6 Best Crane Humidifiers – Low Humidity Is Not Just about Discomfort

By
Carolina Evans
Carolina Evans
Research Writer
Holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and is keen on her own home’s climate. Sometimes we think that Carolina owns every single product she writes about – that’s ho read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Richard Powell
Richard Powell
Expert Consultant
For 8 years, Richard had been working as an HVAC specialist and AC unit installer since his student years. Now, he’s our main consultant on every technical aspect that may read more
Last updated: August 15, 2023
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In this guide, we are looking at the best Crane humidifier models. Low humidity is not just about discomfort, it can pose some serious threats to your health and make you far more susceptible to diseases, so it is vital that you know the humidity in your home and if it is too low, it is the utmost necessity that you get a humidifier to address the issue. Crane is a prolific brand, and we’ve reviewed some of their top models, which happen to be some of the best humidifiers overall.

To create a full guide we’ve looked at a lot of the vital features to consider when buying a humidifier including the mist type, the coverage area (how big a space the humidifier can handle) and other factors including the tank and runtime, dimensions and the weight of the humidifier. You don’t necessarily want a large and bulky humidifier in your home.

Quick Summary

Top 6 Crane Humidifiers Review 2024

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7309 people in the past 30 days
9.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.8
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.7
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.5
9.9
Features
  • Mist type: cool mist
  • Coverage area: up to 500 sq. ft.
  • Water tank capacity: 1 gal
  • Runtime: 24 hours
  • Dimensions: 8.6 x 13.4 x 8.6 inches
  • Weight: 4.5 lbs.

 More features: available in 8 colors, adjustable 360° mist lid, optional demineralization filter (HS-1932)

This crane cool mist humidifier is a good option which has the best of both worlds in terms of being relatively small but also being durable and having a decent coverage area.

It weighs just 4.5 lbs, and this makes it a good option for portability. The 1 gallon capacity is decent, and provides it with enough water to run for 24 hours before needing any maintenance.

The 360 degree mist lid ensures an even spray and distribution of humidity. If you are worried about the quality of the water and your health you can even get a demineralization filter.

It has an auto shutoff so if the water should run out, so this unit will not do itself damage.

At 8.6 x 13.4 x 8.6 inches in size, it won’t take up too much space so it can work in a number of different home environments, even small rooms, but can cover up to 500 sq ft.

What we like: This model is a great balance between affordable and effective with a crane tear drop humidifier design.

What could be better: Ideally, the tank would last a little longer. If you run it at a high capacity you might not get 24 hours as advertised.

    What makes it special?
  • Good value.
  • 360 degree design.
  • Auto shutoff feature.
Also Product Ranking:
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4144 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.2
9.7
Features
  • Mist type: warm mist
  • Coverage area: up to 250 sq. ft.
  • Water tank capacity: 0.5 gal
  • Runtime: 8 hours
  • Dimensions: 6.5 x 8.5 x 8 inches
  • Weight: 2.2 lbs.

 More features: 2-in-1 model, heats up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit

The Crane EE-5202 Inhaler & Warm Mist Humidifier has been named the best value due to the fact that it can do two jobs instead of just one. As well as being a decent little humidifier with a warm mist design, it also has an inhaler. It is very good for those who are feeling ill and it works as a treatment for coughs and colds.

The weight is just 2.2 lbs so it is small and lightweight enough to store away when not in use.

The water tank has a capacity of 0.5 gallons, this is not quite as long-lasting as some of the competing options such as the Crane Drop ultrasonic cool mist humidifier. It is only able to give you eight hours of use at a time. This is fine for those who mainly want to use the unit to treat illness.

What we like: This is a small and portable option with a 2-in-1 design.

What could be better: Ideally, this could benefit from a bigger tank and long runtime.

    What makes it special?
  • 2-in-1 model.
  • Great for treating coughs and colds.
  • Small and lightweight.
Also Product Ranking:
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 2378 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.5
Features
  • Mist type: cool mist
  • Coverage area: up to 160 sq. ft.
  • Water tank capacity: 0.2 gal
  • Runtime: 8 hours
  • Dimensions: 6.7 x 6.7 x 4.1 inches
  • Weight: 1.2 lbs.

