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Bestcold vs GENERALLUX STAR: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Bestcold model beats 46% and a typical GENERALLUX STAR model 50%. GENERALLUX STAR rates slightly higher overall.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Bestcold

46%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

79 models listed

GENERALLUX STAR

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

6 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°FBestcold: Beats 45%GENERALLUX STAR: Beats 55%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBestcold: Beats 43%GENERALLUX STAR: Beats 60%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Bestcold: Beats 48%GENERALLUX STAR: Beats 42%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Bestcold: Beats 51%GENERALLUX STAR: Beats 48%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Bestcold: Beats 39%GENERALLUX STAR: Beats 47%

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

    Bestcold
    68%
    GENERALLUX STAR
    100%
  • Xcel CC

    Bestcold
    66%
    GENERALLUX STAR
    83%
  • CEE Advanced

    Bestcold
    1%
    GENERALLUX STAR
    0%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Bestcold
    10%
    GENERALLUX STAR
    0%

All-around best, ductless up to 1.5 tons

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

Bestcold

  1. 1MYTW18NA23BCH24-OBestcold1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.6Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    80% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    72.2score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 76
  2. 2MYTW12NA23BCH24ES-Owith ductless indoor unit MYTD12NA23BCH24ES-IBestcoldAlso listed as MYTD12NA23BCH24-O1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 59.5Meets 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
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    24.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    67.7score / 100Heating 60 · Cooling 76
  3. 3MYTW12NA13BCH24ES-Owith ductless indoor unit MYTD12NA13BCH24ES-IBestcoldAlso listed as MYTD12NA13BCH24-O1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 58.9Meets 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
    2.10 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    65.0score / 100Heating 59 · Cooling 71

GENERALLUX STAR

  1. 1GNS12HCH23R454Owith ductless indoor unit GNS12HCH23R454IGENERALLUX STAR1 ton · 12,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 68.4Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    92% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    23.0 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    12.3 (EER2)
    Good
    64.1score / 100Heating 68 · Cooling 60
  2. 2GNS18HCH21R454Owith ductless indoor unit GNS18HCH21R454IGENERALLUX STAR1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 65.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Great
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.90 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.0 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Good
    60.2score / 100Heating 65 · Cooling 55
  3. 3GNS18HCH21R32Owith ductless indoor unit GNS18HCH21R32IGENERALLUX STAR1.5 tons · 18,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 69.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    76% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.49 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    21.0 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    12.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    55.3score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 42

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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