Best Mini Split for Garage: Heat and Cool!

Imagine a way to cool and heat your garage all while saving money on your electric bill? Amazingly, the mini-split system is just that!

After looking through countless mini-splits, the best mini-split for garage I could find is the DuctlessAire 21 SEER 24,000 BTU Wi-Fi Ductless Mini Split.

The best budget mini split for garage was the Pioneer Low-Ambient 12,000 BTU 1 Ton 19 SEER Ductless Mini Split.

If you want to read the reviews, you can check them out below.

Best Mini Split for Garage

DuctlessAire 21 SEER 24,000 BTU Wi-Fi Ductless Mini Split

  • BTUs: 24,000
  • For: Large Garages/Workshops
  • Wifi: Yes

Looking for a beast of a mini-split to cool and heat your garage? This is it!

What I like

This Ductless Mini Split provides you with a whopping 24,000 BTUs which is enough for a 1200 to 1400 sqft workshop. Even if your garage is a bit smaller, you’ll still have more than enough power to heat and cool your garage down all year long.

The crazy thing with mini-split systems is that they’re incredibly efficient which means you’ll save more on your power bill at the end of the month. It comes 20.5 SEER Energy Star certified with an estimated annual cooling cost of $148. Incredible value if you ask me!

You’ll also be able to control this unit with your phone. It can set an off/on timer and change the temperature with ease. If you don’t want to install an app, it also comes with a remote so you can control this unit from anywhere in your garage.

You’ll love that it has refrigerant leak detection which will alert you if your system is malfunctioning. When you turn it on to heat, it even has an anti-cold draft feature that will prevent cold air from coming out while the system warms up. Talk about luxury!

If you’re in a hurry and want to cool or heat down your garage quick, turn on turbo mode and fahgettaboutit. Your garage should be cooled and warmed up within 10 minutes of operation. If you’re wanting to keep the noise level low, it has a low noise airflow system that will keep you focused on your DIY projects all day long.

What I don’t like

This unit may be overkill for smaller garages so it wouldn’t make sense to get such a high BTU unit if you don’t need it. If you’re after the best of the best though, this is exactly what you’re looking for.

Verdict

I think that if you’re after the best mini-split for your garage and have a sizeable space to heat/cool, you can’t go wrong with this unit. Mini-splits are known for being super-efficient and they’re my favorite way to get heat/cooling into a garage. The only downside is the price!

Also Great Mini Split for Garage

DIY Gen-3 18,000 BTU 20 SEER ENERGY STAR Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner 

  • BTUs: 18,000
  • SQFT: Up to 800sqft
  • Wifi: Yes

If you have a smaller garage/workshop, then MRCOOL has you covered!

What I like

This 18000BTU, 20 SEER Energy Star mini-split will be more than adequate for up to an 800 square foot garage. You’ll be able to cool down and heat your garage no matter where you live, in a jiffy!

Included comes the MrCool SmartHVAC smartphone app that you can hook up to Alexa or Google assistant. You’ll have the luxury of controlling this air-conditioner in any area of your garage or by voice activation. If you don’t like applications, it also comes with a standalone remote.

If for some reason you want to lower the noise of this unit, it has a nighttime sleep mode that you can activate to reduce noise. When you’re actively working in your garage, the reduced noise will give you the focus you need that fans can’t offer.

Ever lose power and have to reset your AC? This mini-split system has smart functions so it’ll remember exactly where you left it, including the adjustable louvers that aim the air wherever you want it to go!

On top of it all, it comes with a 7-year compressor warranty and 5-year parts warranty.

What I don’t like

While it does say “DIY” unit, if you’re not aware of how to wire electricity or HVAC, then you’re going to still need to hire an expert to do so. Be aware that the name is a bit misleading!

Verdict

If you’re after a no-fuss solution to heat/cool your garage, you’ll have just that with this unit by Mr.Cool. Do expect to spend a bit to get it installed if you aren’t an expert, but you will be able to enjoy steady temperatures all year round.

Just make sure your garage is insulated!

Best Budget Mini Split for Garage

Low-Ambient 12,000 BTU 1 Ton 19 SEER Ductless Mini Split 

  • BTUs: 12,000
  • SQFT: Up to 450 square feet
  • Wifi: Yes

On a budget but want your cake and eat it too? Pioneer has got your back with this budget mini-split for the garage.

What I like

This efficient and budget-friendly mini-split system is still plenty strong enough to cool down or heat a 2 car garage. The best part? It still comes with the features you’d expect from its more expensive counterparts!

It comes with 12000 BTUs which is enough to cool/heat a 450 sqft garage. Included is the remote which will allow you to control this unit from any inch in your garage with ease. It’s 19 SEER efficiency which will save you money on uptime VS other electric garage heaters!

With built-in modes such as Timer, Follow-Me, ECO, Turbo, Freeze protection, you’ll be able to fit this mini-split to your lifestyle. It comes with everything pre-packed that you’ll need to install so you won’t need to make two trips to the store.

Does your garage get in the negatives? This unit works even at around -13F, which is great for you folks in the north dealing with frozen winters. Need some quiet? Turn on the quiet mode and experience cooling as low as 32 decibels.

The cherry on top: it comes with a five years parts warranty covering all components as long as you register the unit after installation.

What I don’t like

If you want to use the WiFi/app, you’ll need to purchase the dongle separately.

Verdict

Even if you’re on a budget, you’re still able to heat/cool down your garage in style with this unit. Pioneer is also a great brand when it comes to air-conditioners so you can sleep easy knowing that.

Final Thoughts

No matter your budget, you’ll still be able to enjoy the best mini-split for your garage. If you’re wanting the best of the best, the DuctlessAire 21 SEER 24,000 BTU Wi-Fi Ductless Mini Split is a great choice. If you’re on a budget, the Pioneer Low-Ambient 12,000 BTU 1 Ton 19 SEER Ductless Mini Split is also a great choice.

No cash? You can find great cooling options for your garage here:

Image Credits: Flickr.com

About Roy Cohen

I'm Roy, founder of Hack My Garage. I started out like most not knowing how to hammer a nail, but now I know more than most people about home improvement and DIY. I want to spread my wealth of knowledge with the world and hope to make it a better place.

You can find Roy at his LinkedIn or his email: roy@hackmygarage.com