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Bestcold vs GENERALLUX STAR heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, GENERALLUX STAR scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. Bestcold has 79 outdoor models, GENERALLUX STAR has 6 outdoor models. Bestcold and GENERALLUX STAR 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.
Bestcold and GENERALLUX STAR 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, GENERALLUX STAR scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • Bestcold
  • GENERALLUX STAR
  • Other ranked manufacturers
BestcoldGENERALL…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingBestcoldGENERALLUX STAR
Efficiency index46%median —50%median —
COP at 5°F45%median 1.9755%median 1.95
Capacity retention at 5°F43%median 72%60%median 80%
HSPF248% (higher)median 9.042% (higher)median 9.7
SEER251% (higher)median 18.548% (higher)median 21.0
EER239%median 11.247%median 12.1
Heating capacity at 5°F46%median 18,950 Btu/h62%median 15,850 Btu/h
Outdoor models796
AHRI certifications856

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardBestcoldGENERALLUX STAR
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)68.4%54 models100%6 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)68.4%54 models100%6 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.3%1 models0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)65.8%52 models83.3%5 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.3%1 models0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate10.1%8 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
  • Bestcold
  • GENERALLUX STAR
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 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 typeBestcoldGENERALLUX STAR
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1 · index —None
Ducted, 2 tons9 · index 63%None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons9 · index 50%None
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons18 · index 54%None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons26 · index 43%4 · index 52%
Non-ducted, 2 tons5 · index 33%2 · index 45%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons8 · index 35%None
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3 · index 29%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 typeBestcoldCold-climate score, best modelGENERALLUX STARCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tons80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYUSA24NA23BCH19-Owith ducted air handler MYUSA24NA23BCH19-I8 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 217896463No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons70.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYUA36NA23BCH19-Owith ducted air handler MYUA36NA23BCH19-I6 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 217896460No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons76.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYUSA48NA23BCH18-Owith ducted air handler MYUSA48NA23BCH18-I14 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 217896465No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons68.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW18NA23BCH24-O19 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 21859934669.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)GNS18HCH21R32Owith ductless indoor unit GNS18HCH21R32I3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 215887344
Non-ducted, 2 tons37.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW24NA23BCH24ES-Owith ductless indoor unit MYTD24NA23BCH24ES-IAlso listed as MYTD24NA23BCH24-O2 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 21859933748.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)GNS24HCH23R454Owith ductless indoor unit GNS24HCH23R454I2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215887348
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons57.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW27NA23BCH24-O6 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 218599347No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons31.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW42NA23BCH24-O2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218599349No 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 typeBestcoldAll-around score, best modelGENERALLUX STARAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone on this board (0 of 1 models have all five ratings)No models in this size class
Ducted, 2 tons79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYGA36NA23BCH19-Owith ducted air handler MYGA24NA23BCH20-I8 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217606049No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYUA36NA23BCH19-Owith ducted air handler MYUA36NA23BCH19-I7 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217896460No models in this size class
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYOA48NA22BCH18-Owith ducted air handler MYOA48NA22BCH18-I15 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217650580No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MYTW18NA23BCH24-O26 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21859934664.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)GNS12HCH23R454Owith ductless indoor unit GNS12HCH23R454I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215887346
Non-ducted, 2 tons48.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW24NA23BCH24ES-Owith ductless indoor unit MYTD24NA23BCH24ES-IAlso listed as MYTD24NA23BCH24-O5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21859933758.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)GNS24HCH23R454Owith ductless indoor unit GNS24HCH23R454I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215887348
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW27NA23BCH24-O8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218599347No models in this size class
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons42.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW42NA23BCH24-O3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218599349No 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
RatingBestcoldGENERALLUX STAR
COP at 5°Fbeats 86% · 2.30MYOA48NA22BCH18-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 98% · 2.49GNS18HCH21R32ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 97% · 103%MYIRU24NA22BCH18*Ducted, 2 tonsbeats 87% · 100%GNS18HCH21R454ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 84% · 9.8MYUA48NA23BCH19-ODucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 64% · 10.0GNS12HCH23R454ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 91% · 24.0MYTW27NA23BCH24-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 67% · 22.5GNS24HCH23R454ONon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2beats 98% · 14.0MYUA24NA23BCH20-ODucted, 2 tonsbeats 65% · 13.0GNS18HCH21R454ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 97% · 25,800 Btu/hMYIRU24NA22BCH18*Ducted, 2 tonsbeats 93% · 18,000 Btu/hGNS18HCH21R454ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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