Value of the data•A detailed database for the steady-state response of a 3.5kW mini-split air-conditioning system in a tropical climate zone.•This unique multivariate experimental design and data collection consider 3 factors that potentially influence the performance of a 3.5kW mini-split air-conditioning system in a tropical climate zone.•The data can be used by other researchers to carry out models validations, by providing a common benchmark.•This data can be used to comparing the performance of the air-conditioning system with the performance obtained in other climate zones.