Mini-Split, Dehumidifier & Heater Reviews

LG 8,000 BTU Window AC Review: A Proven Box Unit for Bigger Rooms

“Probably the fan bearing. I've had it happen to two LG LW8016ER model AC's. Super annoying.”

Frigidaire 6,000 BTU Window AC Review: The Budget Unit Worth the Remote

“The compressor turns on, but it barely makes a hum and the air never gets cold.”

Midea EasyCool 6,000 BTU Window AC Review: Budget Box, Not the Midea U

“It auto shut-off and kicked on fine Monday when I set it up, but now it just runs until I turn it off myself.”

Best Heat Pump Water Heater: Picks by Room, Noise and Circuit

The heat pump water heater we would buy for a basement or garage, the quiet pick near bedrooms, small-closet and 120V options, and our scores. (updated 2026)

Best Multi-Zone Mini-Split: Pro-Install, DIY and Two-Room Picks

The multi-zone mini-split we would buy for cold winters, the DIY kit, why two single-zone units beat one condenser for two rooms, and our scores. (updated 2026)

Cadet SoftHeat Hydronic Baseboard Review: Quieter, Not Cheaper to Run

“I replaced all of the old ones in my 70's house with the Cadet Softheat line.”

A. O. Smith Voltex AL Review: Quiet and Compact, Fragile Compressor

“I just got my HPTS-66 installed this week with a mixing valve after putting the project off forever.”

MrCool Hyper Heat Central Ducted Review: The DIY Ducted Pick

“After some days of 15° weather, I can tell you the system is smarter than some say, even without a communicating tstat.”

Senville Multi-Zone Review: Big Cold-Weather Heat, Pro Install Only

“I recently installed a Senville Aura 27k 3 zone R454B unit with 3x 12K heads.”

Best Propane Heater: Buddy Sizes, Indoor Rules and Vented Options

The propane heater we would buy for a shack, tent or outage, our scores, each manual's indoor rules, CO alarms and when a vented heater wins. (updated 2026)

Best Dehumidifier: Basement, Room, Crawl Space and Whole-House Picks

The dehumidifier we would buy for a damp basement, plus our scores and picks for one room, cold spaces, crawl spaces and whole houses. (updated 2026)

Best Portable Air Conditioner: Shop by SACC, Not the Box BTU

The portable AC we would buy when a window unit cannot go in, our scores, why SACC beats the box number, hose types and drainage. (updated 2026)

Best Window Air Conditioner: Picks by Window, Room and Season

The window AC we would buy for most bedrooms, our scores for nine units, which window each one fits, the Midea recall suffixes and heat options. (updated 2026)

Best Mini-Split Stand: Height for Snow and What It Sits On

Best mini-split stand picks: the snow-depth-plus-8-inch rule, load ratings vs fit, what to set a stand on, drainage, and anchoring your unit. (updated 2026)

Best Furnace Filter: MERV 8, 11 or 13 for Your Blower

Best furnace filter picks with published pressure-drop numbers: what MERV means, why MERV 13 can choke a 1-inch slot, and when to go 4-inch. (updated 2026)

Hessaire MC37 Review: Real Cooling in Dry Heat, a Damp Fan Elsewhere

“Hessaire 3,100 CFM 3-Speed Portable Evaporative Cooler (Swamp Cooler) for 950sf.”

Santa Fe Ultra70 Review: Small Ducted Unit, Big Coil Question

“I've had two of these things lose their charge over the span of a year. Both of them have had leaks in the evaporator.”

Rheem ProTerra Review: Big Savings, Bumpy Service Record

“I have the *45U1 version of this model. Been installed since 23 December 25.”

MrCool Universal Review: Cold-Climate Numbers, Pro-Install Warranty

“I had it running with mr cool 24 volt thermostat but run in 2 stages.”

MrCool DIY Multi-Zone Review: One Condenser, Many Rooms, Real Catches

“We ordered a gen 5 Mr. Cool from PremiumHomeSource.com at the end of May (2025).”

ACiQ Essentials Mini-Split Review: Cheap and Certified, Not DIY

“We are 2 years in with a pair of ACIQ mini-split systems, one in each building.”

