Daikin Ductless Heat Pump Review, Prices & Top Models

If you’re looking at upgrading your ductless air conditioner system, our in-depth Daikin mini-split review covers what you need to know about Daikin’s heat pump models, warranty information, pricing, great features the company offers, and more.

Daikin is a Japanese air conditioner manufacturer that makes packaged central air conditioners as well as ductless mini-split systems for homes and buildings. These units are ideal if you live in an older home or other dwelling that doesn’t have ductwork in place. 

When you’re considering one of these systems, use this Daikin mini-split review to help you decide what make or model is right for your home. 

Ductless Mini-Splits, Explained

Ductless mini-split air conditioners have two main characteristics that set them apart from other cooling systems. For one thing, ductless systems don’t rely on ducts to circulate air throughout your home, so they’re ideal for homes that don’t have ductwork in place, as is sometimes the case with older homes. Instead of using ducts, these systems have indoor air handling systems that distribute cold air.

And that brings us to the second difference between mini-splits and other air conditioning units: mini-splits have an indoor and outdoor unit. The indoor unit is the air handler, and the outdoor unit contains the compressor and condenser.

This Daikin mini-split review will cover the brand’s indoor and outdoor models, including their single- and multi-zone units.

Check out our Ductless Mini-Split System Buyer Guide

Daikin Ductless Air Conditioners, At a Glance

Strengths

• Indoor units with multiple mounting options for different spaces and needs
• Compact and great for small spaces
• High-efficiency systems for cost and energy savings
• Single- and multi-zone units available
• Quiet operation
• Can be controlled with the Daikin Comfort Control App
• Equipped with self-diagnostic displays
• Anti-corrosion features
• Low-temperature models available

Weaknesses

• Some models can be expensive
• Not a lot of ENERGY STAR® models

The Bottom Line

Daikin ductless air conditioners come in a wide variety of models and styles, so you’re sure to find something that suits your needs in terms of size, cooling output, aesthetics, installation requirements, and more. Daikin products are mid-range when it comes to price, so as long as you’re not on a bare-bones budget, you should be able to find a ductless mini-split from Daikin that’s perfect for your home.

Daikin Mini-Split Review Data from Real Customers

One thing about air conditioners and mini-splits is the older models can be loud, especially if you’re sitting outside near the outdoor unit. But customers love how quiet Daikin systems are. They also say they’re energy efficient and can help save money on cooling bills. Beyond that, people like the features, the reliability, and the great performance.

Daikin Average Price Range

$8,000 – $14,000 (with installation)

Daikin is a mid range brand when it comes to unit costs. However, the exact price will vary by home due to a wide variation in product features and additional installation costs. The final cost of an HVAC system is dependent upon the size and configuration of your home, where you live, and the type of model you are purchasing.

Daikin Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are similar to air conditioners in that they can cool your home in the summer, but they can also provide heat in the winter. In fact, air conditioners are a type of heat pump that are typically only designed to cool. Daikin has several ductless heat pumps available, including high efficiency ones, wall, floor, and ceiling units, and ones that can cool a space as large as 1,600 square feet.  

General Price Range for Daikin Ductless Air Conditioners 

The average price range for a Daikin ductless mini-split air conditioner is between $3,500 and $6,500 (installation included).

As you can see, there’s quite a spread between the lower and higher number, and that’s because the final cost of your air conditioner will depend on many things. Here are a few of the factors that will impact the cost:

• Model and style
• Unit size and cooling capacity
• Whether heating functionality is also needed
• Energy efficiency
• Where you live
• Ease of installation
• Promotions or sales

Daikin Ductless Air Conditioner Options

Single Zone Ductless Air Conditioner Systems

Daikin’s single zone mini-splits are paired systems, meaning you buy the indoor and outdoor unit as a package deal. Depending on the size of the unit, these wall-mounted systems can cool an area ranging from 250 to 1,600 square feet. All Daikin’s single zone ductless air conditioners have good efficiency ratings, ranging from 17 to 19 SEER, so you’ll save plenty on monthly energy bills. These units are equipped with a self-diagnostic display, anti-corrosion features, air purifying filter, and Daikin Intelligent Eye for improved energy savings.

Single Zone Heat Pumps

Daikin’s single zone ductless heat pumps are similar to their single zone ductless air conditioners in many ways, including that they are sold as a package deal with the indoor and outdoor unit. However, these units can provide heating for your home in winter as well as cooling in summer. There are more heat pump models to choose from, including wall-mounted, floor-mounted, ceiling, and concealed models. These units come in different sizes that can accommodate the cooling needs of spaces ranging from 250 to 1,600 square feet, and the units have efficiency ratings ranging from 15.5 to 26.1 SEER.

Multi Zone Indoor Units

Unlike single zone units, Daikin’s multi zone units can allow you to control separate temperature settings in different areas of your house. With multi zone units, you select the indoor units and outdoor unit separately, and that way you can customize the indoor air handling according to your cooling needs. 

There are many types of indoor models, including ones that are concealed, floor-mounted, in-ceiling, and wall-mounted. The efficiency rating on these indoor units ranges from 18.9 to 20.2 SEER, and they are equipped with features like Intelligent Eye, remote control capabilities, and washable air filters.

Multi Zone Outdoor Units

The second component of the multi zone ductless air conditioner is the outdoor unit, and Daikin offers models that can accommodate between two and 10 zones. All of their outdoor units are compact and space-saving, designed for easy installation, made for quiet operation, and are high efficiency, with SEER ratings between 17.9 and 20.2.

Daikin Mini-Split Review: Model Comparison

Top Ductless System Features from Daikin

Daikin Intelligent Eye

Intelligent Eye is an infrared sensor that detects when a room is occupied or empty. When the sensor detects a room has been empty for 20 minutes, it automatically goes into an energy saving mode that will reduce your energy consumption and power bills. When the sensor detects somebody returning to the room, the unit resumes regular cooling operation.

Daikin Comfort Control App

With Daikin’s Comfort Control App, you can control your cooling system remotely using a smartphone or tablet from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re on your way to work, out running errands, or out of the country on vacation, you can monitor faults with the system and control the temperature settings in your home with ease.

Daikin Inverter Technology

Many Daikin mini-splits are equipped with inverter technology that can make subtle adjustments to the motor speed, and that means better energy efficiency, better humidity control, more precise temperature control, and improved temperature consistency.

Night Set Mode

Daikin Night Set Mode is another energy saving setting that will automatically adjust the temperature after your family has gone to bed. All you do is set the time for Night Set Mode and the system will do the rest: an hour after Night Set Mode, the system will increase the temperature in your home to lower your energy use throughout the night.

Important Warranty Information

All Daikin ductless mini-splits come with a great warranty that includes at least a 10-year limited parts warranty, such as the 17 and NV series. The VRV IV-S Series has an additional 10-year replacement compressor limited warranty, and all other Daikin ductless models are covered by a 12-year parts replacement warranty.

About Daikin

Daikin is a Japanese heating and air conditioning manufacturer that’s been around since 1924, but they only started becoming a household name in Canada in 2004 after the company expanded into the North American market. Today, they have a presence in over 100 countries, and are a trusted name for reliable, durable, and quality-made heating and cooling systems.