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.

Deye and STEALTH 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, Deye scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

Deye
STEALTH
Other ranked manufacturers

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of Oct 11, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Deye	STEALTH
Efficiency index	66% (higher)median —	54% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	76% (higher)median 2.10	53% (higher)median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F	75% (higher)median 95%	59% (higher)median 78%
HSPF2	72% (higher)median 10.0	59% (higher)median 9.0
SEER2	58%median 21.5	62%median 18.0
EER2	65% (higher)median 12.6	39% (higher)median 11.3
Heating capacity at 5°F	64% (higher)median 18,250 Btu/h	62% (higher)median 24,600 Btu/h
Outdoor models	11	11
AHRI certifications	11	11

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Deye	STEALTH
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	72.7%8 models	72.7%8 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	72.7%8 models	72.7%8 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	72.7%8 models	63.6%7 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	72.7%8 models	0%0 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 · 3 groups where both have models

Deye
STEALTH
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 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Deye	STEALTH
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	None	1 · index 47%
Ducted, 2 tons	None	1 · index 37%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None	2 · index 42%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None	2 · index 51%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	6 · index 64%	1 · index 60%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 67%	1 · index 72%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	1 · index 71%	3 · index 62%

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	DeyeCold-climate score, best model	STEALTHCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-18-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-18-AH-E-321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218729456
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	45.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-24-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-24-AH-E-321 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218729457
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-48-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-48-AH-E-322 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218729460
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	82.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DWLA4-ACDC1-12KR2(US)with ductless indoor unit DGLA4-ACDC1-12KR2(US)Also listed as DWLA4-12KR2(US)3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 216021341	64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-18Z-E-M21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218729439
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DWLC2-ACDC-24KR2(US)with ductless indoor unit DGLA3-ACDC-24KR2(US)Also listed as DWLC2-24KR2(US)4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 216021343	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-24Z-E-M31 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218729440
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	71.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DW4E1-ACDC-36KR2(US)1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 217617797	58.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-42Z-E-M53 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218729443

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	DeyeAll-around score, best model	STEALTHAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	No models in this size class	47.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-18-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-18-AH-E-321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729456
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	37.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-24-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-24-AH-E-321 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729457
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	No models in this size class	42.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-36-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-36-AH-E-322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729459
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	No models in this size class	53.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-48-HP-E-32with ducted air handler AC-48-AH-E-322 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729460
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DWLA4-ACDC1-12KR2(US)with ductless indoor unit DGLA4-ACDC1-12KR2(US)Also listed as DWLA4-12KR2(US)3 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216021341	59.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-18Z-E-M21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729439
Non-ducted, 2 tons	72.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DWLC2-ACDC-24KR2(US)with ductless indoor unit DGLA3-ACDC-24KR2(US)Also listed as DWLC2-24KR2(US)4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216021343	71.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-24Z-E-M31 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729440
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	70.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DW4E1-ACDC-36KR2(US)1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217617797	66.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC-30Z-E-M43 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218729441

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	Deye	STEALTH
COP at 5°F	beats 97% · 2.23DW4E1-ACDC-36KR2(US)Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 69% · 2.10AC-48-HP-E-32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 100% · 116%DWLC2-ACDC-24KR2(US)Also listed as DWLC2-24KR2(US)Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 79% · 90%AC-24Z-E-M3Non-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 87% · 11.0DWLC2-ACDC-24KR2(US)Also listed as DWLC2-24KR2(US)Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 69% · 9.0AC-48-HP-E-32Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 84% · 25.0DWA4-09KR2(US)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 79% · 23.0AC-24Z-E-M3Non-ducted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 87% · 14.5DWA4-09KR2(US)Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 75% · 12.5AC-30Z-E-M4Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 81% · 22,000 Btu/hDWLC2-ACDC-24KR2(US)Also listed as DWLC2-24KR2(US)Non-ducted, 2 tons	beats 85% · 14,500 Btu/hAC-18Z-E-M2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

Pick any two manufacturers

Deye vs STEALTH heat pumps