When the weather warms up, it’s vital to keep cool in your family home, and a ductless air conditioner can help you do that. More convenient and versatile than ducted A/C units, the best ductless air conditioner models can offer a lot of advantages and there are plenty of highly rated options out there. We’re here to help you make the right choice.
We’ve reviewed 10 of the best ductless air conditioners on the market today, finding that the Klimaire KSIV012-H119-S(W) is the best choice for most people.
While reviewing the best ductless air conditioners, we considered a range of different factors, like BTUs, which shows how efficient and effective the unit is at cooling down the air, as well as coverage area, which shows how much space the air conditioner can handle at any one time. We also looked at the different settings options and the length of warranty provided by each manufacturer to help you make the right call. Check out the table below to see all of the best A/C units we found, followed by in-depth reviews of each model and then a detailed buying guide at the end.
More features: 25 dB noise level; self-cleaning feature; 19 SEER
Topping off our list of the best ductless air conditioners is the Klimaire KSIV012-H119-S(W). It’s one of the very best non ducted A/C units you can buy today, available at a fair price and offering highly impressive performance in every possible aspect. It’s a bit of a bulky model in terms of the size of its outdoor and indoor units, but it’s exceptionally efficient and really easy to install too, offering cooling across 550 square feet and being very quiet at just 25 dB.
The Klimaire KSIV012-H119-S(W) comes with a 15 foot installation kit with all the cables and accessories you need to get started. The outdoor unit is also pre-charged and can accommodate up to 25 feet of refrigerant lines, fitted with a built-in base pan and a compressor heater, as well as an anti-corrosive golden fin. The whole kit comes with a remote control too for easy operation, letting you adjust the settings and fan speeds in an instant with ease.
The Klimaire KSIV012-H119-S(W) offers both heating and cooling all the way down to 5 degrees, along with customizable infra-red settings, a sleep mode, an automatic restart, and many other great features. It even comes with a self-cleaning mode, reducing the need for manual maintenance. What’s more, you’ll get a 5-year manufacturer warranty and lifetime free tech support from Klimaire too.
More features: installation kit included, ECO mode, freeze protection, timer, sleep mode, LCD screen wireless remote
Pioneer scoops our second-best spot with one of their gems from the Diamante series. The ductless mini-split air conditioner is one of the best air conditioners that offer top value for money in the market. It comes in a sturdy, compact build that neatly fits into any space. It is incredibly easy to install as it comes with a complete installation kit and straightforward instructions. Plus, its ductless design means you don’t have to fumble with ductwork during installation, and you can install it almost anywhere without modifying your home.
The Pioneer Ductless Mini-split AC is our best value pick because of all the cool features it offers at an attractive price point. For instance, it has automatic double-directional air sweeping louvers and variable airflow, bringing individualized comfort to a space. In addition, the AC features energy-saving technologies that minimize energy loss, thus lowering energy costs. The AC also offers unmatched convenience and comfort with its wireless remote control that you can store in a wall cradle. With the remote control, you can easily switch the heating, cooling, ventilation, and dehumidification functions.
The Pioneer Ductless Mini-split AC stacks up well against premium quality ductless ACs like the Klimaire unit on this list. It is durable and stylish with a flat front panel that can blend with any interior décor easily. Plus, it is relatively quiet.
More features: 30.5 SEER; built-in Wi-Fi mode; remote control; G-10 Inverter Technology; 49 dB noise level; 7 indoor fan speeds
Many people worry about the noise levels caused by ductless air conditioners and ducted air conditioners alike, but if you choose the Gree SAP12HP230V1A, you definitely won’t need to worry about noise at all. This 12,000 BTU mini split is one of the quietest models on the market. In fact, you barely even notice it making any sound at all and it offers quite impressive performance on top of its silent operations too.
The Gree SAP12HP230V1A features 12,000 BTUs of power, able to cool down spaces of up to 650 square feet in a matter of minutes, dropping temperatures to comfortable levels and being able to provide satisfying and cozy heating whenever the temperature gets too low as well. It’s the perfect A/C solution for any situation, easily mountable on your walls and coming with some other useful features too.
