ADB vs COOL-MAGIC heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, ADB scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. ADB has 4 outdoor models, COOL-MAGIC has 4 outdoor models. ADB and COOL-MAGIC have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of Oct 9, 2026updated Oct 10, 2026 · sources

Against comparable models

Each cell is the share of same-size, same-type models that the manufacturer’s typical model beats (50% is typical); the higher score is in bold. Raw medians are underneath for context: they depend on which sizes each one makes, so they are not compared.

ADB and COOL-MAGIC on every ratingPeer scores, 0–100 · grey ticks: every ranked manufacturer · shaded: the middle half of each one’s modelsMeasured against models of the same size and duct type, ADB scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

ADB
COOL-MAGIC
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	ADB	COOL-MAGIC
Efficiency index	63% (higher)median —	46% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	32%median 1.80	75%median 2.13
Capacity retention at 5°F	63% (higher)median 83%	14% (higher)median 65%
HSPF2	67% (higher)median 10.0	28% (higher)median 8.8
SEER2	84% (higher)median 24.5	32% (higher)median 20.5
EER2	61% (higher)median 12.5	32% (higher)median 11.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	59% (higher)median 12,500 Btu/h	27% (higher)median 11,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models	4	4
AHRI certifications	4	4

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	ADB	COOL-MAGIC
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%4 models	50%2 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%4 models	50%2 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	100%4 models	0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	100%4 models	0%0 models

Sizes and duct types offered

Models in each peer group, with the efficiency index of those models against the rest of the group.

Side by side, inside each size and duct typeShape: every model of the group · bars: each manufacturer’s middle half, median dot, 10th–90th line · 2 groups where both have models

ADB
COOL-MAGIC
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	ADB	COOL-MAGIC
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	3 · index 63%	2 · index 43%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	1 · index 65%	1 · index 48%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	1 · index —

Cold-climate and all-around picks, size class by size class

Each manufacturer’s best model on each board in every size and duct type, side by side; the higher score is in bold. Both scores are 0–100 against every model of that size class (the line on each bar is 50, the typical model there), so the two compare fairly even when they make different sizes.

Cold-climate picks

Best cold-climate pick per size and duct type (keeps at least 70% of its heat at 5°F). Qualifies when its capacity retention at 5°F (capacity at 5°F as a share of capacity at 47°F) is at least 70% and Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 are all rated. Score = the equal-weight mean of its peer percentiles on Capacity retention at 5°F, COP at 5°F, HSPF2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100), all from one certified pairing: in each duct type a model is sold in, its qualifying pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	ADBCold-climate score, best model	COOL-MAGICCold-climate score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	51.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DBED-T18IH3A2-E*with ductless indoor unit DBED-T18IH3A2-I3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218736482	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2 tons	61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DBED-T24IH3A2-E*with ductless indoor unit DBED-T24IH3A2-I1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218736483	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

All-around best

Best all-around model per size and duct type. Score = 50% heating, the mean of its peer percentiles on COP at 5°F, Capacity retention at 5°F, HSPF2, plus 50% cooling, the mean of its peer percentiles on SEER2 and EER2 (share of the other models in its peer group it beats, 0–100). All five ratings are required; there is no minimum heat kept at 5°F. In each duct type a model is sold in, it is scored on its pairing of that type with the best score; equal scores (one decimal) go to the higher cold-climate score, then the higher heating capacity at 5°F.
Size and duct type	ADBAll-around score, best model	COOL-MAGICAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	65.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DBED-T12IH3A1-E*with ductless indoor unit DBED-T12IH3A1-IAlso listed as DBED-T12IH3A2-E3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218736480	43.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)YSA-18HRDN1-21OUwith ductless indoor unit YSA-18HRDN1-211 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216740991
Non-ducted, 2 tons	64.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DBED-T24IH3A2-E*with ductless indoor unit DBED-T24IH3A2-I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218736483	47.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)YSA-24HRDN1-21OUwith ductless indoor unit YSA-24HRDN1-211 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216740992
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)

All-around board, every manufacturer

Standout model on each rating

Each manufacturer’s model that beats the largest share of comparable models on the rating; the higher share is in bold.

Top model per rating by peer percentile, with its AHRI-certified value and peer group
Rating	ADB	COOL-MAGIC
COP at 5°F	beats 71% · 2.10DBED-T24IH3A2-E*Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 96% · 2.21YSA-36HRDN1-21OUNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 68% · 83%DBED-T12IH3A1-E*Also listed as DBED-T12IH3A2-ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 15% · 66%YSA-18HRDN1-21OUNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 69% · 10.0DBED-T24IH3A2-E*Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 69% · 10.0YSA-24HRDN1-21OUNon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 84% · 25.0DBED-T12IH3A1-E*Also listed as DBED-T12IH3A2-ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 47% · 21.0YSA-24HRDN1-21OUNon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 70% · 13.0DBED-T12IH3A1-E*Also listed as DBED-T12IH3A2-ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 52% · 12.0YSA-24HRDN1-21OUNon-ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 86% · 15,000 Btu/hDBED-T18IH3A2-E*Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 66% · 11,600 Btu/hYSA-18HRDN1-21OUNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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