Prices, ratings and stock were checked on Amazon on October 20, 2026. Specs from the older page are marked as such and were not retested.
The Pioneer WYS012 is quiet, efficient and, right now, hard to buy. Here is what the old review got right, what it dodged and which mini-splits you can order instead.
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Straight Talk: The WYS012-17 Is Hard to Find
The WYS012A-20 is the closest listing to the WYS012-17 this page used to review. It is a 12,000 BTU, 110/120V inverter heat pump. On October 20, 2026 it showed as currently unavailable on Amazon, with a $888.00 price, a 4.3 rating and 703 ratings behind it. That is a real track record. It is also not something you can buy today. Stock comes and goes, so check the button.
The page below keeps what the old review got right, drops what it could not back up, and points you at models you can order.
What the Old Review Said
The older page praised the unit for being quiet, cheap and efficient. Claimed noise: 25 dB at low fan and 40.5 dB at high. Claimed ratings: EER 10.5, SEER 19.5, HSPF 9.5. Claimed room: 450 square feet. Claimed warranty: 5 years on the compressor and 2 on parts. Package weight: about 120 pounds. All of those are the old page numbers, so treat them as history until you see them on the box.
The old review also got one thing very right. It said installation is a job for a pro. Hold that thought, because it matters more than any spec on this page.
How Big Is 12,000 BTU, Really?
Twelve thousand BTU is one ton. The Energy Star chart puts that at roughly 450 to 550 square feet of well-insulated floor. A big bedroom, an office, a small living room. Not an open-plan floor. Not a sunroom with five windows. Run the numbers with the BTU calculator before you fall in love with a price tag.
Pro Install: Not Optional
Standard mini-splits come with copper line sets that must be vacuumed, leak checked and charged. In the US, handling refrigerant takes EPA Section 608 certification. That means a licensed pro. Budget a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars depending on your wall, your electrical panel and your region. If that sounds like a lot, it is. It is also cheaper than replacing a compressor.
Want to skip the pro? Look at a pre-charged quick-connect DIY kit, like the MrCool models in our MrCool DIY mini-split review.
Here is where this is all heading: cheap mini-splits are about to get cheaper, and shoppers will mistake cheap for simple. Prices are sliding, rebates come and go, and new refrigerants are rolling in. Great news for your wallet. Less great when your install quote shows up with a surprise line item.
3 Mini-Splits You Can Order Today
Rechecked on Amazon on October 20, 2026. Prices, ratings and buttons are below.
Price on Amazon: $898.00 | 4.8 stars from 16 ratings (checked October 20, 2026)
The Pioneer Diamante Pro 12,000 BTU is the newer cousin of the WYS012. The listing shows 230V power, 20.0 SEER2, a 16-foot kit, quiet variable-speed operation and a high-wall design that does cooling, heating, dry and fan. It runs $898.00. The score is 4.8, but only 16 people have rated it, so give it a minute.
Price on Amazon: $499.99 | 4.4 stars from 1,682 ratings (checked October 20, 2026)
The Costway 12,000 BTU is the cheap seat, and a crowded one. The listing shows a 115V unit with 20 SEER2, a heat pump, five modes and a self-clean cycle, for $499.99. It has a 4.4 rating from over 1,600 ratings. The listing says it covers up to 750 square feet. Treat that as marketing. Twelve thousand BTU is a 450 to 550 square foot job.
Price on Amazon: $1,428.00 | 4.5 stars from 70 ratings (checked October 20, 2026)
The Pioneer WYS018G-22 is the 18,000 BTU step up. The listing shows an inverter heat pump with a stated coverage of 450 to 650 square feet and a $1,428.00 price. It has a 4.5 rating from 70 ratings. Our own Pioneer WYS018 review has the full story.
Now the downside. A mini-split is only as good as the person hanging it. Skimp on the vacuum step, nick a line set or guess at the wall hole, and the shiny 20 SEER2 label on the box turns into a very expensive wall ornament. Expect more warranty fights over who installed what. Read the fine print before you buy, not after the unit is on the wall.
SEER2: The New Number
SEER2 is the new efficiency test. It is tougher on the machine, so the same unit scores lower. A 19.5 SEER on the old page might be roughly 18.5 SEER2 today. Compare SEER2 with SEER2 and nothing else. The SEER2 energy savings guide walks through what that means on your power bill.
Noise: The Good News and the Catch
The old page said the indoor unit can be as quiet as 25 dB. A whisper runs about 30. So yes, quiet. The catch is the outdoor unit, which is always louder, and which belongs on the far side of the house from your bedroom window. Nobody writes reviews about the outdoor unit. Everyone hears it.
Features That Actually Matter
- Inverter compressor: ramps up and down instead of slamming on and off. Quieter and cheaper to run.
- Heat pump: the same unit heats in winter. Check the low-temperature rating for your climate.
- Follow Me: turns the remote into a thermostat that reads your couch, not the ceiling.
- Smart control: the old page said it needs an extra kit. Plan on spending more.
So, Which One?
Want the closest thing to the WYS012 you can buy right now? The Diamante Pro 12,000 BTU. Want the lowest price? The Costway, with eyes open about the install. Need more room? The WYS018. For a wider look, read our best mini-split air conditioners guide. If the unit throws an error light, our mini-split blinking green light article has the fixes.
FAQ
Is the Pioneer WYS012-17 still sold?
The closest listing, the WYS012A-20, showed as currently unavailable on Amazon on October 20, 2026.
Can you install a Pioneer mini-split yourself?
Not fully. The refrigerant work needs a licensed pro in the US.
How many square feet does a 12,000 BTU mini-split cover?
Roughly 450 to 550 square feet, depending on insulation and sun.
Is SEER the same as SEER2?
No. SEER2 is a tougher test, so the same unit scores lower.
Final Word
The WYS012 is a good unit that is out of stock. The Diamante Pro is the closest match. Hire the pro. Done.
So what is next? More Wi-Fi, more 115V models for people without a 230V line, and more brands you have never heard of. Some will be great. A few will vanish in two years along with the parts. Buy a name with a parts shelf.
Related Guides
Keep going with best mini-split air conditioners, SEER2 energy savings guide, BTU calculator, Pioneer WYS018 mini-split review and mini-split blinking green light.
