Mini-splits on the ENERGY STAR Cold Climate list, which keep most of their heat at 5 °F.
Prices were last checked October 21, 2026 and are subject to change; the price and availability shown by the retailer at the time of purchase apply.
Best 9,000 BTU DIY Mini-Splits
- Della Optima Pro CloudAir 9,000 BTU 230V#1 of 9Full review
The best value for heating through a cold winter, if you can pull a vacuum yourself or pay someone to. It holds its full rated heat at 5 °F for far less than a quick-connect unit that does the same.
Amazon $1,049.96 Della $1,049.96$1,049.969,10010.5Flare$115 - Pioneer Quantum Hyperformance 9,000 BTU 230V#2 of 9Full review
Full rated heat in deep cold at a fair price, for a self-installer comfortable with a vacuum pump. Della’s Optima Pro has near-identical certified ratings for a little less.
Amazon $1,311 Pioneer Mini Split store $1,318$1,3119,50010.5Flare$138 - Della Optima CloudAir 9,000 BTU 230V#3 of 9Full review
The cheapest way into a certified, cold-capable heat pump, for a self-installer with a vacuum pump. Pioneer’s Quantum Ultra and the quick-connect Klimaire DIY have near-identical certified ratings.
Amazon $879.96 Della $879.96$879.967,1009.5Flare$124 - Della Optima CloudAir 9,000 BTU 115V#4 of 9Full review
The cheapest way into a certified, cold-capable heat pump, for a self-installer with a vacuum pump. Pioneer’s Quantum Ultra and the quick-connect Klimaire DIY have near-identical certified ratings.
Amazon $899.96 Della $899.96$899.967,1009.5Flare$127 - Klimaire KIWQ-KOIQ DIY 5th Gen 9,000 BTU 115V#5 of 9Full review
The best-value quick-connect line: the same certified system as Pioneer’s Quantum Ultra, close to Della’s Optima, without the vacuum pump, for the same price or a few hundred dollars more.
Amazon $1,099$1,0997,5009.5Quick-connect$147 - Pioneer Quantum Ultra 9,000 BTU 115V#6 of 9Full review
A low price for a self-installer who owns or will rent a vacuum pump. The Klimaire DIY is the same certified system with quick-connect lines, and Della’s Optima has near-identical ratings for less.
Amazon $1,088 Pioneer Mini Split store $1,088$1,0887,5009.5Flare$145 - Pioneer Quantum Ultra 9,000 BTU 230V#7 of 9Full review
A low price for a self-installer who owns or will rent a vacuum pump. The Klimaire DIY is the same certified system with quick-connect lines, and Della’s Optima has near-identical ratings for less.
Amazon $1,058 Pioneer Mini Split store $1,058$1,0587,1009.5Flare$149 - Perfect Aire 4th Gen Quick Connect 9,000 BTU 115V#8 of 9Full review
A quick-connect unit with one of the longest warranties for a self-install, priced below MrCool’s DIY 5th Gen. Its −4 °F heating limit rules it out as the only heat in a very cold climate.
AmazonNo price9,2009.5Quick-connect- - MrCool DIY 5th Gen 9,000 BTU 115V#9 of 9Full review
For someone who wants a true plug-together install with no tools beyond a drill, and a warranty that survives it. Expect to pay well over the price of a flare unit with the same cold-weather output.
Amazon MRCOOL DIY Direct $2,330$2,3307,30011.5Quick-connect$319
Best 12,000 BTU DIY Mini-Splits
- Della Optima Pro CloudAir 12,000 BTU 230V#1 of 11Full review
The best value for heating through a cold winter, if you can pull a vacuum yourself or pay someone to. It holds its full rated heat at 5 °F for far less than a quick-connect unit that does the same.
Amazon $1,249.96 Della $1,249.96$1,249.9612,00010.5Flare$104 - Pioneer Quantum Hyperformance 12,000 BTU 230V#2 of 11Full review
Full rated heat in deep cold at a fair price, for a self-installer comfortable with a vacuum pump. Della’s Optima Pro has near-identical certified ratings for a little less.
