Ductless air conditioners are perfect for any room where a traditional window air conditioning unit would be used, but the consumer is looking for something a little more energy efficient. These models have an indoor unit that’s mounted to the wall and are connected through a very small hole to an outdoor compressor. Because this hole is so small, there is less air leakage than with a window AC unit. These units also look better than window units do. We think that these air conditioners are so great that we’ve decided to review the best ones currently on the market. So without further ado, below sare the best ductless air conditioners that our readers should consider.

Quick Summary of the Best Ductless Air Conditioners

Editor’s Choice: Senville SENL-12CD/220V Air Conditioner/Heat Pump

Ductless air conditioners are perfect for any room where a traditional window air conditioning unit would be used, but the consumer is looking for something a little more energy efficient. These models have an indoor unit that’s mounted to the wall and are connected through a very small hole to an outdoor compressor. Because this hole is so small, there is less air leakage than with a window AC unit. These units also look better than window units do.

We think that these air conditioners are so great that we’ve decided to review the best ones currently on the market. So without further ado, below are the best ductless air conditioners that our readers should consider.

One of the first things that we’d like to say about this unit is that its variable inverter compressor uses less energy than most other types of air conditioners. That’s because it doesn’t turn on and off as a regular window air conditioner does, but instead, it gradually increases or decreases the speed of its compressor motor.

This unit also comes with a remote control that makes it easy to operate from afar, and a turbo setting that allows the user to cool down a room quickly. And because the consumer can select from one of three different fan speeds, or select the automatic fan feature, the user can set it according to their preferences.

Another feature that we found on this unit, and one that frankly impressed us, was its Auto Restart Feature. These features will allow the air conditioner to automatically resume the temperature settings it had before a power failure after the power has failed. It also has an adjustable airflow that’s convenient as well.

And last, but certainly not least, this model has an Eco-Mode that’s perfect for conserving energy. All of these features make this the perfect unit for just about any home where it can be used. It’s a quality unit that isn’t too difficult to install, is energy efficient and works very well.

What we liked about it
It has a unique 4-in-1 design.
It’s a very quiet unit.

Also Recommended: Pioneer WYS012A-19 Wall-Mounted Ductless AC Unit

To be honest, this Pioneer Air Conditioner isn’t the easiest one for DIY enthusiasts to install. Now, don’t get us wrong. We’re not saying that the consumer can’t install this product without professional help, we’re just saying that the consumer might want to consider having it professionally installed because it’s a bit difficult. However, as difficult as it is to install, this also happens to be one of the best ductless air conditioners currently available. This model is not only energy-efficient, with a 19 SEER Rating, but it is also powerful and can cool down a room in no time flat.

This 12,000 BTU unit can cool down a room up to 550 square feet in size, is packed with some sweet features and comes many of the items they are going to need to install, although they are probably going to have to purchase specialty tools for the job as well.

Included in this set include an installation kit that includes a wall sleeve liner and cap, pair of insulated copper tubing with flare connections, wrapping tape, interconnecting signal wiring, and a drain line extension. It also comes with an indoor unit, and outdoor unit, and a remote controller that makes it easy to use.

This model has an indoor temperature setting range of 62-degrees to 90-degrees Fahrenheit, and Unoccupied Vacation Mode, and an ETL rating. This unit also has remote access through the World Wide Web, if the consumer purchases the optional programming module with it.

Other features that can be found on this system include free tech support, a 5-year warranty on the compressor through the manufacturer, and an ultra-quiet operation that most people are going to be pleased with. All things considered, we feel that this is a great system and one that a lot of people are going to want to try out.

What we liked about it
It’s a quiet unit.
It cools off a room well.

Also Consider: Innovair Air Conditioner Wall-Mount Ductless Air Conditioner

Even though this system may be a little bit difficult to install, it’s still a great system for anyone who needs cooling for their livingroom, dining room, or bedroom. It’s also a great model for computer server rooms, offices or warehouses as well. This model features a high-efficiency AHRI certified inverter and can operate in either air conditioner mode or heat pump heating mode.

This system also comes with some of the stuff required to properly install it. This includes a 16-foot installation kit, multi-layer filters, and an installation/user manual. Now there’s no excuse for not installing one of these great AC systems.

This product is energy efficient with a 17~19 SEER Efficiency Rating and it uses R410a refrigerant that’s more eco-friendly than the refrigerants used by other air conditioners. This product also features protective condensers, a HEPA filter, and a hidden LED panel display.

