Dehumidifiers / hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) vs Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)
hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N)
$242.10
VSMidea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)
$299.99
hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) vs Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)
Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)
A real pump and a huge tank for $300, with stale Most Efficient claims in its listing.
Wins overall by 1.2 points
Quick Verdict
A 1.2-point gap makes the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) the straightforward choice here. A real pump and a huge tank for $300, with stale Most Efficient claims in its listing.
The hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) and Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) are both closely matched dehumidifier models, and the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) is $57.90 cheaper than the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) ($242.10 vs $299.99). On Drainage & Tank Practicality, the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) leads (9.0 vs 4.5/10) — tank volume measured against daily output, whether a hose is in the box, whether gravity drainage needs the unit propped up, and whether there is a real pump and how high it lifts. On Capacity-Claim Honesty, the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) leads (7.5 vs 5.0/10) — this category's trap dimension. Since the DOE changed the test condition from 80°F/60% RH to 65°F/60% RH in 2019, the same machine that was a '70 pint' is now a '50 pint' — and manufacturers freely mix the two scales, plus a third 'saturation' figure taken at 95°F/90% RH. A high score means the pint number on the box matches the DOE Appendix X1 figure the manufacturer filed with ENERGY STAR. A low score means the marketing number is measured somewhere the buyer's house never is.. On Build & Warranty, the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) leads (5.5 vs 4.0/10) — coil and cabinet construction, filter grade, and above all the warranty on the sealed system — the compressor is the part that fails and the part most portables cover for only twelve months. Overall, the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) scores 6.4/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 5.2/10 for the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N). Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) | Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $242.10 | $299.99 |
| Release Year | 2017 | 2025 |
| Rated Capacity (and Which Standard) | 50 pints/day on the 2019 DOE scale — and the listings say so explicitly. Walmart's title for this machine reads "50 Pint (Previously 70 Pint)". The Amazon listing adds a second, larger number: "50 Pint (MAX 120 Pint at 95°F, 90% RH)". Three scales for one machine: 70 (pre-2019 DOE), 50 (2019 DOE), 120 (saturation) | 50 pints/day on the 2019 DOE scale. Watch the legacy listings: the older Cube Amazon listing still carries "ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2022" and "2023" in its title, and the current MAD50PS1QWT-A/MAD50S1QWT-A are recorded as NOT meeting Most Efficient criteria in ENERGY STAR's 2026 database |
| ENERGY STAR / DOE Verified Capacity ( pints/day) | Not currently verifiable. hOmeLabs' only entries in the ENERGY STAR Certified Dehumidifiers database as of August 2026 are the HME0088 (24.48 pints/day) and HME0089 (32.46 pints/day). The 50-pint model is not in the certified list, despite listings that describe it as "Energy Star Dehumidifier" | 49.67 pints/day per Appendix X1, IEF 2.01 L/kWh, 515 kWh/yr, HFC-32 refrigerant, 6.4 oz charge — Midea's own ENERGY STAR filing for MAD50PS1QWT-A, on market 15 October 2025 |
| Technology & Refrigerant | Compressor (refrigerant), 7.8 amps rated current, 165-188 CFM across three fan speeds | Compressor (refrigerant), HFC-32 (R-32), with an integral condensate pump |
| Low-Temperature Operation & Defrost | Auto-defrost present; hOmeLabs publishes no minimum operating temperature. The listing does warn the unit "emits heat during use" and is "not suitable for use with evaporative coolers" | Midea publishes no minimum operating temperature for the Cube on its own product page. Auto-defrost is present. Treat it as a 41°F-floor compressor unit like its peers, and expect defrost losses below 65°F |
| Claimed Coverage | The same ASIN has been sold as 4,500 sq ft (Walmart's listing, and a cached third-party mirror of the Amazon title) and as 7,000 sq ft (hOmeLabs' own current page and Home Depot's HME031004N pump variant). The hardware did not change by 2,500 sq ft | 4,500 sq ft (Midea, Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart — consistent across sources for once). Note this is the same DOE capacity Frigidaire sells without any square-footage claim at all |
| Tank Capacity & Refill Interval | 1.6 gallons (12.8 pints). At the rated 50 pints/day that is four emptyings a day. This machine is the standard illustration of why tank capacity and pints-per-day are the two numbers you must read together | Sources conflict. Walmart's spec table for MAD50PS1QWT-A says "7.5 gallons"; Midea's own product pages publish no gallon figure at all, only the marketing phrase "up to 3 times more water tank capacity than traditional dehumidifiers". Whatever the true figure, the extended-mode tank is the largest here and is the main reason to buy the Cube |
| Continuous Drainage (Hose, Gravity, Pump Lift) | Continuous gravity drain port. No pump on this SKU; hOmeLabs sells a pump variant (HME031004N, Best Buy calls it HME1004). Gravity drainage needs the unit raised above the drain | Built-in pump with the hose included — the only sub-$300 unit here with a pump. The tank also detaches to sit over a sink or drain. Midea does not publish a pump lift height |
