Best Ductless Mini-Split Brands

We compare the top ductless heat pumps, including the best heat pump brands, average prices including installation, coolest features, quietest ductless systems, best warranty coverage and more!

Ductless heat pumps, aka mini-split heat pumps or ductless mini-splits, are systems that provide heating and cooling for a space that doesn’t have ductwork, like apartments, condos, older homes, cottages, and offices.

They’re also cost-effective, especially if you can use a single unit for heating and cooling, and they have versatile installation options.

This guide will help you compare some of the most popular ductless heat pumps, including popular brands, useful features, affordable cost, good warranty, quiet operation and more.

Best Rated Ductless Mini-Split Brands

How We Evaluate the Best Ductless Heat Pumps

There are a range of different features to consider when shopping for a mini-split system, which we’ll cover below.

We’ve also gathered feedback from real homeowners on their experience with their heat pump. And we actively gather this information so we get a more accurate picture from real homeowners that have purchased through our website, so we can get a more accurate picture. Whereas other review sites tend to allow anyone to leave anonymous reviews, which often gives a skewed sampling, with the potential for more fake reviews as well.

Here are some of the things we consider when evaluating the best ductless heat pumps in Canada:

• Energy efficiency rating: the higher the SEER, the more you’ll save on energy bills, including ENERGY STAR® certification
• Warranty coverage: a good warranty could save you plenty on repairs
• Single- versus multi-zone: does a specific brand/model allow you to set different temperature zones throughout the house?
• Features and technologies: does the brand/model have things like Wi-Fi control, apps to monitor the system, and more?
• Construction quality: high-quality construction can mean better efficiency, performance, reliability, and durability
• Single-stage, two-stage, or variable-speed compressor: this factor can make a huge difference in terms of performance, efficiency, and quiet operation

Important Considerations with Any Ductless Mini-Split

No matter what make, model, and brand you end up with for your mini-split, there are some things you should know. For starters, professional installation is crucial, no matter if you get the top-of-the-line model from the most expensive brand or the value model from a standard manufacturer.

Buying the best ductless heat pump is only part of the equation, a good installation matters for your unit’s performance and longevity.

Proper installation can mean the difference between having a reliable and efficient system and having a system that doesn’t perform well and always needs repairs. A trained HVAC technician will also be able to ascertain whether you have the right size unit for your home, and that can increase longevity, improve your comfort, and reduce energy bills.

Similarly, regular maintenance from a trained and certified HVAC professional is also vital if you want to keep your ductless system working optimally and efficiently for as long as possible.

Not sure how to find a trustworthy and certified local contractor? Use our locator to find a certified partner in your area.

Benefits of Ductless Heat Pumps

Ductless heat pumps have several advantages compared to traditional HVAC systems, including:

• They’re highly efficient and consume less energy
• Plenty of ENERGY STAR® models to choose from
• Typically lots of rebates available
• They can be better for the environment depending on your electricity source
• Ideal for spaces without ductwork
• Installation tends to be faster and less complex
• Better air quality
• Can provide heating and cooling from a single unit
• Quiet operation
• Lots of features and technologies
• Flexible and versatile solutions to suit different spaces
• Multiple mounting options for indoor units

How to Choose the Best Ductless Heat Pump for Your Home

Ductless heat pumps come in many makes, models, sizes, and varieties. They also have various heating/cooling capabilities, features, warranties, and more. Here are some things to consider when shopping for a ductless mini split:

Size: The general rule for sizing a heat pump is 1 ton (12,000 BTUs) per 500 square feet of space. But you must also consider sun exposure, ceiling height, occupancy, insulation quality, and more. A professional HVAC technician can help you complete a proper load calculation.

Efficiency: Heat pump efficiency is measured with SEER2 and HSPF2. Most heat pumps are highly efficient, and the more efficient your system, the less energy it will use and the more money you’ll save over time. However, a more efficient unit might have a higher up front cost.

Zoning: A single-zone mini-split might be suitable for smaller spaces, single rooms, or additions. However, if you have a larger space or a home with an untraditional layout, you might need a multi-zone system.

Technology and features: Many ductless heat pumps have cool features and new technologies—like smart capabilities and sensors—that make them more efficient, quieter, and easier to operate. The more features a system has the more it will cost, so you’ll have to consider what tech you don’t want to go without.

Climate: Are you looking for a ductless system that only provides air conditioning? Or do you also want one with heating capabilities. If so, do you live in a climate with long, cold winters? In that case, you’ll need a special cold climate heat pump.

