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Air conditioners (ACs) are key to keeping your home cool and comfortable, but finding the right one can be difficult. There’s a lot of technical terminology and jargon that goes along with shopping for an AC that can make it challenging to figure out which ones are better than others.
To simplify the process, we’ve researched the best air conditioner brands and closely compared product specifications, prices, and extra features. Read on for our top recommendations for AC brands.
Top Air Conditioner Brands
| Star Rating | Cost Range | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lennox |  | $3,000–$10,000 | GET QUOTE | |
| Carrier |  | $3,200–$15,000 | GET QUOTE | |
| York |  | $4,500–$9,000 | GET QUOTE | |
| Trane |  | $3,000–$15,500 | GET QUOTE | |
| American Standard |  | $3,500–$11,000 | GET QUOTE | |
| LG |  | $300–$900 | GET QUOTE | |
| Ruud |  | $3,000–$6,000 | GET QUOTE | |
| Amana |  | $3,500–$11,000 | GET QUOTE | |
| Goodman |  | $1,500–$10,000 | GET QUOTE | |
| Rheem |  | $3,000–$7,000 | GET QUOTE |
| American Standard | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Cost Range | $3,500–$11,000 |
What to Look for in an Air Conditioner Brand
Many factors determine which air conditioner is right for your home. We’ve highlighted some of the most important things to look for.
Customer Service
Installing an air conditioner requires you to work closely with a company, so you’ll want to ensure there’s plenty of customer support available. Take note of whether a brand offers a direct phone line or customer support via live chat or mobile app. The more means of communication, the better. Additionally, read customer reviews on popular review sites such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This will help you get a realistic idea of what it’s like to deal with each brand’s network of contractors and customer service representatives.
Intelligent Cooling
Intelligent cooling is another way to say smart-home integration. For a more convenient and optimized system, find brands that offer smart-home options that allow you to control and adjust your air conditioner from your smartphone. These features often let you connect the AC to other parts of your home’s HVAC system and control the system through voice commands.
Noise
A noticeable noise level is a common complaint for ACs. You certainly don’t want a unit that might disrupt your sleep or bother your house guests or pets.
We advise checking the noise level of the AC units that interest you. Currently, air conditioners can be as quiet as 50 to 60 dB. We recommend looking for ACs under 70 dB. To give you a better idea of how loud this is, check out the following breakdown from Purdue University’s Chemistry Department:
- 50 dB: A quiet conversation
- 60 dB: Conversations at a restaurant
- 70 dB: Running a vacuum cleaner
- 80 dB: Running a garbage disposal
Type
When shopping for AC units, it’s important to know which type you need. There are six main types of air conditioner systems, and each meets different needs. Learn about each type below to determine which kind you need:
- Central air conditioners: When you think of an AC unit, you probably think of a central air conditioner. You may only notice the large box with a fan outside your home, but central ACs actually use two units: the condensing unit located outside and the evaporative unit located inside next to the furnace. These two units connect through refrigerant tubing. They’re ideal for medium- to large-size homes with ductwork and are one of the best ways to evenly distribute cool air throughout a home.
- Ductless air conditioners: If you don’t have ductwork in your home, you may want to consider a ductless AC. These units are also called “split systems,” as they use two small AC units, one outside and one inside. They’re installed on your home’s interior walls. Refrigerant tubing connects the two systems by passing through the walls that separate them. Ductless systems are great for smaller, older homes that don’t have an existing duct system or apartment buildings that just need a few rooms cooled.
- Floor-mounted air conditioners: Floor-mounted air conditioners are another type of mini-split ductless air conditioner system. Although they’re called “floor-mounted,” they’re actually installed close to the bottom of a wall. These units are an excellent option if you have limited wall space, such as if you have a glass wall.
- Heat pumps: Heat pumps are available in the same configurations as ACs—mini-splits, multi-splits, and centrally ducted—have high energy efficiency and are a low-maintenance cooling solution for homes with ductwork. Their installation cost can be high, but the running and maintenance costs are low. Heat pumps use electricity rather than burning fuel. During summer, a heat pump removes the warm air from inside your home and releases it outside. During winter, a heat pump transforms air from outside into warm air and delivers it into your home. A heat pump is ideal for homes in mild climates.
- Portable air conditioners: A portable air conditioner is a self-contained unit that can be wheeled into a room and positioned wherever on the floor. A hose vent discharges hot air through an exterior wall or window. Portable air conditioners are noisy, but they’re an excellent temporary cooling solution.
- Window-mounted air conditioners: Window-mounted air conditioners are self-contained units typically placed in a window. You can also install them by creating a hole in a room’s exterior wall, but we advise against this approach. Window air conditioners are most useful for apartments and single-level homes. However, their cooling capability is limited due to their small size and output. Many people install multiple window units to get around these limitations.
