Goodman Mini Split Reviews and Comparisons: Real Feedback, Performance, and Competitor Matchups 2025

Goodman ductless mini split systems provide an affordable way to get into efficient heating and cooling of one room or zone.

This article gives a detailed overview of Goodman mini split reviews, real customer reviews, detailed performance and features analysis, and compares Goodman mini splits with the biggest competitors such as Mitsubishi, Daikin, and MrCool.

We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages, technical characteristics (efficiency, noise level, installation aspects, reliability), the features of models, their prices, and warranty conditions in a neutral and understandable language to make an informed choice.

Criteria	Goodman Mini Splits	Mitsubishi Mini Splits	Daikin Mini Splits	MrCool Mini Splits
Max Efficiency (Cooling)	≈ 18 SEER2 (≈19 SEER)	Up to ~33 SEER (premium models)	Up to ~25 SEER (high-end models)	Up to ~22 SEER (DIY series)
Heating Performance	Heat pump to ~5 °F outdoor	Hyper-Heat to -13 °F (low temp models)	Cold-climate models to ~-4 °F (select lines)	Some units to -22 °F (Hyper Heat models)
Indoor Noise (dB)	≈19 dB (quiet mode) to ~48 dB (max)	≈19 dB (quiet mode) to ~45 dB (max)	≈20 dB (quiet mode) to ~46 dB (max)	≈23 dB (quiet) to ~37 dB (high)
Typical Price (12,000 BTU kit)	$700–$800 (equipment only)	$1,200–$2,000 (plus pro install)	$1,000–$1,800 (plus pro install)	$1,200–$1,600 (DIY kit w/ install materials)
Warranty (Parts/Compressor)	5 / 7 years	10 / 10 years (with dealer install)	12 / 12 years (with registration)	5 / 7 years

Goodman Mini Split Overview

Goodman is a famous American HVAC brand, which is traditionally known by central air conditioners and furnaces. The company has also entered ductless systems with the Goodman E-Series mini split line, using technology of its parent company, Daikin.

The E-Series single-zone ductless heat pumps are made to offer cooling and heating to a single room or small areas with inverter technology at a low cost. Popular sizes (about 9,000 BTU, 12,000 BTU, 18,000 BTU, etc.) of current models are appropriate to be used in bedrooms, living rooms, garages, or other similar places.

These units have good mid-range efficiency ratings, about 18 SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) cooling and 9.0 HSPF (Heating Season Performance Factor) heating. This implies that Goodman mini splits are at least as efficient as they should be, and will consume much less energy than their predecessors, even though they are not as efficient as the top brands.

All Goodman minis are inverter-driven heat pumps, and this means that they constantly adjust their output to ensure that they maintain constant temperatures and save on energy.

One of the selling points is pricing. Goodman mini splits are usually sold at a very low price as compared to the high-end competitors. As an example, a 12,000 BTU (1 ton) Goodman E-Series mini split with installation kit usually sells at about 750-800 USD, but similar models of Mitsubishi or Daikin may be almost twice as expensive.

The smaller 9,000 BTU Goodman units have been sold on sale as low as ~$550-600. The initial cost is usually cheaper with Goodman even after factoring in the cost of installation (in case you employ a professional). This is what makes them appealing to frugal homeowners or those who like to do it themselves and want to add air conditioning to a single room.

It should be mentioned that the ductless products of Goodman are not as old in the market as the established players. Goodman came into the mini split market by leveraging the experience of Daikin (Daikin bought Goodman in 2012).

Indeed, HVAC installers on the forums have noted that the mini split units of Goodman look virtually the same as those of Daikin even to the point of having the same model tags and manufacturing sources. One installer stated that his Goodman 9k BTU unit was Daikin labeled and was a cheapened up Daikin when it came to design. This means that though Goodman units may not be the most feature-packed of Daikin top-of-the-line models, they enjoy the technology that Daikin has perfected under the hood.

