How we make decisions
around here.

§ II.

How we review

Every review on this site is based on a real installation. We purchase or borrow the unit, install it ourselves, photograph the install, measure actual power draw under rated load, record decibel levels from realistic distances, and note delivered heat output at specific outdoor temperatures. We pair those findings with quotes from owners on Reddit, HVAC forums, YouTube, and elsewhere — always with live links and archived snapshots, so our citations still work when an original source disappears.

§ III.

How we use AI

We use AI to help with research and first-draft writing. Every published review is edited by a human, verified against sources, and approved by the named author before publication. No AI-generated content is ever auto-published on this site. The byline on a review is the person who installed the unit and stands behind the numbers.

§ IV.

Affiliate disclosure

MiniSplitReview may earn affiliate commissions from retailers and manufacturers reviewed or linked on this site. Commissions do not influence our review scores or recommendations. We recommend units based on hands-on installation experience and measured performance, not on commission rate.

§ V.

Data sources

Our cost calculator draws on NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020 for per-ZIP heating and cooling degree days; EIA Open Data for state-level residential electricity rates (monthly) and national retail heating oil & propane prices (weekly); and IECC climate-zone designations by county for realistic HSPF2 derating.

§ VI.

Contact

Found an error, disagree with a number, or have a unit you want us to review? hello@minisplitreview.com.