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Durastar vs Kaden heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, Kaden scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings. Durastar has 67 outdoor models, Kaden has 66 outdoor models. Kaden has no QMID on file and is not ranked.

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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.
Durastar and Kaden 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, Kaden scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.
  • Durastar
  • Kaden
  • Other ranked manufacturers
DurastarKaden

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingDurastarKaden
Efficiency index53%median — · 15th ranked61%median —
COP at 5°F64% (higher)median 2.10 · 4th ranked58% (higher)median 2.00
Capacity retention at 5°F51%median 70% · 15th ranked53%median 72%
HSPF254%median 7.8 · 13th ranked64%median 9.5
SEER247%median 15.2 · 19th ranked63%median 19.3
EER247%median 10.8 · 18th ranked65%median 12.0
Heating capacity at 5°F53%median 19,600 Btu/h · 15th ranked55%median 19,800 Btu/h
Outdoor models6766
AHRI certifications913399

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardDurastarKaden
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)53.7%36 models68.2%45 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)52.2%35 models66.7%44 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)4.5%3 models3%2 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)47.8%32 models59.1%39 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge4.5%3 models3%2 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate49.3%33 models57.6%38 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
  • Durastar
  • Kaden
  • 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 typeDurastarKaden
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons15 · index 64%13 · index 72%
Ducted, 2 tons10 · index 45%9 · index 52%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons16 · index 44%16 · index 54%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons17 · index 50%19 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and up6 · index 41%2 · index 63%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons11 · index 66%13 · index 73%
Non-ducted, 2 tons3 · index 64%2 · index 82%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons4 · index 54%12 · index 59%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons3 · index 57%6 · index 68%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up1 · index 27%2 · index 59%

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 typeDurastarCold-climate score, best modelKadenCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H06S2Awith ducted air handler DRADL0612F2A10 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 21535924485.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-UUX18HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-HH-UUX18AH3-2AAMA11 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 217970408
Ducted, 2 tons85.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H24S2Awith ducted air handler DRADH24F2A5 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 21535926885.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-PSX24HS-2AAMA6 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 215866654
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H36M2A6 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 21535922282.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA9 of 16 models qualify · AHRI 215866690
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA6H48M2A9 of 17 models qualify · AHRI 21541553382.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PS548HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS648HP-2AAMA10 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 215866693
Ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 6 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons94.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H06S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAL0612F2A11 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 21535924396.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX06WM-2AAMA12 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 215866628
Non-ducted, 2 tons89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H24S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAC24F2A3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21535926689.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX24CT-2AAMA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215866644
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons72.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H36M2A4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21535922378.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA10 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 215866691
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA6H55M2A3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 21541553773.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PS548HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS648HP-2AAMA6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 215866694
Non-ducted, 5 tons and upNone on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)None on this board (0 of 2 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 typeDurastarAll-around score, best modelKadenAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons95.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA1H06S2Awith ducted air handler DRADL0612F2A14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535924486.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PSX09HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-PSX09LS-2AAMA13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866649
Ducted, 2 tons78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1U24S2Awith ducted air handler DRADH24F2A11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535929378.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KIB-PSX24HS-2AAMA9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866660
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons83.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H36M2A13 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535922283.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA16 of 16 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866690
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA6U48M2A15 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21541553985.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-PS548HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-PS648HP-2AAMA19 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866678
Ducted, 5 tons and up64.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DRA6U60M2A5 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535921362.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KOB-PS555HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-PS655HP-2AAMA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866681
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons93.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1H06S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAW06F2A11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535924296.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX06WM-2AAMA13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866628
Non-ducted, 2 tons74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA1U24S2Awith ductless indoor unit DRAW24F2A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535929086.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KIB-PSX24WM-2AAMA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866638
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA5H36M2A4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535922178.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PS436HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS536HP-2AAMA12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866689
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons62.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA6H55M2A3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21541553575.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-HH-PS548HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-HH-PS648HP-2AAMA6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866692
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up32.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)DRA6U60M2A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21535921258.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KOB-PS555HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-PS655HP-2AAMA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215866680

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
RatingDurastarKaden
COP at 5°Fbeats 99% · 2.51DRA1U12S2ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 2.54KOB-PSX24HP-2AAMANon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 98% · 126%DRA1H09S2ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 120%KOB-HH-PSX09HP-2AAMADucted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2beats 99% · 11.0DRA6H48M2ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 99% · 14.8KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 96% · 20.4DRA6H48M2ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 97% · 25.0KOB-PS327HP-2AAMAAlso listed as KOB-PS427HP-2AAMANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2beats 99% · 14.4DRA1H06S2ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 99% · 18.0KOB-HH-PSX06HP-2AAMANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 98% · 19,600 Btu/hDRA1H18S2ADucted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 54,000 Btu/hKOB-HH-UUX60HP-2AAMADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons

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