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ARCTIC KING vs Buck Cool: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical ARCTIC KING model beats 35% and a typical Buck Cool model 55%. Buck Cool rates higher overall.

Covers older R-410A heat pumps, no longer installed new. See models sold today · Updated

ARCTIC KING

35%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

5 models listed

Buck Cool

55%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Above average

5 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°FARCTIC KING: Beats 40%Buck Cool: Beats 60%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FARCTIC KING: Beats 28%Buck Cool: Beats 70%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2ARCTIC KING: Beats 29%Buck Cool: Beats 33%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2ARCTIC KING: Beats 23%Buck Cool: Beats 43%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2ARCTIC KING: Beats 27%Buck Cool: Beats 48%

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

    ARCTIC KING
    20%
    Buck Cool
    80%

  • Xcel CC

    ARCTIC KING
    0%
    Buck Cool
    80%

  • CEE Advanced

    ARCTIC KING
    0%
    Buck Cool
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    ARCTIC KING
    0%
    Buck Cool
    60%

All-around best, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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

Showing Ducted, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling), the most-listed ducted size. Pick yours above. What size is my system?

ARCTIC KING

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from ARCTIC KING.

Buck Cool

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from Buck Cool.

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.

Open the advanced view