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Daikin vs Mitsubishi Electric heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Mitsubishi Electric scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings. Daikin has 394 outdoor models, Mitsubishi Electric has 156 outdoor models.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

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 Mitsubishi Electric 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, Mitsubishi Electric scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.
  • Daikin
  • Mitsubishi Electric
  • Other ranked manufacturers
DaikinMitsubis…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingDaikinMitsubishi Electric
Efficiency index50%median — · 19th ranked60%median — · 6th ranked
COP at 5°F46%median 1.94 · 20th ranked55%median 2.00 · 18th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F48%median 68% · 20th ranked54%median 71% · 13th ranked
HSPF238%median 7.8 · 26th ranked66%median 10.0 · 6th ranked
SEER245%median 16.6 · 20th ranked63%median 20.0 · 4th ranked
EER254%median 11.7 · 13th ranked60%median 12.5 · 7th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F47%median 23,200 Btu/h · 20th ranked63%median 20,500 Btu/h · 6th ranked
Outdoor models394156
AHRI certifications21,282523

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardDaikinMitsubishi Electric
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)38.1%150 models80.8%126 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)34.8%137 models80.8%126 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)1.8%7 models9.6%15 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)29.7%117 models66.7%104 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge1.8%7 models9.6%15 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate17.3%68 models66%103 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
  • Mitsubishi Electric
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.901,783 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.001,090 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,909 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.002,224 modelsDucted, 5 tons and up2.00321 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.953,455 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons2.00863 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons2.001,106 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons2.00564 modelsNon-ducted, 5 tons and up2.0585 modelsmedian

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

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeDaikinMitsubishi Electric
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons30 · index 36%25 · index 62%
Ducted, 2 tons47 · index 44%10 · index 61%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons105 · index 52%29 · index 62%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons152 · index 57%29 · index 56%
Ducted, 5 tons and up16 · index 50%10 · index 54%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons43 · index 46%60 · index 64%
Non-ducted, 2 tons13 · index 49%13 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons8 · index 51%21 · index 60%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons7 · index 33%18 · index 54%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 48%6 · index 67%

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 typeDaikinCold-climate score, best modelMitsubishi ElectricCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons62.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)RZA18AAVJU*with ducted air handler FTA18A*VJU11 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 21717521485.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SUZ-AA15NLHZ***with ducted air handler PEAD-AA15NL10 of 24 models qualify · AHRI 215734918
Ducted, 2 tons89.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DH9VSA241CA*with ducted air handler CAHEA3630C3A*+MBVK16CH*X00AAlso sold as Amana AZV9SA241CA, Goodman GZV9SA241CA12 of 47 models qualify · AHRI 21669979178.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)PUZ-AK24NLHZ2***with ducted air handler PVA-AA24NL8 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218697028
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons88.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DH9VSA361CA*with ducted air handler CAHEA3630C3A*+MBVK16CH*X00AAlso sold as Amana AZV9SA361CA, Goodman GZV9SA361CA36 of 105 models qualify · AHRI 21669979288.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PUZ-AK30NLHZ2***with ducted air handler PVA-AA30NL20 of 30 models qualify · AHRI 218697041
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons72.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RZA42AAVJU*with ducted air handler FBA42A*VJU49 of 152 models qualify · AHRI 21717522380.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MXZ-SM48NLHZ-**18 of 29 models qualify · AHRI 217135880
Ducted, 5 tons and up77.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTA60AAVJU*1 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 21717841778.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MXZ-SM60NLHZ-**6 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 217643004
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons80.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXM09WVJU*with ductless indoor unit FTXM09WVJU34 of 43 models qualify · AHRI 21249425797.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MUZ-FX06NLHZ***with ductless indoor unit MSZ-FX06NLAlso listed as MUZ-FX06NLHZ243 of 60 models qualify · AHRI 215611124
Non-ducted, 2 tons76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTA24AAVJU*10 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 21717840888.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PUZ-AK24NLHZ2***with ductless indoor unit PLA-AE24NL10 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 218697024
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXLA36AAVJU*8 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 21717841293.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PUZ-AK30NLHZ2***with ductless indoor unit PLA-AE30NL12 of 21 models qualify · AHRI 218697037
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons46.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXLA48AAVJU*7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21717841378.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MXZ-SM48NLHZ***Also listed as PUMY-HL48NKMU, MXZ-SM48NLHZ-13 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 215685467
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RXTA60AAVJU*1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21717841170.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MXZ-SM60NLHZ-**Also listed as PUMY-HL60NKMU6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 217643003

