If you want to cool a mid-size room or a small house, you can do it yourself with a ductless mini split.
A 12,000 BTU unit is the perfect power level for around 450 to 550 square feet—mostly what you might find in a single-story room or a garage. Many mini splits these days are heat pumps as well, and those that are not tend to be very efficient electric resistance heaters.
These selections are packed with features that make the installation process easier, such as pre-charged refrigerant lines, quick-connect fittings, and even detailed installation kits (smart controls are another story). They’re still best suited for confident homeowners.
Here is a summary of our top mini split systems that provide 12000 BTU and combine cooling performance, energy efficiency, and DIY installation features.
| Mini Split System | Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| MRCOOL DIY 12K BTU Heat Pump | Cooling + Heating | Pre-charged DIY install; ~22 SEER (Energy Star); Wi-Fi Smart Control; 25′ quick-connect line |
| Klimaire DIY 12K BTU Heat Pump | Cooling + Heating | Quick-connect DIY kit; 19–20.8 SEER2; Wi-Fi (Alexa enabled); Heating down to -13°F |
| Pioneer 12K BTU Mini Split | Cooling + Heating | High-efficiency inverter; ~20 SEER; Quiet operation; Trusted brand, 5-yr warranty |
| Senville LETO 12K BTU Smart Mini Split | Cooling + Heating | Alexa-enabled smart AC; 20.8 SEER2; Wi-Fi App Control; Quiet (as low as 18 dB) |
| Cooper & Hunter MIA 12K BTU | Cooling + Heating | Reliable dual inverter; 21.5 SEER2 (WiFi-ready); 16′ install kit; 7-yr compressor warranty |
| DELLA 12K BTU Mini Split | Cooling + Heating | Budget-friendly + Alexa; 19 SEER2; 115V plug-in; Pre-charged kit (16′ lineset) |
#1 MRCOOL DIY 12K BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump
The MRCOOL DIY 12,000 BTU unit is an exceptional selection for true homeowners who prefer installations that they can do themselves.
The system is a heat pump that affords 1 ton of either heating or cooling, which makes it suitable for spaces that are about 500 sq. ft.
It differs from other systems because it comes with a fully pre-charged refrigerant line set that has quick-connect fittings, meaning you can connect the interior and exterior units without having to vacuum the line set or handle any refrigerant.
These units also achieve fairly high efficiencies, with 4th and 5th generation units somewhere around SEER 22+, earning the okay-cool Energy Star certification.
All installation materials are included with this MRCOOL model: a 25-ft pre-charged line, control wires, a wall sleeve, brackets, and even a kit to cover the lines.
The unit itself offers multiple operating modes (cool, heat, dry, fan, auto) and features a handy “Follow Me” remote sensor that controls the temperature based on where you place the remote.
Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity (via the included Smart HVAC WiFi kit) means you can use an app on your smartphone to control the system, and it integrates with smart home assistants like Alexa and Google for voice control.
This system is friendly to DIY types, and even the warranty is set up for you to win: they cover parts for up to 5 years, the compressor for 7 years, and if you don’t miss the window for registering your system, you’re golden.
#2 Klimaire DIY 12K BTU Quick-Connect Mini Split
Another excellent DIY-oriented system that competes directly with MRCOOL is Klimaire’s 12,000 BTU DIY Mini Split.
It comes with a pre-charged outdoor unit and a 25-ft quick-connect line set that are similar to what you get with MRCOOL; that is to say, all components arrive ready to install without special tools or vacuum pumps.
The kit is completely stocked with the basic apparatus of an HVAC system: an indoor air handler, outdoor condenser, line set, control cable, and mounting bracket
The 12K Klimaire is also a heat pump. It was rated to give an impressive full heating capacity down to -13°F ambient. This means it can handle the winter better than many standard mini splits.
This model runs very efficiently: it boasts up to 19–20.8 SEER2 (approximately equivalent to ~19 SEER; the national standard for SEER is changing to SEER2 as of January 2023) for efficient operation, and it’s also 115V like the MRCOOL, which can simplify electrical hookup in homes without 230V lines.
Its indoor unit has a modern design, features a multi-speed fan, and operates quietly—altogether something you can expect from an indoor unit of a ductless mini-split air conditioning system.
Klimaire includes built-in Wi-Fi and the Smart Life app, which allows for basic remote access and control of the unit and Alexa compatibility (for voice commands).
