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AIR MAX vs BRAVO: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical AIR MAX model beats 54% and a typical BRAVO model 47%. 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

BRAVO

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

14 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%BRAVO: Beats 48%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FAIR MAX: Beats 55%BRAVO: Beats 41%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2AIR MAX: Beats 38%BRAVO: Beats 53%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2AIR MAX: Beats 56%BRAVO: Beats 51%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2AIR MAX: Beats 63%BRAVO: Beats 44%

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%
    BRAVO
    57%

  • Xcel CC

    AIR MAX
    85%
    BRAVO
    57%

  • CEE Advanced

    AIR MAX
    8%
    BRAVO
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    AIR MAX
    46%
    BRAVO
    21%

All-around best, ductless 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ductless, 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 · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 69.8Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    90% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.07 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.6 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    70.5score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 71
  2. 2AFMKH36-H2AIR MAX3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 77.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, CEE Advanced, Xcel CC, DOE CCHP, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Good
    64.5score / 100Heating 77 · Cooling 52
  3. 3AWGRC36-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGRE36-H2AIR MAX3 tons · 33,600 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 22.3Meets 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
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    11.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    30.4score / 100Heating 22 · Cooling 39

BRAVO

  1. 1BRV-M30-230VOBRAVO2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 62.1Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    82% (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
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Great
    66.6score / 100Heating 57 · Cooling 76
  2. 2BRV-M36-230VOBRAVO3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 59.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Good
    62.6score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 74
  3. 3BRV-R36LS-230VOwith ductless indoor unit BRV-R36W-230VIBRAVO3 tons · 35,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 50% of its heat at 5°FMeets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    51% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.80 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    17.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    7.6score / 100Heating 7 · Cooling 8

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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