 More features: ideal for traveling, 360° mist lid, auto-off safety feature

Are you looking for a crane travel humidifier? If you want to buy something that is good for taking on the go with you then the Crane Personal Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is worth considering.

The coverage area is to 160 sq. ft, which is fine for small spaces, and naturally if you need a smaller option for travelling you will not be as worried. The mist lid still has 360 degrees of coverage nonetheless.

A weight of just over 1lb makes it an ideal option for putting in your bag and taking out and about on your vacation.

The model has a cool misting design which makes it good for hotter climates but it won’t help as much with colds.

What we like: Tiny model with a very small tank which makes it ideal for taking out and about.

What could be better: A maximum of eight hours of runtime is not as good as some options in our list of crane humidifier reviews.

    Why are we impressed?
  • Great for travel.
  • Easy to take from one place to another.
  • Auto-off for safety.
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4087 people in the past 30 days
9.4
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.1
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.1
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.9
9.4
Features
  • Mist type: cool mist
  • Coverage area: up to 500 sq. ft.
  • Water tank capacity: 1 gal
  • Runtime: 24 hours
  • Dimensions: 9 x 12.75 x 9 inches
  • Weight: 5.25 lbs.

 More features: available in 15 child friendly designs, detachable bottom fill tank, clean control anti-microbial material

If you are looking to get something for a kids room (or just a big kid’s room) then this could be the answer. The Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier can be known as the crane elephant humidifier, though there is also a crane frog humidifier. These cute designs are meant to be ideal for children, in fact there are 15 of them in the crane adorables humidifier range.

They’re not just about looking cool. They’re clever and provide clean water with an antimicrobial material. What’s more, the fill tank at the bottom is simple to use, but adds another layer of child-friendliness.

The runtime is really impressive and you can get up to 24 hours of use from these. The coverage area is up to 500 sq ft.

This is a cool mist model, great for warmer climates. Also, the manufacturers claim that it reduces bacteria and mold growing in your child’s room up to 99.96% – a great way to keep them safe.

What we like: The cool designs mean that your kids will be more than happy to have an “Adorables” humidifier in the room. They might even like it.

What could be better: The lights on the unit may remain on overnight, which can be frustrating.

    What are our favorite features?
  • Great design.
  • Antimicrobial.
  • Can last 24 hours between refills.
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5989 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.7
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.9
9.2
Features
  • Mist type: warm mist
  • Coverage area: up to 500 sq. ft.
  • Water tank capacity: 1 gal
  • Runtime: 24 hours
  • Dimensions: 7.5 x 11 x 11.5 inches
  • Weight: 4.05 lbs.

 More features: heats up to 131 degrees Fahrenheit, 2 output settings, misting 2.1 gallons of moisture per fill, 130W on Low Setting, 280W on High Setting, helps relieve cough, cold & flu symptoms, nasal congestion, dry cough, sinus irritation, nose bleeds, and dry skin and hair

The Crane Warm Mist Humidifier EE-5201GR is great for those in colder areas but also does a brilliant job of reducing some of the symptoms of cold and similar flu-like conditions. The capacity is 1 gallon and it can heat up to 131 degrees F which can provide plenty of relief. If you have a dry cough you might find that you spend a lot of time sitting near this.

It is another anti-microbial design which can kill a lot of bacteria and prevent further bacteria growth. This makes it a good option for keeping you healthy as well as relieving symptoms.

Two settings, a 130W low setting and 280W high, also allow you to choose the power at which you want your humidifier operating.

It’s a bit heavier than some others, but 4 lbs is not exactly difficult to move.

What we like: The two different levels allow you to choose the operation level of this humidifier.

What could be better: A cold option might make this a more seasonal choice.

    What do we love it for?
  • Great for those with flu symptoms.
  • Choice of power settings.
  • Long 24 hour runtime.
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4467 people in the past 30 days
9.0
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.8
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.9
9.0
6
Best Evaporative Model

Crane EE-7002 Evaporative Humidifier

Features
  • Mist type: cool mist
  • Coverage area: up to 500 sq. ft.
  • Water tank capacity: 1 gal
  • Runtime: 24 hours
  • Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 11.5 inches
  • Weight: 4.54 lbs.