Performance and Efficiency

As far as everyday performance is concerned, Goodman mini splits provide consistent cooling and heating to the target room sizes. They are able to ramp up or down output because of their inverter compressors.

Even the smaller models (e.g. 9,000 BTU) are reported to be powerful: “It works better than I thought, installation was easy, it has got a powerful compressor!” according to one of the 5-star reviewers. These units rapidly get a room to the desired temperature and then adjust to keep a room comfortable efficiently.

When it is in cooling mode, 18 SEER2 rating makes the Goodman mini split about 20-30 percent more efficient than a standard older 14 SEER unit. Although 18 SEER2 is not the best in the market, it is good.

Practically, the system should not increase your electric bill even when you use it frequently provided that the unit is well sized to the room. The variable-speed compressor does not have the on-off cycling of older ACs, which contributes to the energy wastage and temperature fluctuations. Goodman units also have an ECO mode which further optimizes energy consumption by automatically setting the setpoint to an eco-friendly level.

Goodman mini splits are heat pumps, which means that they are used to heat by removing heat in the outside air. They work fairly well in less extreme winter conditions or off seasons. But when there is very cold weather their capacity decreases.

Goodman is rated to operate as low as 5°F (-15°C) outdoor temperature. Practically this implies that they can heat most winter days in temperate climates, but in climates that regularly dip below 0 F, you would need a secondary heat source or a specialty unit called a hyper heat that is made by a different brand. In comparison, the Hyper-Heating H2i® systems of Mitsubishi, say, will keep heating at -13°F, which is out of the scope of Goodman. The majority of Daikin standard models are comparable to Goodman (approximately 5 to 0 degrees Fahrenheit minimum), except that you can choose Daikin Aurora series that is made to work in deep cold. Therefore, although Goodman heat pumps are excellent in 3-season use and moderate cold, they are not meant to be used as the only source of heat in severe northern winters.

Goodman mini splits have a low noise level that is pleasing to the ear and can even compete with the expensive ones. The indoor air handler has several fan speeds, and a low or quiet fan mode, which can be as low as ~19 decibels, which is essentially a whisper-quiet operation, and is barely audible.

With the fan at full speed (which is not often necessary except when one wants to cool down quickly), the sound inside may be in the mid-40s dB range, which is still quite quiet (about the level of quiet conversation). Outdoor units generate noise of about ~50 dB at full load, which is roughly equivalent to a household refrigerator, and is typical of mini splits, and should not be a problem to neighbors in most circumstances. Some reviewers go out of their way to comment on how quiet the Goodman system is after installation, and it is therefore appropriate to use in bedrooms and studies where noise may be an issue. This is assisted by the design of the compressor of the unit (a swing compressor) which reduces vibration and noise as well as avoiding leakage of the refrigerant, which also adds to the quietness and efficiency of the unit.

All in all, performance wise, a Goodman mini split will cool a room reliably in the summer, offer comfortable heat in the spring/fall and mild winter days, do so quietly and efficiently.

It is not as high efficiency or cold-climate-muscled as some of the high-end units, but in the overwhelming majority of common home uses, the performance of Goodman has been found to match or surpass the expectations of customers. A lot of users are impressed by the quality of performance of these inexpensive units, particularly when they are anticipating some compromises because of the cheaper price.

Key Features and Technology

Although being a value-based brand, Goodman mini splits are equipped with a powerful package of modern features that target comfort, convenience, and air quality. Some of the outstanding features and technologies that are present in the Goodman E-Series models include the following:

