Quick Answer: The best budget mini split for most buyers on both sticker price and realistic total cost is the Della 12k, running as low as $600-750 in equipment and about $1,100-2,750 installed. The Senville LETO 12k is a similarly-priced, better-known alternative at $700-900 equipment / $1,200-2,900 installed. The MRCOOL DIY 9k skips the $500-2,000 installer-labor line entirely, but its current price (~$2,329-2,820) means it’s now the priciest of the three overall — pick it for the zero-labor convenience, not to save money.
“Budget” only means one thing if you’re comparing equipment stickers side by side — it means something different once labor enters the picture, and something different again once you check current prices. A $650 Della system and a roughly $2,600 MRCOOL DIY 9k look nothing alike on price, and that gap doesn’t close even after a $500-$2,000 technician bill for the Della — at today’s MRCOOL DIY pricing, installer labor no longer makes the DIY route the cheaper one on this pair. Here’s how the leading low-cost options compare on both equipment and realistic total cost.
Best budget mini splits compared
| System | Best for | Install | Equipment price | Realistic total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Della 12k | Lowest sticker price | Pro (braze + vacuum) | ~$600-750 | ~$1,100-2,750 |
| Senville LETO 12k | Known brand, budget price | Pro (braze + vacuum) | ~$700-900 | ~$1,200-2,900 |
| MRCOOL DIY 9k | Zero-labor convenience | DIY (quick-connect) | ~$2,329-2,820 | ~$2,329-2,820 |
1. Della 12k — Lowest Sticker Price
Della 12,000 BTU Mini Split
- Typically undercuts every other brand covered on this site for a comparable BTU size, at the cost of a smaller dealer network and less long-term reliability data to judge it against.
- Ships pre-charged for a fixed line-set length (commonly 16.4 ft or 24.5 ft), but Della's own install guide still calls for flare connections and a vacuum pump on any longer run — budget a licensed technician unless your run is short and straight. Full breakdown in our Della mini split review.
- A reasonable bet for a lower-stakes space like a garage or workshop; riskier as the only system conditioning a primary living area, per our brands breakdown.
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2. Senville LETO 12k — Known Brand, Budget Price
Senville LETO Series 12,000 BTU
- Longer market track record than Della, with a broader parts and accessories ecosystem if something needs replacing down the line.
- Still a pro-install system — a licensed technician braces the line set and pulls a vacuum, adding $500-$2,000 in labor on top of equipment cost depending on your market.
- The step-up AURA line covers cold-climate heating down to roughly -22°F if you outgrow the budget tier's heating performance later.
If brand recognition and a wider support network matter more to you than shaving another $100-150 off the equipment price, LETO is the safer budget pick over Della.
3. MRCOOL DIY 9k — Best Zero-Labor Pick, Not the Cheapest
MRCOOL DIY 5th Gen 9,000 BTU (115V)
- Runs on a standard 115V household outlet — no dedicated 230V circuit and no electrician needed for the power side of the install.
- Pre-charged, quick-connect line set skips both the vacuum pump and the EPA 608 refrigerant certification a pro-install system requires — a homeowner can mount both units in an afternoon.
- At current 5th Gen pricing this is no longer the cheapest total-cost pick — it now runs roughly $1,000+ more than a Della or Senville LETO system even after paying a technician's full labor bill. Buy it for the DIY convenience, not to save money.
If avoiding a technician entirely — no scheduling, no waiting on a licensed installer’s availability — is worth paying a premium for, the DIY route still makes sense. But at today’s MRCOOL DIY pricing, it’s a convenience purchase, not a budget one.
The bottom line
At current prices, the Della 12k wins on both equipment price and realistic total cost — $600-750 in parts, landing around $1,100-2,750 installed even after paying a technician. The Senville LETO 12k is a close second at $700-900 equipment / $1,200-2,900 installed if you’d rather buy a more established name, and Klimaire’s Entrada tier lands in a similar range with more installation accessories bundled in the box. The MRCOOL DIY 9k now runs $2,329-2,820 on its own — still worth it if skipping a technician entirely matters more to you than price, but no longer the budget pick its “lowest total cost” reputation once suggested. Comparing more capacity tiers? See our best 1 ton mini split roundup for 12,000 BTU picks across price points, or our best DIY mini split roundup if skipping the installer entirely is the priority. Want the full labor-cost math before you decide? Our mini split installation cost guide breaks down pro-install pricing by region and BTU size.