 More features: 3 speeds, auto shut-off

The Crane EE-7002 Evaporative Humidifier is a model that functions similarly to other cool mist humidifiers. This is a little heavier than some of the other options on the list but it is fairly bulky due to the fact that it has a 1 gallon capacity on the water tank. This gives 24 hours of runtime before you need to refill.

The evaporative model uses a fan to circulate the moisture and this comes with three different speeds, giving you a bit of extra control.

This can double up as a purifier if you buy Crane’s conversion kit (HS-1940). Due to the evaporative design it is the closest thing to a crane humidifier with no mist.

What we like: Three different speeds gives you plenty of control over the humidity, it also can operate for up to 24 hours without the need to refill the water.

What could be better: It’s not the most portable, and doesn’t do as good a job of killing bacteria unless you use the conversion kit.

    What do we love it for?
  • Good value for money.
  • Long operating time.
  • Three speeds.

Things to Consider

You might be in the position of buying a humidifier for the first time, and wondering the differences between all the different models and even struggling to understand specific features and functionality. Our guide is designed to help. Whether you go for the signature design of a crane tear drop humidifier or you want something a little bit more portable, there are loads of decisions to make! The range is actually pretty large, which is why it helps to have a guide to go through all of the different functions and options and work out what is most important for you.

Why to choose Crane humidifiers?

You will probably know that there are multiple brands on the market. Humidifiers are not exclusively made by Crane. A lot of people actually know the brand because of their very cute designs, with the Crane Adorables Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier coming in 15 eye-catching designs that children love.

Crane is a big powerhouse of a brand when it comes to heating and cooling products, as well as air purification. They’re one of the main brands that we are happy to recommend. As well as having a large range that covers a lot of bases and different peoples’ needs, it also has a lot of positives for customers outside of the products themselves. Crane has created a number of videos to guide you through the setup, and their customer support is fantastic. They even have a phone number available through their site so you can call a customer representative if you struggle with anything. On top of this, replacement parts are available. Just because something breaks on your humidifier doesn’t mean you have to go and buy a brand new one.

There are a few good brands out there, but Crane’s consistency means they are one of the best options on the market, and one you should at least consider.

Features to consider when choosing a Crane humidifier

6 Best Crane Humidifiers - Low Humidity Is Not Just about DiscomfortWhen we were creating our Crane humidifier reviews, the below features were those that we considered most closely. You might prioritize different features. For example, if you have a large area to tackle humidity problems within, you might opt for something with a bigger coverage area, whereas other people will be looking more at things like the runtime of the humidifier.

Mist type

What sort of mist does the humidifier create? This is usually either a warm mist or a cool mist, and in some rare cases the humidifier can do both. This doesn’t have a big impact on the humidity. The moisture in the air is what is important, and both cool mist and warm mist options help to restore that moisture. However, the mist type does have some other important bearings on your buying decision.

If you live in a warm area, cool mist can provide you something of a relief from the constant heat, which can be a bonus side-effect. On top of this, cool mist is seen as safer around pets and children.

Warm mist Crane humidifiers are often seen as a bit more of a specialist product. Naturally, a warm mist product will create a steamy vapor. This can actually be used to help clear your sinuses and give some relief from a number of cold and flu symptoms.

The Crane EE-5202 Inhaler & Warm Mist Humidifier is a fantastic example of this. You can use it as a humidifier for the room but also specifically for inhaling the warm mist to try and clear sinus problems.

Coverage area

6 Best Crane Humidifiers - Low Humidity Is Not Just about DiscomfortThis is one of the more self-explanatory features, but it is not one to be ignored. The coverage area relates to the size of the room you are using the humidifier in. Some of the Crane models can cover up to 500 sq. ft. This is relatively impressive, and most medium-sized rooms will have no trouble at all being treated for their low humidity by one of these. Some of the smaller options are designed to be portable. For instance, the Crane Personal Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier only has the ability to humidify a room up to 160 sq ft, but this may be all you need. It also has the added benefit of being smaller and therefore easy to take wherever you go.

Water tank capacity

The water tank capacity simply refers to how much water the humidifier can store. Obviously, the more water you put inside, the heavier the humidifier becomes. A higher tank capacity is good if you don’t want to keep having to refill, and it is closely linked to the next feature, runtime. A 1 gallon capacity such as that seen on the Crane EE-7002 Evaporative Humidifier is pretty standard among the larger models.

