Midwall vs Cassette Air Conditioners: Which Is Right for You?

Midwall split air conditioners

A midwall split unit mounts on the wall, typically about 2 metres from the floor. The indoor unit is visible in the room. It blows air in a wide, directed fan from the front.

Installation requires drilling through the wall for the refrigerant pipes and cable, so wall construction matters. The outdoor unit is placed outside — on the ground, a bracket, or a roof. The indoor and outdoor units are connected by a pair of refrigerant pipes (liquid and suction) and electrical cable.

• ✓ Most common residential type
• ✓ Lower purchase and installation cost than cassette
• ✓ Requires a suitable exterior wall or pipe chase
• ✓ Available in a wide range of capacities from 9 000 BTU upwards

Ceiling cassette air conditioners

A cassette unit is installed in the ceiling void, with only a square panel (typically 600 × 600 mm or 840 × 840 mm) visible below the ceiling. It distributes air in four directions, making it suitable for open-plan areas where a midwall unit would not reach all corners.

Cassettes require a ceiling void for installation — typically above a suspended ceiling in commercial buildings. They are less common in residential use unless the ceiling design accommodates them.

The visible panel is generally more discreet than a wall unit, which suits commercial and retail spaces where aesthetics matter.

• ✓ Requires ceiling void — suits suspended commercial ceilings
• ✓ Four-way air distribution for open-plan spaces
• ✓ Higher installation cost and more complex installation than midwall
• ✓ Quieter operation — the unit body is above the ceiling

Which to choose?

For a standard residential room, the midwall split is usually the right choice — it is simpler to install, lower cost, and available in more capacity options.

For open-plan offices, retail floors, restaurants, or spaces where wall mounting is not practical, a cassette is often a better fit. The four-directional airflow is particularly useful in square-plan rooms.

If you are unsure which suits your space, contact us with the room dimensions and ceiling type and we can advise.

Other types to consider

Under-ceiling (floor-standing suspended) units are another option for spaces where wall mounting is impractical and there is no suitable ceiling void. Ducted (hideaway) units offer total concealment but at significantly higher cost and complexity.