• Inverter Compressor Technology: As stated, Goodman has variable-speed compressor (which was developed by Daikin) which varies its speed according to the cooling or heating requirement. This does not only enhance efficiency but also maintains room temperature very stable. You will not notice that the room is becoming too cold or too hot; the inverter gradually keeps the temperature at the desired level.
• Quick Comfort: Goodman mini splits have a so-called Turbo or powerful mode of operation, which increases the speed of the indoor fan to maximum within approximately 20 minutes. This is a good feature when you initially switch on the unit on a hot afternoon or cold morning it will assist in getting to your desired temperature quicker by temporarily running at full blast. This has been useful to users who want to warm a cold bedroom or cool a hot garage within a short period of time.
• Energy-Saving (Eco) Mode: It is possible to enable an Eco+ mode to maximize energy efficiency. In Eco mode, the system will automatically change the set point a bit to minimize the energy consumption, but still maintaining the environment reasonably comfortable. This comes in handy when you want to stay comfortable through the night or when you are out of the house a few hours and do not require maximum cooling.
• Sleep Mode: Goodman units have a special Sleep Mode that can be used at night to avoid over-cooling or over-heating. Once activated, the system will slowly change the temperature setpoint during the night (usually permitting a few degrees increase in cooling mode or decrease in heating mode) to match with common comfort during sleep and energy conservation. It also tends to dim or switch off the LED display on the indoor unit in order to keep the room dark.
• Air Filtration System: The indoor unit has multi-stage filters to enhance the indoor air quality. One is a Catechin filter (impregnated with green tea extract) which traps and inactivates bacteria and viruses on the surface of the filter. The other is Titanium Apatite Photocatalytic filter, which possesses high deodorizing ability to neutralize odors and volatile organic compounds. Such filters assist in making sure that the air that is circulated is not only comfortable, but is also cleaner. They can be washed ( the titanium filter can last about 3 years when washed after every 6 months ).
• Auto-Swing Louvers & Adjustable Airflow: Goodman mini splits also have auto-swing louvers that can swing automatically to spread the air evenly in the room. The remote allows you to either set the vanes to sweep or direct it to a specific angle. This will make sure that cool (or warm) air is not simply sitting in one corner, but spreading to all places to provide more even comfort.
• Intelligent Defrost and Restart: The outdoor unit will auto-defrost when required in heating mode to avoid ice accumulation on the coils as is the case with most quality heat pumps. Also, the system is auto-restarting, in case of a power cut, the unit will remember its previous settings and will start working again automatically as soon as the power is restored. This is essential, say, when you are not at home and you would like the unit to maintain the space conditioned all the time.
• Self-Diagnosis Features: It has an in-built self-diagnostic system and error codes display. In case the unit is faulty, it may show an error code on the panel of the indoor unit (or on the remote) to facilitate troubleshooting. This may assist technicians (or clever homeowners) to diagnose problems such as refrigerant leaks, sensor failures, etc. faster so that they can be serviced faster.
• Remote Control (and Wi-Fi options): All Goodman mini splits come with remote wireless infrared controller. The remote enables complete control of temperature, mode, fan speed, timer, swing etc. It also has a glow button that is luminous to use even in the dark. Although Goodman is not built with Wi-Fi or smart app control, you can add third-party smart controllers (such as a Cielo Breez or similar IR WiFi controller) should you want to add smartphone or voice control in the future. This implies that tech-savvy users can integrate smart home even though Goodman has not created a proprietary app to do so.
• Build and Design: E-Series indoor air handler unit is minimalist and modern in design. It has a floating dual panel design, which is basically a clean front panel and a thin LED indicator ring and a metallic side accent. The indicator lights are not too intrusive (they can be dimmed or switched off in sleep mode). The unit is also rounded at the edges to avoid the boxy appearance, in order to fit in different interior designs. Although aesthetics are subjective, the design of the indoor unit by Goodman is not objectionable in general and corresponds to the modern trends.

To conclude, Goodman can be a value brand, but its mini split systems are not short of features that are essential to comfort. You will have practically all the features you would get in the more costly brands inverter technology, different modes, auto functions, multi-stage filtration.

The primary exclusions are such features as built-in Wi-Fi or very sophisticated sensors, which are not necessities to perform but rather nice-to-haves. Goodman offers all that is required to have a comfortable and controlled climate in one zone and at a premium price.