Amazon $1,398 Pioneer Mini Split store $1,398$1,39812,00010.5Flare$116 - Della Optima CloudAir 12,000 BTU 230V#3 of 11Full review
The cheapest way into a certified, cold-capable heat pump, for a self-installer with a vacuum pump. Pioneer’s Quantum Ultra and the quick-connect Klimaire DIY have near-identical certified ratings.
Amazon $949.96 Della $949.96$949.969,10010Flare$104 - Della Optima CloudAir 12,000 BTU 115V#4 of 11Full review
The cheapest way into a certified, cold-capable heat pump, for a self-installer with a vacuum pump. Pioneer’s Quantum Ultra and the quick-connect Klimaire DIY have near-identical certified ratings.
Amazon $969.96 Della $969.96$969.968,90010Flare$109 - Pioneer Quantum Ultra 12,000 BTU 230V#5 of 11Full review
A low price for a self-installer who owns or will rent a vacuum pump. The Klimaire DIY is the same certified system with quick-connect lines, and Della’s Optima has near-identical ratings for less.
Amazon Pioneer Mini Split store $1,148$1,1489,10010Flare$126 - Pioneer Quantum Ultra 12,000 BTU 115V#6 of 11Full review
A low price for a self-installer who owns or will rent a vacuum pump. The Klimaire DIY is the same certified system with quick-connect lines, and Della’s Optima has near-identical ratings for less.
Amazon $1,168 Pioneer Mini Split store $1,168$1,1688,90010Flare$131 - Klimaire KIWQ-KOIQ DIY 5th Gen 12,000 BTU 115V#7 of 11Full review
The best-value quick-connect line: the same certified system as Pioneer’s Quantum Ultra, close to Della’s Optima, without the vacuum pump, for the same price or a few hundred dollars more.
Amazon $1,369$1,3698,90010Quick-connect$154 - Klimaire KIWQ-KOIQ DIY 5th Gen 12,000 BTU 230V#8 of 11Full review
The best-value quick-connect line: the same certified system as Pioneer’s Quantum Ultra, close to Della’s Optima, without the vacuum pump, for the same price or a few hundred dollars more.
Amazon $1,459$1,4599,10010Quick-connect$160 - MrCool DIY Hyper Heat 5th Gen 12,000 BTU 230V#9 of 11Full review
For cold-climate homes where a quick-connect install matters more than price: it holds its full heat far colder than other quick-connect units. Flare-connect units match its cold-weather output for much less.
Amazon $2,532 MRCOOL DIY Direct $2,557$2,53211,00010Quick-connect$230 - MrCool DIY 5th Gen 12,000 BTU 115V#10 of 11Full review
For someone who wants a true plug-together install with no tools beyond a drill, and a warranty that survives it. Expect to pay well over the price of a flare unit with the same cold-weather output.
Amazon $1,759 MRCOOL DIY Direct $2,370$1,7598,40010.2Quick-connect$209 - Perfect Aire 4th Gen Quick Connect 12,000 BTU 115V#11 of 11Full review
A quick-connect unit with one of the longest warranties for a self-install, priced below MrCool’s DIY 5th Gen. Its −4 °F heating limit rules it out as the only heat in a very cold climate.
Amazon $1,719.99$1,719.999,2009.5Quick-connect$187
Best 18,000 BTU DIY Mini-Splits
- Della Optima Pro CloudAir 18,000 BTU 230V#1 of 8Full review
The best value for heating through a cold winter, if you can pull a vacuum yourself or pay someone to. It holds its full rated heat at 5 °F for far less than a quick-connect unit that does the same.
Amazon $1,849.96 Della $1,849.96$1,849.9617,80010Flare$104 - Pioneer Quantum Hyperformance 18,000 BTU 230V#2 of 8Full review
Full rated heat in deep cold at a fair price, for a self-installer comfortable with a vacuum pump. Della’s Optima Pro has near-identical certified ratings for a little less.
Amazon $1,878 Pioneer Mini Split store $1,878$1,87817,80010Flare$106 - Perfect Aire 4th Gen Quick Connect 18,000 BTU 230V#3 of 8Full review
A quick-connect unit with one of the longest warranties for a self-install, priced below MrCool’s DIY 5th Gen. Its −4 °F heating limit rules it out as the only heat in a very cold climate.
