Best Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner & Heat Pump Reviews and Buying Guide

Best Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner & Heat Pump
Best Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner & Heat Pump

Few tools are as efficient and dependable than the best ductless mini split air conditioner & heat pump when we come to flexible cooling/heating for your spaces.

Functioning as powerful alternatives to traditional cooling systems, these conditioners cum heat-pumps comprise of an indoor air-handling unit and an outdoor air condenser run in either cooling/heating modes:

In cooling mode, they’re excellent air conditioners while in heating mode, they function as effective “non-ducted” heating systems.

This design makes the ductless mini-split air conditioners one of the best bets for controlling heating in individual rooms or other areas in your home.

Top 5 Best Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner & Heat Pump Reviews:

In an effort to give you an idea of what the market has to offer, our editors scoured through the online and offline stores and were swept off the ground by the under-mentioned 5 mini-split air conditioners and heat pumps:

1. Pioneer Air Conditioner/ Ductless Wall-Mount & Heat Pump Mini Split System(12000 BTUs/17.5 SEER)

Hailed as one of the best, this delivers superior efficiency, extreme comfort, and importantly, it’s a performer.
And it comes as a self-contained set with air conditioning, a heating pump, dehumidifier, and a ventilation unit!

Benefits:

The Pioneer Split-system unit is one of the most comprehensive units and has always ranked highly in numerous best mini split air conditioner reviews.

We particularly like its construction because not many units achieve its high efficiency levels in making spaces more comfortable.

Then, unlike most of its competitors, the unit remains very quiet as it works.

Similarly, it’s one of the easiest to operate with the accompanying wireless remote allowing you to switch to the function that you want to activate- cooling, ventilation, heating, and dehumidification.

We Love
  • It’s quite powerful.
  • The unit runs quietly.
  • Can be set to run or stop at a set time.
  • The flat front panel looks handsome.
  • Very affordable.
We Don't Love
  • Installation is a bit taxing.

2. Senville Split Air Conditioner/Heat Pump 12HF/Z (12000 BTUs/25 SEER)

This is also fantastic. Runs silent, keeps your rooms comfortable at your chosen temperature, and has a sizeable temperature setting display to boot.

To cap it all, it comes at an amazing price.

Benefits:

The Senville mini-split conditioner/heat pump unit has several winners, chief among them a virtually silent operation…my editors say they’ve never come across such a whisper-quiet unit.

The unit’s indoor air handler is also one of the best and excels in countless applications, from single rooms, garages, restaurants, and additions.

Not to be left behind, the outdoor condenser is also formidable and works incredibly fast once activated. But for me, the biggest of them all is the installation…it’s so easy you enjoy it even if you are a noob.

We Love
  • The quietest operation.
  • Super easy to install.<
  • Very well built.
  • Works like a charm.
  • Very energy efficient.
We Don't Love
  • The packaging is sometimes wanting.

3. DAIKIN 12,000 BTU 17 SEER Wall-Mounted Ductless Mini-Split A/C Heat Pump System

Outstanding in this unit is the easy-to-use and the magical air quality monitoring function.

The air sweep supports better air circulation and balanced room temperature making it another of our all-time favorites.

Benefits:

The system features the inverter technology so it can vary its compressor speeds, ensuring maximum efficiency.

But it does more:

In addition to perfectly heating your zones, it ensures that you enjoy improved air quality throughout thanks to the presence of the performance-oriented air-quality monitoring utility.

Considering that it also has remarkable cooling, dehumidification and ventilation capabilities, this unit should make you feel nice and relaxed.

To cap it all, it comes pre-charged with the eco-friendly R410a. refrigerant meaning you don’t need to add a refrigerant. And it is an Inverter AC & heating system.

We Love
  • It runs effortlessly.
  • Another powerful unit.
  • It’s very accurate.
  • It has one of the best cooling units.
  • Helps air flow.
We Don't Love
  • Nothing noticeable.

4. Senville SENL-18CD Split Air Conditioner & Heat Pump (18000 BTUs/15 SEER)

Over the years, Senville has emerged as one of the best ductless air conditioner brand and seeing the quality of this ductless mini-split unit, it will take some beating to overthrow them.

Rated 18000 BTU, this is one of the few units that can handle 1000 square footage comfortably.

Benefits:

From the first time you lay your hands on it, you can clearly tell that this is special.

It’s, as mentioned earlier, amazing in larger spaces and is so advanced that you can mistake it for central air-conditioning systems, at least going by the sleek performance.

Despite its affordability, it can heat and cool your space up to 5F/-15C courtesy of the reliable outdoor condenser and silent indoor handler and in keeping with the tradition of Senville brands, it comes with all the essential accessories for an easy DIY installation.

We Love
  • Affordable unit.
  • 5-year warranty.
  • It has an easier air evacuation procedure.
  • Comes fully charged.
  • Energy efficient.
We Don't Love
  • May need a professional installer.

5. Innovair Air Conditioner Inverter Ductless Wall Mount Mini Split System Heat Pump Full Set with Kit

One of the most compact units, this conditioner/heating system works with a calmness and productiveness that belies its minute size which is why it’s an ever-present in our ductless mini split air conditioner & heat pump reviews.

Benefits:

This versatile unit is considered one of the most innovative and comes with a “swing” feature that improves how air moves in your room.

Both the heat and AC mode works as expected and remains hushed such that sleeping will never be a problem. The accuracy is incomparable and you’ll have better control of your homes’ heat and cooling.

The overall quality is up there with the best with the bezel-less LED display, especially being a star attraction.

We Love
  • It’s another versatile unit.
  • Handsome bezel-less display.
  • Clear installation instructions.
  • Great customer service from the vendor.
  • First-class quality.
We Don't Love
  • May struggle in larger spaces.