Brand: This isn’t the most important consideration, but some of the most popular heat pump brands in Canada include Mitsubishi Electric, Daikin, Fujitsu, LG, and Panasonic.

Budget: A new ductless mini split could cost as much as $18,000, depending on the make, model, brand, warranty, features, size, cold climate capability, etc. Get the best price by looking for rebates and getting quotes from multiple local HVAC contractors. 

Comparing Ductless Heat Pumps by Price

Budget is usually the most important factor that Canadian homeowners need to consider when investing in new HVAC equipment, so it’s important to get the most bang for your buck.

Ductless mini-splits that provide cooling only will typically cost at least $4,500 – 6,000 including installation for a single zone/room model. However multi-head models designed to cover multiple areas or heating and cooling systems can easily cost $7,000 – $15,000+ including installation.

The final cost will depend on where you live, the brand/make/model, the output, installation location, efficiency, and more.

Just remember when you’re comparing ductless heat pumps by cost, you should also keep the other categories in mind, like efficiency, features, BTU output and cooling/heating capacity, warranty, how many air handling units you need, and whether you need heating and cooling.

Ductless Mini-Splits with the Best Warranty Coverage

Ductless heat pumps are large investments, just like with other HVAC equipment. Because of the money you’re going to put down and how long you want the unit to last, it’s important to look at the warranty coverage that comes with different makes and models.

Warranties range anywhere from standard to great, and the great ones could save you hundreds of dollars (and maybe more) in repair costs over the life of the unit.

Don’t forget to register the warranty on any newly installed ductless system, otherwise you won’t be eligible for the best warranty terms. Here’s a comparison of the different warranties for ductless systems in Canada and the USA:

Ductless Brands with Basic Warranties

• All Trane mini-split models come with a five-year warranty for the compressors and functional parts.
• All York mini-split models are covered by a five-year limited parts warranty and a seven-year compressor limited warranty.

Ductless Brands with Good Warranties

• All LG mini-splits come with a seven-year warranty for the compressor and a five-year parts warranty, with the exception of their premium systems with the DUAL Inverter Compressor, as those units have 10-year compressor warranties.
• Most Napoleon ductless systems have a six-year parts warranty and a six-year compressor warranty.

Ductless Brands with the Best Warranties

• Toshiba’s ductless warranties include 10-year parts and 10-year compressor warranties.
• Every KeepRite series mini-split is covered by a 10-year parts warranty.

Best Features Available with Ductless Heat Pumps

As HVAC technology has improved over the years, so too have the features that are available with some ductless mini-splits.

Some of the more basic systems don’t come with a lot of bells and whistles, but there are plenty on the market that have features like humidity control, remote and Wi-Fi operating capabilities, hot/cold spot elimination technology, and advanced compressors.

Here’s a break-down of some of the best features on the market right now for mini-splits:

Features for Efficient Energy Use

• Daikin FTNK Series ductless systems are equipped with Daikin Intelligent Eye, a sensor that puts the unit into an energy-saving mode after a room has been empty for 20 minutes.
• Mitsubishi mini-splits equipped with Econo Cool have precisely adjusted airflow for increased efficiency.
• Some Trane mini-splits have an energy-saving sleep mode that kicks in after bedtime to lower nighttime energy use.

Features for Control and Convenience

• Fujitsu designed their FGLair app to allow homeowners to control their heating/cooling system easily from anywhere in the world using a smartphone or tablet.
• Samsung’s SmartThings app also lets you control your heating and cooling settings from anywhere using a mobile device.
• LG’s SmartThinQ not only lets you control your system with an app, but it also remembers settings to anticipate your needs.

Features for Healthy Air

• Trane units that have the Auto Clean dry mode work to reduce moisture, and this controls mold and bacteria growth in the house.
• Mitsubishi has a nano-platinum filter that kills bacteria and deodorizes the air in some units, as well as an anti-allergy enzyme filter that breaks down the proteins that cause allergies.
• Fujitsu makes a special apple-catechin filter that uses static to absorb mold, dust, and other pollutants.
• Carrier units that come with the relative humidity sensor enable you to customize humidity levels inside to reduce moisture and lower cooling costs.

Features for Durability

• Samsung’s Smart Check is a self-diagnostic system that finds and diagnoses errors while also giving you troubleshooting advice so that problems are solved quickly.
• Napoleon has a special refrigerant leak detection that can prevent damage, as well as an auto-defrost that prevents damage to the evaporator coil.
• LG’s Gold Fin is a special corrosion-resistant feature that ensures long-term reliability.

