Mitsubishi and Fujitsu have been battling for mini-split dominance since the 1980s. Mitsubishi is the dominant ductless brand in the US, and for good reason. But Fujitsu isn’t far behind. They've made innovative advancements in their technology and have grown their brand recognition over the last couple of years.
Don’t get us wrong, they’re both top tier brands with excellent support networks of dealers, installers and customer support. But we want to compare the two to help you make a more informed decision on which to choose for your situation.
- Manufacturer Comparison
- Support Networks of Each Manufacturer
- Ductless Mini-Split System Comparisons
- What Mitsubishi & Fujitsu Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps Have in Common
- The Differences Between Mitsubishi & Fujitsu Mini Split Heat Pumps
- Head to Head - Fujitsu vs Mitsubishi Mini Splits
Manufacturer Comparison
Mitsubishi Electric is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation in the US. Recently, they’ve partnered with Trane (Ingersoll Rand’s brand) on ductless & variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heating and air conditioning systems in the US. Meaning the technology you get in your home has two giant manufacturers standing behind it. They have one headquarters in the US which is based in Georgia.
Fujitsu Ltd. is an owner in Fujitsu General, partnered with ETA-Ascon to manufacture and sell ductless air conditioners. Fujitsu has strong roots in the IT world, allowing their ductless mini-splits to have the latest technological advancements. The brand is more well known internationally, but they’ve been making strides to be more recognizable in the US. They have one headquarters in the US which is based in New Jersey.
Support Networks of Each Manufacturer
We think the size and scope of each company are important for you. If there’s an issue with your system, you want to know each company, and their employees, are going to be there for support.
Mitsubishi and Fujitsu both have extensive networks of employees, distributors, and installers around the US. Mitsubishi has around 4,000 direct employees around the US - and a good deal of them are for customer support. Both companies sales reps are extensively trained and support their dealers as well as their installers.
Both companies have very large distributor networks, meaning if your system has an issue your installer can get parts. Mitsubishi’s installer network (Diamond Contractor Network) is slightly larger than Fujitsu’s Elite Contractor Network. That means more than likely you’ll be able to find someone in your area for your system installation or a Certified Start-Up™.
To be apart of either of their contractor networks, the installer has to meet a minimum standard of performance and continuing education. Both manufacturers have great supporting networks of installers and distributors, although Mitsubishi’s is slightly larger.
Ductless Mini-Split System Comparisons
Mitsubishi is the bigger of the two brands in the US and they have a well-established foothold in the US marketplace. But Fujitsu was actually the company that introduced mini-splits to the US in 1976 under the name Teknika Electronics.
Both companies make top-of-the-line ductless heat pumps with industry-leading technology and performance.
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What Mitsubishi & Fujitsu Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps Have in Common
Both Mitsubishi and Fujitsu’s ductless systems hold up under the most extreme conditions. Mitsubishi’s Hyper Heat (H2i) and Fujitsu’s Halcyon XLTH ductless lines provide heating and cooling at extreme temperatures.
Features that come standard with both manufacturers are:
- Auto-variable fans that adjust based on the room's temperature
- Multiple filters that trap air pollutants while cleaning your air
- Auto restart after a power interruption to the system
- Wireless remotes & phone apps to control your system remotely or over wi-fi
Both manufacturers have their drawbacks. Instead of offering useful features standard, both leave features like wi-fi out. While both offer wi-fi enabled systems, we think wi-fi features should be a built-in standard on all their systems. Unfortunately, wi-fi is an add-on for both and is installed with an additional adapter for Mitsubishi.
And neither offer any style ductless system as unique as the LG art cool product line.
The Differences Between Mitsubishi & Fujitsu Mini Split Heat Pumps
Fujitsu places more of an emphasis on technology while Mitsubishi focuses more on their systems’ performance.
System Performance
Fujitsu’s Halcyon XLTH has Mitsubishi’s Hyper Heat H2i slightly beat in how low the outdoor temperature can be and still provide heat. Halcyon XLTH can provide heat in outdoor temperatures as low as -15 °F, while the Hyper Heat H2i provides heat in outdoor temperatures as low as -13 °F.
Both Mitsubishi & Fujitsu have semi-simplified product lines and offerings. Based on your needs, you can compare apples-to-apples between the two manufacturers.
System Noise Levels
Mitsubishi mini-splits have Fujitsu beat in the noise department. The quietest Mitsubishi indoor unit runs at 19dB(A), which is quieter than the sound level of normal breathing - which is 25dB(A). Fujitsu’s quietest indoor unit runs at 21dB(A).
Both Fujitsu & Mitsubishi mini-splits are top of the line at noise suppression. Although Mitsubishi is slightly quieter, the difference between the two is very small.