AprilAire E100 Review: Big Capacity, If You Plan the Ducts

“I think they just vastly over-sell its capabilities.”

Cooper & Hunter Hyper Heat Review: Who Should Pay the Premium

“Just got multi zone hyper heat installed by CooperHunter. Units work great.”

Senville Elite Mini-Split Review: The 9K Is the Smart Buy

“I’ve recently bought five of the 9k elite units for our (minimally insulated) rental cabins. They seem to work great.”

Midea 22 Pint Dehumidifier Review: A Real 22 for One Damp Room

“I just bought a Midea 22 pint unit on Amazon. Cheap enough and it keeps the basement humidity around 50%.”

Dr. Infrared DR-975 Review: 7,500W With a Low Setting That Matters

“I have a Dr. Infrared DR-966 that I got from Amazon in my 24x24x12 garage.”

BLACK+DECKER Portable AC Review: Smaller Than the Box Says

“I did end up getting the Black+Decker BPACT08WT 8000 BTU unit. It is marketed for 450 sq.”

Friedrich Uni-Fit Review: Fits Odd Sleeves, Needs Its Rear Grille

“Have a Friedrich Uni-Fit. Works well, connects to WiFi so I can turn it on/off via my phone.”

Frigidaire 5,000 BTU Window AC Review: Cheap and Simple, Not Efficient

“I just got the Frigidaire window unit 5,000 btu with the knobs not the digital.”

Midea Window AC with Heat Review: Real Heat Pump, Stops at 41°F

“I have the MAW08HV1CWT. It's quite heavy but I've had it since 2024. It's been working well for summer and winter.”

Mr. Heater Portable Buddy Review: The Right-Size Propane Heater

“I run a portable buddy in an uninsulated 2 man flip over.”

Cadet Com-Pak Wall Heater Review: A Sensible 240V Room Heater

“Had these cadets in my old house that I lived in for 27 years.”

Mr. Heater Big Maxx MHU50 Review: The Garage Heater Worth a Gas Line

“Installed a natural gas garage heater. MHU50 model.”

LG PuriCare 50-Pint Dehumidifier Review: Certified, With a Daily Hour Off

“LG PuriCare Dehumidifer started not working as well and eventually leaking somewhere onto floor.”

Hisense 50-Pint Dehumidifier Review: A Pump Unit Rated to 38°F

“same here. Two Hisense 50 pint units. Both leaking into the carpet below. Can't figure out why.”

MrCool DIY Select Review: Why We'd Spend a Little More

Gree Sapphire R32 Review: The Cold-Climate Pick, Contractor Install Only

“I’m in Southern VT. Coldest we had was -17 last winter. It worked, but at those temps it’s working pretty hard.”

Why Your Mini-Split Smells, and What to Do About Each Odor

Mini-split smells like dirty socks, vinegar, sewer, fish or burning? What each odor points to, what you can safely check, and when to call a pro. (updated 2026)

Best Mini-Split Wall Bracket, and When a Pad or Stand Is Better

Wall bracket, pad or stand for a mini-split outdoor unit: the four-times-weight rule, bracket ratings vs unit weight, walls, vibration, snow (updated 2026)

Mr. Heater Big Buddy vs Portable Buddy: Which Size for Your Shelter

“I've got a 2 man frabill guardian uninsulated and a big buddy.”

Best Mini-Split Line Set Cover: Width, Length and Retrofit Fit

Mini-split line set covers: which width fits your bundle, how much length to buy, retrofit-friendly fittings, UV and paint claims, drain tips (updated 2026)

Mini-Split Defrost Mode Explained

Mini-split stopped blowing, steaming or iced up outside? What normal defrost looks like, how long it runs, and when ice needs a service call. (updated 2026)

Best Vacuum Pump and Micron Gauge for a Mini-Split Install

A2L-rated vacuum pumps, micron gauges and manifolds for a flare mini-split: what manuals require, specs that matter, rent vs buy (updated 2026)

Best Portable Air Conditioner for a Garage, and When to Skip One

Portable AC for a garage: when it makes sense, single vs dual hose, SACC sizing, venting with no window, condensate, and when a mini-split wins. (updated 2026)