Amazon $1,981.82$1,981.8218,00010Quick-connect$110 - MrCool DIY Hyper Heat 5th Gen 18,000 BTU 230V#4 of 8Full review
For cold-climate homes where a quick-connect install matters more than price: it holds its full heat far colder than other quick-connect units. Flare-connect units match its cold-weather output for much less.
Amazon $3,173 MRCOOL DIY Direct $3,205$3,17318,00011Quick-connect$176 - Della Optima CloudAir 18,000 BTU 230V#5 of 8Full review
The cheapest way into a certified, cold-capable heat pump, for a self-installer with a vacuum pump. Pioneer’s Quantum Ultra and the quick-connect Klimaire DIY have near-identical certified ratings.
Amazon $1,319.96 Della $1,499.96$1,319.9613,60010Flare$97 - Klimaire KIWQ-KOIQ DIY 5th Gen 18,000 BTU 230V#6 of 8Full review
The best-value quick-connect line: the same certified system as Pioneer’s Quantum Ultra, close to Della’s Optima, without the vacuum pump, for the same price or a few hundred dollars more.
Amazon $1,679$1,67913,60010Quick-connect$123 - Pioneer Quantum Ultra 18,000 BTU 230V#7 of 8Full review
A low price for a self-installer who owns or will rent a vacuum pump. The Klimaire DIY is the same certified system with quick-connect lines, and Della’s Optima has near-identical ratings for less.
Pioneer Mini Split store $1,538$1,53813,60010Flare$113 - MrCool DIY 5th Gen 18,000 BTU 230V#8 of 8Full review
For someone who wants a true plug-together install with no tools beyond a drill, and a warranty that survives it. Expect to pay well over the price of a flare unit with the same cold-weather output.
Amazon MRCOOL DIY Direct $2,910$2,91012,80011.5Quick-connect$227
Best 24,000 BTU DIY Mini-Splits
- Della Optima Pro CloudAir 24,000 BTU 230V#1 of 6Full review
The best value for heating through a cold winter, if you can pull a vacuum yourself or pay someone to. It holds its full rated heat at 5 °F for far less than a quick-connect unit that does the same.
Amazon $2,249.96 Della $2,249.96$2,249.9622,40010Flare$100 - Pioneer Quantum Hyperformance 24,000 BTU 230V#2 of 6Full review
Full rated heat in deep cold at a fair price, for a self-installer comfortable with a vacuum pump. Della’s Optima Pro has near-identical certified ratings for a little less.
Amazon $2,298 Pioneer Mini Split store $2,323$2,29822,40010Flare$103 - Perfect Aire 4th Gen Quick Connect 24,000 BTU 230V#3 of 6Full review
A quick-connect unit with one of the longest warranties for a self-install, priced below MrCool’s DIY 5th Gen. Its −4 °F heating limit rules it out as the only heat in a very cold climate.
Amazon $2,025.45$2,025.4519,8009.5Quick-connect$102 - Della Optima CloudAir 23,000 BTU 230V (24k class)#4 of 6Full review
The cheapest way into a certified, cold-capable heat pump, for a self-installer with a vacuum pump. Pioneer’s Quantum Ultra and the quick-connect Klimaire DIY have near-identical certified ratings.
Amazon $1,849.96 Della $1,849.96$1,849.9618,6009.5Flare$99 - Klimaire KIWQ-KOIQ DIY 5th Gen 24,000 BTU 230V#5 of 6Full review
The best-value quick-connect line: the same certified system as Pioneer’s Quantum Ultra, close to Della’s Optima, without the vacuum pump, for the same price or a few hundred dollars more.
Amazon $1,869$1,86918,9009.5Quick-connect$99 - Pioneer Quantum Ultra 23,000 BTU 230V (sold as 24k)#6 of 6Full review
A low price for a self-installer who owns or will rent a vacuum pump. The Klimaire DIY is the same certified system with quick-connect lines, and Della’s Optima has near-identical ratings for less.
Amazon $2,003 Pioneer Mini Split store $2,003$2,00318,9009.5Flare$106
