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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, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

Showing Ductless, Up to 1.5 tons (under 21,000 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

AIR MAX

  1. 1AFMKH18-H2AIR MAX1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 61.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    77% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    52.7score / 100Heating 61 · Cooling 44
  2. 2AWGRC09-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGRE09-H2AIR MAX1 ton · 9,100 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 45.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    79% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.2 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Good
    50.3score / 100Heating 46 · Cooling 55
  3. 3AWGRC12-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGRE12-H2AIR MAX1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 36.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    78% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    38.7score / 100Heating 37 · Cooling 40

Bestcold

  1. 1MYTW18NA23BCH24-OBestcold1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    72.2score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 76
  2. 2MYTW12NA23BCH24ES-Owith ductless indoor unit MYTD12NA23BCH24ES-IBestcoldAlso listed as MYTD12NA23BCH24-O1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 59.5Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    67.7score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 76
  3. 3MYTW12NA13BCH24ES-Owith ductless indoor unit MYTD12NA13BCH24ES-IBestcoldAlso listed as MYTD12NA13BCH24-O1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 58.9Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    72% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    65.0score / 100Heating 59 · Cooling 71

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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