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Carrier vs Pioneer: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Carrier model beats 48% and a typical Pioneer model 47%. Carrier rates slightly higher overall.

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

Carrier

48%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

816 models listed

Pioneer

47%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

46 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°FCarrier: Beats 56%Pioneer: Beats 41%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FCarrier: Beats 34%Pioneer: Beats 43%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Carrier: Beats 40%Pioneer: Beats 56%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Carrier: Beats 42%Pioneer: Beats 56%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Carrier: Beats 59%Pioneer: Beats 40%

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

    Carrier
    40%
    Pioneer
    74%

  • Xcel CC

    Carrier
    27%
    Pioneer
    70%

  • CEE Advanced

    Carrier
    1%
    Pioneer
    0%

  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Carrier
    27%
    Pioneer
    54%

All-around best, ductless 5 tons and up

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

Showing Ductless, 5 tons and up (57,000 Btu/h and up cooling). What size is my system?

Carrier

  1. 1MCY-MUB0608HS2P-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)5 tons · 60,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 65% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    66% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.11 (COP at 5°F)
    Good
    Winter efficiency
    10.3 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    21.1 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    11.1 (EER2)
    Great
    69.0score / 100Heating 69 · Cooling 69
  2. 237MGRAQ55FA3Carrier (sold as Bryant)Also sold as Arcoaire D5CMRAH55FAK5 tons · 60,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 65% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025, CEE 2026
    Heat kept at 5°F
    65% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    61.3score / 100Heating 63 · Cooling 59
  3. 337VMB060HDS3-1Carrier5 tons · 60,000 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 50.6Meets Xcel CC, ENERGY STAR CC
    Heat kept at 5°F
    71% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    1.87 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    10.1 (HSPF2)
    Great
    Cooling efficiency
    19.5 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    9.5 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    36.0score / 100Heating 51 · Cooling 21

Pioneer

No ductless, 5 tons and up model from Pioneer.

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