| ENERGY STAR Status | Claimed in the product titles, but the 50-pint hOmeLabs does not appear in the current ENERGY STAR Certified Dehumidifiers database — only the 24- and 32-pint models do. Treat the badge on this listing as unverified | Yes, currently certified. NOT ENERGY STAR Most Efficient for 2026 despite listing titles that still cite Most Efficient 2022/2023 |
| Annual Running Cost | Not published, and no ENERGY STAR annual-energy figure exists for this model. At the rated 7.8 amps and the duty cycle typical of the class, budget for the same $85-95/yr as its certified 50-pint rivals | About $88/yr (515 kWh x $0.17/kWh) |
| Noise | No dB figure published by hOmeLabs. The listing claims "a quiet fan for minimal noise disruption" | "Approximately 54 dB" per Walmart's spec table. Midea publishes no dB figure on its own store page |
| Warranty (incl. Sealed System) | Not published on the hOmeLabs product page used for this entry. hOmeLabs' standard consumer warranty is 12 months with a 2-year extension available on some SKUs; confirm at purchase. No sealed-system term is published | Sources conflict: Midea's own store page says 1 year; Walmart's listing for the same model number says "2-year parts and labor warranty". No sealed-system term is published either way |
| Recall History | No CPSC recall found for hOmeLabs dehumidifiers | No CPSC recall found for Midea-branded dehumidifiers. Midea is the OEM behind a number of other US dehumidifier brands — the discontinued Toshiba TDDP5013ES2, for instance, is serviced through Midea's parts catalogue |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | White | White, Grey |
Category Scores
Capacity-Claim Honesty
The Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.0 — a 2.5-point margin on this category's trap dimension. Since the DOE changed the test condition from 80°F/60% RH to 65°F/60% RH in 2019, the same machine that was a '70 pint' is now a '50 pint' — and manufacturers freely mix the two scales, plus a third 'saturation' figure taken at 95°F/90% RH. A high score means the pint number on the box matches the DOE Appendix X1 figure the manufacturer filed with ENERGY STAR. A low score means the marketing number is measured somewhere the buyer's house never is.. If that is what you are buying for, the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Moisture Removal
The hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) and Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) are level here, at 7.5/10 each. actual water pulled out of the air per day at a condition a home experiences, judged against the DOE-verified figure rather than the coverage claim on the box is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Cold-Room Performance
The hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) and Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) are level here, at 4.0/10 each. what happens in a 50-55°F basement, garage or crawlspace. Compressor coils frost below roughly 65°F and auto-defrost buys back the coil at the cost of runtime; desiccant rotors and hot-gas-defrost units do not care. The single most common mis-buy in the category is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Drainage & Tank Practicality
The Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 4.5 — a 4.5-point margin on tank volume measured against daily output, whether a hose is in the box, whether gravity drainage needs the unit propped up, and whether there is a real pump and how high it lifts. If that is what you are buying for, the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Running Cost
The Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) leads clearly here, 5.0 against 4.5 — a 0.5-point margin on the kWh/yr on the ENERGY STAR certification and what it costs at the meter. On a machine that runs most of the year this dominates total ownership cost — often a third of the purchase price annually. If that is what you are buying for, the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Quietness
The hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) leads clearly here, 5.5 against 5.0 — a 0.5-point margin on measured dB where published, weighted by where the machine actually lives — a 58 dBA crawlspace unit under a floor is fine, a 54 dB cube next to a desk is not. If that is what you are buying for, the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Build & Warranty
The Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) leads clearly here, 5.5 against 4.0 — a 1.5-point margin on coil and cabinet construction, filter grade, and above all the warranty on the sealed system — the compressor is the part that fails and the part most portables cover for only twelve months. If that is what you are buying for, the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value for Money
The Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.5 — a 1.0-point margin on purchase price plus multi-year electricity against verified pints removed and how long the warranty protects the compressor. If that is what you are buying for, the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $57.90 cheaper.
Choose the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) if…
- • Drainage & Tank Practicality matters most to you — the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) scores 9.0/10 here (tank volume measured against daily output, whether a hose is in the box, whether gravity drainage needs the unit propped up, and whether there is a real pump and how high it lifts).
