12 Best Mini Split Heat Pumps In 2023 (Superbs Specs: 20 SEER, 10 HSPF)

Mini-split heat pumps are the most convenient HVAC units for both heating (winter) and cooling (summer).

Mini-split heat pumps can be used as primary or auxiliary heating and cooling units.

The reasons why the best-mini split heat pumps are so popular are apparent. These sophisticated units are:

• Extremely energy-efficient. Units with a SEER rating over 20 and an HSPF rating over 8 save you $100s/season in electricity costs. The best mini-split heat pumps for cold weather can have a 10 HSPF rating.
• Easy to install and maintain. In most cases, only a 3-inch hole through a wall is needed for the conduit (connecting the outdoor and indoor unit).
• They are ductless. According to the US Department of Energy, “Duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning”.

The biggest advantage of mini-split heat pumps is convenience.

You only need 1 mini-split heat pump system for:

• Heating in the winter. Acts like a furnace or heater.
• Cooling in the summer. Acts like an air conditioner.

Here are the basic constituent parts of every split-system unit (notice that no ducts are needed):

The biggest disadvantage is the higher initial cost of the mini-split heat pumps. They can be more expensive (up to $2,000 for a 2-ton device) but have lower operating costs. In fact, after 10 years or more, lower operating costs (high SEER and high HSPF rating) can rebate more than $1,000 in electricity costs.

That’s why the primary specification is not the initial cost of the mini-split heat pump but the high energy-efficiency ratings. The installation of a mini-split increases home value considerably exactly because of the lower operating costs. If you buy a home with a mini-split heat pump, you can expect much lower heating and cooling costs, increasing the overall home value.

We have prepared a list of the best mini-split heat pumps in 2023, based on key specifications such as:

• SEER rating and cooling capacity (in BTU). Important for the cooling season.
• HSPF rating and heating capacity (in BTU). Important for the heating season. Especially if you’re buying a mini-split heat pump for cold weather.
• Airflow and noise levels.

To understand what makes the best air source heat pumps the best, we’ll quickly go over what these specifications mean. We’ll also give you prompt advice about installations and point you in the right direction as far as mini-split heat pump installation experts are concerned.

Understanding Mini-Split Heat Pump Specifications

This is a regular specification sheet of a mini-split heat pump. Don’t get alarmed – it might look scary at first. We’ll explain the key metrics from it, and you will find the list of the best mini-split heat pumps below, based on these very specs:

The reason why we read these specification sheets: To evaluate the overall performance of a mini-split heat pump. In essence, there are two key points we want to make sure that they are there. These are:

1. Reliability and durability of the heat pump. For example, Mitsubishi pumps are known for their reliability and 15+ year lifespan.
2. Performance in terms of energy efficiency.

Focusing on energy efficiency is of the utmost importance to make a financially viable choice of a heat pump. Namely, the total price of any mini-split heat pump system is comprised of:

Total Cost = Heat Pump Cost + Installation Costs + Electricity Costs

The heat pump cost is the easiest part. 24,000 BTU heat pumps cost from $1000 to $2000, and you can find the best 12 of them in the list below.

Installation costs are a bit harder. They have a wide range, depending on the unit, location, and installation difficulty. To get a free quote, you can find the best HVAC installation experts here.

Electricity costs are the most important and significant part of the ‘Total Cost’ equation. Here is a representative example of how much costs come from which part of the equation:

• Heat Pump Cost = $1,500.
• Installation Cost = $1,000.
• Electricity Cost (in 10 years) = $7,000.

Long-term electricity costs significantly outweigh the sum of the heat pump and installation costs. By choosing a heat pump with high energy efficiency, you can save even up to $2,000 in electricity costs alone.

If you know what to look at in the mini-split heat pump specification sheet, you can estimate heat pump electricity costs and pick the one that will spend the least amount of energy for the maximum effect. This is exactly what we’ll look at in the new 2 chapters:

Cooling Specifications (SEER Rating, Cooling Capacity)

When looking at a specific mini-split heat pump, we have to look at two factors:

1. Cooling capacity (in BTUs).
2. SEER rating; a measure of heat pump cooling energy efficiency.

Cooling capacity is a given; you can get 12,000 BTU, 18,000 BTU, 24,000 BTU, or 36,000 BTU heat pump, and so forth. To appropriately determine what cooling capacity you need, you can check out our article about how many BTU air conditioner you need for certain square footage here.

