What is the best mini split for a garage?
The short answer
A garage needs a bigger mini split than a room with the same floor area, because it is less insulated and its door lets heat through. Carrier puts a one-car garage at about 12,000 BTU, a two-car garage of 400 to 600 sq ft at 12,000 to 18,000 BTU, and an uninsulated or high-ceiling one at up to 24,000 BTU. At each size we name the cheapest heat pump we list in stock that keeps heating at 5°F, fitted by an installer and as a DIY kit.
One-car garage (12,000 BTU), fitted by an installer: the Pioneer Diamante Essenza 11,500 BTU Ductless Mini Split 230V, $664 at Sylvane, heats down to 5°F outdoors.
One-car garage (12,000 BTU), as a DIY kit: the MRCOOL DIY Easy Pro 5th Gen 12,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump, $1,329 at Sylvane, heats down to 5°F outdoors.
Two-car garage (18,000 BTU), fitted by an installer: the Pioneer Diamante Essenza 17,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split, $978 at Sylvane, heats down to 5°F outdoors.
Two-car garage (18,000 BTU), as a DIY kit: the MRCOOL DIY Select 18,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 230V - Black, $1,690 at Sylvane, heats down to -13°F outdoors.
Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage (24,000 BTU), fitted by an installer: the Senville Leto 24,000 BTU Mini Split Heat Pump, $1,259 at Sylvane, up to 17,000 BTU of heat at 5°F.
Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage (24,000 BTU), as a DIY kit: the MRCOOL DIY Select 24,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 230V - Black, $1,899 at Sylvane, heats down to -13°F outdoors.
An installer usually adds $1,500 to $4,000 to the price. A DIY kit's pre-charged lines let you mount and run it yourself, though under EPA rules connecting refrigerant lines is certified-technician work. At 12,000 BTU, 11 of the 22 models that state their supply run on 115 V; every 18,000 and 24,000 BTU model needs a 208/230 V circuit.
A garage is harder to heat and cool than a room of the same size: it is less insulated, its door is a large, thin wall, and it is usually unheated in winter. So this answer sizes the mini split for the garage rather than its floor area, names one an installer fits and one DIY kit at each size, and lists every model in stock with the voltage it needs and how cold it keeps heating.
The best at each size
- 1
One-car garage, fitted by an installer
SplitSEER2 17 In stockCheapest of the 16 in-stock 12,000 BTU mini splits an installer fits that keep heating at 5°F · heats down to 5°F outdoors · 208/230 V
- 2
One-car garage, DIY kit
SplitSEER2 18.9 In stockCheapest of the 5 in-stock 12,000 BTU DIY kits we list that keep heating at 5°F · heats down to 5°F outdoors · 115 V
$1,329Lowest since Jul 25, 2026 $1,329 - 3
Two-car garage, fitted by an installer
SplitSEER2 17 In stockCheapest of the 8 in-stock 18,000 BTU mini splits an installer fits that keep heating at 5°F · heats down to 5°F outdoors · 208/230 V
$978Lowest since Jul 25, 2026 $978 - 4
Two-car garage, DIY kit
SplitSEER2 17.3 In stockCheapest of the 5 in-stock 18,000 BTU DIY kits we list that keep heating at 5°F · heats down to -13°F outdoors · 208/230 V
$1,690 - 5
Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage, fitted by an installer
SplitENERGY STAR In stockCheapest of the 6 in-stock 24,000 BTU mini splits an installer fits that keep heating at 5°F · up to 17,000 BTU of heat at 5°F (ENERGY STAR) · heats down to 5°F outdoors · 208/230 V
$1,259Package: 16 ft line set - 6
Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage, DIY kit
SplitSEER2 16.5 In stockCheapest of the 5 in-stock 24,000 BTU DIY kits we list that keep heating at 5°F · heats down to -13°F outdoors · 208/230 V
$1,899
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Every mini split in stock at a garage size
All 48 single-zone mini split heat pumps we list in stock at 12,000, 18,000 and 24,000 BTU, 15 of them DIY kits. Heat at 5°F is ENERGY STAR's certified figure for the indoor and outdoor pairing; the lowest temperature is the maker's operating limit, not its output there. The voltage is what the retailer states for that exact model.
