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AIR MAX vs Bravo heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, AIR MAX scores higher on 3 of the 6 ratings. AIR MAX has 7 outdoor models, Bravo has 3 outdoor models. AIR MAX and Bravo have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · 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.
AIR MAX and Bravo 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 3 of the 6 ratings.
  • AIR MAX
  • Bravo
  • Other ranked manufacturers
AIR MAXBravo

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingAIR MAXBravo
Efficiency index45%median ——median —
COP at 5°F28%median 1.80—median —
Capacity retention at 5°F60%median 73%—median —
HSPF217% (higher)median 8.511% (higher)median 8.0
SEER246% (higher)median 20.07% (higher)median 17.0
EER249% (higher)median 11.31% (higher)median 8.5
Heating capacity at 5°F52%median 12,000 Btu/h—median —
Outdoor models73
AHRI certifications73

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardAIR MAXBravo
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)57.1%4 models0%0 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)57.1%4 models0%0 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)42.9%3 models0%0 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate0%0 models0%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
  • AIR MAX
  • Bravo
  • All models of the group
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsmedian

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeAIR MAXBravo
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons4 · index 49%2 · index —
Non-ducted, 2 tons1 · index 25%1 · index —
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2 · index 48%None

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 typeAIR MAXCold-climate score, best modelBravoCold-climate score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons50.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGYC12-C2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H24 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 205758359None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons44.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGYC36-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE36-H21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211330205No models in this size class

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 typeAIR MAXAll-around score, best modelBravoAll-around score, best model
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons68.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGYC12-C2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H24 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205758359None on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)
Non-ducted, 2 tons25.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGSC24-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGSE24-H21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204517336None on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons47.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AWGYC36-H2with ductless indoor unit AWGYE36-H21 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211330205No models in this size class

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
RatingAIR MAXBravo
COP at 5°Fbeats 53% · 1.85AWGYC36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons—
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 78% · 98%AWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons—
HSPF2beats 25% · 8.5AWGYC36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 16% · 8.5BRV-18LS-230VONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 83% · 24.0AWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 9% · 17.0BRV-24LS-230VONon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2beats 85% · 14.0AWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 2% · 8.7BRV-24LS-230VONon-ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 69% · 12,000 Btu/hAWGYC12-C2Also listed as AWGYC12-H2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons—

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