Runtime

Quite simply, the runtime is how long the humidifier runs for before you need to refill it with water. Think about whether you will be using it overnight and for long periods of time. Having to keep refilling it can be a bit of a frustration, so a long runtime is often preferable.

Runtime may be linked to capacity of the tank, but the two are different, because of the fact that some humidifiers can operate at different speeds and levels, and use water slightly differently. A bigger tank doesn’t always perfectly correlate with a longer runtime.

Dimensions and weight

Not a huge issue if you are keeping it in one, relatively large room, but if your humidifier needs to come out and about with you or you are looking to fill a smaller space then the dimensions and weight could actually be vital things to think about. We’ve listed the dimensions and weight of all of our recommended best Crane humidifiers.

Extra features

6 Best Crane Humidifiers - Low Humidity Is Not Just about DiscomfortA few of the humidifiers have extra features, which can relate to safety or also just to allow you to get the most out of your humidifier. An example is the inhaler offered by the Crane EE-5202 Inhaler & Warm Mist Humidifier, great if you are suffering with a cold.

An automatic shutoff is another great feature which stops a humidifier from damaging itself by continuing to try and run when the water inside has run out. Many Crane humidifiers have this feature inbuilt.

In the case of the cute designs, the extra function is perhaps the fact that it is an easy sell to kids! They’re much more likely to want a cute elephant humidifier than a boring appliance sitting in their room while they sleep.

Price

The price varies depending on the size and functionality of the humidifiers in question. However, the majority of humidifiers can be purchased for under $100, and some decent options on this list of tip Crane Humidifiers can cost under $50. This represents great value.

Maintenance tips

To help you to get the best life span out of your humidifier, a little bit of maintenance goes a long way. Clean and disinfect crane humidifier models regularly to ensure that they are only pumping the best quality air into the room and keeping you healthy rather than spreading diseases.

It’s incredibly frustrating to buy an appliance like this and have to replace it in a year or two. Luckily, treated right, a humidifier can last far longer than this. The tips below will help you to keep it in good working condition:

  • After use, be sure to wash and fully dry the humidifier.
  • If your humidifier uses a filter, check the manufacturer instructions for how often you should replace it.
  • Use only fresh, distilled water in the humidifier to ensure that unwanted solids from your local water aren’t causing residue.
  • If you need to store it, fully clean the humidifier both before it goes into storage and after.
  • Don’t let your humidifier run for a long time after the water has run out, especially if it does not have an auto shutoff feature.

Humidifier maintenance is certainly not overly confusing, but it can be really helpful and ensure that your Crane model lasts far longer than just the year that the warranty protects. Always ensure that you have thoroughly read the manual. It may sound boring, but this is the way to ensure that you follow any specific instructions to keep your humidifier operating as intended.

FAQ

What is the Crane warranty?

All of the Crane humidifiers come with a one year warranty. For this to be valid you need to make sure you keep your proof of purchase. More details on the warranty can be found in the manual of the humidifier you purchase.

Are Crane humidifiers noisy?

Although all humidifiers do make some level of noise, Crane humidifiers have a very low decibel rating. Having one of these humidifiers on in the room is very similar to having a quiet fan on. In some cases, the white noise generated can actually be soothing.

Do all Crane humidifiers function without filters?

The models on our list all function without filters, though they can have optional filters included which can help them to purify the air as well as humidifying it. The humidifier’s job means that it might not actually require a filter to be anti-microbial.

Our verdict

The Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is a great option for the price, and does a fantastic job on even large rooms. An optional filter can help to remove minerals from the water flow, and the teardrop design has become something of a signature of Crane humidifiers. We’ve rated this model as a 9.9/10.

Next on the list is the best value product, the Crane EE-5202 Inhaler & Warm Mist Humidifier. Though it has a shorter runtime, this has a warm mist function which means that it can relieve the symptoms of cold and flu. A specific inhaler lets you make the most out of this. It gets a rating of 9.7/10.

Third on the list of best Crane humidifier models is the Crane Personal Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. In spite of being a really small option, it is very easy to take out and about with you and still has a fantastic set of features including 360 degree design and enough capacity for up to 8 hours of use. We’ve given it a rating of 9.5/10, making it the perfect travel companion.

9,9
Total Score
Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier - Editor’s Choice
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