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A failing air conditioner in the blistering summer heat isn’t something you 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: $$ to $$$$
Our Top Picks: XV20i TruComfort Air Conditioner, XR14 Air Conditioner, and XR15 Low-Profile Air Conditioner (contact Trane for pricing).
Trane’s slogan “It’s hard to stop a Trane” isn’t just a creative use of the pun. The company, which was founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Ireland, has a well-established reputation for being one of the most reliable HVAC manufacturers. That extends to the air conditioning part of its business as well. Trane’s durability features include the WeatherGuard II, which is a polycarbonate top that protects its air conditioning units, and its rustproof DuraTuff base pan.
But Trane’s units aren’t just durable; models like the XV20i TruComfort Air Conditioner also feature technologies that make them some of the most efficient air conditioners on the market. Variable-speed compressors minimize energy use, and ComfortLink II technology improves the units’ ability to cool a home evenly. The one downside to Trane’s air conditioners is the premium price tag, which can put them out of reach for some customers.
Shop Trane air conditioners at Trane.
2. Lennox
Price Range: $$ to $$$$
Our Top Picks: SL28XCV Air Conditioner, XC20 Variable-Capacity Air Conditioner, and ML14XC1 Single-Stage Air Conditioner (contact Lennox for pricing).
Lennox began selling some of the first residential air conditioning systems when the technology was in its infancy back in 1952. Today, the company sells three lines of air conditioners and is known for producing some of the quietest AC units on the market. Even its low-end AC units are fitted with quiet technology.
Models like the SL28XCV from the Lennox Signature Collection, Lennox’s high-end line of air conditioners, will modify how they cool based on the surrounding climate to be more efficient. The company also uses cutting-edge technology, such as SunSource, which allows its AC units to be powered by solar cells.
Shop Lennox air conditioners at Lennox or The Home Depot.
3. Rheem
Price Range: $$ to $$$
Our Top Picks: Prestige Series: Variable-Speed (RA20) Air Conditioner, Classic Plus Series: Two-Stage (RA17) Air Conditioner, and Select Series: Single-Stage (WA16) Air Conditioner (contact Rheem for pricing).
Like many HVAC companies that started in the early 20th century, Rheem, founded in 1925, expanded its existing heating business to include cooling. It developed its own line of air conditioners to meet the growing residential demand for cool air in the 1950s.
Rheem is one of the most environmentally responsible HVAC companies in the business—the company has a 2025 goal of producing zero landfill waste and reducing greenhouse emissions by 50 percent. In addition to reducing the carbon footprint of its manufacturing operations, Rheem is also known for producing ecologically friendly air conditioners. Its EcoNet technology featured in the Prestige Series makes it easy for Rheem AC users to adjust the temperature when not at home, lowering the electric bill while decreasing energy consumption.
Shop Rheem air conditioners at Rheem or The Home Depot.
4. Carrier
Price Range: $$ to $$$$
Our Top Picks: Infinity 21 Central Air Conditioner, Performance 16 Central Air Conditioner, and Comfort Series Central Air Conditioner (contact Carrier for pricing).
Carrier is highly regarded in the air conditioning industry, and that’s largely due to being the founder of air conditioning, which Willis Carrier invented back in 1902. The company continues to be a force in the air conditioning market with designs that focus on being as efficient and quiet as possible.
Its Infinity 21 series, the company’s top-end line of air conditioners, boasts a 21 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, thanks to a two-stage compressor design that allows the air conditioner to run in a low power setting most of the time. While its top-end AC units are among the most expensive on the market, Carrier does offer several more affordable AC units with its Comfort series.
Shop Carrier air conditioners at Carrier or The Home Depot.
5. Goodman
Price Range: $ to $$
Our Top Picks: 3-Ton 14 SEER Air Conditioner (for $1,758.54 at Amazon), GVXC20 High-Efficiency Air Conditioner with Inverter Technology, and GSXS6 Side- Discharge Split System Air Conditioner (contact Goodman for pricing)
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. Inverter technology also helps improve efficiency in models such as the GVXC20. Those innovations have helped Goodman AC units earn a reputation for reliability and long life.
Shop Goodman air conditioners at Goodman or Amazon.
