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 5 of the 6 ratings.

AIR MAX
BRAVO
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	BRAVO
Efficiency index	54% (higher)median —	47% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	53% (higher)median 2.00	48% (higher)median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F	55% (higher)median 78%	41% (higher)median 70%
HSPF2	38%median 9.5	53%median 9.5
SEER2	56% (higher)median 21.0	51% (higher)median 19.5
EER2	63% (higher)median 12.0	44% (higher)median 10.8
Heating capacity at 5°F	54% (higher)median 21,600 Btu/h	41% (higher)median 13,250 Btu/h
Outdoor models	13	14
AHRI certifications	27	28

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	AIR MAX	BRAVO
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%13 models	57.1%8 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	100%13 models	57.1%8 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	7.7%1 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	84.6%11 models	57.1%8 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	7.7%1 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	46.2%6 models	21.4%3 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
BRAVO
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	BRAVO
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	1 · index 49%	1 · index 61%
Ducted, 2 tons	1 · index 55%	1 · index 66%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 60%	2 · index 76%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 67%	1 · index 87%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	5 · index 42%	7 · index 32%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 61%	3 · index 38%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	3 · index 55%	3 · index 41%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 53%	1 · index 74%

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	BRAVOCold-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	55.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-M18-230VO1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217221457
Ducted, 2 tons	49.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218396979	59.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-M24-230VO1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217221458
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	52.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH36-H22 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218396985	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-M30-230VO2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 217221459
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	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-M42-230VO1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217221461
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	64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-M18-230VO3 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217221452
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H21 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218396978	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)BRV-M24-230VO2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217221453
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	62.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)BRV-M30-230VO2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217221464
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	59.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)BRV-M42-230VO1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217221466

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	BRAVOAll-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	61.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-M18-230VO1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221457
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	66.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-M24-230VO1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221458
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	80.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-M30-230VO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221459
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	87.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-M42-230VO1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221461
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	61.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-P09LS-230VOwith ductless indoor unit BRV-P09CT-230VI7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218425279
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH24-H22 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396978	71.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-M24-230VO3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221453
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	66.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)BRV-M30-230VO3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221454
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AFMKH42-H23 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396966	74.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)BRV-M42-230VO1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217221466

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	BRAVO
COP at 5°F	beats 96% · 2.20AFMKH60-H2Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 83% · 2.05BRV-M30-230VONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 81% · 100%AFMKH36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 79% · 90%BRV-M24-230VONon-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 69% · 10.0AFMKH24-H2Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 86% · 10.0BRV-M42-230VODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 85% · 19.0AFMKH60-H2Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 100% · 22.0BRV-M42-230VODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2	beats 94% · 13.0AFMKH42-H2Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 91% · 12.3BRV-M42-230VODucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 86% · 36,000 Btu/hAFMKH36-H2Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 85% · 14,500 Btu/hBRV-M18-230VONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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AIR MAX vs BRAVO heat pumps