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A failing air conditioner in the blistering summer heat isn’t something one can wait to replace. While there are plenty of options to choose from, knowing which brands are the best choices can be a confusing process. Selecting an air conditioner from one of the well-known top AC manufacturers is a great choice for those who can afford it, but not everyone can. That doesn’t mean there aren’t great affordable options out there. This guide will review some of the best air-conditioner brands to purchase, whether it’s a high-end system or a quality budget-priced model.
1. Trane
Price Range: $$ to $$$$
Top Products: XV20i TruComfort Air Conditioner (contact Trane for pricing) and XR14 Air Conditioner ($6,600+ at Trane)
Trane’s slogan, “It’s hard to stop a Trane,” isn’t just a creative use of the pun. The company, which was founded in 1913 and headquartered in Ireland, has a well-established reputation for being one of the most reliable HVAC manufacturers, and that extends to the air conditioning part of its business. Among the durability features of Trane’s products are its WeatherGuard II, a polycarbonate top that protects its air-conditioning units, and its DuraTuff base pan, which is rustproof.
But Trane’s units aren’t just durable; they also feature technologies that make them some of the most efficient air conditioners, including variable speed compressors that minimize energy use and ComfortLink II technology that improves its ability to cool a home evenly. The one downside to Trane’s air conditioners is their premium price tag, which can put them out of reach for some customers.
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2. Lennox
Price Range: $$ to $$$$
Top Products: SL28XCV Air Conditioner (contact Lennox for pricing) and ML14XC1 Single Stage Air Conditioner (contact Lennox for pricing)
Lennox began selling some of the first residential air-conditioning systems when the technology was in its infancy back in 1952. Today, the company sells three lines of air conditioners and is known for producing some of the quietest AC units on the market. Even its low-end AC units are fitted with quiet technology.
The Lennox Signature Collection, Lennox’s high-end line of air conditioners, will modify how they cool based on the surrounding climate to be more efficient. The company also uses cutting-edge technology, such as SunSource, which allows its AC units to be powered by solar cells.
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3. Rheem
Price Range: $$ to $$$
Top Products: Prestige Series: Variable Speed Air Conditioner (contact Rheem for pricing) and Classic Plus Series: Two Stage Air Conditioner (contact Rheem for pricing)
Like many HVAC companies that started in the early 20th century, Rheem, founded in 1925, expanded its existing heating business to include cooling by developing its own line of air conditioners to meet the growing residential demand for cool air in the 1950s.
Rheem is one of the most environmentally responsible HVAC companies in the business—the company has a 2025 goal of producing zero landfill waste and reducing greenhouse emissions by 50 percent. In addition to reducing the carbon footprint of its manufacturing operations, Rheem is also known for producing ecologically friendly air conditioners. Its EcoNet technology makes it easy for Rheem AC users to adjust the temperature when not at home, lowering the electric bill while decreasing energy consumption.
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4. Carrier
Price Range: $$ to $$$$
Top Products: Infinity 19VS Central Air Conditioner (contact Carrier for pricing) and Performance 16 Central Air Conditioner (contact Carrier for pricing)
Carrier is highly regarded in the air-conditioning industry, and that’s largely due to being the founder of air conditioning, which Willis Carrier invented back in 1902. The company continues to be a force in the air-conditioning market with designs that focus on being as efficient and quiet as possible.
Its Infinity 21 series, the company’s top-end line of air conditioners, boasts a 21 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, thanks to a two-stage compressor design that allows the air conditioner to run in a low power setting most of the time. While its top-end AC units are among the most expensive on the market, Carrier does offer affordable AC units with its Comfort 16 series.
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5. Goodman
Price Range: $ to $$
Top Products: High-Efficiency Air Conditioner with Inverter Technology (contact Goodman for pricing) and 3 Ton 14 SEER Air Conditioner ($1574 on Amazon)
Although the Goodman manufacturing company was founded in 1975, it didn’t begin producing air conditioners until it acquired an HVAC company 7 years later. The company received a boost in 2012 when it was purchased by Daikin Industries, which has since invested heavily in improving the company’s technology.
Much of that focus has been on improving durability by adding such features as guards that protect the AC unit’s vulnerable coils from weather and debris and special filters that keep dirt out of the air conditioner. Those innovations have helped Goodman AC units earn a reputation for reliability and long life.
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6. York
Price Range: $$ to $$$
Top Products: XYV 21 SEER Variable Capacity Air Conditioner (contact York for pricing) and YXT 19 SEER Two Stage Air Conditioner (contact York for pricing)
York has some pretty impressive credentials. The company, which was founded almost 150 years ago in York, Pennsylvania, cools several major landmarks including the Empire State Building, the Sydney Opera House, and the U.S. Capitol Building.
On the residential side, York features two product lines. Its Affinity series includes its top-end units with features such as QuietDrive, which makes the units some of the quietest on the market at levels as low as 54 decibels. Though not as quiet, its lower-end LX series is efficient and affordable with SEER ratings as high as 17.
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7. Ruud
Price Range: $ to $$$
Top Products: Econet Enabled Ultra Series Variable Speed UA20 Air Conditioner (contact Ruud for pricing) and Choice Series: Single Stage WA16 (contact Ruud for pricing)
Like many HVAC companies, Ruud began offering air-conditioning units when residential demand for them spiked in the 1950s. Rheem acquired the company in 1959; however, Ruud continues to put out cooling equipment in three product lines. Ultra, its top-of-the-line air conditioner, is valued for its efficiency with SEER ratings as high as 20.5.
The company also puts out value-priced AC units that produce a respectable 16 SEER. The company’s units are somewhat larger than others, but that’s because it provides greater access to its parts with its PlusOne technology, which makes the interior of the units more spacious to accommodate maintenance and repair.