Installation and Maintenance

The difference between HVAC brands lies in one aspect, installation approach. Goodman mini splits are not meant to be installed by a layman but by a professional or an experienced person. The units are pre-charged with refrigerant in the outdoor condenser, however, the line sets (the copper tubing that connects the indoor and outdoor units) are not the quick-connect variety.

This implies that in the process of installation, the installer should vacuum the lines to eliminate air/moisture and then charge the refrigerant into the system. Being a DIYer with HVAC experience or learning, you can buy Goodman mini splits online and install it yourself, but you must have the right tools (vacuum pump, manifold gauges, electrical skills) and it is important to do it right so that the system can work as well as possible.

A majority of homeowners will prefer to have a licensed HVAC technician install a Goodman mini split. This is done by mounting the indoor unit on the wall, drilling a 3 inch hole through which the refrigerant lines and wires can pass through, mounting the outdoor unit on a pad or a wall bracket, running the lines between the units, pulling a vacuum on the lines, opening valves to allow the refrigerant to flow, and the electrical connections.

Proper installation is guaranteed by a professional (vacuuming it correctly and charging and testing the unit correctly). It may also be necessary to provide the warranty, although Goodman does not explicitly exclude the warranty when the unit is self-installed, it may be harder to get service on a self-installed unit (more about the warranty later).

Interestingly, the competitor MrCool has established itself by promoting the actual DIY mini split kits with pre-charged lines that do not need a vacuum. Goodman is more old-fashioned, like Mitsubishi and Daikin, and professional installation is the rule.

When comparing Goodman vs MrCool, this is one of the important factors to consider: Goodman may be cheaper in terms of equipment cost, but you need to consider the cost of install labor unless you are skilled enough to do it yourself with the right HVAC procedure. The line set with special fittings is part of the DIY series of MrCool, and it is more plug-and-play (you still need to deal with electrical work and mounting).

On the bright side, there are retailers who sell Goodman E-Series mini splits, who package them with installation kits (lineset, control cable, drain hose). An example is a customer who purchased a Goodman 9k unit and indicated that it included a 25ft refrigerant line, 50ft of control wire and 20ft drain hose. This will save certain expenditure on materials.

The line length that is included is normally adequate in most installations where the indoor and outdoor units are back-to-back or not very far apart. Goodman/Daikin has longer line sets available up to 50ft (with thicker insulation so that the refrigerant does not lose its capacity).

Goodman mini splits are easy to maintain and cheap. As with all ductless systems, the major regular maintenance is cleaning the air filters of the indoor unit. The washable filters are to be removed once a month or two (depending on the usage and amount of dust in the air) and washed or vacuumed.

Maintaining filters clean will guarantee good air flow and efficiency. The coil of the outdoor unit must not be covered with leaves, dirt or debris; a good practice is to hose it off lightly a couple of times a year (with power off). The system is sealed and electrically powered thus eliminating the need to tune up fuel or replace parts frequently. Once every few years, an HVAC technician can inspect the level of refrigerant and the system pressures on a service call to ensure that everything is still running smoothly, but there is not much that usually needs to be adjusted.

When correctly installed, mini splits by Goodman are usually set-and-forget systems. The users remark that after theirs is installed, they only communicate with it through the remote to adjust the settings. No ductwork to fret over, and the indoor unit even includes such features as auto-restart and self-diagnostics to make it easier to operate.

Be aware of one thing: the condensate (water) drain line of the indoor unit must be installed with a proper slope and terminated in a safe place (outside or to a drain). This is normally addressed during installation, however a blocked or poorly operated drain may result in back up of water. As far as that is done properly, there is little chance of leaks or problems.

Electrically speaking, a Goodman mini split (as most 1+ ton units) operates on 208/230V and will need a dedicated disconnect and appropriate wiring. This will be done by an electrician or HVAC installer in accordance with the code.

It is a good precautionary measure- ensure that the person who installs the unit complies with local electrical code on the size of the breaker and the size of the wiring. Once installed, the system is simple to use just by pointing the remote and choosing the mode and temperature.

