Prices, ratings and specs were checked on Amazon on October 19, 2026. The 36,000 BTU model on the older page was not found. Specs from the older page are marked as such and were not retested.
Bad news first: the 36,000 BTU MrCool in our old review has vanished from Amazon. Good news: the DIY mini-split idea is alive and better than ever. Here is what still holds up from that review, and which MrCool kits to look at instead.
Table of Contents
What Happened to the 36,000 BTU Model?
The older page reviewed a 36,000 BTU MrCool DIY with a 16 SEER rating and an 8.2 EER, supposedly for up to 1,500 square feet. A search for that model on Amazon on October 19, 2026 turned up no 36,000 BTU single-zone MrCool DIY. The four links on the old page opened other MrCool models, from a 24,000 BTU Advantage unit that needs a pro to a 12,000 BTU DIY Star. So the old review no longer matches a product you can buy.
The page keeps what still holds up, then points to the closest current MrCool DIY units. Prices and stock change daily, so use the buttons for today’s numbers.
What the Old Specs Said
The old page listed a total cooling capacity of 34,500 BTU, a heating capacity of 36,000 BTU, a 35 to 52 dB noise range, a 7-year compressor warranty and a 5-year parts warranty. It also said the outdoor unit measures 31.9 by 37.2 by 16.8 inches. Those numbers belong to a model that is no longer listed, so treat them as history, not a buying guide.
How Big a Mini-Split Do You Need?
A rough rule is 20 BTU per square foot of well-insulated floor space. That puts 1,500 square feet at 30,000 BTU, so a 36,000 BTU unit is a stretch for most homes. Big BTU numbers on one wall unit also mean the air in the far corner may stay stuck. Two smaller units often beat one giant one. Run your own numbers with the BTU calculator and see our best mini-split air conditioners for sizing help.
What “DIY” Really Means
A MrCool DIY kit comes with a pre-charged line set that uses quick-connect fittings. That means no vacuum pump, no gauges, no brazing and no refrigerant handling, so a handy person can install it. Other mini-splits, including most Pioneer, Senville and Della units, use standard line sets that need a vacuum and a charge. In the US, handling refrigerant requires EPA Section 608 certification, so those need a licensed pro.
Looking ahead, the DIY mini-split aisle is moving fast, and the label on the box is changing under your feet. New systems are shipping with the R-454B refrigerant, which replaces R-410A, and energy ratings are now quoted in SEER2. The catch is that SEER and SEER2 are not the same scale, so an old 16 SEER and a new 16.5 SEER2 are not twins.
4 MrCool DIY Mini-Splits to Look At
Rechecked on Amazon on October 19, 2026. Prices, ratings and buttons are below.
Price on Amazon: $1,899.00 | 4.4 stars from 3 ratings (checked October 19, 2026)
The MrCool DIY Select 24,000 BTU is the closest big single-zone model on Amazon today. The listing says it heats and cools rooms up to 1,050 square feet on 230V power, includes a pre-charged Quick Connect line set with no gauges or refrigerant handling, delivers up to 16.5 SEER2 and 8.3 HSPF2, and runs as quiet as 21.5 dB(A). It uses R-454B refrigerant. It has only 3 ratings so far, so treat the 4.4 score with caution.
Price on Amazon: $1,596.99 | 4.5 stars from 17 ratings (checked October 19, 2026)
The MrCool DIY 24,000 BTU 4th Generation is listed at up to 20.5 SEER2 with a variable speed inverter, a pre-charged 25-foot Quick Connect line set and a single room of about 1,000 square feet. It comes with a line set cover kit and a 1-year labor warranty, and a 7-year compressor and 5-year parts warranty. It has a 4.5 rating from 17 ratings.
Price on Amazon: $1,317.49 | 4.5 stars from 23 ratings (checked October 19, 2026)
The MrCool DIY Dual Zone 27,000 BTU is listed at 22 SEER and splits cooling and heating between two rooms. The listing shows an easy DIY install with a pre-charged R-410A Quick Connect line, low ambient cooling down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, Wi-Fi control and a gold-fin condenser that resists corrosion. It has a 4.5 rating from 23 ratings.
Price on Amazon: $1,718.00 | 4.3 stars from 195 ratings (checked October 19, 2026)
The MrCool DIY Star 12,000 BTU 4th Generation is the one with the most reviews. The listing shows Wi-Fi, a low refrigerant alarm, filter alerts, low ambient cooling down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit and an auto restart feature. It is small for a living room, but fine for a bedroom or office. It has a 4.3 rating from 195 ratings.
The risk to watch is the install. A pre-charged, quick-connect kit is easy only if the pieces line up. A wall that is too far from the outdoor spot, a long line run or a wrong cut can cost more than a pro. Expect more shoppers to buy DIY and then pay a pro to fix it. Measure first, buy second, and read the warranty on who is allowed to install.
SEER vs SEER2
SEER2 is the new test. It adds more realistic duct and airflow conditions, so a SEER2 number looks lower than the old SEER for the same machine. A 16 SEER unit from the old page might rate around 15 SEER2. Compare SEER2 to SEER2 only. Our SEER2 energy savings guide explains the math.
Refrigerant Is Changing
New systems use R-454B, a refrigerant with a lower climate impact than R-410A. It is a mildly flammable class (A2L), which affects installation rules and service. Units on the market today may be either type, so check the listing. A kit and a future service tech both need to match.
Noise, Heating and Cold Weather
Indoor units are quiet. The old page said 35 dB on low and 52 dB on high, and the new Select model lists 21.5 dB(A) in silent mode. The outdoor unit is always louder, so put it away from bedroom windows. Most inverter heat pumps keep heating in cold weather, and some DIY models keep cooling down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the low-temperature rating for your climate.
Which One Should You Buy?
For one big room, the 4th Generation 24,000 BTU is the better value on paper, with the higher SEER2 and a lower price. For two rooms, the Dual Zone is the cost-saver. For a bedroom or office, the 12,000 BTU Star has the most feedback behind it. If you do not mind paying a pro, the Senville SENL-24CD review covers a cheaper non-DIY option.
FAQ
Is the MrCool 36,000 BTU DIY still sold?
A search on Amazon on October 19, 2026 did not turn up a 36,000 BTU single-zone DIY model.
What is the biggest MrCool DIY single-zone?
The DIY Select 24,000 BTU, listed for up to 1,050 square feet.
Does a MrCool DIY need a licensed installer?
No. The pre-charged Quick Connect line set avoids refrigerant handling, but follow the manual.
Is SEER the same as SEER2?
No. SEER2 uses a tougher test, so numbers look lower for the same unit.
Final Word
The 36,000 BTU kit is gone. Pick a 24,000 BTU unit for one big room, a dual zone for two rooms or the 12,000 BTU Star for a bedroom. Measure first. Buy second.
What happens next: expect big-box and online brands to keep dropping the 36,000 BTU sizes in favor of multi-zone kits. Fewer single big units, more pairs of smaller ones.
Related Guides
Keep going with best mini-split air conditioners, SEER2 energy savings guide, BTU calculator, Pioneer WYS018 mini-split review and Senville SENL-24CD review.