The Gree SAP12HP230V1A, for instance, has Wi-Fi integration, able to connect to your home router and link up with your smartphone. Then, you can download the free Gree+ app to easily control your Gree SAP12HP230V1A from around the home, adjusting the settings or even turning it on or off as you desire without having to press any physical buttons on the unit itself. There’s a remote control included too for those who don’t want to use the app, and the whole thing comes with a 5-year warranty. The only real downside is that all of these features come at quite a high price.
More features: Turbo Cool, Sleep Mode, Dehumidifier, Hyper Heat – modes; 16-19 SEER; remote control
If you’re buying an air conditioner of any kind and investing a lot of money into your purchase, it helps to know that the manufacturer will provide some extended coverage to protect your purchase, taking on the costs of any repairs or replacements that might be needed down the line. The Innovair Air Conditioner has one of the best warranty policies we’ve ever seen in the A/C market, with Innovair offering a 5-year limited warranty on the parts and a 7-year warranty on the compressor.
With so much coverage, you won’t have to worry about a thing when using the Innovair Air Conditioner, and it really excels at cooling down large spaces thanks to its impressive 12,000 BTU rating and strong 115V heat pump too. It’s a full and complete cooling and heating system, ready to install with all the parts and accessories you need to get going. The exterior unit is even pre-charged up to 25 feet.
The Innovair Air Conditioner is also one of the strongest and most durable units we’ve ever seen, with a multi-layer air filter and gold fin outdoor protection to keep all the parts safe and secure at all times. What’s more, it comes with several advanced features like a turbo cool mode, sleep mode, dehumidifier mode, and hyper heat mode. The only real downside is that the units are a little bulky and can take up a lot of space.
More features: Wi-Fi compatible with devices using standard Android or IOS operating systems (sold separately); sleep mode; quiet mode; 22 SEER
It’s fascinating to see just how advanced some of the modern ductless air conditioners really are, with many of the latest and greatest models being equipped with state of the art features. The boreal EQX12HPJ1SB is a fine example, boasting some of the best Wi-Fi compatibility out of any unit on our list. In a matter of seconds, this air conditioner can be hooked up to your home router, connecting to your smartphone or tablet to let you change settings on the fly from the comfort of the couch.
You do need to buy an optional Wi-Fi kit with the boreal EQX12HPJ1SB in order to access the Wi-Fi features, but it’s definitely worth the extra cash and greatly enhances the usability of this unit. You also need to pay extra for a 1/4″ x 1/2″ line set, so the boreal EQX12HPJ1SB does come with a few extra fees, but everything is fairly priced and the tech specs of this model are super impressive with 12,000 BTUs and a coverage area of up to 650 square feet.
The boreal EQX12HPJ1SB also comes with a remote control for easy functionality around the home, letting you switch between the different cooling and heating modes in an instant and adjust the fan speed accordingly to suit your needs. It has a very impressive SEER rating of 22 too, which is one of the best out there right now, and also comes with advanced, useful mode options like a sleep mode and a quiet mode for those moments when you don’t want to be disturbed.
More features: 18 SEER; Wi-Fi ready; 12 indoor fan speeds
Many of the entries on our list have had BTUs ratings of around 10,000 – 12,000, but the Cooper & Hunter Air Conditioner goes far beyond these limits and excels as the single most powerful entry on our list. It’s one of the best ductless mini split air conditioner & heat pump kits out there right now, offering a whopping 30,000 BTUs in total, allowing it to cool down large spaces in a matter of seconds.
It comes with a big price tag and quite bulky outdoor and indoor units, but the Cooper & Hunter Air Conditioner is exceptionally powerful, efficient, and effective at what it does, cooling down large spaces of up to 1,200 square feet very quickly and conveniently. It’s the ideal option for workspaces or large, open plan living areas, and can even be relied upon as a full-house air conditioner for those in small to mid size homes with its high 18 SEER rating and strong fan speeds.
The Cooper & Hunter Air Conditioner, like many other entries on our list, is also imbued with Wi-Fi technology, able to quickly and seamlessly connect to your home router system and sync with your mobile devices. This makes it so easy to adjust settings and speeds on the fly, and the included remote control can also be used for this purpose if you prefer.