In short, the only thing Goodman does not provide a shortcut on is installation, but that is because they use industry-standard best practices in terms of durability (evacuating lines, etc.).

It is advisable to hire professional installation to make it last long and efficient. Maintenance is minimal once installed and the Goodman mini split should give years of trouble free comfort with only basic care.

Customer Reviews and Real Feedback

The feedback of the homeowners and installers who have already used Goodman mini splits is generally positive in the real world. The E-Series units of Goodman have good average ratings on retailer websites.

As an example, one of the most popular HVAC e-commerce websites displays the 12,000 BTU Goodman ductless system with a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating based on dozens of customer reviews, and 97 percent of reviewers stating that they would recommend the product. This is a good recommendation, more so in a product category where satisfaction is pegged on performance and reliability.

The Goodman mini split is often commended by customers in terms of value of money, silent performance, and cooling/heating abilities.

Most reviewers confess that they were at first reluctant since Goodman is not as well known as mini splits as other brands, but after installing and using the unit they were impressed. One of the verified buyers by the name Robert J. wrote, Powerful Little Heat Pump unit!!! It is more effective than I imagined, I had no trouble installing it, and it has got a strong compressor indeed!!! Looks like it is of very good quality!!!” This kind of feedback points to the fact that users are getting the performance beyond their expectations. Robert A. another user wrote, “Looks good and works great and it is quiet” which addresses the design and low noise and he was keen to get his warranty registered which shows the confidence of the user on the product in the long run.

HVAC professionals also report about testing Goodman units at their personal homes. One technician on an HVAC forum reported that he put a 9k BTU Goodman mini split in his bedroom and paid approximately 479 dollars (including a complete installation kit).

He observed that the Goodman unit has Daikin tags on both the pieces of equipment and is manufactured in Malaysia like the Daikin and as far as he can tell it is a watered down Daikin. Although it is referred to as being cheapened up, the context implies that the build is less complex yet the main functionality is present. This user at another site has said that Goodmans were about half the price of a similar Daikin system, and suggested that the difference in performance was not enormous. To a lot of consumers, that 50 percent price difference on comparable technology is quite convincing.

There are not many negative feedbacks or cons that are mentioned in reviews, yet they are worth mentioning. The low-star reviews that are present in the mix are usually connected to a particular problem, e.g., units that are shipped with some shipping damage or with some initial defects.

As an example, one 1-star review (of almost 40 reviews) may be a sign of an early-failing unit or a frustrating warranty experience. Unluckily, information about that specific negative review is not publicly available, however, in most cases, when a product has some problems, they will be reflected there. The extremely high recommend rate (97%) implies that there are not many serious problems.

However, there is one of the known problems (this is based on the wider experience with Goodman/Daikin) warranty service when the unit is not installed by an authorized dealer. Goodman has a good warranty on paper (5 years parts, 7 years compressor), but some customers have discovered that when you purchase online, and something goes wrong, it may be difficult to locate a local HVAC tech to perform the warranty repair.

HVAC companies are more concerned with their customers and the brands they deal in; since Goodman mini splits are usually DIY/retail sales, you may need to make a few phone calls to find someone who will do warranty work on a unit they did not sell. It is not a problem exclusive to Goodman, but it is worth bearing in mind that this can occur with any brand unless it is bought through a dealer. A good deal of warrant headache can be avoided by making sure that the product is installed properly and registered.

The long-term reliability of Goodman mini splits is still under test, merely because these products have not been in the field as long as some of the competitors.

But with the Daikin engineering input and the overall good performance to date there is cause to be optimistic. According to many owners, they run their units all summer, during heat waves, and are very pleased with the stable comfort and low noise. We have not encountered a lot of complaints regarding the failure of components during the initial years of use. The compressor has a 7-year warranty that shows that the manufacturer is sure of that important component.

The key is to install it well- as one user said, it is important to install it well, including vacuuming the lines, so that it can last long and be efficient. These mini splits appear to be performing well in case they are installed properly.

