 8.8" | 9.6" × 7.5" × 13.4" | 8.5" x 8.5" x 9.5" | 13.8" x 7.8" x 5.8" |
| Tank Capacity | 1.0 gallons | 1.25 gallons | 1.2 gallons | 0.5 gallons | 1.1 gallons |
| Humidification Technology | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic |
| Estimated Lifetime Cost | $108 | $122.37 | $119 | $56 | $99 |
| Estimated Annual Electricity Usage | 87.6 kWh | 65.7 kWh | 65.7 kWh | 43.8 kWh | 87.6 kWh |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
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
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
Humidifying Performance
The Crane Drop earned an average score in our humidifying testing, which is quite respectable for a humidifier of this size. It took 1 hour and 45 minutes for this model to bring our testing room to 45% humidity and topped out at a humidity of 51.2%. This makes it slightly more powerful than a few other budget-oriented models, but the differences are likely negligible and would be hard to differentiate without a fancy humidity meter. 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.
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 earned another average score in this metric. The water tank's opening is 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. 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.
The Crane Drop isn't the easiest model to clean, but it's not too difficult either.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
User Friendliness
The Crane Drop was again an average performer in this metric. It has a simple, single-knob control panel that lets you turn the unit on and select a mist level. The tank opening is only 2 inches wide, and the tank is somewhat tall, so it may not fit in shorter sinks.
The Cran Drop has just a single knob control, which is all this simple model really needs.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Operating Cost
The Crane Drop is quite economical and earned a higher score in our operating cost testing. It uses a decent amount of electricity for a humidifier (0.02kWh per hour), but its low list price led to a low estimated lifetime cost of $108.
Should You Buy the Crane Drop?
Considering its tiny stature, the Crane Drop is a fairly high-performing humidifier in this review. However, its average list price and average performance can't compare with other models with similar or lower prices that perform much better overall.
What Other Humidifiers Should You Consider?
The Crane Drop is a fairly good, low-cost humidifier, but if you're looking for a budget option, other models are superior. In particular, the Honeywell HUL520B has a similar small stature, costs less, and is a better value overall. 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 LV600HH.
—
Max Mutter and Steven Tata
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