The best ductless air conditioners are durable, energy-efficient, and quiet, which makes them a great solution for cooling and heating rooms in the home, the office, or in public establishments (such as restaurants, hotels, or libraries). We have compiled a list of our top recommendations and reviewed them in detail so that you can decide which indoor unit is the right option for you. We’ve
- Overall Best: Air-Con 20.5 SEER Ductless Mini Split DC Inverter Air Conditioner Heat Pump System
- Most Energy-Efficient: DuctlessAire Energy Star Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Variable Speed Inverter
- Best On A Budget: DELLA Ductless System Mini Split Inverter Air Conditioner
- Best Value for Money: Senville SENL-24CD Mini Split Air Conditioner Heat Pump
Best Ductless Air Conditioner: Our Reviews
1. Overall Best: Air-Con 20.5 SEER Ductless Mini Split DC Inverter Air Conditioner Heat Pump System
The Air-Con is recommended for anyone looking for a durable, yet affordable air conditioner for any larger space in the home or office, and especially for individuals living in humid climates.
Our pick for the best ductless air conditioner is the Air-Con Ductless Air Conditioner thanks to its versatility, durability, and power. This air conditioner is capable of efficiently cooling and heating rooms of all sizes, and it also comes with a variety of features. The Air-Con is recommended for anyone looking for a durable, yet affordable air conditioner for any larger space in the home or office, and especially for individuals living in humid outdoor climates.
Pros:
This air conditioning unit has a high energy efficiency rating and a low operating cost. At 20.5 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), the Air-Con Ductless Air Conditioner is one of the most energy-efficient models on our list. The SEER rating measures the efficiency of the cooling output of an air conditioning unit over a season in comparison to the electricity it consumes. The Air-Con’s rating puts it at the second place for most efficient AC on this list. This unit will heat or cool you to your comfort, without consuming much energy. This will make a real difference to your electricity bill.
Another great thing about this air conditioning unit is its powerful capacity to cool large spaces. With 24,000 BTU, the highest BTU rating on this list, this AC can quickly cool down and heat up large rooms, offices, entire homes, and any central space up to 1400 square feet.
The Air-Con doesn’t make much noise. Its quiet-operation function makes it ideal for keeping you cool as you sleep through the hottest summer nights.
The dehumidifying function of the Air-Con makes it a great choice for humid climates.
This air conditioning unit also comes with a variety of versatile features which make fine-tuning easy and convenient. Some of these features are ambient heating and cooling, a LED display, a 24-hour timer (that will allow you to decide when the AC turns on or off, goes into sleep mode, etc.), and seven indoor fan speeds, the highest number of speeds out of any competing product.
The Air-Con doesn’t make much noise.
The Air-Con is loaded with helpful features that make long-term maintenance easy. This AC unit has self-diagnosing, auto-protection, auto-defrost, and auto-cleaning functions. Plus, the panel is easy to remove, which will make cleaning the filter regularly less of a hassle.
In addition to these features, the build of this product further extends its lifespan, as its cabinet is resistant to corrosion.
The durability is also ensured by a 5-year limited warranty on parts and a 7-years warranty on the compressor. This is the top warranty offered on our list.
Cons:
Although this unit comes with a comprehensive instruction manual and is easy to install, if you don’t have much DIY experience we recommend that you hire an electrician or an HVAC professional to set this indoor unit up.
2. Most Energy-Efficient: DuctlessAire Energy Star Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Variable Speed Inverter
The high energy efficiency also makes it one of the most economical and eco-friendly options on this list.
This Energy Star-certified air conditioner is our top recommendation for the most energy-efficient ductless air conditioning unit. The high energy efficiency also makes it one of the most economical and eco-friendly options on this list. Its BTU capacity and whisper-quiet operation make it ideal for cooling or heating large bedrooms and other medium-to-large rooms in the home or office.
Pros:
The best feature of the DuctlessAire Energy Star AC is its high energy efficiency, which has earned it a SEER rating of 21.5. This makes it an ideal economic and eco-friendly purchase as it will cut down on your electricity costs and put less of a strain on the environment.
This energy-efficient unit is also quite powerful, as its 12,000 BTU allow it to cool rooms up to 550 square feet in size.
This air conditioning unit is a great choice for large bedrooms and central offices thanks to its whisper-quiet operation. As the unit makes very little noise, it’s ideal for sleeping and working.