Mini-Split Installation Cost: DIY vs Pro

What owners paid to install a mini-split: single-zone quotes, bring-your-own-unit labor, multi-zone jobs and DIY totals, tallied by scenario (updated 2026)

Best Window Heat Pump: What Heats Below 41°F and What Doesn't

Window heat pumps vs heat strips, the 41°F lockout on cheap units, cold-climate saddle models, running cost from published COP, and our picks. (updated 2026)

Dehumidifier Freezing Up: Why the Coils Ice and What to Do

Dehumidifier coils icing over? Check normal defrost, the room temperature against its floor, the filter and the fan, then the sealed system. (updated 2026)

Heat Pump vs Furnace: Can a Mini-Split Replace Your Heat?

Heat pump vs furnace for DIY owners: NEEP heat at 5°F, running cost by fuel price and efficiency, keeping the furnace, and what owners paid. (updated 2026)

MrCool Error Codes and What to Do

MrCool DIY 5th Gen error codes from the manual: EL 0C, EH C1, EL 01, PC 03 and more, what you can safely do, and when to call MRCOOL. (updated 2026)

What Humidity Should a Crawl Space Be?

What humidity should a crawl space be? Below 60%, about 50% on the dial. Vents, vapor barriers, drying slowly and the dehumidifiers built for it. (updated 2026)

Do You Need a Vacuum Pump for a Mini-Split? Quick-Connect vs Flare Installs

Quick-connect mini-splits skip the vacuum pump; flare units need one plus a micron gauge. What each manual requires, tool costs, hiring it out (updated 2026)

What Humidity Should a Basement Be?

What humidity should a basement be? Below 60%, ideally 45-50%. How to measure it, size and drain a dehumidifier, and fix water first. (updated 2026)

Mini-Split Not Heating or Blowing Cold Air: What to Check

Mini-split blowing cold air or not heating? Check the startup delay, mode and 46°F setting, filter, defrost, snow on the outdoor unit and leaks. (updated 2026)

Best Through-the-Wall Air Conditioner: Start With Your Sleeve

Through-the-wall AC and PTAC picks by sleeve size: what fits 24, 26, 27 and 42 inch sleeves, heat options, 115V vs 230V, and CEER. (updated 2026)

Mini-Split Leaking Water Inside? Causes and Fixes

Mini-split leaking water inside? Check filters and coil ice, clear the drain, check slope, level and sweating lines, and know when to call a pro. (updated 2026)

Dehumidifier Running but Not Collecting Water: What to Check

Dehumidifier running but not collecting water? Check the compressor, room temperature, Auto mode, filter and drain hose, then the warranty. (updated 2026)

Mini-Split vs Window AC: Cost, Heat, Noise and When Each One Wins

Mini-split vs window AC: upfront and install cost, CEER vs SEER2, heat at 5°F, noise, renters and HOAs, and the five units we would buy. (updated 2026)

MrCool DIY 5th Gen vs Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat: DIY or Contractor

“I just got quotes last year and it was $10-12k for Mitsubishi with 2 single head condensers.”

What Size Mini-Split Do I Need? Sizing a Single-Zone Unit to the Load

How to size a single-zone mini-split: load calculation over square feet, heat at 5°F, minimum output and short cycling, and 115V limits. (updated 2026)

MrCool DIY 5th Gen vs Senville Leto: The Cheaper Box Needs a Contractor

“I installed a Mr cool DIY. If you do a search for them here you will find several posts with very positive reviews.”

Best 115V Mini-Split: 12K Picks for a Standard 120V Circuit

What a 115V mini-split can heat at 5°F, the circuit the spec tables call for, how to avoid the wrong-voltage box, and the four units we'd buy. (updated 2026)

MrCool DIY 5th Gen vs Pioneer Diamante Pro: It Comes Down to the Vacuum Pump

“I bought and installed a Mr. Cool DIY mini split, it was something like $4k, plus $600 for my electrician to wire it.”