6. York
Price Range: $$ to $$$
Our Top Picks: XYV 21 SEER Variable-Capacity Air Conditioner, YXT 19 SEER Two-Stage Air Conditioner, and HMCG2 16.5 SEER2 Modulating Side-Discharge 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. The high-performance XYV 21 runs at levels as low as 53 decibels. Though not as quiet, its lower-end LX series is efficient and affordable with SEER ratings as high as 17.
Shop York air conditioners at York.
7. Ruud
Price Range: $ to $$$
Our Top Picks: EcoNet Enabled Ultra Series Variable-Speed (UA20) Air Conditioner, Achiever Series: Single-Stage (RA13) Air Conditioner, and Choice Series: Single-Stage (WA16) Air Conditioner (contact Ruud for pricing).
Like many HVAC companies, Ruud began offering air conditioning units when residential demand for them spiked in the 1950s. Rheem acquired the company in 1959; however, Ruud continues to put out cooling equipment in three product lines. Ultra, its top-of-the-line air conditioner, is valued for its efficiency with SEER ratings as high as 20.5.
The company also has value-priced AC units such as the Choice Series WA16, which produces a respectable 16 SEER. The company’s units are somewhat larger than others, but that’s because Ruud provides greater access to its parts with its PlusOne technology. This makes the interior of the units more spacious to accommodate maintenance and repair.
Shop Ruud air conditioners at Ruud.
8. Amana
Price Range: $$ to $$$$
Our Top Picks: AVXC20 High-Efficiency Air Conditioner, ASX16 Air Conditioner, and ASXS6 S-Series Air Conditioner (contact Amana for pricing).
Amana launched as a refrigerator manufacturer in 1934 in the city of Amana, Iowa. The company was sold to Goodman in 1997, but it continues to manufacture air conditioners under the Amana name in two product lines. The company’s AC units are known for their high efficiency, offering SEER ratings as high as 24.5.
This efficiency is achieved with Amana’s variable-speed compressors and condenser motor fans. Both of these can change speed in small increments to maintain the desired temperature while using a minimal amount of energy. Models like the company’s high-efficiency AVXC20 have also been acoustically engineered to be among the quietest on the market.
Shop Amana air conditioners at Amana, Amazon, or The Home Depot.
9. Mitsubishi
Price Range: $ to $$$
Our Top Picks: MSZ-FS Wall-Mounted Air Conditioner, MFZ-KJ Floor-Mounted Indoor Unit, and MLZ-KP Ceiling Cassette Air Conditioner (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 slim and compact outdoor units make them ideal for use in densely populated areas. Mitsubishi’s floor and ceiling-mounted air conditioners are equally practical and efficient.
Shop Mitsubishi air conditioners at Mitsubishi.
10. Maytag
Price Range: $$ to $$$
Our Top Picks: M1200 Series: Modulating Air Conditioner, M1200 Series: Single-Speed Air Conditioner, and M120 Series: Two-Stage 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, among the highest in the industry at 24.5 SEER.
The company’s units also have several environmentally friendly features. The iQ drive on the M1200 Series, for example, 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.
Shop Maytag air conditioners at Maytag.
11. LG
Price Range: $ to $$
Our Top Picks: 8,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner (for $213.07), 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner (for $544.98), and 9,800 BTU Through-The-Wall Air Conditioner (for $480.19).
LG, which was founded in 1958 in South Korea, is a well-known manufacturer of appliances, electronics, and more. While the company doesn’t manufacture central air conditioner units, LG does offer a wide selection of portable and window air conditioners. Models such as the 8,000 BTU model with its 350 square foot coverage are particularly affordable.
Those familiar with LG’s other products likely won’t be surprised that many of its air conditioners are Wi-Fi enabled. With the ThinQ technology, the temperature can be adjusted from any location with a phone, tablet, or even Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some of LG’s air conditioners are also designed with a dual inverter compressor, making them up to 25 percent more efficient than what is required to be classified as an Energy Star–certified air conditioner. This will help save even more on energy costs.
Shop LG air conditioners at LG, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
12. Frigidaire
Price Range: $ to $$
Our Top Picks: 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner (for $498), and 5,000 BTU Window-Mounted Air Conditioner (for $159), and FSA1BG 19 SEER iQ Drive Air Conditioner (contact Fridigaire for pricing),
Frigidaire may be most famous for inventing the first self-contained refrigerator suitable for home use. However, today the company offers a wide product lineup of ranges, dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, microwaves, washers, dryers, and more. For those in the market for a new air conditioner, Frigidaire can also help.