Manufacturer Styling
Style and design are what really sets these two apart. In our opinion, Mitsubishi has a more modern look, while Fujitsu systems have a classic feel to them.
We think both manufacturers have a pretty "standard" looking systems. Although they're nice, the indoor evaporator should be easy on the eyes and blend into its surroundings. They both can do a better job styling their ductless systems.
Pricing
Both Mitsubishi and Fujitsu are similarly priced when comparing both brands to some of the lowered tiered brands. Both Mitsubishi and Fujitsu are top tier manufacturers so they are fairly similarly priced. But Fujitsu is now priced 5-10% lower than Mitsubishi for most contractors and most online retailers.
Mitsubishi used to be fairly in price with Fujitsu but as of the last 5 years, Mitsubishi has outpaced Fujitsu in terms of price increases. This may be due to increased costs of moving manufacturing from China to North America.
Pricing does depend on where you buy the product from. If the equipment is purchased from a contractor, it will definitely depend on the contractor's purchasing volume from their distributor. Online retailers are a great way to compare prices between Mitsubishi and Fujitsu. Let's compare two single zones by Mitsubishi and Fujitsu as an example (pricing as of 02/2024)
Mitsubishi GS 9,000 BTU Single Zone: $1664
Fujitsu 9,000 BTU Mid-Tier Single Zone: $1398
Similar product offerings but you can see the difference in price.
Manufacturer Warranties
Both Fujitsu and Mitsubishi have industry-leading warranties. There are some conditions to each, so let's go through them quickly.
Fujitsu's warranties are the most complicated of the two. They have four warranties:
- Entry-level Fujitsu systems come with a 6-year compressor and 2-year parts warranty. That includes all non-Halcyon ™ and Halcyon™ HFI mini-split systems.
- Fujitsu has a standard 7-year compressor and 5-year parts warranty on all Halcyon™ and Halcyon™ HFI ductless systems.
- If your Halcyon™ ductless system is installed and registered by a licensed contractor, your system qualifies for a 10-year compressor and parts warranty.
- And if your Halcyon™ mini-split system is installed and registered by an Elite contractor, your ductless system is covered by a 12-year compressor and parts and Compressor warranty.
Mitsubishi's warranties are pretty straightforward.
- All their products come with a 7-year compressor and 5-year parts warranty standard.
- If your ductless products are registered online within 90 days of their installation, they're covered by a 10-year warranty - both compressor and parts.
- And if your system is installed by a Diamond Contractor® within 90 days of installation, your mini-split system is covered by a 12-year warranty - both your compressor and parts.
All being equal, Mitsubishi's warranties are better than Fujitsu's. Mitsubishi doesn't exclude any systems from their best warranties as Fujitsu does. But for both, make sure your system is installed by either a Fujitsu Elite or Mitsubishi Diamond contractor to get both their best warranties.
If you need help finding a qualified pro in your area, reach out to us.
Be careful when you order your system online. "Retail internet purchases" of either manufacturers' systems aren't covered by a warranty. And that's why we're not just an internet retailer - we have a network of certified pros we rely on to make sure you get the best warranty possible.
Post-Purchase Support
Both Fujitsu and Mitsubishi have big networks of support to help you after your system is installed. Both US-based customer service which you can rely on.
And both manufacturers rely heavily on their contractors for post-purchase support for the systems each contractor installs. You can't go wrong with either manufacturer's support and customer service. But remember, you're more than likely not going to deal with either company directly. You're going to rely on the certified pro who installed your system just like each manufacturer does.
Additional Features
Each manufacturer has its unique take on ductless technology. Both use inverter-driven compressors to make sure each mini-split system uses the exact amount of energy your room needs to stay as hot or as cold as you want - saving you up to 40% over a traditional system.
Mitsubishi systems use a multi-stage, platinum deodorizing filter. Their filters not only capture and remove contaminants from the air but absorbs and cleans your air of odors. Both manufacturers use washable filters that should last up to 10 years.
Mitsubishi and Fujitsu both have their unique wi-fi application so you can control your mini-split anywhere you have an internet connection. Both use environmentally friendly refrigerant and both have an extensive lineup of systems that fit almost any application. Each system is programmable and you can set schedules/reminders to do just about everything - including reminders to clean your filters.
Head to Head - Fujitsu vs Mitsubishi Mini Splits
If we had to call a winner in a head to head Fujitsu vs Mitsubishi showdown, we'd go with Mitsubishi. Their styling has a slight edge over Fujitsu, they have some of the best customer support and have a slight edge in performance & technology. Mitsubishi is more expensive but their mechanical reputation is ahead of Fujitsu's. We just wish their systems would come with built-in wi-fi.
You really can't go wrong with either manufacturer, but Mitsubishi has a slight edge in our opinion - at least for now.