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 typeDaikinAll-around score, best modelMitsubishi ElectricAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons65.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)RZA18AAVJU*with ducted air handler FBA18A*VJU27 of 27 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21717521978.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SUZ-AA15NLHZ***with ducted air handler PEAD-AA15NL21 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215734918
Ducted, 2 tons87.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DH9VSA241CA*with ducted air handler CAHEA3630C3A*+MBVK16CH*X00AAlso sold as Amana AZV9SA241CA, Goodman GZV9SA241CA30 of 42 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21669979185.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PUZ-AK24NLHZ2***with ducted air handler PVA-AA24NL12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218697028
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons89.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)DH9VSA361CA*with ducted air handler CAHEA3630C3A*+MBVK16CH*X00AAlso sold as Amana AZV9SA361CA, Goodman GZV9SA361CA76 of 107 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21669979293.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PUZ-AK30NLHZ2***with ducted air handler PVA-AA30NL30 of 30 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218697041
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons79.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DPSH04BAPB2****E35**0*Also listed as DPSH04BAPB3****E35**0, DPSH04BAPB4****E35**0, DPSH04BAPB5****E35**0118 of 153 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21603029670.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MXZ-SM48NLHZ-**29 of 29 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217135880
Ducted, 5 tons and up62.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DH7TCA6010A*with ducted air handler DMVT60DP1300AAlso sold as Goodman GLZT7CA6010A, Amana ALZT7CA6010A18 of 21 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21565738265.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MXZ-SM60NLHZ-**10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217643004
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons88.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXM09WVJU*with ductless indoor unit FTXM09WVJU43 of 43 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21249425798.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MUZ-FX06NLHZ***with ductless indoor unit MSZ-FX06NLAlso listed as MUZ-FX06NLHZ256 of 60 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215611124
Non-ducted, 2 tons85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTA24AAVJU*13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21717840887.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PUZ-AK24NLHZ2***with ductless indoor unit PLA-AE24NL12 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218697024
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons76.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXLA36AAVJU*8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21717841292.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PUZ-AK30NLHZ2***with ductless indoor unit PLA-AE30NL20 of 21 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218697037
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons48.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXLA48AAVJU*7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21717841385.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MXZ-SM48NLHZ***Also listed as PUMY-HL48NKMU, MXZ-SM48NLHZ-18 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215685467
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up48.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTA60AAVJU*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21717841168.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MXZ-SM60NLHZ-**Also listed as PUMY-HL60NKMU6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217643003

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
RatingDaikinMitsubishi Electric
COP at 5°Fbeats 100% · 2.50RXTA36AAVJU*Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 100% · 2.70PUZ-AK42NL***Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 99% · 109%RZA30AAVJU*Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 99% · 140%MUZ-FX06NLHZ***Also listed as MUZ-FX06NLHZ2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 87% · 11.2RXM09WVJU*Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 100% · 12.0MXZ-SM36NLHZ***Also listed as PUMY-HL36NKMU, MXZ-SM36NLHZ-Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2beats 98% · 21.0DH9VSA361CA*Also sold as Amana AZV9SA361CA, Goodman GZV9SA361CADucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 100% · 35.0MUZ-FX06NLHZ***Also listed as MUZ-FX06NLHZ2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2beats 99% · 14.8RXTA24AAVJU*Non-ducted, 2 tonsbeats 100% · 21.5MUZ-FX06NLHZ***Also listed as MUZ-FX06NLHZ2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 99% · 21,600 Btu/hRXM18WVJU*Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 100% · 26,600 Btu/hMUZ-FX24NLHZ***Also listed as MUZ-FX24NLHZ2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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