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 Samsung 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, Samsung scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

Bestcold
Samsung
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Bestcold	Samsung
Efficiency index	22%median —	62%median — · 6th ranked
COP at 5°F	19%median 1.80	48%median 1.98 · 20th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	30%median 70%	84%median 100% · 1st ranked
HSPF2	19%median 8.5	55%median 9.1 · 11th ranked
SEER2	27%median 19.0	64%median 20.0 · 4th ranked
EER2	16%median 10.0	58%median 12.5 · 7th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	32%median 8,600 Btu/h	78%median 27,500 Btu/h · 1st ranked
Outdoor models	7	55
AHRI certifications	7	158

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Bestcold	Samsung
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	71.4%5 models	85.5%47 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	57.1%4 models	83.6%46 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	9.1%5 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	57.1%4 models	89.1%49 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	9.1%5 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	0%0 models	9.1%5 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 · 3 groups where both have models

Bestcold
Samsung
All models of the group

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of Oct 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Bestcold	Samsung
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	4 · index 53%
Ducted, 2 tons	None	7 · index 61%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	13 · index 64%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	9 · index 58%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None	2 · index 65%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	5 · index 21%	18 · index 64%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	1 · index 25%	11 · index 63%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	1 · index 23%	12 · index 70%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	7 · index 53%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None	2 · index 38%

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 type	BestcoldCold-climate score, best model	SamsungCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	53.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC009BXADCHwith ducted air handler AC009BNLDCH4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 207465440
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC024BXUPCHwith ducted air handler AFM354+TDR7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 212150566
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	80.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC036BXUPCHwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M36G413 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 212590506
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC060BXUPCHwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M60E48 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 213350966
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	75.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM060MXMDCHAlso listed as AM060NXMDCR2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 10147096
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	28.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW-12HPAC1/Owith ductless indoor unit MYTW-12HPAC1/IAlso listed as MYTW-12HPAC2/O4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 214844424	90.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AR09CSDABWKXwith ductless indoor unit AR09CSDABWKN18 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 210445757
Non-ducted, 2 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	81.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AJ020CXS3CH10 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 213353367
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AJ036CXS4CH12 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 213353370
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	71.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM053NXMDCRAlso listed as AM053TXMDCH6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 202083810
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	46.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM060MXMDCHAlso listed as AM060NXMDCR2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 10147097

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 type	BestcoldAll-around score, best model	SamsungAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC009BXADCHwith ducted air handler AC009BNLDCH4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207465440
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AJ020CXS3CH7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213353371
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	83.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AJ030CXS4CH13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213353373
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC060BXUPCHwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M60E49 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213350966
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	64.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM060MXMDCHAlso listed as AM060NXMDCR2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10147096
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	23.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW-12HPAC1/Owith ductless indoor unit MYTW-12HPAC1/IAlso listed as MYTW-12HPAC2/O5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214844424	90.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AR09CSDABWKXwith ductless indoor unit AR09CSDABWKN18 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210445757
Non-ducted, 2 tons	24.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW-24HPAC2/Owith ductless indoor unit MYTW-24HPAC2/I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214844428	90.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AJ020CXS3CH11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213353367
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	23.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MYTW-36HPAC2/Owith ductless indoor unit MYTW-36HPAC2/I1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214844429	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AC030BXSCCHwith ductless indoor unit AC030BN4DCH12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207698065
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	68.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM048NXMDCR7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 202057118
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	37.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM060MXMDCHAlso listed as AM060NXMDCR2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10147097

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
Rating	Bestcold	Samsung
COP at 5°F	beats 26% · 1.80MYTW-24HPAC2/ONon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 94% · 2.17AC036BXADCHNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 46% · 70%MYTW-12HPAC1/OAlso listed as MYTW-12HPAC2/ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 146%AC018BXADCHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 25% · 8.5MYTW-36HPAC2/ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 9.5AM060MXMDCHAlso listed as AM060NXMDCRDucted, 5 tons and up
SEER2	beats 35% · 19.0MYTW-36HPAC2/ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 96% · 23.0AJ020CXS3CHNon-ducted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 25% · 10.0MYTW-24HPAC2/ONon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 100% · 15.0AJ020CXS3CHNon-ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 61% · 11,600 Btu/hMYTW-18HPAC2/ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 26,200 Btu/hAC018BXADCHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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Bestcold vs Samsung heat pumps