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Bestcold vs Samsung: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Bestcold model beats 22% and a typical Samsung model 62%. Samsung rates higher overall.

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

Bestcold

22%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well below average

7 models listed

Samsung

62%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

Well above average

55 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 19%Samsung: Beats 48%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FBestcold: Beats 30%Samsung: Beats 84%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Bestcold: Beats 19%Samsung: Beats 55%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Bestcold: Beats 27%Samsung: Beats 64%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Bestcold: Beats 16%Samsung: Beats 58%

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
    71%
    Samsung
    86%

  • Xcel CC

    Bestcold
    57%
    Samsung
    89%

  • CEE Advanced

    Bestcold
    0%
    Samsung
    9%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Bestcold
    0%
    Samsung
    9%

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?

Bestcold

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from Bestcold.

Samsung

  1. 1AJ030CXS4CHSamsung2.5 tons · 28,400 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    101% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.81 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    20.0 (SEER2)
    Top 10%
    Hot-day cooling
    13.0 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    83.8score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 95
  2. 2AC036BXSCCHwith ducted air handler AC036BNHDCHSamsung3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 72.2Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    99% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.94 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    8.8 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.4 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.2 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    81.1score / 100Heating 72 · Cooling 90
  3. 3AC030BXSCCHwith ducted air handler AC030BNZDCHSamsung2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctedCold-climate pick, score 67.0Meets CEE 2025, CEE 2026, Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    113% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.84 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    8.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    18.5 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    12.5 (EER2)
    Top 10%
    77.6score / 100Heating 67 · Cooling 88

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