In-depth baby product reviews led by a Pediatrician

Crane Drop Review

Sleek design, basic features, quiet operation with effective humidity creation
Crane Drop
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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Price:   $55 List | $29.99 at Amazon
Pros:  Quiet, filterless, effective, compact, multiple color options
Cons:  Potential issues with motor performance and durability, light always on
Manufacturer:   Crane
By Wendy Schmitz and the BabyGearLab Review Team  ⋅  Jul 28, 2021
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62
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#4 of 11
  • Ease of Cleaning - 35% 4
  • Effectiveness - 35% 7
  • Noise - 20% 9
  • Ease of Use - 10% 5

The Skinny

The Crane Drop is a cool-looking compact ultrasonic humidifier with a unique tank shape. This unit has a small design with basic features that make it a simple option that fits almost anywhere. With various available color choices, it can be a nice-looking addition to most nurseries and fun to look at for small children. This unit has a family-friendly price and operates in relative silence, even at high levels. Unfortunately, this product isn't as effective as possible, and the lack of programmability means the humidity levels are harder to control. It is also more challenging to clean with small spaces, and the shape makes it difficult to fill and carry. These aspects make the Crane Drop less desirable than cheaper competitors.

Compare to Similar Products

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Crane Drop
This Product
Crane Drop
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Value Award Top Pick Award  
Price $55 List
$29.99 at Amazon		$90 List
$89.99 at Amazon		$40 List$43 List$40 List
$39.99 at Amazon
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Star Rating
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Pros Quiet, filterless, effective, compact, multiple color optionsEasier to use, effective, quietBudget-friendly, effective, easy to use, cleaning brush includedBaby-centric, budget-friendly, quiet, easy to cleanPrice, easy to clean, compact, filterless
Cons Potential issues with motor performance and durability, light always onLittle spendy, somewhat harder to cleanSomewhat louder than average, requires long handle bottle brush, filterNot as effective, average ease of useLouder, not as effective, small capacity, frequent refills
Bottom Line Sleek design, basic features, quiet operation with effective humidity creationAn easy to use, effective, and quiet ultrasonic unit that is somewhat harder to clean than competitorsAn impressively effective budget-friendly humidifier that makes a little more noise than the average unitAdorable baby-centric humidifier that is quiet and easy to maintain, but it isn't very effective compared to the competition and may not meet your humidity goalsCompact and easy to clean but not as effective and louder than most
Rating Categories Crane Drop Levoit LV600HH TaoTronics TT-AH001 TaoTronics TT-AH038 Honeywell HUL520
Ease Of Cleaning (35%)
4.0
6.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
Effectiveness (35%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
2.0
4.0
Noise (20%)
9.0
9.0
5.0
10.0
3.0
Ease Of Use (10%)
5.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Specs Crane Drop Levoit LV600HH TaoTronics TT-AH001 TaoTronics TT-AH038 Honeywell HUL520
Mist Type Cool Cool and Warm Cool Cool Cool
Technology Ultrasonic Ultrasonic Ultrasonic Ultrasonic Ultrasonic
Tank Capacity 1 gal 1.5 gal 1.1 gal 0.66 gal 0.5 gal
Visible Water Reservoir No Yes Yes No Yes
Room Humidification Area (Sq Ft) 500 sq ft 753 sq ft 322 sq ft 269 sq ft Small Room
Max Run Time Up to 24 hrs Up to 36 hrs Up to 30 hrs Up to 30 hrs Up to 20 hrs
Humidity Output Control Variable Mist Control Variable Mist Control
Humidistat		 Variable Mist Control
Humidistat		 Variable Mist Control Variable Mist Control
Demineralization Cartridge/Filter Available for Purchase No No No No
Night Light No No Yes Yes No
Empty Tank Auto-Shut Off Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Dimensions (BGL) 8.7"W x 13"H x 8.7"L 7.5"W x 11"H x 11.3"L 6"W x 9"H x 11.4"L 8.3"W x 12.2"H x 5.5"L 8.1"W x 8.8"H x 8.1"L
Empty Weight (BGL) 2.24 lbs 5.09 lbs 1.83 lbs 3.71 lbs 2.6 lbs
Max Operation Noise Level in dB (BGL) <40 db <40 db 41.7 db <40 db 45.2 db