What is more important is the heat pump’s SEER rating. It is a metric of seasonal energy efficiency (for 3 summer months – July, June, August). Heat pumps can have a SEER rating from 14 SEER to 20 SEER; the best mini-split heat pumps can have an even higher SEER rating. You can read all about the SEER rating here.

Why is SEER rating important? It determines the cooling electricity costs.

Example: Let’s compare two 24,000 BTU heat pumps with 14 SEER and 20 SEER. We’ll quickly calculate the electricity costs per season. If we run both of them for 1,000 hours with an average kilowatt-hour price of $0.1319, the electricity costs will be:

• 14 SEER heat pump: $226.11 per season.
• 20 SEER heat pump: $158.28 per season.

That’s a $67.84/year difference ($678,40 in 10 years), and that’s just in the summer. The true difference in electricity cost is made in winter:

Heating Specifications (HSPF Rating, Heating Capacity)

Heating is more energy-consuming. That means we can benefit even more by choosing the most energy-efficient heat pump. The best mini-split heat pumps for cold weather are the ones with the highest HSPF rating.

As always, you have first to figure out the heating capacity (it’s usually pretty much equal to cooling capacity). For example, the #1 Air-Con 2 ton heat pump (find it in the table below) has a cooling capacity of 24,000 BTU and a heating capacity of 24,500 BTU. Here is a quick BTU-area estimate:

The key to the best heat pump in the winter is the HSPF rating. It determines how well does a specific unit uses electricity for heating. HSPF rating of mini-split heat pumps ranges from 8 HSPF to 10 HSPF. Exceptional heat pumps can, on occasion, have an HSPF rating beyond 10.

Obviously, it is much better to have a heat pump with a higher HSPF rating. The minimum ENERGY STAR label efficiency requirement for HSPF of the split system is set at 8.5.

You can read all about the HSPF rating here.

Example: Let’s have two 24,000 BTU heat pumps with 8 HSPF and 10 HSPF ratings. If we run both of them for 1,320 hours (winter season) with an average kilowatt-hour price of $0.1319, the electricity costs will be:

• 8 HSPF heat pump: $522.32 per season.
• 10 HSPF heat pump: $417.86 per season.

That’s a $104.46 difference per heating season ($1044.60 per 10 years).

Here’s the total tally of electricity costs in 10 years:

• Standard specs heat pump (14 SEER, 8 HSPF): $7,484.30.
• Superior specs heat pump (20 SEER, 10 HSPF): $5,761.40.

In short, the 10-year electricity cost difference between a standard specs heat pump and the superior specs heat pump (like the best 12 ones in the list below) is $1,722.90. This is why the heat pump’s initial price doesn’t matter nearly as much as the SEER and the HSPF specs.

List Of 12 Best Heat Pumps With Highest SEER And HSPF Factors

Here is the complete list of 24,000 BTU mini-split heat pumps with specifications. Below the list, you will find short reviews of each of the mini-split heat pumps from the list. Most units are available in 12,000 BTU, 18,000 BTU, or 36,000 BTU as well – scroll to the right and check the stock at a retailer:

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#1 MRCOOL DIY-24-HP-230B Heat Pump Split System (Best Heat Pump Overall)

MRCOOL DIY-24-HP-230B is one of the AC/heating split systems you can install yourself. MRCOOL DIY unit is therefore very popular with people who have technical skills. By installing the unit yourself, you can save more than $1,000 on installation.

As far as the specifications are concerned, the 20 SEER and 10 HSPF ratings are some of the best. That means you will considerably cut the electricity costs every year.

You can save $1,000 on installation and $100/year with the MRCOOL DIY-24-HP-230B. It has a bit higher price but the long-term savings more than justify the higher initial cost. Especially because you can deduct the installation costs.

