Choosing the right mini split system shapes how comfortable your home feels year-round. The Della Motto and Vario series both deliver ductless heating and cooling with smart features, but they serve different needs. One prioritizes affordability. The other focuses on efficiency and cold-weather performance.

Understanding these differences helps you invest in a system that matches your climate, budget, and long-term goals.

What Are Della Motto and Vario Mini Splits?

Della offers two main mini split lines for residential use. The Motto series provides reliable heating and cooling at an accessible price point. The Vario series builds on that foundation with higher efficiency ratings and enhanced performance in extreme temperatures.

Both are ductless systems. An indoor unit mounts on your wall, connected to an outdoor compressor by refrigerant lines. This setup eliminates the bulky ductwork traditional HVAC systems require, making installation simpler and providing more flexibility in where you place the units.

Balance Upfront Cost Against Long-Term Savings

Budget plays a major role in this decision. It helps to look at both what you pay upfront and what you continue to pay over time.

Lower Upfront Cost: Motto

The Motto series costs less to buy and install. This makes it a practical option for homeowners who want dependable heating and cooling without stretching their budget. It covers standard residential needs at a lower entry point.

Ongoing Energy Use: Where the Trade-Off Appears

That lower purchase price comes with higher ongoing energy use. Motto units carry SEER2 ratings between 17 and 20.5. SEER2 measures how efficiently a system converts electricity into cooling power. Lower ratings mean the system works harder to hold your target temperature, which increases energy consumption over time.

Higher Efficiency: Vario

Vario units reach SEER2 ratings between 19 and 23, which directly reduces monthly power bills.

To put that difference into perspective:

• A 23 SEER2 system uses roughly 15% less electricity than a 20 SEER2 system
• The cooling output stays the same, but energy waste is reduced

Two Cost Paths, One Goal

Both series deliver reliable comfort, but they approach cost differently.

• Motto keeps more money in your pocket today
• Vario spreads savings across years through lower utility bills

Match the System to Your Climate

Local weather should guide this decision more than almost any other factor. How cold your winters get directly affects how well a mini split can maintain comfort.

Mild to Moderate Winters: Motto

The Motto series operates in outdoor temperatures as low as 19°F. This range works well in regions with mild to moderate winters. If your area rarely experiences long or repeated freezing periods, Motto can handle seasonal temperature changes without difficulty.

Cold Climates: Vario

The Vario series continues operating down to -4°F, which makes a noticeable difference in colder regions.

In very low temperatures, standard mini splits often struggle to extract enough heat from outdoor air. Vario’s extended cold-weather performance helps maintain more consistent indoor warmth, even during deep freezes.

Built for Cold Weather Reliability

Vario units include a heated chassis belt on the outdoor compressor. When frost is detected, the system activates the belt automatically. This reduces ice buildup and helps the unit run more smoothly. Fewer defrost interruptions translate into steadier heating when cold conditions are most demanding.

Size Your System to Your Space

Both series come in multiple capacities measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). Higher BTU ratings cover larger areas.

Motto Series Options:

• 9,000 BTU
• 9,100 BTU
• 12,000 BTU
• 18,000 BTU
• 24,000 BTU

Vario Series Options:

• 9,000 BTU
• 12,000 BTU
• 18,000 BTU
• 24,000 BTU
• 36,000 BTU

The Vario lineup includes a 36,000 BTU option that Motto doesn't offer. For large open-concept spaces like combined living and dining areas, that extra capacity ensures adequate coverage without running the system at maximum output constantly.

Expand with Multi-Zone Configurations

Controlling temperatures independently in different rooms adds flexibility to how you use your home.

The Vario series supports multi-zone setups. Multiple indoor units connect to a single outdoor compressor, letting you set different temperatures in different spaces. This works well for households where family members have varying comfort preferences, or for rooms that receive different amounts of sunlight throughout the day.

The Motto series operates as single-zone systems only. Each indoor unit requires its own dedicated outdoor compressor.

Compare Efficiency and Environmental Impact

Energy efficiency affects both your wallet and your environmental footprint.

The Motto series uses R-32 refrigerant, a newer option with lower global warming potential than older alternatives. The Vario series uses R-410A or R-454B depending on the model. R-454B offers even better environmental characteristics.

For most homeowners, the SEER2 rating matters more for day-to-day impact:

• Motto: 17-20.5 SEER2 (standard efficiency)
• Vario: 19-23 SEER2 (higher efficiency)

Over a year of regular use, that efficiency gap creates noticeable differences in your power consumption.

Both series are ETL listed and AHRI certified, with real-world operating ranges validated by lab testing.

Access Smart Features on Both Series

Modern convenience comes standard with either choice. Both Motto and Vario include:

• WiFi and Alexa voice control: Adjust settings from your phone or with simple voice commands.
• PureClean(self-cleaning): The indoor unit removes dust and bacteria buildup automatically.
• Vicinity sensor: Your remote control functions as a portable thermostat, adjusting output based on where you're sitting rather than where the unit is mounted.
• 4-way auto vent: Distributes air in multiple directions for even temperature throughout the room.
• Turbo mode: Reaches your target temperature quickly.
• Quiet mode: Minimizes noise for bedrooms and quiet spaces.
• ECO mode: Prioritizes energy efficiency during operation.
• Sleep mode: Gradually adjusts temperature overnight for comfortable rest.
• Child lock: Prevents accidental setting changes.
• Smart Geo Location: The Della+ app adjusts your system automatically based on your phone's location.

The Vario series adds the WeatherReady heated chassis belt for cold-climate performance. This feature sets it apart for homeowners in regions with harsh winters.

Consider Motto for These Situations

In everyday use, Motto works best for spaces like: Rental apartments, guest rooms, basements, and home offices that aren’t used all day.

The Motto series makes sense if your priorities include:

• Keeping initial costs low
• Living in mild to moderate climates with winter lows above 19°F
• Heating and cooling a single room or zone
• Accessing smart features at a budget-friendly price

Consider Vario for These Situations

Vario is better suited for spaces such as: Primary bedrooms, living rooms, and areas that need reliable comfort year-round.

The Vario series fits better if you're focused on:

• Reducing energy bills over time
• Living in cold climates with temperatures below 19°F
• Covering large spaces up to 36,000 BTU
• Creating multi-zone setups for independent room control
• Prioritizing long-term performance and efficiency

Plan for Professional Installation

Both series come with pre-charged systems and complete installation kits, making them accessible for DIY installation. Some homeowners choose to install them on their own, while others opt for professional help to ensure everything is set up correctly.

Find the Right Fit

Still unsure? Ask yourself two questions:

• Will this system run daily through winter below 20°F?
• Is this space over 800 sq. ft. or part of a future multi-zone plan?

If you answered “yes” to either, Vario is the safer long-term choice.

Match the System to How You Live

There isn’t a single “better” option for everyone. The right choice depends on how often the system runs and where it’s installed. A guest room or occasional-use space pairs well with Motto’s lower upfront cost.

Main living areas that run daily through hot summers and cold winters benefit more from Vario’s efficiency and cold-weather performance.

Think Beyond the Purchase Price

Look at your local temperature patterns. Consider how many hours per day the system will run. Then weigh whether long-term energy savings justify the higher initial cost over the system’s lifespan.

Both series offer the smart features and dependable performance Della is known for. The real differences come down to efficiency, climate capability, and configuration options. Matching those factors to your home leads to more consistent comfort and better value over time.

View Motto Series | View Vario Series