# The Best Dehumidifiers for a Two-Story House, Upstairs and Down

> Two floors usually means two different humidity problems. Here's how to cover both without hauling a full bucket up the stairs.

Canonical: https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-two-story-house/
Last updated: 2026-11-05
Published: 2026-11-05
Category: Rooms & Spaces
Publisher: Enthusiast Review

Choosing a **dehumidifier for a two-story house** starts with an awkward truth: one portable unit rarely fixes both floors. Moisture collects at the bottom of a home, in basements and slab-level rooms, while upstairs dampness usually comes from showers, an attic or an air conditioner that cools without drying. For most homes, the best first move is a capable unit on the lowest level, and our top pick for that job is the **Midea 50-Pint Smart with Pump**, which drains itself so nobody carries water up the stairs.

This guide is for owners of two-story and split-level homes who want to know what to buy and where to put it. The three decisions that matter most are which floor actually needs help (measure before you buy), how each unit will drain on a floor with no floor drain, and whether you'd be better served by one ducted system that treats the whole house. Upstairs, a compact, quiet unit like the **Midea Cube 20** usually does the job in the rooms that need it.

## Our top picks

- **Best overall (for the lowest floor):** Midea 50-Pint Smart with Pump — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL7R3RJV?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best for upstairs bedrooms:** Midea Cube 20 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZMY8BC8?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best value:** Frigidaire FHDD5034Y1 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP1L6W89?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best for bonus rooms and open upstairs areas:** Honeywell TP30AWKN — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085NYKWTQ?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)
- **Best whole-house system for both floors:** Aprilaire E100 — [check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DG3RJ1W5?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

The **Midea 50-Pint Smart with Pump** is our top pick for a two-story house because it handles the dampest, lowest floor and drains itself.

## 1. Midea 50-Pint Smart Dehumidifier with Built-In Pump — Best overall (for the lowest floor)

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL7R3RJV?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- 50-pint capacity for a basement or large ground floor
- Built-in pump lifts water to a sink or out a window
- Wi-Fi app shows humidity without a trip downstairs
- ENERGY STAR certified

**Cons**

- A standard upright tower, not the collapsible Cube
- Pump hose needs an outlet such as a sink or window

**Why we picked it:** The lowest level of a two-story home is where most of the moisture lives, and it's also where hauling a full tank is the biggest chore. This Midea pairs 50-pint capacity with a pump, so it can run for weeks while you check the reading from upstairs in the app.

**Performance:** Midea rates it at 50 pints a day with ENERGY STAR certification and coverage up to about 4,500 square feet, though a damp basement of 1,500 to 2,500 square feet is the realistic sweet spot. The pump lets you place it in the middle of the space for airflow instead of next to a drain. For other basement-first options, see our [best dehumidifier for basement](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-basement/) picks.

**Worth knowing:** Run it with the basement door closed for the first week to bring that level under control, then open it up.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 50 pints/day (Midea) |
| Drainage | Built-in pump |
| Efficiency | ENERGY STAR |
| Coverage | Up to ~4,500 sq ft (maker's claim) |
| Smart control | Wi-Fi app |
| Best for | Basement or ground floor |

## 2. Midea Cube 20-Pint Smart Dehumidifier (MAD20S1QWT) — Best for upstairs bedrooms

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZMY8BC8?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- Compact enough for a bedroom or upstairs office
- Lift-out base tank is easier to carry than a bucket
- ENERGY STAR Most Efficient (per Midea)
- App control from anywhere in the house

**Cons**

- Sized for one room, not a whole floor
- Costs more than a basic 22-pint box

**Why we picked it:** Second-floor rooms rarely need basement-grade extraction; they need something compact that holds a comfortable number without dominating the room. The Cube 20 fits next to a dresser, and you can check it from the kitchen.

**Performance:** Rated at 20 pints a day under the DOE 2019 test, it's well matched to a bedroom, nursery-adjacent guest room or home office. The tank sits in the base and lifts out level, which matters when you're carrying it to an upstairs bathroom, and a gravity hose can feed a nearby tub or shower drain if the unit sits higher than it. Quieter bedroom choices are in our [best dehumidifier for bedroom](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-bedroom/) guide.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 20 pints/day (DOE 2019) |
| Efficiency | ENERGY STAR Most Efficient |
| Drainage | Base tank or gravity hose |
| Smart control | Wi-Fi app |
| Best for | Second-floor bedrooms, offices |

## 3. Frigidaire 50-Pint High Humidity Wi-Fi Dehumidifier (FHDD5034Y1) — Best value

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP1L6W89?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- True 50-pint DOE 2019 rating
- Wi-Fi and Alexa control
- Restarts at your settings after a power outage
- Five-year sealed-system warranty

**Cons**

- No pump, so it needs a drain lower than the unit
- Standard bucket fills faster than the Cube's reservoir

**Why we picked it:** If your basement or ground floor has a floor drain, you don't need to pay for a pump. This Frigidaire delivers the same 50-pint class of drying with app control, and it comes back on by itself after a storm knocks the power out.