Buying Guide

The hunt for the best ductless mini split air conditioner & heat pump can be daunting but having the right information can help you secure a better deal.

Here are the questions to ask:

Single Or Multi-Zone?

Single-zone ductless split systems cools using one outdoor and indoor unit per instance and are preferred in bedrooms or any other room not ducted for regular central air conditioning.

For these, the crucial step is to check the power rating to ensure it can cover your room’s square footage when buying.

Multi-zone mini splits systems aren’t so different from single-zone models but usually cover larger areas in your apartment.

However, each of the indoor units (representing a zone) will connect to the sole compressor unit via the refrigerant lines.

Homeowners lacking central air conditioning will find this suitable as it can cool different parts of the home including multiple floor levels.

Multi-zone models are common in basements, apartments, and commercial offices.

What’s The Best Size (BTU Rating)?

The amount of energy that your unit should generate to cool your space is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units).
Technically, a BTU is the energy needed to elevate water’s temperature by 1 Fahrenheit and is simply its cooling power.

Now, the BTUs associated with a mini-slit’s indoor unit are enough to point you towards the ability of single-zone models.

Things, however, become a bit complicated in multiple zone systems and here, you have to assess the BTU rating of both the indoor and outdoor units with regard to each zone.

It’s also important to remember that BTU ratings are just estimates and assume 10ft ceilings, proper insulation, and windows meaning that improper insulation, excessive sun, an adverse climate in your regions, and taller ceilings will affect the accuracy.

Something Else

In general, larger spaces need more powerful units which will ,in most cases, cost more.

Lastly, don’t make a mistake of thinking that the bigger the unit the better the performance. Rather, what you need is an optimum size and not necessarily the biggest!

Here is a guide on the recommended BTU rating for specific square feet:

Square FeetBTU Rating/hour
150 – 2506000
250 – 3007,000
300 – 3508,000
350 – 4009,000
400 – 45010,000
450 – 55012,000
550 – 70014,000
700 – 100018,000
1000 – 120021,000
1200 – 140023,000
1400 – 150024,000

Is It Energy Efficient?

Apart from independently controlled cooling for each room, the other major strength of ductless air conditioners is their smart power consumption.

That explains why most are energy star certified.

Now, here the keyword is SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating), essentially a measure of a unit’s cooling output (seasonally adjusted) divided by its energy consumption.

The thing is, the higher its SEER rating, the greater the energy efficiency and the more the savings in your utility bills.

What About The Extras?

In terms of additions, some models offer more extra features than others. A programmable timer helps you set your unit to turn on/ off at a specific time. For example, you can program it to activate before you arrive home from work so as to be welcomed by a perfectly cooled home.

The automation also helps save energy.

On the same note, you may find an auto restart very handy since it automatically recalls the previous settings after a power failure. Apart from this being convenient, it helps to shield your circuit breaker and the compressor from premature damage.

Besides the above mentioned, an adjustable airflow is awesome as you will also be in charge of airflow, something important since some rooms may need excess airflow, for example, due to their location not to mention that its normal to have temperature disparities between rooms and/or zones in your home.

Finally, washable air filters are great as you just need to wash them when dirty to restore its best functioning rather than spend on replacement filters- which come with some mini-slits.

Versatility?

If possible, units with additional functions are advantageous. Fortunately, most of the latest units are coming enhanced with more and more functions including dehumidifiers.

Best Brands of Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner & Heat Pump

There is no shortage of players in the best ductless mini split air conditioner & heat pump sector with some firmly in the driving seat because of a distinctive consistency in quality.

Here are the manufacturers who captured our imagination:

iNNova

iNnova specializes in premier ductless units. Their products are ultra-quiet and super-compact compared to what the rest of the market offers.

Homeowners have repeatedly praised iNNova’s customer care service as fantastic.

Senville

Senville is a big name here and absolutely dominates the market with their Leto series of ductless mini split/heat pump systems.

This brand has some of the simplest to install portable mini split air conditioner models besides leading in aesthetics.

Pioneer

Another giant, Pioneer has a tendency to use the latest technologies to release high-performance units.
Pioneer has several models targeted at both residential and light commercial uses.

Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner & Heat Pump FAQs

Here are some common question’s answer that you may looking for. So check these questions including answers to know more about the product. You should check these before purchase.

Q1: Why does my compressor unit fan run continuously?

Answer: Some systems come with a “fan-on” control on the remote or at the base of the indoor air-blower unit. Confirm that it’s not set to on or man.

Q2: How do I get my ductless system fan to switch off automatically?

Answer: Almost every mini split system has a thermostat and will turn off the cooling function when the set temperature is reached.

Q3: How long can my ductless air conditioning unit last?

Answer: If properly maintained, your unit can last more than 20 years.

Q4:What maintenance and servicing do ductless air conditioning units need?

Answer: The most important routine is to keep the indoor air handling unit filters clean and to replace the replaceable filters (if that’s what you have) on time.

For the outdoor unit, clean it regularly, especially on the coil.

Q5: Why is my indoor ductless part blowing a reduced amount of air than before?

Answer: This could be due to dirty filters, blades, or an obstructed unit fan.

Final Verdict

The best ductless mini split air conditioner & heat pump can be an exceptional addition to your current heating systems. You can use it at your home or in your comfortable place.

Because they efficiently heat separate rooms and zones to your preferred comfort level, these ductless heating systems could be the way to go if you have been searching for a flexible heating and cooling solution.

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3 thoughts on “Best Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner & Heat Pump Reviews and Buying Guide”

  1. Mcgrath Walsh says:

    Very clean and informative information. Super cool. I got a clear instruction about split AC. Thanks.

  2. Daniel Oberon says:

    Normally I don’t read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite nice post.

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