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 Rheem 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, Rheem scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

Daikin
Rheem
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Daikin	Rheem
Efficiency index	45%median — · 26th ranked	54%median — · 16th ranked
COP at 5°F	56%median 2.00 · 11th ranked	69%median 2.10 · 4th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	40%median 59% · 25th ranked	59%median 73% · 10th ranked
HSPF2	35%median 7.5 · 24th ranked	49%median 8.1 · 18th ranked
SEER2	39%median 15.2 · 23rd ranked	44%median 16.0 · 21st ranked
EER2	48% (higher)median 11.2 · 18th ranked	46% (higher)median 10.6 · 20th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	40%median 18,000 Btu/h · 24th ranked	58%median 22,000 Btu/h · 8th ranked
Outdoor models	367	291
AHRI certifications	24,263	15,614

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Daikin	Rheem
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	27%99 models	40.2%117 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	25.6%94 models	39.2%114 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	1.6%6 models	5.5%16 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	15%55 models	35.1%102 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	1.6%6 models	5.5%16 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	7.6%28 models	15.5%45 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 · 9 groups where both have models

Daikin
Rheem
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	Rheem
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	39 · index 36%	25 · index 40%
Ducted, 2 tons	42 · index 39%	32 · index 49%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	106 · index 44%	64 · index 51%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	128 · index 49%	85 · index 52%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	17 · index 38%	17 · index 69%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	39 · index 49%	59 · index 64%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	15 · index 45%	12 · index 64%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	15 · index 56%	20 · index 57%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 57%	8 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	2 · index 42%	None

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	RheemCold-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	83.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RO1HHZ12AJ8Swith ducted air handler RIMHHZ12AJ8S13 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 210824724
Ducted, 2 tons	79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH243E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST243E21ADAAAlso listed as MSH243G22MCAA15 of 44 models qualify · AHRI 206900422	75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)UOMH24FXZHJAlso listed as ROMH24FXZHJ, RO3HFZ24AJ1H14 of 31 models qualify · AHRI 10595427
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	80.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MST273G22MHAA14 of 105 models qualify · AHRI 214438129	86.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RO1HHZ30AJ8Swith ducted air handler RIMHHZ30AJ8S24 of 64 models qualify · AHRI 211781741
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	87.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ROSH42VGSNwith ducted air handler RIDH42AXCJAlso sold as RUUD RO1HGZ42AJ8S23 of 85 models qualify · AHRI 207590035
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 17 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 17 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH183G26MCAAwith ductless indoor unit MSH183G26AXAA21 of 39 models qualify · AHRI 214438121	95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)RO1HGZ15AJ1Swith ductless indoor unit UIWHGZ15AJ1S45 of 59 models qualify · AHRI 210368107
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	87.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RO1HHZ24AJ2Swith ductless indoor unit UIWHHZ24AJ2S10 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 210368117
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	89.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RO1HHZ30AJ8Swith ductless indoor unit RIGHHZ30AJ8S15 of 20 models qualify · AHRI 211781745
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	75.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)ROSH42VGSNwith ductless indoor unit RICH42AXCJAlso sold as RUUD UOSH42VGSN; also listed as RO1HGZ42AJ8S5 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 202245810
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	No models in this size class

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	RheemAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH093E23MCAAwith ducted air handler MST093E21ADAA30 of 32 models have all five ratings · AHRI 206900419	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)RO1HHZ12AJ8Swith ducted air handler RIMHHZ12AJ8S24 of 25 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210824724
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	83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RP18AZ24AJVCwith indoor coil RCFZ2421HEAAM and furnace R98VB085M521U28 of 31 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213163975
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	87.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UP18AZ36AJVCwith indoor coil RCFZ6021SEAAM and furnace U802VA075317M44 of 65 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210589396
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MST483G22MHAA72 of 128 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438135	81.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)RP18AZ48AJVCwith ducted air handler RHMVZ6021SEACA46 of 84 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208552859
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	70.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RP15AZ60AJ2Nwith ducted air handler V,R60H210P309+AEFE5Also listed as WP15AZ60AJ2N5 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213088753
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	93.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH183G26MCAAwith ductless indoor unit MSH183G26AXAA39 of 39 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438121	96.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RO1HGZ09AJ1Swith ductless indoor unit UIWHGZ09AJ1S49 of 59 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210368099
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	86.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RO1HHZ24AJ8Swith ductless indoor unit RIGHHZ24AJ8S12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211781744
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	81.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)RZQ30TBVJU*with ductless indoor unit FCQ30AAVJU14 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211635164	79.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)UOMH36FXZHJAlso listed as ROMH36FXZHJ, RO4HFZ36AJ1H19 of 20 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10595431
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MST483G22MHAA6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214438134	65.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ROSH42VGSNwith ductless indoor unit RICH42AXCJAlso sold as RUUD UOSH42VGSN; also listed as RO1HGZ42AJ8S8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 202245810
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	42.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)RXTQ60TBVJU*Also listed as RXSQ60TBVJU2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211641661	No models in this size class

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	Rheem
COP at 5°F	beats 99% · 2.50RXTQ36TBVJU*Also listed as RXSQ36TBVJUNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 100% · 3.15RP15AZ24AJ2NDucted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 99% · 141%GSZB401810A*Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 149%ROSH09AFFHJNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 100% · 14.5MSH123G26MCAANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 13.4RO1HGZ09AJ1SNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 22.5DZ9VCA2410A*Also sold as Goodman GSZV902410ADucted, 2 tons	beats 100% · 33.1RO1HGZ09AJ1SNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 14.5RXSQ24TBVJU*Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 100% · 18.0RO1HGZ09AJ1SNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 24,000 Btu/hMSH183G26MCAANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 43,500 Btu/hRP18AZ36AJVCAlso sold as RUUD UP18AZ36AJVCDucted, 2.5–3 tons

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Daikin vs Rheem heat pumps