Hi friends—Samantha here again!
When I first started shopping for my mini split system, two names kept showing up: the MRCOOL Advantage Series and the MRCOOL DIY Series. At first glance, they seemed almost identical. Both are ductless mini splits, both offer efficient heating and cooling, and both come from MRCOOL—a brand that’s become incredibly popular with homeowners who want more control over their comfort.
MRCOOL Mini-Split Advantage Series 18,000 BTU 230V Wall Mounted Heat Pump System
But here’s the thing: the Advantage and DIY Series are built for two very different kinds of homeowners.
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The Advantage is more budget-friendly but usually requires professional installation.
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The DIY Series costs more upfront but is specifically designed for homeowners to install themselves—no HVAC license required.
So which one is right for you? Let’s break it down together—cost, installation, performance, warranty, and real-world experiences—so you can feel confident in your choice.
🏷️ Price & Value
One of the first differences you’ll notice is the price tag.
💰 MRCOOL Advantage
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Price range: $1,000–$1,800 for an 18,000 BTU single-zone unit.
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Lower upfront cost makes it attractive to budget-conscious homeowners.
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But you’ll likely need to buy line sets, covers, and accessories separately.
💰 MRCOOL DIY
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Price range: $1,500–$2,200 for an 18,000 BTU single-zone unit.
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Higher cost because it comes with pre-charged line sets and a full DIY-friendly kit.
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Saves money on labor since you don’t need a pro for installation.
💡 Samantha’s Note: I leaned toward the Advantage because of the lower sticker price, but once I added accessories and paid an HVAC tech for a vacuum service, my “cheap” option wasn’t that much cheaper.
🛠️ Installation
This is the biggest difference between the two series.
👷 Advantage Series
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Requires professional installation for full warranty coverage.
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You (as the homeowner) can do prep work: mount indoor and outdoor units, drill wall penetration, and run line sets.
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A licensed HVAC tech typically needs to:
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Pull a vacuum on the line sets
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Connect refrigerant lines
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Handle final electrical hookups
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💲 Labor costs: $1,500–$3,500 depending on region.
🧰 DIY Series
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Designed for homeowners with basic tools and a step ladder.
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Comes with pre-charged line sets that snap into place—no vacuum pump or refrigerant handling required.
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Truly a plug-and-play solution.
📌 Reference: MRCOOL Official Product Info
💡 Samantha’s Tip: If you’re comfortable drilling holes and lifting equipment, the DIY Series can save you a lot of money. If not, the Advantage + pro help might be safer.
⚡ Electrical & Accessories
Both systems need a safe electrical setup.
Advantage
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Line sets usually sold separately ($120–$250).
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Requires accessories: condenser pad or wall brackets, line set covers, drain tubing.
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Professional electrician recommended for breaker installation.
DIY
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Includes pre-charged line set, communication cable, and most basic accessories.
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Still requires: dedicated breaker, disconnect box, and possibly a pad or brackets.
📌 Reference: Carrier – Ductless Installation Insights
💡 Samantha’s Experience: With the Advantage, I had to purchase a line set and covers separately ($350 total). My electrician charged $250 for breaker hookup.
🌡 Efficiency & Performance
Let’s talk energy efficiency ratings, because this is where MRCOOL shines.
SEER2 (cooling efficiency)
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Advantage: ~17.5 SEER2
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DIY Series: ~20+ SEER2
HSPF2 (heating efficiency)
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Advantage: ~9.0
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DIY Series: ~10+
📌 Reference: Energy Star – Mini Split Efficiency
💡 Translation: Both are efficient, but the DIY Series edges out the Advantage in raw numbers. In real-world terms, you may save $50–$100 a year on electricity with the DIY vs. Advantage.
📦 Warranty Considerations
This is where the DIY Series has a big edge.
Advantage Series Warranty
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Warranty often requires licensed professional installation.
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If you DIY it entirely, you may void coverage.
DIY Series Warranty
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Warranty remains valid even if you install it yourself.
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Huge selling point for DIYers.
📌 Reference: MRCOOL Warranty Policies
💡 Samantha’s Tip: If warranty coverage is important to you and you don’t want to hire a pro, the DIY Series is the safer bet.
🏡 Which Homeowner Each Fits
Here’s where we get to the heart of the matter: who should buy which?
✅ MRCOOL Advantage
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Budget-conscious homeowners
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People who don’t mind hiring a pro for final hookup
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Those who like a mix of DIY + professional oversight
✅ MRCOOL DIY Series
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True DIYers who want a system they can install themselves
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Homeowners in rural areas where HVAC contractors are hard to book
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People who value simplicity and fewer hidden accessory costs
📌 Reference: HVAC.com – Mini Split Comparisons
💡 Samantha’s Reflection: I bought the Advantage to save money upfront, but if I were starting over, I’d probably spring for the DIY Series for the simplicity and warranty peace of mind.
📊 Cost Comparison Example
Here’s what my budgeting looked like:
Advantage Route
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Equipment: $1,400
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Accessories: $350
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Electrician: $250
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HVAC tech (vacuum & refrigerant check): $200
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Total: $2,200
DIY Route
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Equipment (with kit): $1,900
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Accessories: $150 (pad + covers)
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Electrician: $250
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Total: $2,300
👉 In the end, the cost difference was minimal, but the DIY route would’ve saved me some coordination headaches.
🏁 Conclusion
So—MRCOOL Advantage vs. DIY Series, which should you choose?
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Go with the Advantage if you want a lower upfront price and don’t mind hiring a pro for parts of the install.
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Go with the DIY Series if you want simplicity, warranty coverage for DIY installs, and a truly plug-and-play experience.
💡 Samantha’s Advice: “Ask yourself what you value more: saving money upfront, or saving time and hassle during installation. That’s the real difference between the Advantage and DIY Series.”