This is also one of the quietest heat pumps with indoor noise levels as low as 33.5 dB.

All in all, MRCOOL DIY is the best mini split heat pump currently on the market. It’s very reliably, energy-efficient, and has a quiet operation. On top of that, you can have a ton of costs of installation because you can install it yourself. MRCOOL offers 12k, 18k, 24k, and 36k BTU sized heat pumps:

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#2 Air-Con AC/Heating System (Best Mini Split Heat Pump For Cold Weather With 11.8 HSPF)

It might come to be a surprise that an unknown brand such as Air-Con would take the top spot as the best mini-split heat pumps. However, one look at the specifications and every HVAC expert will tell you why the Air-Con B07HNF57MS model heat pump can outperform even a Mitsubishi heat pump.

The SEER rating of the 24,000 BTU Air-Con heat pump is 20.5. That is beyond the 20 magic number; 20.5 SEER makes the Air-Con unit the most energy-efficient cooling heat pump. However, several other heat pumps have 20.5 SEER.

The specification in which the Air-Con truly outperforms all the other best heat pumps is the most important one – the HSPF rating. It’s almost unheard of for a heat pump to have an above 10 HSPF rating. Air-Con engineers managed to create a heat pump with an incredible 11.8 HSPF rating. That makes this unit the best mini-split heat pump for cold weather.

That specification alone guarantees that, all things equal, this unit will cost $80/year less in running costs than the other top ductless heat pump systems. In fact, it can save up to an outstanding 60% compared to standard units.

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#3 Mitsubishi MY-GL24NA (Best Mitsubishi Mini Split Heat Pump – Superb Heating Reliability)

If you look at the Mitsubishi MY-GL24NA specs, you can see that the most important ratings – SEER and HSPF – are 20.5 and 10, respectively. Those are top of the line specification which ensures energy-efficiency of the Mitsubishi MY-GL24NA heat pump.

But the No. 1 advantage of the Mitsubishi MY-GL24NA is purely the fact that this is the best Mitsubishi heat pump. Mitsubishi is a well-known Japanese company; their heat pumps are both safe and reliable. And if there is something that you want in 100% of cases when buying a mini-split heat pump, it’s reliable.

What is more, Mitsubishi MY-GL24NA has a record-breaking 738 CFM airflow. This ensures the air will be cooled or heated in no time.

Considering the superior performance and Mitsubishi brand, the price of the MY-GL24NA is on the expensive end. Reliability does have its price, but reliability can be priceless.

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#4 COOPER AND HUNTER CH-24SPH-230V-WK Sophia Series

COOPER AND HUNTER CH-24SPH-230V-WK has pretty much the same performance as the #2 Mitsubishi heat pump. Essentially, a 20.5 SEER rating and 10 HSPF ratings ensure you will use less energy than with standard heat pumps and save in the end.

The maximum airflow of 618 CFM is powerful enough for a 24,000 BTU heat pump. On top of that, with the maximum noise levels of 47.5 dB, the COOPER AND HUNTER CH-24SPH-230V-WK is one of the quietest heat pumps, even when it’s running on the maximum fan setting.

The best part is that when you look at the price of COOPER AND HUNTER vs. Mitsubishi, the initial price of the heat pump is as much as $1,000 lower than Mitsubishi.

COOPER AND HUNTER has a wide variety of capacities; you can get 9,000 BTU, 12,000 BTU, 18,000 BTU, 24,000 BTU, and 30,000 BTU heat pumps.

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#5 DuctlessAire 2 Ton Mini Split Heat Pump

DuctlessAire is also a less-known brand. However, the high over 20 SEER rating and 10 HSPF rating are top of the line. Compared to a standard 14 SEER and 8.5 HSPF rating heat pump split-system, the DuctlessAire mini-split heat pump will save more than $100 in electricity costs every year.

A fairly powerful airflow profile with a maximum airflow of 618 CFM is enough to cover up to 1,200 sq ft properly.

The price of DuctlessAire 24,000 BTU unit is affordable, especially compared to established brands such as Mitsubishi.