Features for Improved Comfort

• Mitsubishi’s 3D i-See Sensor is designed to determine if a room is occupied, and then to detect and eliminate hot and cold spots.
• Lennox’s inverter technology makes incremental adjustments to the motor speed to guarantee the ideal temperature, reduce temperature fluctuations, increase efficiency, and ensure quiet operation.
• KeepRite’s Follow Me technology uses a remote to monitor the temperature in the room you’re in to make sure the temperature is always perfect where you are.

Most Efficient Ductless Heat Pumps

When comparing the energy efficiency of ductless systems, one of the most important numbers is the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). This rating tells you the cooling output of a model versus its energy use, so the higher the SEER rating, the better the efficiency, and the more money you’ll save.

Another thing you might want to look for with a new ductless system is ENERGY STAR® certification, which guarantees that a particular model outperforms others in its class for performance and energy efficiency. Here are some of the most energy-efficient ductless heat pumps available in Canada right now:

Quietest Ductless Mini-Splits on the Market

When most people think about ductless mini-splits and comfort, they tend to only focus on how well the unit can heat or cool a space. But something else that’s also important for home comfort is quiet.

Air conditioners and furnaces can be noisy, and for some people, finding a mini-split that promises quiet operation is more important than anything else.

The indoor and outdoor units will have separate decibel ratings, with the noisiest part of the system being the outdoor component.

That being said, with ductless heat pumps, the indoor part of the unit (or “cassette” as it’s sometimes called) is mounted directly in the living space that you want to cool, so it may also be slightly more audible. Though modern ones tend to be fairly quiet.

This is compared to a central unit where the blower that circulates the air is part of the furnace and so it’s usually located in the basement of the home.

If you are concerned about noise, make sure to look at both decibel ratings, because the sound of the outdoor unit will matter if you spend a lot of time outside in the backyard in the summer.

For indoor air handlers, here’s a look at some of the quietest mini-splits:

• Daikin’s 9RLFW1 heat pump has a decibel rating as low as 19
• Samsung’s Smart Whisper Max Heat has a decibel rating as low as 20
• Trane’s 38 Series models have a decibel rating as low as 22
• Lennox’s MPB has a decibel rating as low as 24
• KeepRite’s DLFEHAH Performance high wall indoor unit has a decibel rating as low as 25
• Carrier’s Comfort high wall 40MHHC has a decibel rating as low as 27

Best Ductless Heat Pump Brands Overall

We mentioned earlier that brand isn’t everything when you’re buying a new ductless mini-split. Still, when you look at unbiased customer and industry reviews, there are some brands that stand out from the crowd because they have some of the best overall products on the market.

These brands deliver on multiple fronts, including warranties, features, cost, selection, convenience, efficiency, quiet, and comfort. Let’s look at those standout brands now.

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi mini-splits might be some of the more expensive ones on the market, but you’re paying for quality, durability, efficiency, and convenience. They have several styles of indoor and outdoor units, including single- and multi-zone, plus ones that offer heating and cooling or just cooling.

Mitsubishi’s ductless systems are equipped with technologies to increase efficiency, eliminate hot and cold spots, provide your home with cleaner air, and allow you to control the system remotely.

While the reviews are a bit more mixed, Mitsubishi does have a generally good reputation in the industry and a long history of making pretty solid units.

If you were to ask any HVAC expert which brand has the best ductless mini-splits on the market, Mitsubishi would be at the top of most lists.

Fujitsu

Fujitsu has been heating and cooling homes for over 40 years, and they’re constantly adapting and adding new features and technologies to make their mini-splits more efficient and more convenient.

They have several single- and multi-zone indoor unit styles to accommodate any space, plenty of the units are ENERGY STAR certified, and the units promise quiet operation. You can get a Fujitsu mini-split on a mid-range budget, and the units are backed by a great warranty.

The units also have a special filter to eliminate pollutants from the air, and you can control the unit from anywhere in the world using the company’s proprietary FGLair app on your mobile device.

Napoleon

This a great option for Canadian homeowners, as their made in Canada units provide a good mix of efficiency, features, and durability.

Napoleon has both ductless and ducted models that can cool and heat, even in cold weather.

Cost Breakdown: Installation, Maintenance, and Energy Savings

In Canada, you can expect to pay between $14,000 and $18,000, including installation, for a new cold climate heat pump. On average, between $3,000 and $7,000 will go toward installation costs, including materials and labour.

However, there are plenty of factors that will impact the final cost. For example, the type of heat pump will influence the price.  A ductless mini-split air conditioner could cost between $6,000 and $12,000 on average, whereas a ducted air-source heat pump could range from $14,000 to $18,000.

