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AIR MAX vs Bestcold: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR MAX model beats 54% and a typical Bestcold model 46%. AIR MAX rates higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

AIR MAX

54%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

13 models listed

Bestcold

46%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

79 models listed

Rating by ratingEach bar is the share of same-size, same-type heat pumps that a typical model beats, so the two brands compare fairly even if they make different sizes.
  • Efficiency on a 5°F dayCOP at 5°FAIR MAX: Beats 53%Bestcold: Beats 45%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR MAX: Beats 55%Bestcold: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR MAX: Beats 38%Bestcold: Beats 48%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR MAX: Beats 56%Bestcold: Beats 51%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR MAX: Beats 63%Bestcold: Beats 39%

Average (50%)Dashed outline: the other brand, for comparison

Want ranks, distributions per size class and cold-weather curves? Switch to Advanced

Rebate standards

Share of each brand’s models that meet the level. Programs can have other rules too.

  • CEE 2025

    AIR MAX
    100%
    Bestcold
    68%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR MAX
    85%
    Bestcold
    66%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR MAX
    8%
    Bestcold
    1%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR MAX
    46%
    Bestcold
    10%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

Balances heating (5°F output and efficiency, HSPF2) and cooling (SEER2, EER2), each rating against units their size.

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIR MAX

  1. 1AFMKH30-H2AIR MAX2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 48.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    87% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.88 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Great
    61.6score / 100Heating 48 · Cooling 75
  2. 2AFMKH36-H2AIR MAX3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 52.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.7 (EER2)
    Good
    59.0score / 100Heating 52 · Cooling 66

Bestcold

  1. 1MYUA36NA23BCH19-Owith ducted air handler MYUA36NA23BCH19-IBestcold3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 70.3Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    73% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    11.3 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    65.1score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 60
  2. 2MYUSA36NA23BCH18-Owith ducted air handler MYUSA36NA23BCH18-IBestcold3 tons · 34,200 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 69.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    60.4score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 51
  3. 3MYORU36NA22BCH18ESBestcold3 tons · 33,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 64.7Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    85% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    9.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.8 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    58.3score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 52

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Next steps

The advanced view adds ranks, both brands’ models inside every size class, standout models per rating and cold-weather curves.

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