The company manufactures built-in air conditioners, portable air conditioners, and window-mounted air conditioners for small homes and apartments, including the budget-friendly 5,000 BTU model. Additionally, with Frigidaire HVAC, shoppers can also choose a whole-house heating or cooling system. However, because Frigidaire HVAC systems aren’t as popular as those from other more well-known companies, it may be somewhat difficult to find a local contractor that specializes in them.
Shop Frigidaire air conditioners at Frigidaire, Amazon, or The Home Depot.
13. Midea
Price Range: $ to $$
Our Top Picks: 8,000 BTU EasyCool Window Air Conditioner (for $279.96), 8,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner (for $299.99), and 8,000 BTU Smart Inverter Air Conditioner (for $357.00)
Midea manufactures air conditioners, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, dryers, and more for its customers across the globe. The company was founded in China in 1968 and has been producing air conditioners since 1985. Today, Midea offers an assortment of cooling products for both residential and commercial use.
Some of these products include window air conditioners, through-the-wall air conditioners, portable air conditioners, and PTAC air conditioners with a heat pump. Many of the company’s units (like the clever U-shaped smart inverter with an open window option ) come with built-in Wi-Fi to allow users to control the device using their smartphone or with voice commands through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Shop Midea air conditioners at Midea, Amazon, or Lowe’s.
14. American Standard
Price Range: $$ to $$$$
Our Top Picks: AccuComfort Variable-Speed Platinum 20 Air Conditioner, Gold 16 Two-Stage Air Conditioner, and Silver 16 Low-Profile Air Conditioner (contact American Standard for pricing).
With a history that dates over 120 years, American Standard offers a wealth of experience in HVAC manufacturing. The range is extensive, from high-efficiency models like the AccuComfort Variable-Speed Air Conditioner with a SEER rating of up to 21.5, to two-stage and single-stage models that still offer the brand’s key features while focusing on competitive pricing.
Most industry commentators see American Standard as a premium brand known for high-quality equipment that’s manufactured in the U.S. The company itself has a focus on durability, reliability, and excellent customer satisfaction and has garnered several independent awards. The brand claims to have a network of 6,000 dealers, though finding an installer can be a challenge in some parts of the country.
Shop American Standard air conditioners at American Standard.
15. Bryant
Price Range: $ to $$$
Our Top Picks: Evolution Extreme 26 Variable-Speed Air Conditioner, Preferred Two-Stage Air Conditioner, and Legacy Line Single-Stage Air Conditioner (contact Bryant for pricing).
Founded by Charles Bryant in 1904, Bryant is another of the HVAC industry’s longest-established brands. The range offers plenty of choices from budget-friendly single-stage models for the smaller home to the high-performance Evolution Extreme 26 Air Conditioner that can run at up to 24 SEER. Many models are Energy Star compliant and offer lower noise levels than equivalent rivals.
While Bryant air conditioners are often seen as an affordable option for cost-conscious shoppers, the company also offers models that feature advances like variable speed, Bluetooth connectivity, and software for better energy management. The brand describes its air conditioners as dependable, hard-working products, and numerous industry sources seem to support that.
Shop Bryant air conditioners at Bryant.
16. Heil
Price Range: $ to $$$
Our Top Picks: Ion Series: HVA9 Variable-Speed Air Conditioner, Ion Series: H4A6S Central Air Conditioner, and Performance Series: S4A5S Compact Central Air Conditioner (contact Heil for pricing).
Homeowners looking for durability at a competitive price will want to take a closer look at Heil air conditioners, particularly at the entry level. These units are seen as relatively straightforward to install so they remain affordable. That’s not to suggest that all Heil models are basic or lack advanced features, though. The Ion Series Central Air Conditioner has variable speeds, a variable fan to reduce noise, and Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring and control.
Heil takes pride in its engineering and runs tests on every single unit. Its No Hassle Replacement warranty is also tough to beat. However, since Heil is one of the lesser-known air conditioner brands, finding an installer in some areas may be a little challenging.
Shop Heil air conditioners at Heil.
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, our goal was 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, each brand that made the list of the best air conditioner brands offer selections that are highly regarded.