More features: 53 dB noise level; advanced scheduling and 4 varying modes; remote control; phone aps
Next up, we have the RolliCool Mini Split Quiet Ductless Air Conditioner, which is another of the best ductless air conditioners out there. With 10,000 BTUs of power, this model is stronger than any 9000 BTU mini split on the market. But let’s start off with its design, as the RolliCool Mini Split Quiet Ductless Air Conditioner is definitely one of the best-looking models available today. It’s sleek, chic, and compact, fitting neatly into your home without hogging too much space or standing out.
With its high BTU rating, the RolliCool Mini Split Quiet Ductless Air Conditioner is also able to function just as good as it looks, offering super-fast, efficient, and effective cooling in spaces of up to 450 square feet. It’s ideal for everywhere from offices and bedrooms to living spaces and dining rooms too, able to lower the temperature and allow your home to feel cool and comfortable at a moment’s notice.
It also comes with a little remote control for your convenience, or you can make use of its Wi-Fi functionality to connect to your own smartphone and control it on the fly. This leads us on to the RolliCool Mini Split Quiet Ductless Air Conditioner’s advanced features. It comes with its own scheduling system, able to automatically adjust and regulate temperature whenever you need it, as well as offering four different modes to provide the perfect results every time and help you save a lot of energy too. On the downside, it’s a little noisy on the highest setting and only has a 1-year warranty.
More features: 3 fan speeds; 35 dB noise level; portable
The Simply Modern Personal Mini Air Conditioner proves that you don’t always need to spend big bucks to enjoy the cooling comfort of a top quality A/C in your own office, bedroom, or living space. This is one of the smallest A/C units out there, but also one of the most affordable and useful for personal use. It’s not going to be very efficient if you put it in a large, open-plan living area and expect it to work wonders, but it can get the job done in a small, closed-off room.
As the name indicates, the Simply Modern Personal Mini Air Conditioner is designed for personal use. It’s ideal for just one person to keep themselves cool, sitting snugly on a desk or table while you work or being positioned on a nightstand to provide a cool flow of fresh air to help you drift off to a peaceful sleep. It comes with three different fan settings too and a USB cable for easy connections and on-the-fly cooling.
The Simply Modern Personal Mini Air Conditioner is also one of the most silent A/C units on our list, measuring up at just 35 dB in terms of its noise level, and while it doesn’t have the biggest BTU rating or the longest warranty, it does still offer some fun and unique features like a variable color night light and a little handle on top to let you carry it around and place it wherever you like.
More features: 30dB noise level, eco-friendly, 3 speeds, 7 color night lights
The Aubnico portable AC is a prime option for anyone looking to buy an AC without denting their wallet. It is incredibly affordable and can keep you cool and fresh on the hot summer days. The AC has a multi-functional 5-in-1 design. Besides being your personal air cooler, it can act as your desk fan, LED night light, mini air conditioner, and air humidifier. The portable AC will keep you cool in the hot, sweaty summer without drying your skin as it is capable of humidifying the air.
The Aubnico portable AC is our budget pick because it is cheaper to run than the standard air conditioner. Unlike the typical AC, it works by pulling hot air from the room through its evaporative water filter and then fills it with clean, cool, and comfortable air. It uses a USB interface to supply power and a nanospray technology that reduces drying effectively. No installation is needed with the Aubnico portable AC. All you need to do is fill it up with water, then plug it into a wall outlet or USB.
The Aubnico portable AC is a better portable option than all the ACs on this list because you can use it in the car, office, or home. Moreover, very few ACs within its price range have the multi-functional capability.
More features: 21 SEER; restart IC; self-diagnosis system; 60 dB noise level; remote control; built-in ionizer
Last but not least, we have the Thermocore T322D-H224-9+12, one of the best split air conditioner systems on the market today. Large in size and high in value too, this is one of the most expensive entries on our list and is best suited for people who need some serious firepower from their air conditioner unit. It offers a very impressive 21,000 BTUs and a working area of up to 1,200 square feet too.
The 21 SEER rating of the Thermocore T322D-H224-9+12 only makes it a more appealing prospect for anyone in need of fast, efficient, effective cooling and heating, and it comes with a 5-year warranty on the compressor too, providing total peace of mind in case you ever encounter any issues with this component. At 60 dB, the noise level of the Thermocore T322D-H224-9+12 is quite high, but this shouldn’t be too noticeable on most settings and fan speeds.