Other factors that will influence the prize include the size of the system, extra features, zoning, brand, and installation.

Maintenance costs for ductless heat pumps tend to range from $150 to $300 per visit. That covers a basic inspection and regular service, which you should schedule every year.

If your system needs more extensive repairs, they could cost between $200 and $2,500, depending on the issue.

Best Ductless Heat Pumps for Extreme Cold Climates

Ductless heat pumps extract heat from the air and transfer it elsewhere. In winter, this means the system extracts heat from the air outside and transfers it into your home to provide warmth.

However, regular heat pumps aren’t designed to work efficiently in very cold climates, such as a Canadian winter.

In places with cold winters, you need a cold climate heat pump that has some different components that make it more efficient at extracting heat in colder temperatures.

Here’s a look at some of the best ductless heat pumps for cold climates:

• Daikin Aurora: As low as -25 C
• LG DUALCOOL®: As low as -25 C
• Fujitsu XLTH: As low as -26 C
• Panasonic ClimaPure®: As low as -26 C
• Samsung Max Heat®: As low as -30 C
• Mitsubishi Zuba: As low as -30 C

Best Single-Zone Ductless Mini-Splits

Single-zone ductless heat pumps have a single indoor air handler connected to an outdoor unit. They’re ideal for single rooms, home additions, patios, home offices, bedrooms, and the like. Some of the best options on the market include:

• Fujitsu Airstage single-room mini-split systems, which come as wall, ceiling, floor, and other types of indoor units
• Mitsubishi MSZ series units, which are equipped with the 3D i-see sensor™ to detect and control temperature fluctuations
• Daikin ATMOSPHERA with advanced humidity control, efficient operation, built-in Wi-Fi, and other great features
• Samsung WindFree Premium, which is designed to eliminate cold drafts, control humidity, and improve energy performance

Best Multi-Zone Ductless Multi-Splits

Multi-zone ductless heat pumps are systems that connect an outdoor unit with multiple indoor units, so they’re ideal for large spaces, homes with multiple rooms, houses that have rooms with individual heating/cooling requirements, and beyond. Some of the best makes and models available right now include:

• Fujitsu Airstage multi-room mini-split systems, which have multiple options for indoor air handlers and can accommodate two to five zones
• Samsung WindFree IAQ, which has an electrostatic filter to improve indoor air quality and is compatible with the SmartThings app for remote operation
• Daikin MXS Series with 2 to 5 zones, indoor unit styles that can be combined, and inverter technology

Customer Reviews: What Homeowners Are Saying About Ductless Heat Pumps

Most homeowners who install ductless heat pumps are satisfied with their decision, especially ones who did a lot of research and had the unit professionally installed. Here are some of the things they report:

Pros

• Many homeowners notice a significant drop in their energy bills after switching to a ductless system, particularly when replacing electric baseboards or older HVAC systems.
• The ability to control temperatures in individual rooms or zones is a major plus.
• Compared to traditional HVAC systems, most ductless heat pumps are very quiet.
• Many people appreciate that ductless systems have fairly simple installation.
• Units often come with advanced filtration systems that reduce dust, allergens, and odours, leading to improved indoor air quality.

Cons

• However, one of the common complaints is that while the long-term savings are great, the upfront price can be high.
• Moreover, it’s important to choose a suitable cold-climate system if you live in Canada or somewhere else with long, cold winters.
• Finally, some homeowners dislike the appearance of indoor wall-mounted units and prefer the hidden look of traditional ducted vents.
  
  

Getting the Most from Your Ductless Mini-split

As you can see, there are lots of categories you can use to compare ductless heat pumps. When choosing a system, start by determining your budget, the required output, how many indoor and outdoor units you need, and whether you need heating and cooling.

Once you have those basics figured out, then you can decide what’s important to you in terms of efficiency, features, warranty, and the other factors discussed today.

Just remember to have your unit installed and maintained by a licensed and trained HVAC professional to get the best performance, highest efficiency, and longest life from your ductless mini-split.

FAQ

What heat pump brands are being avoided in Canada?

In June 2024, some ductless heat pumps from Daikin, Amana, and Goodman were recalled because there was a risk of excessive heat exposure, and the units were generating heat even when set to cooling mode. As a result, Daikin Comfort Technologies Manufacturing, L.P. issued a recall on the affected makes and models.

Which ductless heat pumps last the longest?

Ductless heat pumps have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years, and with professional installation and annual maintenance, you can potentially get even longer from a unit. Brands with a reputation for longevity include Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Daikin, and LG.