This energy-efficient unit is also quite powerful, as its 12,000 BTU allow it to cool rooms up to 550 square feet in size.
The DuctlessAire also has an air-purifying capacity. Although it doesn’t directly serve as an air purifier, it comes with a high-quality HEPA filter which removes harmful particles from the air before cooling it and circulating it back into the room.
This air conditioning unit has useful functions which make it easy to maintain and increase the product’s lifespan. These features include refrigerant leak detection, self-diagnosis, auto-cleaning, and auto-protection. The self-diagnosis function informs you about the exact nature of a problem, making it easier to fix. Plus, the air filters are easily removable and washable, allowing you to regularly clean them with ease.
The durability of this air conditioning unit is backed by a 1-year warranty on parts, and a 5-year warranty on the compressor.
Last but not least, satisfied customers have said that DuctlessAire has great customer service!
Cons:
Keep in mind that the warranty on this AC is only applicable if an HVAC professional installs the unit, even though it comes with its own installation kit.
3. Best On A Budget: DELLA Ductless System Mini Split Inverter Air Conditioner
The Della Ductless Air Conditioner is our top budget-friendly pick. It works great in small-to-medium sized rooms. The stylish look of the Della and its BTU capacity make it a great and affordable choice for small offices, studio apartments, and bedrooms. The dehumidifying function makes it a good choice for individuals living in humid outdoor climates.
Pros:
As well as being the cheapest ductless air conditioning unit on our list, the Della is also easily the most stylish. The sleek design and its neutral white color allow it to blend into the room without attracting negative attention.
Additionally, the unit’s Auto Swing Air Swipe function is specifically designed to cool/heat rooms evenly.
The Della is a powerful cooling solution for smaller rooms. With 9,000 BTU, this model can efficiently cool rooms up to 400 square feet. Additionally, the unit’s Auto Swing Air Swipe function is specifically designed to cool/heat rooms evenly.
The Della doesn’t make much noise. The quiet operation makes it a great choice for a bedroom or a study.
These specs, along with its dehumidifying capability, make it a great choice for bedrooms or studies.
Cons:
While the unit is quite affordable, the 15.5 SEER rating indicates that it’s not the most energy efficient model on the market. Still, you can always activate the eco-mode for more energy efficiency.
Additionally, the warranty for this product is unclear, and Della doesn’t have a great reputation for the quality of their customer service.
4. Best Value for Money: Senville SENL-24CD Mini Split Air Conditioner Heat Pump
The Senville SENL-24CD Mini Split Air Conditioner Heat Pump can regulate the temperature in large rooms at a more affordable cost than competing brands with the same capacity. Its variety of features makes it a great budget-friendly choice for large bedrooms, living rooms, or for commercial application. The Senville’s capacity and versatility make it the top value-for-money recommendation on our list.
Note: Its SEER rating is 17, which puts it somewhere in the middle amongst the products on the list in terms of energy efficiency.
Pros:
At 24,000 BTU (capacity to cool or heat up to 130 meters squared/1400 square feet), this model has the best cooling capacity for the price. This makes it an affordable option for large rooms, rooms with high ceilings, or entire apartments.
The unit comes with versatile features, which add value for the money. This includes a variety of cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and fan modes.
Another reason to choose this ductless air conditioning unit is that it has a whisper-quiet operation function, which makes it a great choice for larger bedrooms, offices, living rooms, and public spaces, i.e. for sleep and for work.
Thanks to its low ambient kit, the unit is also great for low-temperature climates. A low ambient kit maintains the AC’s system pressure at normal levels when the outdoor temperatures are low. This feature will allow you to heat rooms even when the outdoor temperatures are as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
One of the nicest features of this product is that it’s easy to install. It comes with a full installation kit so that your electrician will have everything they need to set up the unit.
The unit comes with versatile features, which add value for the money.
The Senville is backed by a 1-year warranty on parts and a 5-year warranty on the compressor.
Cons:
You would need to have an electrician or HVAC professional install this unit, as the instruction manual is not very user-friendly. It’s said to be lacking in detail about the specific tools necessary and includes mistakes about the size of the holes that need to be drilled.
Additionally, customers have raised some questions about the quality of Senville’s customer service, as they have not always been very swift in responding to customer complaints.
Lastly, the Senville does not come pre-charged with a refrigerant, so you will need to purchase that separately.
