Quick Review Summary

In the past small dehumidifiers performed quite poorly in our tests. They were slow to dehumidify, they weren’t very energy efficient, and they lacked many of the features and functionality of their larger counterparts.

The 20 pint Midea Cube (MAD20S1QWT) is really the first small dehumidifier we’ve tested that breaks “normal” conventions.

It dehumidifies exceptionally fast relative to its size. It’s highly energy efficient. And it has all of the same features and functionality you get in a full-size dehumidifier.

The 20 pint Midea Cube is the best small dehumidifier we’ve tested. We discuss all of its test results, its features, and functionality in detail in the review below.

Performance Test Results

Energy Efficiency

The MAD20S1QWT was measured to draw 262 watts of power at 50% RH (relative humidity). This is the lowest power draw recorded for a dehumidifier in this size class (20 to 25 pint capacity)

The MAD20S1QWT was also the fastest among the small dehumidifiers we tested lowering humidity in our moisture removal test.

And so, because it combines low power draw with fast moisture removal rate (for its size) we can comfortably say that it has very good energy efficiency for a small dehumidifier.

Noise Output

The MAD20S1QWT is also the quietest 20 pint dehumidifier we’ve tested (the only “small” compressor based dehumidifier that’s quieter is the Waykar PD160B, but it only has a 10 pint capacity). At a location right above and slightly to the front of its control panel we measured its noise output at 59.8 dB on high fan speed and 58.6 dB on low fan speed.

For comparison the (25 pint) Aeocky RHEA-001 was measured at 61.5 dB on high fan speed. The (25 pint) Waykar JD025CE-80 was measured at 72.2 dB on high fan speed.

Moisture Removal

As was mentioned earlier, the MAD20S1QWT lowered humidity faster than any other low capacity (small) dehumidifier we’ve tested in our moisture removal test.

In a 50 sq. ft. room it lowered humidity from 90% down to 40% RH (relative humidity) in only 13 minutes, 25 seconds.

For comparison, the previous small dehumidifier we recommended, the Frigidaire FFAD2233W1 took almost twice as long – it took over 24 minutes in the same test!

Hygrometer Accuracy

The MAD20S1QWT’s built-in hygrometer was tested to be very accurate – it consistently gave a reading that was within 1% of the actual room humidity.

Most other small compressor based dehumidifiers we’ve tested have far more inaccurate hygrometers. For example, the Aeocky RHEA-001 consistently gave a reading that was only within 7% of the actual room humidity. The Waykar JD025CE-80 gave a reading that was only within 5% of the actual room humidity.

Included Features, Functionality, Build Quality, Warranties, and Value

Durability (Build Quality)

General Impressions

The MAD20S1QWT has very good build quality for its size.

Most other small dehumidifiers we’ve tested have notably worse build quality and are made using notably lower quality parts than equivalent large capacity units. This is to be expected since they’re usually much cheaper than large capacity units.

The MAD20S1QWT is once again an exception to the rule. It basically has exactly the same build quality as the larger and much more expensive MAD50S1QWT. The two units have the exact same very high quality control panel. They have the exact same very high quality plastic shell, the same high quality air filters, drain outlet, bucket, and so on and so forth.

Consumer Feedback

Consumer reviews for this model are mostly positive. It does have a small percentage of negative reviews, but this percentage isn’t any higher than that of full size compressor based dehumidifiers we recommend.

Overall Category Score

Overall, we give the 20 pint Cube – the MAD20S1QWT – a 5/5 for durability.

Adjustability

The MAD20S1QWT has two fan speeds (high and low) just like most other small dehumidifiers we’ve tested.

It also has a timer and multiple modes (set, cont., and max) like most competitors.

On “set” mode you set a target humidity level (40%, for example). The dehumidifier then runs continuously until it lowers room humidity to this level. Once this level is reached, the dehumidifier cycles off its compressor. If room humidity rises back above this level, the MAD20S1QWT cycles its compressor back on, and so on and so forth.

On “cont.” mode the dehumidifier runs continuously regardless of what it measures as the current room humidity level. On this mode you can set it to low or high fan speed.

“Max” mode is much the same as “cont.” mode but on “max” mode the dehumidifier only runs on high fan speed.

Overall Category Score

Overall, the MAD20S1QWT earns a 4/5 for adjustability.

Versatility

Set Humidity Range

You can set a target humidity level between 35 and 85% on this dehumidifier. This is a standard range for a compressor-based dehumidifier.

Operating Temperature Range

The operating temperature range for this model is 41° to 95° F. Again, this is a standard range for a compressor based dehumidifier.

