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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%

Top cold-climate picks, ducted 2.5–3 tons

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.

Bestcold

No ducted, 2.5–3 tons model from Bestcold.

Samsung

  1. 1AC036BXUPCHwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M36G4Samsung3 tons · 35,800 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 117% of its heat at 5°FMeets Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    117% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.26 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.4 (HSPF2)
    Good
    80.4score / 100
  2. 2AC036BXUDCHwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M36G4Samsung3 tons · 35,800 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 100% of its heat at 5°FMeets ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    100% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.1 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    75.6score / 100
  3. 3AC036BXADCHwith ducted air handler AC036BNHDCHSamsung3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctedKeeps 94% of its heat at 5°FMeets Xcel CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    94% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Top 10%
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.08 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Seasonal efficiency
    8.4 (HSPF2)
    Good
    74.5score / 100

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