Conclusion
After going over the reviews, it’s time to consider which ductless air conditioner is the best choice for you. W think the Air-Con 20.5 SEER Ductless Mini Split DC Inverter Air Conditioner Heat Pump System is the best ductless air conditioner. This durable air conditioning unit is our top choice because it can regulate the temperature in large spaces with high energy efficiency.
If you are looking for an energy-efficient option for smaller rooms, the DuctlessAire Energy Star Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Variable Speed Inverter is your best option. As its BTU capacity is more suitable for smaller rooms, it’s more affordable than the Air-Con. Additionally, Energy Star-certified models like the DuctlessAire can help you save up to 30% on cooling and heating expenses.
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the DELLA Ductless System Mini Split Air Conditioner is a great choice. The stylish design and BTU capacity make it a great addition to smaller homes, studio apartments, as well as small rooms and offices.
If you are looking for another affordable option for larger spaces, the Senville SENL-24CD Mini Split Air Conditioner is the way to go. Its capacity and versatile features make it our top value-for-money recommendation.
If you’re still unsure which ductless air conditioning unit is the best for your needs, read on to our buying guide which goes over the different factors you may wish to consider when choosing.
Buying Guide
Budget
Consider how much you are willing to spend on your new ductless air conditioning unit. The models we recommend are both affordable and durable, although their price does vary based on their energy-efficiency and capacity. Also consider the cost of installing your unit, as this might eat into your overall budget.
The models we recommend are both affordable and durable, although their price does vary based on their energy-efficiency and capacity.
Capacity
What room of the home or office do you need the AC for? Some units may be cheaper but are not very effective in cooling or heating larger spaces. Consider the size of the room you want the air conditioning unit for and see which model’s BTU capacity is appropriate. For each product, we have specified what size room the BTU corresponds with.
Consider the size of the room you want the air conditioning unit for and see which model’s BTU capacity is appropriate.
Energy Efficiency
Depending on how often you use your air conditioning unit, you may prefer to opt for a more energy-efficient option. Energy-efficient options come with Energy Star certifications and high SEER ratings. The SEER ratings (“Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating”) of each product tells us the ratio of the cooling output of the AC over a cooling season, divided by the energy it consumes in terms of Watts/Hour.
Energy-efficient options come with Energy Star certifications and high SEER ratings.
Additional Features
If you are living in a humid climate, you may want your new ductless AC unit to include a dehumidifier. Even though you’re not cooling outdoor air, you’ll see plenty of outdoor humidity making its way into your home! If you are looking for an air conditioner for your bedroom, you want to make sure that it includes a quiet operation setting. Consider these and other potential additional features you may want you air conditioner to have when choosing the best option for you.
If you are looking for an AC for your bedroom, you want to make sure that it includes a quiet operation setting.
Hopefully, you found our reviews and our buying guide useful for deciding which product on the market is the right ductless air conditioner choice for you. To get more information about each recommended model, you can follow the title links to learn their price, in-depth specifications, and customer reviews.
Buyers Also Asked
How much does it cost to install a ductless air conditioning system?
It can cost between $1300 and $4500 to install a quality ductless air conditioning system. This depends largely on your area and the size of the system you are wanting to install.
How big of a ductless air conditioner do I need?
This depends largely on the amount of space you are wanting to cool. A small room would take only 6,000 BTUs, for example, but an entire small house will take more like 24,000 BTUs. Below is simple guide to help you decide.
150 to 250 sqft – 6,000 BTUs
250 to 300 sqft – 7,000 BTUs
300 to 350 sqft – 8,000 BTUs
350 to 400 sqft – 9,000 BTUs
400 to 450 sqft – 10,000 BTUs
450 to 550 sqft – 12,000 BTUs
550 to 700 sqft – 14,000 BTUs
700 to 1,000 sqft – 18,000 BTUs
1,00 to 1,200 sqft – 21,000 BTUs
1,200 to 1,400 sqft – 23,000 BTUs
1,400 to 1,500 sqft – 24,000 BTUs
Do mini splits stay on all the time?
No, ductless air conditioners do not stay on 24 hours a day. They do, however, stay on longer than a traditional HVAC system. Most of the time they are on low power mode, though.
What’s Next?
In the meantime, make sure to visit our expert air conditioner reviews to find recommendations in other formats, such as window air conditioners and whole-house solutions. You can also swing by our contact page to drop us a line if you have questions, comments, or any other feedback for us.