Best Mini-Split for a Garage: Sizing, 115V vs 230V, DIY Picks

How to size a garage mini-split to the temperature you hold, what 115V and 230V cost, where the units go, and the quick-connect picks we'd buy. (updated 2026)

Best Dehumidifier With a Pump: Built-In, Separate Pump or Gravity

Dehumidifier with a pump picks: built-in vs separate condensate pump, what lift ratings mean, 65°F pint ratings, frozen drain lines and upkeep. (updated 2026)

Best Condensate Pump for a Furnace, AC, Mini-Split or Dehumidifier

Best condensate pump picks: what lift ratings mean, why the overflow switch matters, tank vs mini-split pumps, and how owners keep them running. (updated 2026)

Best Cold-Climate Mini-Split: Real Heat at 5°F and Below Zero

Cold-climate mini-splits ranked by NEEP heat at 5°F, -13°F and -22°F, plus sizing to your 5°F load, backup heat, defrost and DIY warranties. (updated 2026)

Best Garage Heater: 240V Electric, Propane or a Mini-Split

The garage heater we would buy, the 30 A circuit it needs, why the gas cans move, propane indoor limits, and when a mini-split beats 240V heat. (updated 2026)

Best Quiet Window Air Conditioner for a Bedroom

The quietest window AC for a bedroom: why a U-shaped or saddle unit beats a box, the inverter whine, sizing small, and our picks by window. (updated 2026)

Midea Cube vs Frigidaire 50 Pint Dehumidifier: Same Pints, Different Risks

“I'm now on my 2nd cube in a week and it's doing the same thing.”

Window AC vs Portable AC: Which to Buy for a Bedroom

Window AC vs portable AC for a bedroom: SACC vs box BTU, CEER math, noise, hoses, water, and the windows and HOA rules that favor a portable. (updated 2026)

Senville Aura vs Leto: Your Coldest Night Picks the Winner

“I installed a Senville Aura in my basement six months ago and the unit is pre charged for up to a 25 ft line set.”

MrCool DIY 5th Gen vs Easy Pro: The Line Set and the Warranty Decide It

“I am in Arizona and installed Mr.Cool DIY 5th Gen units which is produced in Midea factories.”

Gree Livo R32 Mini-Split Review: Good Hardware, Contractor-Only Warranty

“I'm trying to set the louver position so it won't blow air on me while I sleep.”

Midea U vs LG Dual Inverter Window AC: Your Window Decides, Then Your Ears

“It's in its second season of use and holding up like a trooper so far.”

AlorAir vs Santa Fe: Sentinel HD55S or Compact70 for a Crawl Space

“I just encapsulated this summer (1300 sq ft) and bought Alorair. It’s been a few months and it works well.”

MrCool Olympus Hyper Heat Review: Old vs New Generation

MrCool Easy Pro Review: The 11.5 ft Line Set Decides It

“Mr/Mrs cool were great to work with. Very responsive (via email).”

Dr. Infrared DR-988 Review: Big Plug-In Heat, Strict Fine Print

“I use a Dr. Heater 988 electric heater in my attached 2 car garage.”

AprilAire E070 Review: Built to Duct, Light on Published Ratings

“Our 4 year old E070 has developed a drip from under the black drain threaded nipple.”

Midea Cube Dehumidifier Review: Real 50 Pints, Check the Sensor

“Bought mine 3 years ago (see pic) and it has run 5 hours a night every single day since then.”

Fahrenheat FUH54 Review: Solid 240V Heat, Fussy Controls

“I have the Fahrenheat FUH54 240v 2500-5000W electric heater, and it works really well.”

Klimaire DIY 5th Gen Mini-Split Review: Strong Specs, Shaky Paperwork

“I had to throw mine away after 1 yr. They dont answer the phone, u cant replace parts, complete scam”

Best Crawl Space Dehumidifier: Santa Fe, AlorAir or AprilAire

Best crawl space dehumidifier: Santa Fe vs AlorAir vs AprilAire on 65°F capacity, cold-weather limits, drain and pump needs, and warranty terms. (updated 2026)

Best DIY Mini-Split (No Vacuum Pump Needed)

Which mini-splits install without a vacuum pump, which only look like they do, and when a flare unit plus a hired startup is the better buy. (updated 2026)

Best Basement Dehumidifier: Real Pint Ratings, Drains and Pumps

Best basement dehumidifier picks with pint ratings compared on the 65°F DOE test, gravity drain vs pump, humidity targets and owner longevity. (updated 2026)

MrCool DIY 5th Gen Review: Who the No-Vacuum Premium Is For

“I DIY a 18k btu minisplit from Mr cool 2 years ago and the compressor just died this year.”

