BUY WITH YOUR HOME IN MIND
Choose the capacity before the bucket
Choose the 20-pint Midea Cube for a smaller moisture load when its capacity suits the room. Choose the 50-pint Cube for a larger or damper space that needs more water removed each day. Both offer a large bucket and compact nested storage, but neither version in this comparison has a built-in pump.
The models here are MAD20S1QWT and the newer MAD50S1QWT-A. The older 50-pint model without the A is a different catalog record. Check the model number when comparing listings, replacement parts and manuals.
Daily removal and bucket size mean different things
The pint rating describes how much water a machine can remove in 24 hours under its test conditions. The bucket size tells you how much collected water it can hold. A bigger bucket does not turn a smaller compressor into a higher-capacity machine.
Actual collection depends on humidity, temperature and incoming moisture. Do not expect either Cube to collect its full rated amount in every room, or use a large advertised floor-area number as the only sizing rule.
The smaller Cube fits a lower moisture load. The larger one provides more daily removal capacity, which can matter in a damp basement or connected living area. That does not establish how quickly either will reach your target in your home.
Plan how you will empty it
Both Cubes use an upper machine that lifts off the bucket for emptying. A large reservoir can reduce interruptions, but carrying it full is harder. Plan the route to your drain before deciding that the largest bucket is the most convenient one.
Selectable fill levels let you stop collection before the bucket is full. Use a level you can comfortably handle and follow the manual’s lifting instructions. A lower fill setting trades some time between emptying trips for a lighter load.
If you prefer hose drainage, both of these no-pump models need water to flow downhill to a suitable drain. A large bucket and a drain hose do not provide the lift of a pump. Check the outlet height and hose route instead of assuming water can travel up to a sink.
Measure the working setup
The dimensions in the table are the nested size used for storage. In normal bucket mode, the upper machine sits above the bucket, so it needs more height. Leave room to lift it off as well as the airflow space required by the manual.
The 20-pint model is lighter and has a smaller nested body. That can help when putting it away or carrying it between floors. The 50-pint model is heavier before you add any collected water.
Neither should be treated as a machine you can tuck into a closed cupboard while it runs. Keep the vents clear and set it on a firm, level surface. Empty water before moving it as directed.
Controls and running costs
Both offer on-unit humidity settings, fan choices and SmartHome app control. A target setting is useful when you want the machine to maintain humidity rather than keep running in a continuous mode.
The 50-pint model’s higher listed wattage is not a complete electricity-cost comparison. The bill also depends on how long the compressor runs, the room conditions and your rate. A lower-capacity unit that runs for longer does not automatically cost less for the same job.
Reviewers praise the Cube design’s storage and bucket capacity, but reports about noise and reliability are mixed. The newer 50-pint listing also includes concerns about humidity-sensor readings. Use a separate room meter if you want to check the reading, and review current return and warranty terms before buying. These comments do not establish an exact-model failure rate or a quietness winner.
Which one fits your home?
Choose the 20-pint Cube if your room and dampness fit its lower capacity, you want less machine weight to lift, and its smaller nested body is easier to store. Do not choose it solely because a large bucket sounds suitable for a much heavier moisture load.
Choose the 50-pint Cube if the room needs more daily water removal and you have room for its working setup. Its larger bucket suits someone who can manage the lifting or use a suitable gravity drain. Check that you are buying the no-pump MAD50S1QWT-A covered here.
For help choosing daily removal capacity, use our dehumidifier sizing guide with your room size and dampness.
Compare operating scenarios with our dehumidifier running-cost calculator. Use the exact model's watts rather than borrowing a value from another Cube version.
Once it is set up, read what humidity to set your dehumidifier to so you can choose a target rather than leave it running continuously by habit.