The Thermocore T322D-H224-9+12 also comes with one very unique feature – a self-diagnosis system that can allow the unit to identify automatically if it has any issues and make maintenance and repairs a lot easier too. It also comes with a built-in ionizer which helps to purify the air as it passes through the system and a remote control for easy adjustment of speeds and settings whenever you need.
Now that you’ve read through our ductless air conditioner reviews and seen some of the top ductless air conditioner models on the market, it’s time to take a closer look at what these units really are, how they work, what advantages they have to offer, and how you should go about choosing the very best A/C for your home. Read through our ductless air conditioner buying guide to learn more.
First of all, you might be wondering if it’s really worth getting an A/C unit for your home. Well, when you start to see all of the different benefits an A/C unit can provide, the choice becomes a whole lot easier.
Ductless air conditioners, also known as mini split systems, work quite simply and copy most of the same functionality as a ducted A/C unit, but without the vents. Essentially, these units suck in warm air from around the home, absorb all the heat and moisture from that air, and then blow cool, fresh air back out around the room. Ducted A/C units send the cold air into ducts which flow around the house, while ductless. A/C units simply expel the air via vents on the unit itself.
If you’re thinking of investing in a unit like an LG mini split or Mitsubishi mini split, it’s first important to look at the differences between mini splits/ductless A/C units and ducted A/C units.
Ductless units are preferred by many people due to their lower prices, simple installation, flexible usage, easy maneuverability, lower energy costs, and the fact that they’re just much more convenient to use in general as you can install them wherever you like and use them to zonally cool down individual spaces, rather than wasting energy and money cooling down rooms you aren’t even using through a ducted system.
However, on the downside, when compared to ducted models, ductless units aren’t able to cool down such large spaces so easily and you can’t exactly hide their indoor units in the same way you can with a ducted model, so they will take up some of your living or wall space.
If you’ve decided that a ductless air conditioner could make a great addition to your home, it’s important to not just dive right in and buy the first Samsung mini split or Pioneer mini split you find. Before choosing your model, you should think carefully about where and how you’re going to be using it and how much money you’d like to pay, as well as considering a variety of additional factors like the noise level, controls, warranty, dimensions, ease of installation, and more.
One of the most important things to do before buying a ductless air conditioner or Sennville mini split is to think about where you’re going to be installing it. How big is the room? What’s the layout of the room? How powerful does your unit need to be in order to cool down the space? Ask yourself these questions and find a model that can provide the right answers.
All good A/C manufacturers test their units thoroughly to see how much cooling coverage they can provide, and some of the best A/C units out there are able to cool down very large living spaces. The Thermocore T322D-H224-9+12, for example, can cool down a space of up to 1,200 square feet, so is ideal for large, open-plan living areas, while other units are designed for much smaller spaces.
Another big factor to think about when buying a ductless air conditioner is how much noise it will make while in use. These units tend to have quite big fans inside that can get very loud at the highest settings, but the best manufacturers go to great lengths in order to keep the volume levels of their units quite low.
The Klimaire KSIV012-H119-S(W), for example, can function at a noise level of just 25 dB, while the Simply Modern Personal Mini Air Conditioner operates at just 35 dB, which is very quiet overall and won’t distract you or cause you and your family to have to talk any louder or turn the TV up to hear your favorite shows while the A/C does its thing.
ControlsYou also need to consider what kind of control systems and settings are in place on your chosen unit, as this determines how easy it is to use and what kind of options you have in terms of turning it on and off, adjusting the fan speed, and more.
The Cooper & Hunter Air Conditioner, for example, is Wi-Fi ready and can hook up to your own internet router for easy wireless control, as well as offering 12 different fan speeds. Meanwhile, the boreal EQX12HPJ1SB ships with its own remote control and can also be controlled wirelessly by Android and iOS devices over Wi-Fi.
SEER is another term you often see when talking about A/C units. It stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio and it’s defined by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute. In simple terms, the SSER rating of a unit tells us how energy efficient it is. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is. The Cooper & Hunter Air Conditioner has one of the best SEER ratings of any unit on our list.
