A mini-split's price has two parts: the equipment, which this page prices from the units in stock right now, and the installation, which usually costs more and which we cite from published cost guides. Here is what each size costs today.
The short answer
At today's in-stock prices, a wall-mounted single-room mini-split costs $664 to $2,499 for the equipment, from an 11,500 BTU unit to a 36,000 BTU one, and the cheapest 9,000 BTU unit is $729. Installed, the total is far higher: This Old House's cost guide (updated August 28, 2026) puts a 9,000 BTU mini-split at $3,000 to $4,200 installed and a 12,000 BTU one at $3,500 to $5,000. DIY kits with pre-charged line sets cost $1,249 to $3,469, but connecting their refrigerant lines is still certified-technician work under EPA Section 608.
Equipment prices only. Each row is a size class: a unit within 6% of it is sold as that size, so an 11,500 BTU unit sits in the 12,000 BTU row.
up to 450 sq ft
up to 350–400 sq ft
up to 500–700 sq ft
up to 750–1,000 sq ft
up to 1,000–1,400 sq ft
up to 1,500–1,800 sq ft
Live in-stock prices at Sylvane for 68 single-room mini-splits, checked Oct 4, 2026. Whole-home and multi-zone systems and RV units are priced differently and are not included. A package shown under a price is what that offer includes; a unit sold without a line set needs one bought separately.
A mini-split has an outdoor unit, refrigerant lines through the wall, a condensate drain and its own electrical supply, so the installed price is usually well above the equipment price. This Old House's cost guide, updated August 28, 2026, puts a 9,000 BTU mini-split at $3,000 to $4,200 installed and a 12,000 BTU one at $3,500 to $5,000. Carrier's 2026 guide puts a ductless installation at $2,500 to $15,000 or more, a single zone at the low end and whole-home multi-zone systems at the high end.
What moves the price, according to Carrier: the length of the refrigerant lines between the indoor and outdoor units, the indoor style (wall-mounted is standard; a ceiling cassette takes more labor), whether the electrical panel can carry the system, and whether a replacement can reuse holes and wiring already in place. Ask each installer to quote those parts separately.
DIY kits come with pre-charged line sets and quick-connect fittings, and they cost $1,249 to $3,469 in stock today. At each size the cheapest kit costs $520 to $1,400 more than the cheapest wall-mounted unit an installer fits, so the saving, if there is one, is in the labor. Under EPA Section 608, connecting refrigerant lines, including the pre-charged lines in a DIY kit, is work for a certified technician, so budget for that visit, and for an electrician if the circuit is new.