That means you can tell your ductless mini-split to turn on or off, or to adjust the temperature, and it won’t raise any eyebrows among your neighbors (unless you have loud speakerphone conversations with your Smart Life app).
#3 Pioneer 12K BTU Ductless Mini Split System
The Pioneer Mini Split AC 12,000 BTU unit is a reliable, ductless air conditioning system from one of the best-known brands in the world of ductless mini splits.
Pioneer makes solid, dependable, and relatively efficient systems at prices that aren’t likely to make you faint.
The 12K BTU model is an inverter-driven heat pump with a cooling capacity of 12K and a heating capacity of 12K.
It should be able to effectively cool and heat anything from a very small living room to a large studio apartment, but it can also serve as a good option for a master bedroom if you like to sleep at cooler temperatures.
The unit’s average efficiency ratio (EER) is about 9.7.
The Pioneer system comes as a full set that contains everything needed to condition spaces of various sizes, even tiny homes, up to about 750 square feet.
The installation kit includes a pre-charged outdoor condenser unit that connects to the wall-mounted indoor evaporator unit (for runs up to 16 feet), as well as control cables and a drainage hose. Also included is a wireless remote control unit.
#4 Senville LETO Series 12K BTU Wi-Fi Mini Split (115V)
The Senville LETO 12,000 BTU mini split is a favorite for budget-conscious customers wanting smart features and efficient performance.
Senville’s LETO series combines an elegant, modern, wall-mounted indoor unit with a high-efficiency heat pump outdoor unit
This model runs on 110–120V power, making it suitable for most homes that lack a 230V circuit (it’s one of the only 12k units that can plug into a standard household voltage).
With an impressive SEER2 rating of about 20.8 (roughly 18–20 SEER old rating), it delivers energy-efficient cooling in mid-sized spaces and not-so-mid-sized ones, like my living room, which is borderline huge and impossible to heat effectively.
Senville’s smart home integration is out of the box. You can control the unit via voice commands or the app on your phone.
It has Wi-Fi and lets you schedule, change the temperature (up or down, please), and toggle through modes (between heat 1, heat 2, and turbo, for example) from anywhere.
Users love checking up on their AC from afar or telling it, in the obligatory hot day voice, to “turn it on” or (as I prefer for my own moods) “make it cold!”
Senville provides a “strong” (arctic) output. The inverter automates changes in the compressor speed so that you don’t have huge temperature swings.
Senville also has a strong warranty (5 years on the compressor, apparently; 2 years for other parts)
#5 Cooper & Hunter MIA Series 12K BTU Mini Split AC/Heater
The MIA series, 12,000 BTU (1 ton) mini split heat pump from Cooper & Hunter, is known for its high quality and reliability. Formed in 2003, Cooper & Hunter is a global HVAC company whose products are favorably compared to many more expensive names in the industry. And, often, at a better value.
This 12K model is a 208/230V mini split heat pump that delivers efficient, effective cooling and heating.
In its data sheet, the company lists Performance Metrics somewhat differently than most mini splits. Instead of labeling the unit with a SEER rating, the company lists a rating of around 20.5 in something called SEER2, which is in some sense the next generation of telling the public how efficient a unit is.
As far as AHRI is concerned, this is a somewhat misleading practice.
Complete with a full-length installation kit and pre-charged with refrigerant, the C&H 12K Unit can be put into service by skilled DIYers. The outdoor unit comes with a base pan heater in some models and is built with materials that resist corrosion.
Both 7- and 5-year warranties cover parts and the compressor, respectively, a nice touch that indicates quality.
#6 DELLA 12,000 BTU Mini Split AC/Heat Pump (Alexa-Enabled)
For those on a tighter budget yet still desiring the features of a smart device, the DELL 12K BTU Mini Split is a compelling option.
DELL is a budding brand offering affordable ductless systems with what could be considered unusually good specifications.
This 12,000 BTU unit is a heat pump providing both cooling and heating and it runs on 115V power.
With a 19 SEER2 efficiency rating (closer to 17-19 SEER by most estimates), this unit is reasonably efficient in relation to its price.
This pre-charged model also uses eco-friendly refrigerant (R32/R410A) for the standard line set length of ~16.4 ft, which means installation is straightforward and doesn’t require much (if any) refrigerant handling or special tools.
