Verdict
All guidesResearchOpen dataMethodologyAboutContact
Head-to-head · Best Mini Split Air Conditioners

Della Optima Series 12,000 BTU 115V vs Quilt Ductless Heat Pump (Quilt Mini-Split System)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.
The short answer

Quilt Ductless Heat Pump (Quilt Mini-Split System) comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 3.3). Quilt Ductless Heat Pump (Quilt Mini-Split System) is best for: homeowners without ductwork who want a professionally installed, good-looking heat pump. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Della Optima Series 12,000 BTU 115V
Ranked #3 in Best Mini Split Air Conditioners
Della Optima Series 12,000 BTU 115V
1 source$969.96as of Oct 14

The Della Optima Series 12,000 BTU is a 115-volt, 23 SEER2 heat pump mini split with Wi-Fi app control, listed by Della for spaces up to 550 square feet. Wired rated it 6 out of 10: its reviewer found it cooled and heated the room well, ran quietly and had a capable app with Alexa and Google Assistant support, but could never get the geofencing feature to work and was quoted $3,600 for professional installation, several times the price of the hardware.

Strengths
  • — Wired found it kept the room properly cooled and heated after a professional install
  • — Quiet in Wired's measurements: 50 dB on turbo and 40 dB on night mode at 3 feet, against 30 dB of ambient sound
  • — Runs on a 115-volt circuit with a 960-watt maximum draw, per Wired
Watch-outs
  • — Geofencing never worked for Wired, even after 10 days of troubleshooting with Della support
  • — Wired was quoted $3,600 for professional installation, far more than the unit itself
  • — The 15-button infrared remote is complex and needs line of sight; Wired notes commands are ignored if it is not aimed at the air handler
$969.96 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Quilt Ductless Heat Pump (Quilt Mini-Split System)
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Mini Split Air Conditioners
Quilt Ductless Heat Pump (Quilt Mini-Split System)
2 sourcesall derived

The Quilt is a ductless mini-split heat pump with a slim wall-mounted indoor head, outdoor units that serve two or three zones, and dial and smartphone controls, sold and installed only through certified contractors. Wirecutter's overnight test in the Catskills found it kept a room comfortable at single-digit outdoor temperatures and stayed near 50 dB at full fan speed, and it judged the design and controls a clear improvement on typical mini-splits. Gary Cruz, reviewing five heads in his own home after three months, praised the design, app and support but called the roughly $6,500-per-room price steep. It suits homeowners without ductwork who want an installed, good-looking system and can pay a premium; DIY installers and buyers outside Quilt's contractor network should look elsewhere.

Strengths
  • — Kept Wirecutter's test room warm with outdoor temperatures in the single digits °F
  • — Barely reached 50 dB at top fan speed in Wirecutter's noise test
  • — Slim indoor head with a front cover that can be painted or wallpapered to match a room
Watch-outs
  • — About $6,500 per room installed, steep next to DIY systems such as MrCool
  • — Only available through a limited network of certified contractors
  • — Depends on Wi-Fi; the only offline control was a fixed-temperature power switch
Buy at quilt.comFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Della Optima Series 12,000 BTU 115V

The Della Optima and the Senville LETO 9,000 BTU are the two 115V units on this page; the LG Artcool Deluxe KNSAL needs 208/230V. Its 12,000 BTU of cooling equals the LG and is above the Senville's 9,000 BTU. Wired lists 12,400 BTU of heating for it, under the LG's 13,000 BTU. It uses R454B refrigerant like the Senville, where the LG uses R-32.

Quilt Ductless Heat Pump (Quilt Mini-Split System)

Unlike the Senville LETO 9,000 BTU 115V and the Della Optima Series 12,000 BTU 115V, which are sold as single units, the Quilt is only sold through Quilt's certified contractors with installation in the quote. Like the LG Artcool Deluxe KNSAL, it is a premium heating and cooling system, but its indoor heads are designed to be painted or stained to match the room.

Specs side-by-side

SpecDella Optima Series 12,000 BTU 115VQuilt Ductless Heat Pump (Quilt Mini-Split System)
Cooling Capacity12,000 BTU—
Heating Capacity12,400 BTU—
Efficiency23 SEER2—
Voltage115V—
RefrigerantR454B—
Rated Coverage550 sq ft—
Maximum Power Draw960 watts—
TypeWall-mount ductless heat pumpDuctless mini-split heat pump (heating and cooling)
Indoor Head Height—7 7/8 in
Outdoor Units—Two-zone and three-zone
Front Cover—Matte white or oak veneer; paintable
Controls—Dial thermostat and smartphone app
Occupancy Sensing—mmWave radar (Auto-Away)
Installation—Certified Quilt contractors only
← See the full ranking of best mini split air conditioners