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8. Amana
Price Range: $$ to $$$$
Top Products: AVXC20 High-Efficiency Air Conditioner (contact Amana for pricing) and ASX16 Air Conditioner (contact Amana for pricing)
Amana launched as a refrigerator manufacturer in 1934 in the city of Amana, Iowa. The company was sold to Goodman in 1997, but it continues to put out air conditioners under the Amana name in two product lines. The company’s AC units are known for their high efficiency, offering SEER ratings as high as 24.5.
Amana achieves this efficiency with its variable speed compressors and condenser motor fans, both of which can change speed in small increments to maintain the desired temperature while using a minimal amount of energy. The company’s AC units are also some of the quietest on the market.
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9. Mitsubishi
Price Range: $ to $$$
Top Products: MSZ-FS Wall-Mounted Air Conditioner (contact Mitsubishi for pricing) and MFZ-KF Floor-Mounted Indoor Unit (contact Mitsubishi for pricing)
Tokyo-based Mitsubishi rules the ductless mini split air conditioner niche in the industry with single and multi-zone units that have SEER ratings as high as 30.5. The company was founded in 1870 and began manufacturing wall-mounted air-conditioning systems in 1968.
The company’s technologies feature such innovations as “hot spot” and “cold spot,” which allow the air conditioner to identify the temperature of each room individually to ensure even cooling throughout the home. Its outdoor units are slim and compact, making them ideal for use in densely populated areas.
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10. Maytag
Price Range: $$ to $$$
Top Products: M1200 Series Air Conditioner (contact Maytag for pricing) and M120 Air Conditioner (contact Maytag for pricing)
Maytag, founded in 1893 as a farm tool company, may be better known for its refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers. The company also produces a line of central air conditioners, some of which have SEER ratings that are among the highest in the industry at 25.5 SEER.
The company’s units also have several environmentally friendly features such as iQ drive, which manages the compressor output to keep energy use at a minimum while operating at a lower than average noise level. As with its line of appliances, Maytag is also known for its dependability with air conditioners, too.
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11. LG
Price Range: $ to $$
Top Products: 8,000-BTU Window Air Conditioner ($299 at The Home Depot) and 14,000-BTU Portable Air Conditioner ($720.99 at The Home Depot)
LG, which was founded in 1958 in South Korea, is a well-known manufacturer of appliances, electronics, and more. While they don’t manufacture central air conditioner units, LG does offer a wide selection of portable and window air conditioners.
If you’re familiar with LG’s other products, it likely won’t come as a surprise that many of their air conditioners are Wi-Fi enabled. With the ThinQ technology, you can adjust the temperature from any location with your phone, tablet, or even Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant. Some of LG’s air conditioners are also designed with a dual inverter compressor, making them up to 25 percent more efficient than what is required to be classified as an Energy Star certified air conditioner. This will help you save even more on energy costs.
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12. Frigidaire
Price Range: $ to $$
Top Products: FSA1BG 20-SEER iQ Drive Air Conditioner (contact Frigidaire for pricing) and 5,000-BTU Window-Mounted Air Conditioner ($179 on Amazon)
While Frigidaire may be most famous for inventing the first self-contained refrigerator suitable for home use, today the company offers a wide product lineup of ranges, dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, microwaves, washers, dryers, and more. If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, Frigidaire can also help you out.
They manufacture built-in air conditioners, portable air conditioners, and window mounted air conditioners. Additionally, with Frigidaire HVAC, you can also shop for a whole-house heating or cooling system. However, because Frigidaire HVAC systems aren’t as popular as those from other more well-known companies, you may have more difficulty finding a contractor in your area that specializes in them.
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13. Midea
Price Range: $ to $$
Top Products: 8,000-BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner ($321.80 on Amazon) and 8,000-BTU Portable Air Conditioner ($339 on Amazon)
Midea manufacturers air conditioners, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, dryers, and more for their customers across the globe. The company—which was founded by He Xiangjan in China in 1968—has been producing air conditioners since 1985. Today, they offer an assortment of cooling products, both for residential and commercial use.
Some of these products include window air conditioners, through the wall air conditioners, portable air conditioners, and PTAC air conditioners with a heat pump. Many of their units come with built-in Wi-Fi to allow users to control the device using their smartphone or with voice commands through the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
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14. De’Longhi
Price Range: $ to $$
Top Products: 14,000-BTU Portable Air Conditioner ($699.95 on Amazon) and 12,500-BTU Portable Air Conditioner with Wi-Fi ($649.95 at The Home Depot)
De’Longhi is one of the top producers of small appliances in the world. From espresso machines, air fryers, indoor grills, slow cookers, dehumidifiers, space heaters, and portable air conditioners, the company offers a wide product selection for their customers.
De’Longhi manufactures over a dozen different portable air conditioner models that are designed to be easy to set up and move around the home as needed. User-friendly features, such as a programmable timer, washable dust-filter, and straight-forward controls, are integrated into the designs of many of their products. The company has an over 100-year history dating back to 1902, and has been making portable air conditioners since 1986 when they launched Pinguino.
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How We Chose the Best Air Conditioner Brands
After reviewing many brands to uncover each one’s depth of product selection, availability of local dealers and installers, maintenance requirements, and value for money, we created this list of the best air conditioner brands for residences. Since air conditioning needs vary depending on the size of the space, the budget of the user, and the method and placement of installation, we strove to include brands that represented all areas of the air conditioner marketplace.
While some brands create excellent wall units and others deliver exceptional whole house systems, all that made the list of the best air conditioner brands offer top products that are highly regarded.