Another one of the features that can be found in this unit is a multiple function mode. It can be set to dehumidify the air, for turbo cooling, for hyper heat or it can be set to sleep mode at night. And it even comes with wireless remote control that makes using and running this system a breeze.

We also liked the fact that this unit was fairly silent. Silent enough that it can be run in a bedroom without it waking the inhabitant. This system’s multilayer indoor filter not only has a HEPA filter layer, but there are also Catechin, Vitamin C, and Aroma filter layers as well. And finally, this system has a very reasonable price tag, so the consumer doesn’t have to worry about breaking the bank trying to cool down or heat their room.

We’re not saying that this ductless air conditioner system is perfect, but it does have the performance and many of the features that people look for in one of these systems. In our book, it’s one worthy of a closer look.

What we liked about it
This product is quiet.
This product provides great cooling.

The Ultimate Ductless Air Conditioner Guide

Having just finished reviewing some of the best ductless air conditioners currently available, we thought that we’d do a deeper dive into the subject. After all, purchasing one of these systems is an important decision, so we feel that consumers should have as much information available to them before they make their purchase. Having stated that fact, let’s learn a little bit more about these air conditioners and the benefits the consumer can receive from using them. 

What Should You Know Before Purchasing One Of These Units?

The first thing that we’d like to address before getting into our buyer’s guide is some of the things that the consumer should realize about these units before they go ahead and buy one. Although these units aren’t as expensive as central air units, they aren’t as inexpensive as window units, so the consumer is going to want to make sure they know all that’s entailed to buying and installing one or more of these systems. 

The Cost: Consumers should realize that they will be spending at least $700+ dollars on one of these systems, and that’s before the cost of installation.

Installation: Although there have been some DIY enthusiasts who have installed their own units, it’s better for most consumers to have a professional install it for them.

Warranties: The consumer should make sure to choose a model with a warranty that covers at least 5-years, but hopefully more than 10-years. 

The Lifespan Of These Systems: Consumers can expect these systems to last approximately 12 to 18-years before they need to be replaced. 

How To Purchase The Best Ductless Air Conditioner

Okay, we’ve seen some of the best ductless air conditioners and we’ve talked about all of the things the consumer needs to know about installing and using these systems, so we think it’s time to discuss how the consumer can buy the best ductless air conditioner around. Let’s begin this section with a discussion on the unit’s cooling power and then work our way from there. 

Consider The Air Conditioner’s Power

The first thing that the consumer should do is to measure the room they’re installing the unit in and figure out how big of an air conditioner they’re going to need. The larger the room, the larger the AC unit needed, so the consumer needs to consider this carefully. Since all air conditioners are rated in BTUs, the consumer needs to compare the BTU of the air conditioner against the room’s size. Let’s look at how many BTUs are needed to cool average room sizes below. 

  • 350-400 Square Feet: 9,000 BTUs
  • 400-450 Square Feet: 10,000 BTUs
  • 450-550 Square Feet: 12,000 BTUs
  • 550-700 Square Feet: 14,000 BTUs

Consider The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

The next thing that the consumer is going to want to think about is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, of the air conditioner. As a general rule, most air conditioners have a SEER of somewhere between 13 to 33. This ratio tells the consumer the energy efficiency of an air conditioner and the higher the rating, the lower the consumer’s electricity bills will be. However, as the SEER of the unit goes up, so does its price tag, so the consumer is going to want to balance those two variables to get a model that’s energy-efficient and fits within their budget. In our experience, the models with a 17-20 SEER are the models that are the best combination of energy efficiency and price. 

Should The Unit Have A Built-In Heater?

Another thing that consumers should think about is whether they need their ductless air conditioner to also have a heater equipped on it. Some of these systems are just air conditioners and others are a combination of air conditioners and heaters. Whether the consumer needs a heater is a personal decision based upon their specific needs, but the consumer should keep in mind that it will likely increase the overall price of the unit. 

Other Features To Consider

Before we exit this guide, we would like to talk about some of the other features that consumers might want to consider before they go all-in on a particular unit. There are a ton of different features available on these models, so the consumer should think carefully about what features they might need. Even though we can’t cover all of the following features below in detail, we can do a general overview of them so consumers can do their research. 

  • Remote Control Operation
  • LED Control Panels
  • Built-In Dehumidifiers
  • Sleep Modes
  • Auto Restart Feature
  • An Eco-Mode