Gravity Drainage

The MAD20S1QWT has a threaded outlet on the back to which you can connect a garden hose. There is also a smaller outlet inside of this larger outlet that is not threaded, to which you can connect an included drain hose.

Many competitors require some type of adapter to drain using gravity. You don’t need to use any adapters to drain with the MAD20S1QWT.

Built-in Pump

This model does not have a built-in pump.

Overall Category Score

Overall, the MAD20S1QWT scores a 5/5 for versatility.

Extra Features

Temperature Reading

This model does not display ambient room temperature. Very few models on the market have this functionality.

Defrost

The MAD20S1QWT does have a defrost mode. If ice builds up on its evaporator coil it will automatically cycle off its compressor and only run its fan to melt the ice.

Most competitors also have this functionality.

Check Filter

The MAD20S1QWT does have a check filter light to alert you when you need to clean its air filter. This is again a feature that is shared with most competitors.

Fill Level Selection

The MAD20S1QWT has a very large water tank that can get very heavy if filled to capacity. For this reason, the manufacturer gives you the option to set it to fill to less than maximum capacity.

At fill level 1 it will fill to 1.5 gallons (17 lb.), at fill level 2 it will fill to 2 gallons, at fill level 3 it will fill to 2.75 gallons, and only at fill level 4 will fill to its maximum capacity of 3.2 gallons (29.5 lb.).

Wi-Fi

The MAD20S1QWT is one of few small dehumidifiers on the market that gives you the option to control it remotely using an app on your phone.

Overall Category Score

Overall, the MAD20S1QWT easily earns a 5/5 for all of its extra features.

Ease of Use

LED Display Clarity

This dehumidifier has a very high-quality display. As was mentioned earlier it features exactly the same control panel as the much more expensive MAD50S1QWT.

Setup Difficulty

We didn’t have any trouble using this dehumidifier right out of the box. Its control panel is labeled well enough so that you don’t have to consult its manual to use it.

Filter Removal Difficulty

The MAD20S1QWT uniquely features two air filters – one on each side – that wrap around to cover three sides of the dehumidifier. We didn’t have any trouble removing or replacing these filters.

Manual Clarity

This model has the same manual as the larger MAD50S1QWT. The manual is well written and well illustrated if you need it.

Water Tank Size

The MAD20S1QWT has a very large water tank – much larger than that of any other small dehumidifier we’ve tested.

Its water tank has a maximum capacity of 25.6 pints.

For comparison, the Aeocky RHEA-001 tank has a capacity of only 11.6 pints. The Waykar JD025CE-80 tank has a capacity of only 9.1 pints.

The MAD20S1QWT’s tank is as large as it is because of the dehumidifier’s unique design. The main dehumidifier body sits on top of the tank. This design allows for a very large tank.

Competitors feature a more traditional design – the tank is seated inside of the dehumidifier body. And this design doesn’t allow for nearly as large of a tank.

What does tank size have to do with ease of use?

Well, a smaller tank requires much more frequent emptying. A larger tank, of course, requires less frequent emptying.

Overall Category Score

Overall, the MAD20S1QWT scores a 5/5 for ease of use.

Portability

The MAD20S1QWT weighs 33.3 lb. This is a fairly average weight for a “small” dehumidifier.

Some competitors are slightly heavier – for example, the Aeocky RHEA-001 weighs 35.8 lb. Other competitors are slightly lighter – for example, the Waykar JD025CE-80 weighs 31 lb.

Large compressor based dehumidifiers usually weigh about 10 lb. more. For example, the MAD50S1QWT weighs 41.7 lb.

If you need to move it from one location to another, the MAD20S1QWT has a handle that flips up for you to pick it up, and it comes with casters that you can install on the bottom of the dehumidifier if you want to be able to push it around.

On the negative side of things, it does not feature any cord storage.

Some competitors have plastic hooks or a strap on the back to better manage the power cord for storage. The 20 pint (and the 50 pint) cube – because of its unique design – doesn’t have these components for cord storage.

Overall Category Score

Overall, the MAD20S1QWT scores a 4.5/5 for portability.

Warranty (Manufacturer’s)

This dehumidifier comes with a one year warranty. One year is the industry standard for compressor based units, though there are exceptions.

The Aeocky RHEA-001, for example, comes with a 3 year warranty. The Waykar JD025CE-80 also comes with a one year warranty but you can add another year to the warranty by registering your purchase with the manufacturer.

Value

The MAD20S1QWT provides very good performance for its price. It’s one of the best value dehumidifiers we’ve tested.