- • Capacity-Claim Honesty matters most to you — the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) scores 7.5/10 here (this category's trap dimension. Since the DOE changed the test condition from 80°F/60% RH to 65°F/60% RH in 2019, the same machine that was a '70 pint' is now a '50 pint' — and manufacturers freely mix the two scales, plus a third 'saturation' figure taken at 95°F/90% RH. A high score means the pint number on the box matches the DOE Appendix X1 figure the manufacturer filed with ENERGY STAR. A low score means the marketing number is measured somewhere the buyer's house never is.).
- • Build & Warranty matters most to you — the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) scores 5.5/10 here (coil and cabinet construction, filter grade, and above all the warranty on the sealed system — the compressor is the part that fails and the part most portables cover for only twelve months).
- • Value for Money matters most to you — the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) scores 7.5/10 here (purchase price plus multi-year electricity against verified pints removed and how long the warranty protects the compressor).
- • Running Cost matters most to you — the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) scores 5.0/10 here (the kWh/yr on the ENERGY STAR certification and what it costs at the meter. On a machine that runs most of the year this dominates total ownership cost — often a third of the purchase price annually).
Pros & Cons
hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N)
Pros
- +Cheapest genuine 50-pint here at $242.10, and the most widely owned platform in US basements
- +Its listing is one of the few that spells the scale change out loud — "50 Pint (Previously 70 Pint)"
- +Auto-restart and a 24-hour timer make it a set-and-forget basement machine
- +Parts, filters and support are easy to find precisely because so many were sold
Cons
- −Listings advertise ENERGY STAR, but the 50-pint hOmeLabs is not in the current ENERGY STAR certified database — only the 24- and 32-pint models are
- −The "MAX 120 Pint at 95°F, 90% RH" figure in the title is a saturation number no home will ever see
- −Coverage claim for the same ASIN has drifted from 4,500 to 7,000 sq ft with no hardware change
- −1.6 gallon tank against 50 pints/day: four emptyings a day unless you can gravity-drain it
- −No published dB, no published minimum operating temperature, no published warranty and no published energy consumption
Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)
Pros
- +Built-in pump and hose at $299.99 — the Honeywell equivalent lists at $419.95
- +Far and away the biggest tank in this comparison, which is the difference between emptying it three times a day and barely at all
- +Nested mode makes it the smallest floor footprint of any 50-pint here (about 14.5 in square)
- +Verified 49.67 pints/day DOE, with a 515 kWh/yr figure you can budget against
Cons
- −Amazon listing titles still advertise "ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2022/2023" while the current SKU is recorded as not meeting Most Efficient criteria
- −Warranty is published as 1 year by Midea and 2 years by Walmart for the same model number
- −Midea publishes no tank gallonage, no dB figure, no pump lift height and no minimum operating temperature on its own pages
- −54 dB is the loudest of the mainstream 50-pints here, and the cube shape puts the outlet at ear height on a desk
- −$88/yr running cost is no better than the cheaper Frigidaire
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) or Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Drainage & Tank Practicality, the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) or the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)?+
The Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) scores higher on Drainage & Tank Practicality (9.0/10 vs 4.5/10) — tank volume measured against daily output, whether a hose is in the box, whether gravity drainage needs the unit propped up, and whether there is a real pump and how high it lifts.
Which is better for Capacity-Claim Honesty, the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) or the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)?+
The Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) scores higher on Capacity-Claim Honesty (7.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — this category's trap dimension. Since the DOE changed the test condition from 80°F/60% RH to 65°F/60% RH in 2019, the same machine that was a '70 pint' is now a '50 pint' — and manufacturers freely mix the two scales, plus a third 'saturation' figure taken at 95°F/90% RH. A high score means the pint number on the box matches the DOE Appendix X1 figure the manufacturer filed with ENERGY STAR. A low score means the marketing number is measured somewhere the buyer's house never is..
Which is better for Build & Warranty, the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) or the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)?+
The Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) scores higher on Build & Warranty (5.5/10 vs 4.0/10) — coil and cabinet construction, filter grade, and above all the warranty on the sealed system — the compressor is the part that fails and the part most portables cover for only twelve months.
Which is better for Value for Money, the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) or the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)?+
The Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) scores higher on Value for Money (7.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — purchase price plus multi-year electricity against verified pints removed and how long the warranty protects the compressor.
Is the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) worth the price difference over the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)?+
The hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) is the cheaper option at $242.10 versus $299.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Drainage & Tank Practicality.
What's the warranty on the hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) vs the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)?+
The hOmeLabs 50-Pint Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (HME020031N) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Midea Cube 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Waykar PD160B 34-Pint Dehumidifier (2,000 sq ft) — $169.99
Premium Option
Frigidaire FHDD5033W1 50-Pint Dehumidifier with Wi-Fi — $309.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.