To conclude, Goodman mini splits receive high ratings in terms of performance and value by actual users who tend to compare them to more costly systems. The silent satisfaction that is provided has turned a few critics into believers.

All you need to remember is that since the product is marketed as something that is easy to install yourself, you must have an installation plan and a plan of future service. However, according to the rave reviews, the overwhelming majority of Goodman mini split purchasers are having a comfortable home and would do the same thing again.

Goodman vs. Mitsubishi Mini Splits

How does Goodman compare with such a heavyweight as Mitsubishi? Mitsubishi Electric is usually regarded as the gold standard of mini splits with the best reliability, performance and innovation.

Their models (e.g., the M-Series and Hyper-Heating models) have SEER ratings up to 30-33, which is far higher than Goodman 18 SEER2. The systems of Mitsubishi also have such advanced technologies as dual-stage air filtration, i-see Sensor (scans the distribution of room temperatures) and integrated Wi-Fi on most models. Also, Mitsubishi focuses on the performance of heat pumps in cold climates: their Hyper-Heating (H2i) mini splits can still operate at sub-zero temperatures (down to -13 °F) with little capacity loss, making them a good choice in very cold areas.

The price of this is cost. Mitsubishi units are high-end priced, frequently about twice the price of a Goodman unit of the same BTU rating.

A Goodman 12k may be ~800 (equipment only) whereas a Mitsubishi 12k BTU may be 1600 or more (equipment only). Mitsubishi installation is always professional (Mitsubishi has an authorized dealer network), which adds even more to the initial cost. But along with that price is an exceptional record of reliability; it is not unusual to find Mitsubishi mini splits that have been in service 15+ years.

When installed by a certified contractor and registered, they are usually 10 years parts and compressor (and some models up to 12 years) which is effectively twice the coverage of Goodman.

Both Goodman and Mitsubishi will operate quietly and efficiently in terms of cooling and heating. Mitsubishi is ahead in ultra-quiet operation (some indoor units can be as low as ~19 dB, like Goodman, but Mitsubishi may remain under 30 dB even at moderate speeds, which is whisper-quiet).

Mitsubishi also has a wider choice of models (very small 6,000 BTU units to large multi-zone systems) and more choices of configuration (ceiling cassettes, floor mounts, etc., compared to Goodman, which is currently only wall-mounted units). In a mild climate, a single-zone application will have a Goodman system that will give most of the comfort of a Mitsubishi at a fraction of the cost.

The difference will be felt in extreme conditions (Mitsubishi will perform better in extreme cold or when put to the test) and possibly in life span (Mitsubishi might have a longer life under heavy use). Also, the support network of Mitsubishi is good, something breaks and it is still under warranty, any Mitsubishi dealer can work on it fairly easily, with Goodman you may have to do a bit of hunting to find service unless it is installed by a dealer.

Bottom line Goodman vs Mitsubishi: Goodman is cheaper and has fair performance; Mitsubishi has the best performance, particularly, energy efficiency and cold-climate performance, and a longer warranty.

Goodman is a good option in case you have a standard need and budget is the main priority. You may be willing to pay more to get the best in efficiency or you may live in an extremely cold climate (or just believe in the long life of the Mitsubishi brand).

Goodman vs. Daikin Mini Splits

This comparison is interesting in the sense that Goodman is in fact a subsidiary of Daikin Industries. Daikin is the largest manufacturer of HVAC in the world and they even have their own mini splits which are quite popular all over the world.

Daikin units in the U.S. market (e.g. Daikin LV Series or the EMURA designer series) tend to emphasize more on the upper-end features and design. As an example, Daikin mini splits can have SEER ratings as high as about 24.5 in certain models, and Daikin was one of the first to use R-32 refrigerant (which is less harmful to the environment, but in North America most Daikins continue to use R-410A like Goodman).

As the parent company, Daikin and Goodman mini splits have much in common, in fact, Goodman E-Series is practically a Daikin design. It has been speculated that the Goodman units are the older generation models of Daikin rebranded to reach a lower price point.