However, according to ENERGY STAR experts, instead of attempting to cool multiple rooms or your entire home with numerous window units, note that a central or multi-split system can offer the same level of comfort, might be less expensive overall, and is certainly cheaper to run.
Variable Speed
Any air conditioner that uses a variable-speed compressor is a serious plus. Though a variable-speed AC system costs more up-front, the investment is worth it because it lowers your energy bills and increases your home’s value. These units don’t cycle on and off like traditional air conditioners. Instead, they adjust the air handler’s speed to match your home’s cooling needs, resulting in increased comfort, reduced humidity, higher efficiency, and quieter performance.
Warranty
Some air conditioners have longer warranties than others. Additionally, some AC warranties only cover certain parts of the unit, such as the compressor, while others may include entire unit replacement. Check the manufacturer’s website for information and see if the brand’s network of installers will include a workmanship warranty.
Compare Air Conditioning Brands
Compare our top-recommended air conditioning brands based on critical factors.
| Brand | Our Rating (Out of 100) | Cost Range | SEER Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lennox |
98 |
$3,000–$10,000 |
Up to 28 |
|
Carrier |
95.5 |
$3,200–$15,000 |
Up to 26 |
|
York |
92.5 |
$4,500–$9,000 |
Up to 21 |
|
Trane |
92 |
$3,000–$15,500 |
Up to 22 |
|
American Standard |
90.5 |
$3,500–$11,000 |
Up to 21.5 |
|
LG |
90.5 |
$300–$900 |
Up to 18 |
|
Ruud |
90 |
$3,000–$6,000 |
Up to 20 |
|
Amana |
89 |
$3,500–$11,000 |
Up to 24.5 |
|
Goodman |
81 |
$1,500–$10,000 |
Up to 24.5 |
|
Rheem |
80 |
$3,000–$7,000 |
Up to 20.5 |
Air Conditioner Energy Efficiency
The HVAC industry uses various ratings and metrics to determine a product’s efficiency, but the two most important ones for an AC unit are its SEER rating and ENERGY STAR certification.
What Is a SEER Rating?
Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings measure an AC unit’s efficiency. The ratio reflects an AC’s cooling output over a typical cooling season divided by the energy it uses in watt-hours. Your unit’s efficiency could be lower depending on your home’s conditions, such as insulation and windows. Any SEER rating above 13 is considered good. The average rating is 16, and anything above 20 is top-of-the-line. Units below 13 are likely low-quality.
What Are ENERGY STAR Ratings?
An AC with ENERGY STAR certification meets federally mandated guidelines regarding energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR requires all of its certified central air conditioners and heat pumps to have a SEER rating of at least 15.
Our Recommendation
The best air conditioner brand depends on your preferences, budget, and home layout. We find Lennox to be one of the best AC brands due to its high SEER ratings, smart home capabilities, and SunSource technology. However, Carrier offers more intelligent cooling options, and York builds some of the most durable and quietest ACs.
We recommend getting at least three quotes from different AC brands to compare costs, warranties, and additional features. Use our tool below to request free quotes from reputable HVAC installers near you.
Air Conditioner Brands FAQ
Is Trane or Carrier better?
Whether Trane or Carrier is better depends on your individual preferences and home. However, we found that Carrier is generally better, given its focus on smart home integration and its assortment of air purifiers and humidity control products.
Do HVAC brands matter?
Yes, HVAC brand matters for a few reasons, namely due to warranties. Some brands also charge a premium because of their name and reputation while lesser-known brands might offer a similar product at a more affordable rate.
What is the life expectancy of an AC unit?
Your AC unit should last 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance and care.
How much does a new AC system cost?
A new AC system costs an average of $5,000 to $6,000. However, this price varies based on your home’s layout, additional features such as air purification and smart thermostats, brand name, and installation fees.
What is the best month to buy an air conditioner?
The end of winter is the best time to buy an air conditioner. Retailers have a high supply of air conditioning units during winter, but homeowners often aren’t thinking about replacing or repairing their AC units during this time. The decrease in demand means prices and installation costs are lower.
How We Chose the Top HVAC Brands
We researched dozens of HVAC brands to determine which ones offer the best air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, and other heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products. We then crafted a rating system based on each brand’s mid-tier and high-end product offerings.
We analyzed each company’s product specifications, SEER ratings, AFUE ratings, and their best available sound rating. We also ensured that each brand offers ENERGY STAR-certified products. In addition, we closely analyzed each company’s warranties to ensure their product and labor guarantees match or exceed industry standards.
Finally, we assessed the manufacturer’s years of experience and customer reputation on popular review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. We also checked whether the brand fulfills the high-end and luxury needs of Architectural Digest readers, such as smart-home integration options, solar-powered capabilities, and home comfort control products such as air purifiers and humidity control.