**Performance:** It's a 50-pint DOE 2019 unit with a gravity-hose connection and a 2.7-gallon bucket, so it's happiest beside a floor drain or sump. The app means you can watch the lower level's humidity from a second-floor bedroom. More options are in our [best Frigidaire dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-frigidaire-dehumidifier/) guide.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 50 pints/day (DOE 2019) |
| Drainage | 2.7-gal bucket or gravity hose |
| Smart control | Wi-Fi, Alexa |
| Auto-restart | Yes |
| Best for | Lower levels with a floor drain |

## 4. Honeywell TP30AWKN 30-Pint Dehumidifier — Best for bonus rooms and open upstairs areas

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085NYKWTQ?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- More headroom than a 20-pint unit
- Digital controls with a humidity setting
- Bucket or hose drainage

**Cons**

- No smart-home features
- Bigger and heavier than a 22-pint unit

**Why we picked it:** Bonus rooms over a garage and open upstairs lofts are often the muggiest spots on a second floor, because they sit under the roof and at the end of the duct run. A 30-pint compressor unit has the extra capacity those spaces need without jumping to a basement-size machine.

**Performance:** At 30 pints a day, it suits a larger bonus room, loft or upstairs family room. The digital humidity setting lets it cycle off once the room is comfortable, and a hose connection lets it drain continuously if there's a bathroom or laundry drain nearby. Pair it with a hygrometer to confirm the room really is the problem before you buy.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 30 pints/day |
| Type | Compressor |
| Controls | Digital, with humidity setting |
| Drainage | Bucket or hose |
| Best for | Bonus rooms, lofts |

## 5. Aprilaire E100 Whole-House Dehumidifier — Best whole-house system for both floors

[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DG3RJ1W5?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1)

**Pros**

- One unit treats every floor through your ductwork
- 100 pints/day for homes up to about 5,500 sq ft
- ENERGY STAR Most Efficient
- No tanks to empty anywhere

**Cons**

- Usually needs professional installation
- Needs a drain or a separate condensate pump

**Why we picked it:** If both floors feel clammy all summer, a ducted system is the only single-machine fix. The E100 ties into your HVAC so dried air is delivered upstairs and down through the same vents you already have.

**Performance:** It's rated at 100 pints a day and Aprilaire lists coverage up to about 5,500 square feet. Installed alongside a forced-air system, it can run independently of the air conditioner, which is exactly what humid shoulder seasons call for. Our [whole-house dehumidifier installation](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/whole-house-dehumidifier-installation/) guide explains what the job involves.

| Spec | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 100 pints/day (AHAM) |
| Coverage | Up to about 5,500 sq ft |
| Install | Ducted or freestanding |
| Efficiency | ENERGY STAR Most Efficient |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## How we pick dehumidifiers for two-story houses

We don't lab-test. We compare DOE 2019 and AHAM capacity ratings, ENERGY STAR listings, owner's manuals and CPSC recall records, then read owner reviews for the things that matter in a multi-level home: how heavy the tank is to carry, how well pumps and hoses work without a floor drain, and whether app readings are reliable enough to check one floor from another. Every pick is a verified Amazon listing.

## How to choose a dehumidifier for a two-story home

- **Measure each floor first:** Put an inexpensive [hygrometer](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-hygrometer/) on each level for a few days. Anything consistently above 55–60% needs help; a floor that sits at 45% doesn't.
- **Size by floor, not by house:** A 2,400 sq ft two-story home is really two 1,200 sq ft spaces separated by a stairwell. Size each unit for the floor or room it serves using our [dehumidifier size guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/).
- **Solve upstairs drainage:** Second floors almost never have floor drains.
  - Unit higher than a tub or shower drain: gravity hose
  - Drain is higher or far away: built-in pump
  - Small room you visit daily: a lift-out tank
- **Mind the weight on stairs:** A full 2–4 gallon tank weighs roughly 17–35 pounds. On a lower level, a pump or hose takes stairs out of the routine entirely.
- **Keep noise away from bedrooms:** Upstairs units often run near sleeping areas. Choose a compact unit with a humidistat, so it cycles off rather than droning all night.
- **Consider one ducted system:** If both floors are humid and you have forced-air HVAC, a whole-house unit can cost less to live with than two or three portables.

## Our two-story house picks compared

| Pick | Capacity | Drainage | Key feature | Best floor |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Midea 50-Pint Smart with Pump | 50 pints | Built-in pump | Wi-Fi app | Basement or ground floor |
| Midea Cube 20 | 20 pints (DOE) | Base tank or gravity hose | Compact, efficient | Upstairs bedrooms |
| Frigidaire FHDD5034Y1 | 50 pints (DOE) | Bucket or gravity hose | Auto-restart, Wi-Fi | Lower level with a drain |
| Honeywell TP30AWKN | 30 pints | Bucket or hose | Digital humidity setting | Bonus room or loft |
| Aprilaire E100 | 100 pints (AHAM) | Condensate line | Ducted, whole house | Every floor |

## Upstairs or downstairs? Where to put a dehumidifier in a 2-story house

In most homes, start downstairs. The lowest level sits against cool soil, so it has the highest relative humidity and the musty smells that drift up through the house. Treat that floor first, then measure upstairs again before buying anything else.

