Updated Sep. 11, 2024
You might be surprised by how many options you have when it comes to ductless air conditioning. Here are the top mini split brands from HVAC experts.
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Senville mini split systems top our list of the best mini split brands. Senville offers numerous mini split models that vary by size, capacity and price. However, the most telling factor for us regarding the company is its high overall customer satisfaction rating. While HVAC makers in general often struggle with customer review scores, Senville maintains a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot, with 84% of customers awarding it five stars.
Senville mini split efficiency ratings, measured in SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio), vary between 18 SEER to over 25 SEER. Considering a SEER rating of 20 is considered excellent, the company offers some of the highest average efficiency ratings available. Additionally, Senville’s pricing starts under $700 for a single-room model. One of its 20-SEER 9,000-BTU units, capable of conditioning a 450-square-foot room, retails for $699 at Walmart.
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The Daikin company began manufacturing cooling appliances in 1924 and added heat pump technology to its lineup in 1957. Reliability and excellent efficiency ratings are the top reasons the company is arguably the most popular mini split manufacturer worldwide. Daikin HVAC products are available through several retailer sites and distributors, though you’ll likely need to find an expert to install the system.
The company offers models with SEER ratings of between 17 and 27. While some models may cost more than competitors (for example, an 18,000-BTU, 20-SEER Oterra Series mini split from Daikin is available from Walmart for around $2,000), highly efficient model options can save money in energy bills over time.
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With efficiency ratings from 18 to 24 SEER, MrCool offers numerous mini split models that average well in energy efficiency. However, the company doesn’t provide super-efficient options with SEER ratings over 25, like some of its competitors do. What MrCool does offer is competitive pricing throughout its lineup and customer satisfaction ratings that rank among the top in the field.
A MrCool 24,000-BTU mini split boasts an efficiency rating of 20 SEER and costs under $2,700. Existing customers rate it at 4.5 stars on average, and 92% of reviewers recommend purchasing it. Many MrCool mini split products are controllable using the SmartHVAC app, Alexa and Google Assistant with their Wi-Fi-enabled controls.
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This brand might be a lesser-known name among mini splits and HVAC systems, but that could change soon. Gree is doing the right things when it comes to offering a wide product variety with excellent efficiency ratings. Gree’s Sapphire collection features models with SEER ratings of 27 and higher, which is more than most systems we evaluated.
The company stands out by offering customers the choice of several mounting systems. Besides the typical wall-mounted interior air handler units, Gree offers many models with in-ceiling or ceiling-mounted cassettes. The cassettes perform the same functions as wall-mounted versions. However, they’re more out-of-the-way and discreet, providing more interior design options for consumers.
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Pioneer boasts high consumer ratings across its vast mini split model lineup. Despite starting mini split production relatively recently (1995), the company’s short time in the business is proving successful, and it’s now one of the most popular rising mini split brands.
Pioneer’s expansive mini split product line includes models with efficiency ratings of between 17 and 23 SEER. However, very efficient models from the company with SEER ratings over 24 are hard to find. Pioneer’s Diamante series is its most sought-after line. An 18,000-BTU unit with a 19-SEER rating costs under $1,000.
Max Veggeberg, CEO and Founder of Tetra, an HVAC specialist company, listed these factors as the most important when asked about what to look for among the best mini split brands:
“[Choose] quality over brand name. I recommend prioritizing features that integrate smart home, energy-saving technologies, such as smart thermostats and occupancy sensors.”
“Just like anything else you would buy for your home, evaluate a brand’s reliability by checking customer reviews and support services, and compare installation and maintenance costs to find a balance between upfront investment and long-term expenses.”
“Ensure the brand offers a warranty and reliable customer support for added protection and peace of mind.”
We also suggest gathering as much information as possible regarding ductless air conditioners. For DIYers, consider these mini split installation tips.
Our staff experts have tested thousands of consumer products over the years, and we make it a point to look at the best appliance brands (see our lists of the best washer/dryer brands, best water heater brands and best refrigerator brands). When evaluating a brand, we perform an overview based on customer satisfaction and product specifics related to the topic or product lines involved.
Based on those overviews, we select the top contenders for further evaluation and analyze each one individually based on criteria related to product performance, availability, ease-of-use, convenience features, price and value, reliability, and consumer protections, such as warranty specifics.
Because of our extensive experience and insight from called-in and on-staff experts, we’re uniquely qualified to explain the benefits of each brand as well as the pitfalls to avoid.
To determine the best mini split brands to install in your home, our experts reviewed numerous products from many manufacturers. When researching and writing this review, I evaluated 21 mini split makers and divided them into groups like DIY-appropriate, satisfied customers, reliable and extensive warranty. I chose the five companies that ranked highest in all categories without exception.
While I considered pricing, it wasn’t my primary focus. The brands that made the list offer various models at different price points. I also excluded companies that required installations only by their authorized dealers, as that would skew the results towards higher-priced units and specialty items.
The 21 companies I examined included, in no particular order, Friedrich, York, Lennox, Carrier, Senville, Gree, Ruud, Daikin, LG, Mitsubishi, Bosch, MrCool, Panasonic, Samsung, Rheem, Trane, Goodman, Pioneer, Fujitsu, DuctlessAire and Cooper & Hunter.
With so many mini-split brands on the market today, choosing one may feel challenging. To further complicate the issue, many brands spend tons on advertising in the hopes that customers will choose their products without looking deeper into what their purchase includes. Despite a couple of our top picks being popular companies, we reviewed them based on performance, product details and customer satisfaction first—and brand popularity last.
Some mini split makers don’t offer warranty protections at all, unless the unit is installed by one of their approved installers or at least an HVAC pro. Others offer more limited warranties for units installed as DIY projects.
With that in mind, of the companies we evaluated, Daikin offers the longest coverage at 12 years for parts and the compressor, while Gree provides a 5-year parts and 10-year compressor warranty. However, it’s crucial to check the professional installation requirements before assuming you’re covered, regardless of the brand you choose.
Consumers and experts agree that Daikin is the premier mini split manufacturer that’s widely available. From there, companies like Senville and Gree often make top-five lists from numerous experts. For our review, we included those companies, plus others that provide unique features and high customer satisfaction ratings despite not being as well known. In general, we avoid putting manufacturers on our list that suffer from poor customer reviews or product unreliability.
The average lifespan of a mini split HVAC system is between 15 and 20 years. However, several factors can significantly affect that total. Neglected systems that don’t undergo routine maintenance may only last ten years. But owners who regularly clean their systems, change their filters and hire a professional to perform frequent inspections and tune-ups can see their mini splits last beyond 20 years in many cases.
Originally Published: August 30, 2024