| Model | Garage | Install | Voltage | Heat at 5°F | Heats down to | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PioneerDiamante Essenza 11,500 BTU Ductless Mini Split 230V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | 5°F | $664 at Sylvane |
| PioneerDiamante Essenza 11,500 BTU Ductless Mini Split 115V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 115 V | Not certified | 5°F | $688 at Sylvane |
| SenvilleLeto 12,000 BTU Mini Split Heat Pump 230V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | 5°F | $800 at Sylvane |
| SenvilleLeto 12,000 BTU Mini Split Heat Pump 115V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 115 V | Not certified | 5°F | $817 at Sylvane |
| PioneerDiamante Pro 12,000 BTU High-Wall Ductless Mini Split 230V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | -4°F | $858 at Sylvane |
| PioneerEssenza 12,000 BTU Gen 2 Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 115V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 115 V | Not certified | -4°F | $868 at Sylvane |
| PioneerEssenza 12,000 BTU Gen 2 Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 230V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | -4°F | $868 at Sylvane |
| PioneerDiamante Pro 12,000 BTU High-Wall Series Ductless Mini Split 115V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 115 V | Not certified | -4°F | $888 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLAdvantage 12,000 BTU 5th Gen Mini Split - 230V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 230 V | Not certified | -22°F | $979 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLAdvantage 12,000 BTU 5th Gen Mini Split - 115V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 115 V | Not certified | -22°F | $1,099 at Sylvane |
| PioneerQuantum Ultra High-Wall 12,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split 230V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | 9,100 BTU | -13°F | $1,133 at Sylvane |
| PioneerQuantum Ultra High-Wall 12,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split 115V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 115 V | 8,900 BTU | Not stated | $1,163 at Sylvane |
| DaikinEntra 12,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 230V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | 5°F | $1,314 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Easy Pro 5th Gen 12,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump | One-car garage12,000 BTU | DIY kit | 115 V | Not certified | 5°F | $1,329 at Sylvane |
| SenvilleAura Concealed Duct 12,000 BTU Mini Split Heat Pump | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | Not stated | $1,389.99 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Select 12,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 115V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | DIY kit | 115 V | Not certified | -13°F | $1,399 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Select 12,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 115V - Black | One-car garage12,000 BTU | DIY kit | 115 V | Not certified | -13°F | $1,399 at Sylvane |
| Pioneer12,000 BTU Quantum Hyperformance Mini Split Hyper Heat Pump 230V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | 12,000 BTU | Not stated | $1,409 at Sylvane |
| PioneerQuantum Fresh 12,000 BTU High-Wall Mini-Split | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | 10,100 BTU | -4°F | $1,468 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Easy Pro 12,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 115V | One-car garage12,000 BTU | DIY kit | 115 V | Not certified | -13°F | $1,599 at Sylvane |
| MitsubishiHX Series 12,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump | One-car garage12,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | -5°F | $1,979 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY 5th Gen 12,000 BTU (DIY-12-HP-WM-115D25-O) | One-car garage12,000 BTU | DIY kit | 115 V | 8,400 BTU | -13°F | $2,369 at Sylvane |
| PioneerDiamante Essenza 17,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | 5°F | $978 at Sylvane |
| SenvilleLeto 18,000 BTU Mini Split Heat Pump | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | 5°F | $1,007 at Sylvane |
| PioneerEssenza 18,000 BTU Gen 2 Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 230V | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | -4°F | $1,134 at Sylvane |
| PioneerDiamante Pro 18,000 BTU High-Wall Series Ductless Mini Split | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | -4°F | $1,138 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLAdvantage 18,000 BTU 5th Gen Mini Split | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | -22°F | $1,399 at Sylvane |