### Will a dehumidifier in the basement help upstairs?

A little, but less than people hope. Moisture does spread between floors, and drying the basement removes a major source, so upstairs often improves slightly. But a portable unit mostly dries the air around it, and a closed door or a narrow stairwell limits how much air it ever sees from the second floor. If upstairs is still above 55% after the basement is under control, it needs its own unit or a ducted system.

| Situation | Where to put it | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Damp basement, comfortable upstairs | Basement, central open area | Fixes the main source of moisture |
| Humid upstairs bedroom or bonus room | That room, door closed | Upstairs air rarely reaches a basement unit |
| Both floors humid all summer | Ducted unit at the air handler | Treats every floor through existing vents |
| Slab home, humid ground floor | Main living area near the stairs | Covers the largest shared air space |

> **Why upstairs can read drier:** Warm air holds more moisture, so a second floor that runs a few degrees warmer can show lower relative humidity even when the moisture content is the same. That's one more reason to measure before you buy. Our [placement guide](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/where-to-place-a-dehumidifier/) covers clearance and spot-by-spot tips.

## Why is my upstairs so humid?

- **Showers without a working exhaust fan.** Upstairs bathrooms are the biggest daily moisture source on most second floors.
- **An oversized air conditioner.** A system that cools fast and shuts off before it has removed much moisture leaves rooms cool but clammy.
- **Attic heat and leaks.** A hot, poorly vented attic or a small roof leak can raise humidity in the rooms below; our [attic dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-attic/) guide covers the space itself.
- **One thermostat for two floors.** When the thermostat lives downstairs, the second floor often gets less conditioning time and stays muggier.

## Which one should you buy?

- **Damp basement, no floor drain:** the Midea 50-Pint Smart with Pump.
- **Damp basement with a floor drain, on a budget:** the Frigidaire FHDD5034Y1.
- **One or two muggy upstairs bedrooms:** a Midea Cube 20 in each room that needs it.
- **A humid bonus room, loft or room over the garage:** the Honeywell TP30AWKN.
- **Both floors humid, forced-air HVAC:** the Aprilaire E100, installed by a pro. Compare more systems in our [whole-house dehumidifier](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-whole-house-dehumidifier/) guide.

## The bottom line

In a two-story house, start at the bottom: a 50-pint unit with a pump, like the Midea 50-Pint Smart with Pump, fixes the floor where moisture collects and spares you trips up the stairs with a full bucket. Then measure the second floor and add a compact unit only to the rooms that need it. If every floor stays clammy all summer, one ducted Aprilaire E100 is the cleaner long-term fix.

## Frequently asked questions

### Should a dehumidifier go upstairs or downstairs?

Downstairs first in most homes, because the lowest level is usually the dampest. Once it's under control, check upstairs with a hygrometer; if it's still above about 55%, add a unit to the rooms that need it.

### Will a dehumidifier in the basement help upstairs?

Somewhat. Drying the basement removes a major moisture source, but a portable unit mainly dries the air around it. A closed door or narrow stairwell limits its reach, so a humid second floor usually needs its own unit or a ducted system.

### What size dehumidifier do I need for a second floor?

For a single bedroom or office, 20–22 pints is enough. For a bonus room, loft or open upstairs living area, step up to about 30–35 pints. Treating an entire humid second floor is a job for a 50-pint unit in a central hallway or a ducted system.

### Can one dehumidifier work for a whole two-story house?

A single portable rarely can, because floors and doors break up the airflow. A ducted whole-house dehumidifier such as the Aprilaire E100 can, since it uses your HVAC vents to reach every floor.

### How do I drain a dehumidifier on the second floor?

If the unit sits higher than a tub or shower drain, run a gravity hose into it. Otherwise choose a model with a built-in pump that can push water up to a sink, or plan on emptying a tank you can carry level, like the Midea Cube 20's base reservoir.

### What is the best place to put a dehumidifier in a 2-story house?

In the central, open part of the dampest floor, usually the basement or ground level, with about a foot of clearance around it and interior doors to that space closed while it works.

## Related guides

- [Where to Place a Dehumidifier (and Where Not To)](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/where-to-place-a-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best Basement Dehumidifiers for Mold, Damp and Musty Smells](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-basement/)
- [The Best Whole-House Dehumidifiers](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-whole-house-dehumidifier/)
- [The Best Quiet Dehumidifiers for Bedrooms](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-dehumidifier-for-bedroom/)
- [What Size Dehumidifier Do You Need?](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/guides/dehumidifier-size-guide/)
- [The Best Hygrometers and Humidity Sensors for Dehumidifier Owners](https://www.enthusiastreview.com/best/best-hygrometer/)

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*Enthusiast Review researches products against DOE ratings, ENERGY STAR data, manuals, CPSC recalls and owner reviews; it does not run a test lab. Amazon links are affiliate links (tag sktiger-20).*