Mini-Split Heat Pumps: Which One to Buy, by Room Size

The pick at every size

The mini-split to buy at each size: room size, install type and price

Buy this	Size	Room size (ENERGY STAR)	Install	Price	Buy
Senville Aura 6,000 BTU	6,000 BTU	150 to 250 sq ft	Installer needed	$1,099.99	Buy
Klimaire DIY 12,000 BTU	12,000 BTU	450 to 550 sq ft	DIY kit	$1,459	Buy
MRCOOL DIY Select 18,000 BTU	18,000 BTU size (17,000 certified)	700 to 1,000 sq ft	DIY kit	$1,690	Buy
Klimaire DIY 24,000 BTU	24,000 BTU size (23,000 certified)	1,400 to 1,500 sq ft	DIY kit	$1,869	Buy
ACiQ 30,000 BTU	30,000 BTU	1,500 to 2,000 sq ft	Installer needed	$2,329.99	Buy
Perfect Aire Quick Connect 35,000 BTU	36,000 BTU size (34,600 certified)	2,000 sq ft or more	DIY kit	$2,499.98	Buy

Each pick is the one its size page picks: the cheapest true DIY kit Amazon sells at that size today, or the cheapest unit where no DIY kit exists, each matched to its exact certified (AHRI) system. Room sizes are ENERGY STAR's chart for an 8-foot ceiling. Where a kit's certified capacity differs from its size, the table says so. Size pages (each picks the closest unit to its size): 6,000 BTU · 12,000 BTU · 18,000 BTU · 24,000 BTU · 30,000 BTU · 36,000 BTU.

Can you install one yourself?

Only a true DIY kit. Its refrigerant lines come pre-charged and click together. Other mini-splits ship standard lines that an installer must vacuum and charge, and some makers void the warranty without one.

Either way, the unit needs its own electrical circuit, which is a job for an electrician.

What it costs

Amazon prices read today. Installed prices are U.S. typical, equipment, labor and permit together, from EnergySage, Modernize and other published 2026 data (compiled July 2026).

Questions buyers ask

What size mini-split do I need?

Use ENERGY STAR's chart for an 8-foot ceiling: 6,000 BTU for 150 to 250 sq ft, 12,000 for 450 to 550, 18,000 for 700 to 1,000 and 24,000 for 1,400 to 1,500. Add 10% for a very sunny room. For a whole house, a contractor's load calculation (Manual J) is the real answer.

Does a mini-split heat pump work in winter?

Yes, but it makes less heat as it gets colder. The certified figure to compare is heat at 5°F; each size page lists it for every unit.

How much does a mini-split cost?

On Amazon, the picks here run $1,099.99 to $2,499.98. Installed by a contractor, a single-zone system typically runs $2,000 to $12,000, depending on size.

Will one mini-split heat my whole house?

One indoor head heats and cools the room it is in, or an open area. Closed rooms need their own head (a multi-zone system) or a ducted heat pump.