4 Best Smart Thermostats For Mini Split

The best smart thermostat for mini split systems lets you take control of your home’s comfort and also bring down your monthly HVAC bill. But a lot of the big brands like Nest, Ecobee, and Honeywell aren’t options with these types of systems, which run on infrared (IR). 

So what’s the best mini split smart thermostat? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve handpicked the top four brands and models on the market for you to compare side by side below. 

Each makes a really good mini split thermostat. It just comes down to what you care about most - air quality monitoring, budget, advanced features, ENERGY STAR certification, or compatibility with the rest of your smart home. Find the right fit below! 

Best Smart Thermostat For Mini Split (Quick Look)

Why You Should Control Your Mini Split With a Smart Thermostat

Sure, you can control your mini split using the basic remote that came with it. But a world of possibilities opens up when you upgrade to a mini split smart thermostat. You can finally:

• Set weekly schedules 
• Adjust temperature from another room (or from out of the house entirely)
• Connect to Alexa or Homekit
• Monitor energy usage and start saving money

The best smart thermostat for mini split units allows you to create programmable schedules based on when you’re actually home. Geofencing turns everything down when you leave and brings it back up when you come, so you’re not wasting energy or coming home to a house that’s too hot/cold.

Some of the best mini split smart thermostat models go even further with air quality sensors, humidity monitoring, and ENERGY STAR certification. And the truth is, you can get a really good thermostat for less than $150 - it’s worth every penny.

Anything that uses ductless indoor heads has to communicate via infrared. These are NOT wired controllers. They simply learn the mini split’s IR codes and send commands just like the original remote does. Then, they’re capable of scheduling and automating. 

4 Best Smart Thermostats For Mini Split Units

For all intents and purposes, mini splits are heat pumps. So any smart thermostat for a heat pump can be a good candidate for controlling your mini split. But don’t settle for just any thermostat. These are the best mini split smart thermostats right now. 

1. Mysa For Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps

• Price: $139
• Smart home: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home
• Standout feature: Climate+ mode measures room temperature from Mysa's own sensor and adjusts the mini-split until your space actually hits the set-point
• Warranty: 5 years

Mysa is the #1 choice for any homeowner, renter, or property manager trying to make controlling mini-splits more seamless. 

The controller plugs into a standard wall outlet without any wiring or an electrician necessary. Total setup takes 10 minutes. You simply point the original remote at the Mysa unit to transfer IR codes, configure everything in the app, and the old remote is now your backup. You can control it via your phone or using HomeKit, Alexa, or Google Home.

Climate+ is part of what makes Mysa the best smart thermostat for mini split units. Whereas most IR controllers send a temperature command and trust the mini-split’s built-in sensor, Mysa independently reads room temperature and adjusts the output to actually hit the set point. 

Heat, cool, dry, and fan modes are all supported by 5 distinct fan speeds. Mysa is compatible with Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, LG, and dozens of other brands. There are no subscriptions for any features. You get everything out of the box on day 1. 

2. Cielo Breez Max

• Price: $119.99
• Smart home: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings (no Apple HomeKit)
• Standout feature: First mini split controller to earn ENERGY STAR certification
• Warranty: 1 year

The cheapest option on this list, but still pretty capable as far as features go. The Cielo Breez Max is actually the only ENERGY STAR smart thermostat on this list, so it qualifies for utility rebate programs in some regions.

The app’s Comfy Mode adjusts temperature based on real-time humidity. It also allows you to set up a weekly scheduling system. It connects to Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. 

It’s missing Apple HomeKit compatibility, though, which could be a dealbreaker. It’s not Matter certified, either, so future compatibility is questionable as well. But as far as compatibility with actual mini split units, Cielo says it works with over 5,000 models from Mitsubishi, Daikin, Fujitsu, and LG.

3. Sensibo Air Pro

• Price: $129
• Smart home: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Matter
• Standout feature: Built-in air quality sensor with TVOC and CO2 equivalent monitoring
• Warranty: 1 year

Sensibo is a really unique option in that it has built-in air quality monitoring, so you can detect contamination and make adjustments as needed - whether that’s opening windows or investing in an air purifier. The sensor tracks total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and estimated CO2 levels. This could qualify The Air Pro as the best smart thermostat for mini-split owners with allergies or in a space with limited fresh air circulation.

Sensibo also has the broadest platform support of all four thermostats on this list: HomeKit, Alexa, Google, SmartThings, and it’s also a Matter smart thermostat. At only $129, it delivers pretty impressive value for the money. 

4. Klima Smart Thermostat

• Price: Starting at $165
• Smart home: Matter + Thread certified, Amazon Alexa, Google Home (HomeKit access via Matter)
• Standout feature: Guardian Mode alerts for unusual temperature or humidity changes; premium aluminum wall-mount design
• Warranty: 2 years

Last but not least, we have the Klima Smart Thermostat by Boldr. It costs the most, but it looks the part. Its aluminum body permanently mounts to the wall, so while it’s not a good option for renters, it looks sleek for homeowners. It’s powered by USB-C instead of the bulky adapters competitors use. 

There are some pretty cool features. Guardian Mode monitors for unusual temperature and humidity shifts. It sends alerts when something doesn’t look right so you can decide if it’s worth taking action on. We also like that open window detection automatically pauses the system so it’s not heating or cooling the outdoors. 

Klima is fully Matter and Thread certified, too. So it’s expensive, but you get what you pay for. 

Choosing the Right Mini Split Smart Thermostat

You can narrow it down to the right mini-split thermostat by getting more specific about what you need compatibility with. Cielo isn’t an option if you rely on Apple HomeKit. You probably want something that’s Matter certified, like Klima or Sensibio. Mysa’s Matter support is coming soon.

But maybe you’ve used other mini split thermostats in the past and felt as if they were inaccurate. That’s what makes Mysa the best smart thermostat for mini split units in a lot of cases. The Climate+ feature provides unparalleled accuracy.

Warranty is another decision to navigate. Every thermostat on this list comes backed by a warranty - it’s just a matter of how much. Many only have 1 year, or maybe 2 years. Mysa offers the best purchase protection with a 5-year warranty, more than twice as long as every other unit.

Price is the other factor most people care about. These thermostats aren’t super far apart, ranging from $119 (Cielo) up to $165 (Klima). But think not just about the upfront thermostat installation cost, but value for your money. That matters more. 

And in weighing all the details - performance, features, compatibility, warranty, and ease of setup - it’s hard not to arrive at the conclusion that Mysa makes the best mini split smart thermostat!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put a smart thermostat on a mini-split?

Yes, but not a standard one from Nest, Amazon, Ecobee, or Honeywell. These are 24V thermostats. You need something that’s IR based. It learns your mini split’s infrared codes and then sends its own commands wirelessly.

Can I use an ecobee thermostat with a mini-split system?

No. These low-voltage thermostats are specifically designed for central HVAC. They are not compatible with mini split units.

Do Nest thermostats work with mini splits?

No. None of the Nest thermostat generations are a good fit for mini split systems. They are made to wire into a central HVAC system. 

Which smart thermostat is best for a mini-split system?

We think the best smart home thermostat in this case is Mysa. It has the longest warranty by a long shot, unparalleled temperature accuracy, and tons of features. It’s compatible with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home, too.