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Crane company started in 205 with a few designs and continued to add to its collection each year. The company works out of Itasca, Illinois, and is part of the Wachsmuth & Krogmann, Inc (W&K) company. Crane strives to design products that are efficient and stylish with designs that bring a smile to your face. Crane produces humidifiers, air purifiers, fans, and space heaters to increase personal comfort, no matter the climate.

Performance Comparison



You will need a bottle brush or some kind of tool to get the inside...
You will need a bottle brush or some kind of tool to get the inside of the Drop clean as your hand is unlikely to fit inside.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Cleaning


The base of this unit has only a few small nooks and crannies, which made it relatively easy to clean. However, the water tank presents more of a problem and resulted in the Drop earning a lower score for ease of cleaning.

The lid on the Drop will require a smaller brush to get in all the...
The lid on the Drop will require a smaller brush to get in all the nooks and crannies.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The tank opening is too small for hands, and the longer shape makes it challenging to reach the bottom with a standard bottle brush. It does have a minimal number of parts, but keeping the ultrasonic plate clean and free of deposits was difficult and a hit or miss operation that caused a significant drop in mist production if not tended to regularly.

Cleaning the base takes some patience and some smaller brushes to...
Cleaning the base takes some patience and some smaller brushes to get in the smaller spaces. The manual also has instructions on cleaning more depth.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

We find scraping around the washer increases mist production, but the sensitivity of the ultrasonic plate to cleaning causes concern about the overall longevity of the unit.

This photo shows the dust created by the Drop during a full run...
This photo shows the dust created by the Drop during a full run until the vessel was empty.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Using filtered water or the accessory filter is highly recommended to reduce minerals and minerals accumulation on surfaces and in the air (aka white dust). The filter (#HS-3161) must be purchased separately. Crane recommends replacing the filter with every 30-40 fillings. Also, they recommend replacement if the humidifier isn't used for an extended period.

The Drop proved to be relatively effective in tests compared to the...
The Drop proved to be relatively effective in tests compared to the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Effectiveness


This humidifier produces better mist than some of the competition with a higher than average output. It takes a little longer to get going than similar options, but within the first 14 minutes, it catches up and surpasses the lower-producing machines. Though the size of this unit still makes it best for smaller spaces or right near the crib or bed.

The Drop has a quiet operation compared to the competition with only...
The Drop has a quiet operation compared to the competition with only one option in our tests rating higher.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Noise


This unit is one of the quietest in the group. It is similar to the other Crane we tested and is sure to help little ones stay asleep.

The user interface ON the Drop is straightforward with one dial that...
The user interface ON the Drop is straightforward with one dial that turns it on and increases or decreases mist volume.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The simple design of this humidifier made it easy enough to put together and operate. The single mist jet is easily adjustable to change the direction of the mist, and the continuously variable mist output knob allows for good control over the output. The compact design makes it ideal for placement on a nightstand.

We find the "on" light on the Crane to be distracting at night - and you can't turn it off, but by turning the unit to face the wall, it is less bright.

While there is an obvious handle on the top of the Drop, it also...
While there is an obvious handle on the top of the Drop, it also says not to use this grip point as a handle. Wait, what?
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Finally, we were put off by the design of a handle on the tank with a "Do not carry full tank by handle" instruction embossed into the plastic. Although it appears that you can use the handle with an empty tank, we feel that any handle included in the design of a humidifier should be able to support the tank, whether it is empty or full.

Manufacturer Video



— Wendy Schmitz and the BabyGearLab Review Team