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.

AIR MAX and Bestcold 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, AIR MAX scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

AIR MAX
Bestcold
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	AIR MAX	Bestcold
Efficiency index	54% (higher)median —	46% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	53% (higher)median 2.00	45% (higher)median 1.97
Capacity retention at 5°F	55% (higher)median 78%	43% (higher)median 72%
HSPF2	38%median 9.5	48%median 9.0
SEER2	56% (higher)median 21.0	51% (higher)median 18.5
EER2	63% (higher)median 12.0	39% (higher)median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F	54% (higher)median 21,600 Btu/h	46% (higher)median 18,950 Btu/h
Outdoor models	13	79
AHRI certifications	27	85

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AIR MAX	Bestcold
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%13 models	68.4%54 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%13 models	68.4%54 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	7.7%1 models	1.3%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	84.6%11 models	65.8%52 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	7.7%1 models	1.3%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	46.2%6 models	10.1%8 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 · 8 groups where both have models

AIR MAX
Bestcold
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 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	AIR MAX	Bestcold
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	1 · index 49%	1 · index —
Ducted, 2 tons	1 · index 55%	9 · index 63%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 60%	9 · index 50%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 67%	18 · index 54%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	5 · index 42%	26 · index 43%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 61%	5 · index 33%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	3 · index 55%	8 · index 35%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 53%	3 · index 29%

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	AIR MAXCold-climate score, best model	BestcoldCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	39.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH18-H21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218396976	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Ducted, 2 tons	49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218396979	80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MYUSA24NA23BCH19-Owith ducted air handler MYUSA24NA23BCH19-I8 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 217896463
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	52.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH36-H22 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218396985	70.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MYUA36NA23BCH19-Owith ducted air handler MYUA36NA23BCH19-I6 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 217896460
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	55.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH42-H22 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218396967	76.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MYUSA48NA23BCH18-Owith ducted air handler MYUSA48NA23BCH18-I14 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 217896465
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	61.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH18-H25 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218396975	68.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MYTW18NA23BCH24-O19 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 218599346
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH24-H21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218396978	37.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW24NA23BCH24ES-Owith ductless indoor unit MYTD24NA23BCH24ES-IAlso listed as MYTD24NA23BCH24-O2 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218599337
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH36-H23 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218396984	57.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW27NA23BCH24-O6 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 218599347
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	66.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH42-H22 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218396966	31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW42NA23BCH24-O2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218599349

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	AIR MAXAll-around score, best model	BestcoldAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	48.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH18-H21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396976	None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Ducted, 2 tons	54.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396979	79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MYGA36NA23BCH19-Owith ducted air handler MYGA24NA23BCH20-I8 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606049
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH30-H22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396982	65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MYUA36NA23BCH19-Owith ducted air handler MYUA36NA23BCH19-I7 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217896460
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	69.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH42-H23 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396967	72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MYOA48NA22BCH18-Owith ducted air handler MYOA48NA22BCH18-I15 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217650580
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	52.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH18-H25 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396975	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MYTW18NA23BCH24-O26 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218599346
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH24-H22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396978	48.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW24NA23BCH24ES-Owith ductless indoor unit MYTD24NA23BCH24ES-IAlso listed as MYTD24NA23BCH24-O5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218599337
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	70.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH30-H23 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396981	65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW27NA23BCH24-O8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218599347
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AFMKH42-H23 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396966	42.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW42NA23BCH24-O3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218599349

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	AIR MAX	Bestcold
COP at 5°F	beats 96% · 2.20AFMKH60-H2Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 86% · 2.30MYOA48NA22BCH18-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 81% · 100%AFMKH36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 97% · 103%MYIRU24NA22BCH18*Ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 69% · 10.0AFMKH24-H2Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 84% · 9.8MYUA48NA23BCH19-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 85% · 19.0AFMKH60-H2Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 91% · 24.0MYTW27NA23BCH24-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 94% · 13.0AFMKH42-H2Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 98% · 14.0MYUA24NA23BCH20-ODucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 86% · 36,000 Btu/hAFMKH36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 97% · 25,800 Btu/hMYIRU24NA22BCH18*Ducted, 2 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers

AIR MAX vs Bestcold heat pumps