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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ductless 5 tons and up

Only units that keep at least 70% of their heat at 5°F, ranked on heat kept, efficiency at 5°F and seasonal efficiency (HSPF2), against units their size.

Showing Ductless, 5 tons and up (57,000 Btu/h and up cooling). What size is my system?

ARCTIC KING

No ductless, 5 tons and up model from ARCTIC KING.

Buck Cool

No ductless, 5 tons and up 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