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Daikin vs Rheem: heat pump ratings compared

Against heat pumps of the same size and type, a typical Daikin model beats 50% and a typical Rheem model 49%. Daikin rates slightly higher overall.

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

Daikin

50%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

394 models listed

Rheem

49%

of similar heat pumps beaten by its typical model

About average

341 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°FDaikin: Beats 46%Rheem: Beats 59%
  • Heating power kept at 5°FCapacity at 5°F vs 47°FDaikin: Beats 48%Rheem: Beats 48%
  • Winter-long heating efficiencyHSPF2Daikin: Beats 38%Rheem: Beats 43%
  • Summer-long cooling efficiencySEER2Daikin: Beats 45%Rheem: Beats 42%
  • Hot-day cooling efficiencyEER2Daikin: Beats 54%Rheem: 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

    Daikin
    38%
    Rheem
    36%
  • Xcel CC

    Daikin
    30%
    Rheem
    34%
  • CEE Advanced

    Daikin
    2%
    Rheem
    2%
  • ENERGY STAR CC

    Daikin
    17%
    Rheem
    33%

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.

Daikin

  1. 1RXTA60AAVJU*Daikin5 tons · 57,500 Btu/h · DuctlessCold-climate pick, score 70.2Meets none of the standards tracked here
    Heat kept at 5°F
    70% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Good
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.35 (COP at 5°F)
    Top 10%
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    20.5 (SEER2)
    Good
    Hot-day cooling
    8.7 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    48.2score / 100Heating 70 · Cooling 26

Rheem

  1. 1ML55HP230MUL-O*Rheem (sold as Mainline)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
    65% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.20 (COP at 5°F)
    Great
    Winter efficiency
    9.5 (HSPF2)
    Below the middle
    Cooling efficiency
    22.0 (SEER2)
    Great
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    58.6score / 100Heating 58 · Cooling 59
  2. 2ML55HP230MUL-ORheem (sold as Mainline)5 tons · 60,000 Btu/h · DuctlessNot a cold-climate pick: keeps 63% of its heat at 5°FMeets CEE 2025
    Heat kept at 5°F
    60% (Capacity at 5°F vs 47°F)
    Below the middle
    Efficiency at 5°F
    2.00 (COP at 5°F)
    Below the middle
    Winter efficiency
    9.6 (HSPF2)
    Good
    Cooling efficiency
    19.2 (SEER2)
    Below the middle
    Hot-day cooling
    10.0 (EER2)
    Below the middle
    32.5score / 100Heating 28 · Cooling 37

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