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#6 GREE Vireo+ VIR24HP230V1B

GREE Vireo+ is quite a split-system unit, especially knowing that comes from a less known GREE brand. They have managed to engineer a mini-split heat pump with 20 SEER, 10 HSPF, and 700+ CFM top airflow.

It’s fascinating how they have managed to reduce the noise levels to 48 dB despite having 706 CFM maximum airflow; that’s something even Mitsubishi hasn’t managed.

Nonetheless, the 2-ton device doesn’t have at least 24,000 BTU heating and cooling capacity. It’s a bit reduced; as is the price of the unit itself.

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#7 Della 048-MS-24K2V-17S-I+O 1.5 Ton Heat Pump

Della is a new brand that doesn’t (as of yet) make 24,000 BTU split-system heat pumps. However, their 18,000 BTU unit (1.5-ton) is quite exceptional and should not be overlooked.

It has the highest cooling energy-efficiency with a 22 SEER rating. Mini-split heat pumps with less capacity indeed tend to have higher SEER and HSPF ratings. Nonetheless, compared to the 20 SEER rating, the 22 SEER is 10% more energy-efficient. That can save you an additional $10-$20 per cooling season.

The 10 HSPF is top of the line as well. The noise levels of 49 dB are slightly higher than with the quietest heat pumps, but considering the lower price, the Della 048-MS-24K2V-17S-I+O is a very good choice.

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#8 Pioneer WYS024GMFI17RL

Pioneer WYS024GMFI17RL is the first in the category with:

• Exceptional heating efficiency (10 HSPF rating)
• Better cooling efficiency (17 SEER rating)

The key point here is that Pioneer WYS024GMFI17RL is most appropriate as a heat pump for the heating season. It does a good job in the summer with cooling as well. It has a better-than-standard SEER rating (standard SEER rating is about 14). Nonetheless, if you know that the most cooling energy-efficient heat pumps have a 20 SEER rating, investing in 17 SEER makes less sense.

#9 Senville SENL-24CD

Senville SENL-24CD has a very powerful 700+ CFM airflow. That means that it is more than capable of heating or cool indoor air quickly.

However, both the SEER rating (17) and HSPF rating (9.5) are not the best on the list. Nonetheless, Senville SENL-24CD is quite a reliable device and it does come at a reduced cost compared to 20 SEER heat pumps.

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#10 DAIKIN B07XKC866B (The Quiestest Mini-Split Heat Pump)

In Europe, DAIKIN has quite a good reputation. In the US, however, it’s a well-known brand. Their best model – the DAIKIN B07XKC866B – has a good specifications. However, they are not the best of the best.

With a noise profile of 43/41/37 dB, it’s the quietest heat pump on the market. Most heat pumps have a 48 dB maximum noise level; DAIKIN has managed to engineer a heat pump with only 43 dB maximum indoor noise level.

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#11 Klimaire KSIV024-H219-S

Klimaire KSIV024-H219-S is another one is the series of the heat pump with powerful airflow (706 CFM) but with only above-average energy-efficiency specifications.

Klimaire has a wide variety of capacities; you can get 9,000 BTU, 12,000 BTU, 18,000 BTU, 24,000 BTU, and 30,000 BTU heat pumps.

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#12 OLMO Alpic OS-EL24ALP230VI

OLMO Alpic OS-EL24ALP230VI is the last on the list. Throughout the list, we have seen how energy-efficiency ratings fall. We have come from a 20+ SEER rating to the 16.5 SEER rating of the OLMO Alpic OS-EL24ALP230VI.

While the highest HSPF rating is 11.8, we can see that OLMO’s heat pump has a 9.5 HSPF rating. That’s not ideal, obviously.

We can also see a weaker airflow with 565 max. airflow. However, the noise levels are quite good.

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Multi-zone mini-split units can have several air handlers or ‘heads’. For example, we have a dual-zone, 3 zone, 4 zone, and even 5 zone mini-split heat pumps.

You can also read about the 8 disadvantages of air-source heat pumps here.