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.

Daikin and Lennox 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, Lennox scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

Daikin
Lennox
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Daikin	Lennox
Efficiency index	45%median — · 26th ranked	56%median — · 13th ranked
COP at 5°F	56%median 2.00 · 11th ranked	58%median 2.00 · 10th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	40%median 59% · 25th ranked	48%median 67% · 19th ranked
HSPF2	35%median 7.5 · 24th ranked	49%median 8.5 · 17th ranked
SEER2	39%median 15.2 · 23rd ranked	49%median 17.0 · 17th ranked
EER2	48%median 11.2 · 18th ranked	54%median 11.6 · 14th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	40%median 18,000 Btu/h · 24th ranked	48%median 18,560 Btu/h · 18th ranked
Outdoor models	367	313
AHRI certifications	24,263	75,630

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Daikin	Lennox
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	27%99 models	46%144 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	25.6%94 models	45%141 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1.6%6 models	1%3 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	15%55 models	29.4%92 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1.6%6 models	1%3 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	7.6%28 models	19.8%62 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 · 10 groups where both have models

Daikin
Lennox
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 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Daikin	Lennox
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	39 · index 36%	31 · index 60%
Ducted, 2 tons	42 · index 39%	35 · index 58%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	106 · index 44%	72 · index 55%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	128 · index 49%	86 · index 57%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	17 · index 38%	13 · index 45%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	39 · index 49%	66 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	15 · index 45%	22 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	15 · index 56%	37 · index 55%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 57%	16 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	2 · index 42%	1 · index 36%

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	DaikinCold-climate score, best model	LennoxCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH093E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST093E21ADAA17 of 39 models qualify · AHRI 206900419	77.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MPC009S4S-1Pwith ducted air handler MMDB009S4-*PAlso sold as AirEase 4DHPS209S-1P21 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 211034423
Ducted, 2 tons	79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH243E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST243E21ADAAAlso listed as MSH243G22MCAA15 of 44 models qualify · AHRI 206900422	81.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MPC024S4S-1Pwith ducted air handler MMDB024S4-*PAlso sold as AirEase 4DHP2S24S-1P17 of 34 models qualify · AHRI 211034426
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	80.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MST273G22MHAA14 of 105 models qualify · AHRI 214438129	83.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MLB036S4S-1Pwith ducted air handler MMDB036S4-2PAlso listed as MLB036S4S-2P23 of 74 models qualify · AHRI 205782160
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	86.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)RZQ42TBVJU*with ducted air handler FBQ42TBVJU11 of 127 models qualify · AHRI 211635174	88.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MLB048S4S-1Pwith ducted air handler MMDB048S4-2P18 of 85 models qualify · AHRI 205782161
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 17 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 13 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH183G26MCAAwith ductless indoor unit MSH183G26AXAA21 of 39 models qualify · AHRI 214438121	90.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPC009S4S-1Pwith ductless indoor unit MWMC006S4-2P34 of 66 models qualify · AHRI 213199199
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH243E23MCAAwith ductless indoor unit MSH243E23AXAA9 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 203991093	86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MLB024S4S-1Pwith ductless indoor unit M33C024S4-1PAlso sold as Comfort-Aire A-VMH24SV-114 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 207683534
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	88.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RZQ36TBVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCQ36AAVJU7 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 211635165	90.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH36QV-1A12 of 37 models qualify · AHRI 214377756
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	83.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RZQ42TBVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCQ42AAVJU6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 211635166	81.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MLB048S4S-2Pwith ductless indoor unit M33C048S4-*P8 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 211034460
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)

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	DaikinAll-around score, best model	LennoxAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH093E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST093E21ADAA30 of 32 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206900419	85.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MLB009S4S-1Pwith ducted air handler MMDB009S4-2P30 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207683524
Ducted, 2 tons	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH243E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST243E21ADAAAlso listed as MSH243G22MCAA36 of 44 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206900422	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)EL22XPV-024-230Awith ducted air handler CBK47UHET-030-230-0Also sold as Armstrong Air 4SHP22LX124P-A29 of 35 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214861258
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)MST363G22MHAA67 of 110 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438132	83.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)A-VMH36QV-1A47 of 69 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214377757
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MST483G22MHAA72 of 128 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438135	87.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SL25XPV-048-230A*with ducted air handler CBA38MV-048-230+TDR49 of 84 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207436541
Ducted, 5 tons and up	56.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTQ60TBVJU*16 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211641707	68.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)4HP17L60P-**Awith ducted air handler L(E,G)M60H412 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212431768
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	93.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH183G26MCAAwith ductless indoor unit MSH183G26AXAA39 of 39 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438121	92.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MPC009S4S-1Pwith ductless indoor unit MWMC006S4-2P59 of 66 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213199199
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXSQ24TBVJU*15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211641662	84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MLB024S4S-1Pwith ductless indoor unit MWMC024S4-1PAlso sold as Comfort-Aire A-VMH24SV-1, Comfort-Aire A-VMH24SU-1, Comfort-Aire A-KMH24SU-120 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207683523
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	81.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)RZQ30TBVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCQ30AAVJU14 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635164	86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)A-VMH36QV-1A27 of 37 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214377756
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MST483G22MHAA6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438134	77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MLB048S4M-2PAlso sold as Comfort-Aire A-VMH48PV-1, Allied 4DHP2S48M-1P11 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207699107
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	42.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RXTQ60TBVJU*Also listed as RXSQ60TBVJU2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211641661	36.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)GMV-60WL/C-T(U)1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214728288

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	Daikin	Lennox
COP at 5°F	beats 99% · 2.50RXTQ36TBVJU*Also listed as RXSQ36TBVJUNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 100% · 3.194HP18V36PDucted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 99% · 141%GSZB401810A*Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 147%4HP17L18P-**ADucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 100% · 14.5MSH123G26MCAANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 10.3MLB048S4S-1PDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 22.5DZ9VCA2410A*Also sold as Goodman GSZV902410ADucted, 2 tons	beats 100% · 21.8SL25XPV-048-230A**Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 14.5RXSQ24TBVJU*Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 100% · 15.0SL25XPV-024-230A**Ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 24,000 Btu/hMSH183G26MCAANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 42,926 Btu/hMLB036S4S-2PNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

More comparisons

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Daikin vs Lennox heat pumps