Notably, DELL boasts that this model can operate in heating mode when outdoor temps dip down to -4°F (-20°C), making it a cold-climate budget heat pump. That’s a spec that kind of came out of nowhere and is impressive to see on a unit in this price range.
One of the biggest selling points of the DELLA unit is its integrated smart functionality. This system works with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control and offers the option for smartphone app controls after it’s connected to your Wi-Fi. From anywhere in your house, you can tell the DELLA to turn the AC on or off, set the temperature, or change the mode (to turbo, sleep, or dehumidify, for instance).
Not many other low-cost units offer this feature, so it makes the DELLA stand out. Installation is also a strong point of the DELLA. It comes with everything you need in the kit (mounting bracket, line set, and all necessary wiring) to do a “DIY installation”.
Buying Guide
When choosing a 12,000 BTU mini split for your house, it’s essential to look at not just how well it cools and heats but also at how easy it is to install, how long it might last, and what features it has.
The following guide breaks down the important factors to know, especially if you plan to install the unit yourself.
Cooling Capacity and Room Size
The first step is ensuring 12,000 BTU is the right size for your space.
Generally, a 12k BTU (1 ton) mini split is great for cooling rooms around 450 to 600 square feet.
That could be a large bedroom, a living room, an ADU/garage conversion, or a small apartment.
If the area has very high ceilings, a lot of windows, or is in a super-hot climate, you might want to size down and choose something at the lower end of the coverage (around 450 sq. ft). In normal conditions, a 12,000 BTU unit can cool very effectively up to around 550 sq. ft.
DIY Installation Features
One of the biggest considerations is how friendly the mini split is for do-it-yourselfers.
Traditional mini split installation involves not only hanging the indoor air handler but setting the outdoor condenser, running refrigerant lines, pulling a vacuum on the lines to remove air/moisture, and then releasing the refrigerant into the system.
For an experienced DIYer or someone willing to rent tools, this is possible. Several models make this much easier:
Pre-Charged Line Sets:
Units like the MRCOOL DIY and Klimaire DIY come with lines that are already vacuumed and filled with refrigerant, sealed with special quick-connect fittings. This means you can literally connect the lines between the indoor and outdoor units, open the valves, and release the refrigerant. No vacuum pump needed. This is a game-changer for DIY installation, eliminating the most technical part.
Quick-Connect Fittings:
These go hand in hand with pre-charged lines. They are designed to screw together without leaking. Follow the instructions (tighten to specified torque) to get a good seal. The convenience is that installation becomes almost plug-and-play.
Electrical Connections:
Check how the unit needs to be wired. Many 12k BTU units on 115V can simply be plugged into a dedicated outlet or connected via included power whip. Others (especially 230V units) will require running a 208/230V circuit to a disconnect box and wiring to the condenser.
Some DIY-oriented models include pre-wired cables between the indoor and outdoor unit with plug-type connectors (Klimaire, for example, has plug-in interconnecting wire harnesses). Even so, always ensure the power is off and consider hiring an electrician for the high-voltage hookup if you’re not experienced.
Installation Kits:
Most mini splits come with an installation kit, but the contents can vary.
A good kit will have at least: copper refrigerant lines (pre-flared), control cable, a condensate drain hose, wall penetration sleeve, and putty or tape to seal. Some premium bundles add line-hide covers, mounting brackets for the outdoor unit, or even tools. If you need to go to the hardware store to get something, you’re going to complain about it if you did not have to do that.
The products reviewed above generally include 16 ft or 25 ft line sets. Make sure that length will be enough for your installation (distance between indoor and outdoor). If not, some brands offer extensions or longer kits (note that going longer may well require extra refrigerant).
Efficiency (SEER and HSPF Ratings)
Mini splits are available in both 115V and 208/230V versions.
They offer the same BTU capacity at whatever voltage you choose. That is, if you’re looking for a 12,000 BTU mini split, it will have 12,000 BTUs whether it’s a 115V model or a 230V model or even a 208V model (which is also an option).
Model selection on a site like Amazon finds a good number of off-brand as well as brand-name mini splits.
One very common brand is MRCOOL, which, even in its basic models, offers DIY installation, thus avoiding any serious brick-and-mortar contracting issues common to getting work done on a house. MRCOOL’s basic models only come in 115V.
By contrast, Pioneer Air Conditioning has a 12K option that comes in both voltages. Ensure that the model you select matches both your desired install difficulty and your available power sources.