LG Through-the-Wall AC Review: Fits Old Sleeves, Cools Only

“So the last unit was making clunking noises on the compressor, but that was 10 years old.”

Honeywell TPFIT Dehumidifier Review: Solid Specs, Orphaned Warranty

“I have the same one, and it's leaking on the floor now.”

Comfort Zone Garage Heater Review: Cheap 240V Heat, Wired by the Manual

“I use a Comfort Zone 7500W. Has remote and timer. Has been through 5 winters now, and works well in 2car garage/shop.”

Amana J-Series PTAC Review: Strong Specs, but We'd Buy the Distinctions

“Nope, nothing. Got a space heater in the mean time.”

Windmill Air Conditioner Review: Efficient WhisperTech, Shaky Track Record

“Purchased a Windmill 8000 btu with inverter to replace the Midea U. This thing is loud. Support is no help.”

GE Profile ClearView Review: Buy the Inverter Sizes, Test for Vibration

“Yup, it turns out you do not need an outdoor window sill to make this work.”

Senville Aura Mini-Split Review: Cold-Climate Heat, Pro Install Required

“They are mailing us both parts. I just had to pay $25 for shipping. We purchased about five years ago.”

Whynter Dual-Hose Portable AC Review: Buy the Inverter Model

“I suck out at least 3 gallons a day on humid days.”

Midea Duo Portable AC Review: Big Cooling for a Portable, Plan for Water

“It was near 90 yesterday, and it was 69.4 in my 600 square foot apartment.”

Senville Leto Mini-Split Review: A Mild-Climate Unit, Pro Install Required

“got a Senville LETO 12,000 BTU mini split installed about 8 months ago. Started throwing an EL 01 code last week.”

Pioneer Diamante Pro Mini-Split Review: The 9K Is the One to Buy

“I’ve only had it running a week or two. Seems fine so far.”

LG Dual Inverter Window AC Review: Efficient Box Unit, Short Warranty

“Also have a LW8022IVSM, and in all modes, the indoor temp is consistently 5-6 degrees F higher than the actual temp.”

hOmeLabs 50 Pint Dehumidifier Review: Why Its 50 Is an Old-Test 50

“I bought a HomeLabs 4500 sq. ft. dehumidifier last September.”

Frigidaire 50-Pint Dehumidifier Review: Real Pints, Thin Warranty

“I had a 70-pint Frigidaire that stopped working (FO error code).”

Santa Fe Compact70 Review: Strong Warranty, Built for Sealed Crawl Spaces

“I have the Santa Fe Compact 70 myself. No problems at all over the last 3 years or so I've had it.”

AlorAir Sentinel HD55 Review: Runs Cold, Rated Lower Than the Box

“Yes. If it fails beyond 6 months of purchase, you pay for shipping it back. And Aloriair does not make it easy.”

Little Giant VCMA-15 Condensate Pump Review: Buy the S, Plan on 10 Feet

“Pump is brand new, as is the line. The pump does function.”

Della Serena Mini-Split Review: Strong 5°F Heat, Vacuum Pump Required

“Have a 13k btu Della i just installed in shop. Outside and inside unit virtually silent.”

Cooper & Hunter MIA Mini-Split Review: Good Value, Contractor Warranty Only

“Update: One of my units only 1.5 years old developed a leak in the wall unit coils.”

Midea U Window Air Conditioner Review: The Quiet Pick, Check the Suffix

“They're so quiet you can carry on a phone conversation basically right next to them and people won't hear it.”

Mr. Heater Big Buddy Review: Great Portable Heat, Strict Indoor Rules

“The older units do have a fan built in. Newer units do not.”