You should also think about the size and overall dimensions of any A/C unit before buying it, ensuring that you have enough space in your home to accommodate the unit and checking that you’re happy with the amount of space the unit will take up too.
The RolliCool Mini Split Quiet Ductless Air Conditioner is an example of a compact and nicely-sized model with small units that won’t take up too much space while still offering impressive performance. The Simple Modern Personal Mini Air Conditioner is also a very small device that is designed for personal use in a small space like a car or office.
Installation easinessIn most cases, you’ll be able to install your ductless A/C unit on your own without the need for any professional help. However, some units are a lot easier to install than others, so it always helps to find one that won’t take too long to install or be too complicated. The Innovair Air Conditioner, for example, is reputed among users for its ease of installation.
Ideally, you’ll hope that your new A/C unit won’t encounter any technical issues, but there are cases when these models can have little faults or failures and require some repairs. This is where it can be so helpful to have a good guarantee or warranty policy to protect you. Many of the best manufacturers offer several years of coverage, and the Gree SAP12HP230V1A, for example, comes with a 5-year limited warranty, providing total peace of mind for five whole years.
You’ll need to clean and maintain your air conditioner over time if you want it to continue working perfectly for years to come, but some units make the cleaning process a lot easier than others. It helps to be able to unscrew and take apart different components of the unit quite easily and wipe it over with ease, and it’s even better when your unit ships with a self-cleaning feature, as seen on the Klimaire KSIV012-H119-S(W).
PricesDon’t forget to think about your budget when buying a ductless air conditioner. These units can come with wildly different price tags, with some going above and beyond the $1,500 mark and others available for just a few hundred dollars or even under $50, like the Simply Modern Personal Mini Air Conditioner, for example.
Be sure to plan out how much you’d like to spend and find a model that matches your budget and needs. You don’t always need to buy the most expensive unit, as some of the more expensive options might be a little overpowered for your home. Equally, you don’t want to set your budget too low, as a cheap unit might be too weak to really provide the cooling effect you need.
Another key aspect to think about when buying a ductless air conditioner is its durability. Ideally, you want your unit to be able to last several years without encountering any issues, and these kinds of devices can be exposed to a range of dangers like dust and dirt building up inside, so durability is definitely a key factor to think about, especially if you’re investing a lot of money in a high-end unit like the boreal EQX12HPJ1SB.
It makes a lot of sense to try and find a very durable model, as this will save you a lot of money in the future. Instead of having to cover the costs of repairs and replacements, you’ll just be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy all the benefits of your air conditioner. We’ve included only the most durable models on our list, but we do remind you that it’s vital to clean and maintain your unit if you want it to last for a very long time.
One important thing to remember when it comes to ductless A/C units is that they need to be cleaned often and cleaned well in order to function at top capacity for the longest possible period. This is true of all models, except those with self-cleaning functionality like the Klimaire KSIV012-H119-S(W).
When it’s time to clean your A/C unit, be sure to switch it off and disconnect the power to minimize any risks. From there, you can wipe over the exterior with a simple water and soap solution, as well as potentially removing some of the outer shell in order to clean the interior components too.
Often, the manufacturer will include a step by step cleaning guide in the instruction manual, so we encourage you to read through the specific guide for your chosen model to get the best cleaning advice.
Overall, our top rated ductless air conditioner and winner of our Editor’s Choice award is the Klimaire KSIV012-H119-S(W). Designed and constructed to the highest possible standard, this is one of the most impressive A/C units around. It can cool down large areas in a matter of minutes and even has the ability to keep itself clean.
The next best ductless air conditioner we discovered, and also the winner of our Best Value prize, is the Pioneer Diamante Series Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner. With 10,0000 BTUs of power in a compact and attractive unit, this is a classy and modern device that won’t take up a lot of space in your home and still provides that efficient, effective cooling you crave.
Finally, our third top-rated ductless A/C unit has to be the Gree SAP12HP230V1A, which also has the Quietest Operation on this list. This model will cool down spaces of up to 650 square feet producing only 49 dB of noise level and the WiFi control feature will ease the operation.
Hope you’ve found your best ductless AC unit.