| SenvilleAura Concealed Duct 18,000 BTU Mini Split Heat Pump | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | Not stated | $1,549 at Sylvane |
| SenvilleAura 18,000 BTU Mini Split Heat Pump | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | 18,000 BTU | -22°F | $1,599.99 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Select 18,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 230V - Black | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | DIY kit | 208/230 V | Not certified | -13°F | $1,690 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Select 18,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 230V | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | DIY kit | 208/230 V | Not certified | -13°F | $1,690 at Sylvane |
| DaikinEntra Series 18,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | 5°F | $1,738 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Easy Pro 18,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | DIY kit | 208/230 V | Not certified | -13°F | $1,806 at Sylvane |
| PioneerQuantum Hyperformance 18,000 BTU Mini Split Hyper Heat Pump 230V | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | 17,800 BTU | Not stated | $1,863 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Easy Pro 5th Gen 18,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | DIY kit | 208/230 V | Not certified | 5°F | $1,899 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY 5th Gen 18,000 BTU Mini Split | Two-car garage18,000 BTU | DIY kit | 208/230 V | 12,800 BTU | -13°F | $2,909 at Sylvane |
| SenvilleLeto 24,000 BTU Mini Split Heat Pump | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | 17,000 BTU | 5°F | $1,259 at Sylvane |
| PioneerEssenza 24,000 BTU Gen 2 Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 230V | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | -4°F | $1,418 at Sylvane |
| PioneerDiamante Pro 24,000 BTU High-Wall Series Ductless Mini Split | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | -4°F | $1,438 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLAdvantage 24,000 BTU 5th Gen Mini Split | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | 17,000 BTU | -22°F | $1,649 at Sylvane |
| SenvilleAura Floor Mounted 24,000 BTU Mini Split Heat Pump | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | 24,200 BTU | -22°F | $1,749.99 at Sylvane |
| SenvilleAura Concealed Duct 24,000 BTU Mini Split Heat Pump | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | Not certified | Not stated | $1,769.99 at Sylvane |
| SenvilleAura 24,000 BTU Mini Split Heat Pump | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | Installer | 208/230 V | 24,200 BTU | -22°F | $1,769.99 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Select 24,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 230V - Black | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | DIY kit | 208/230 V | Not certified | -13°F | $1,899 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Select 24,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump 230V | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | DIY kit | 208/230 V | Not certified | -13°F | $1,899 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Easy Pro PRO 24,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | DIY kit | 208/230 V | Not certified | -13°F | $2,109 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY Easy Pro 5th Gen 24,000 BTU Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | DIY kit | 208/230 V | Not certified | 5°F | $2,149 at Sylvane |
| MRCOOLDIY 5th Gen 24,000 BTU (DIY-24-HP-WM-230D25-O) | Uninsulated or high-ceiling two-car garage24,000 BTU | DIY kit | 208/230 V | 16,100 BTU | -13°F | $3,329 at Sylvane |
How we chose
We include single-zone mini split heat pumps for one space with a current in-stock offer, at the sizes Carrier's garage guidance gives: about 12,000 BTU for a one-car garage, 12,000 to 18,000 BTU for a two-car garage of about 400 to 600 sq ft (18,000 or more with a high ceiling, which is the size we name), and up to 24,000 BTU for one that is uninsulated or has a high ceiling. At each size we name the cheapest model a certified installer fits and the cheapest DIY kit (pre-charged quick-connect lines), each among the models that keep heating at 5°F: ENERGY STAR certifies their output at 5°F, or their maker rates them to run at 5°F or colder. Price decides because every one of them both cools and heats the garage; the table shows what separates them, the certified heat at 5°F, the coldest temperature each runs at and its voltage. RV units, multi-zone and central ducted systems are excluded. Nobody can pay for placement.
Read our full methodology