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.

GE Appliances and Samsung 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, Samsung scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

GE Appliances
Samsung
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	GE Appliances	Samsung
Efficiency index	43%median — · 27th ranked	62%median — · 5th ranked
COP at 5°F	40%median 1.80 · 28th ranked	45%median 1.99 · 24th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	42%median 61% · 25th ranked	66%median 80% · 2nd ranked
HSPF2	48%median 8.1 · 17th ranked	60%median 9.7 · 10th ranked
SEER2	39%median 15.2 · 27th ranked	61%median 21.2 · 5th ranked
EER2	46%median 11.5 · 21st ranked	71%median 13.0 · 1st ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	44%median 19,000 Btu/h · 24th ranked	70%median 17,900 Btu/h · 1st ranked
Outdoor models	88	82
AHRI certifications	9,036	496

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	GE Appliances	Samsung
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	46.6%41 models	95.1%78 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	44.3%39 models	95.1%78 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	5.7%5 models	9.8%8 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	40.9%36 models	90.2%74 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	5.7%5 models	9.8%8 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	38.6%34 models	61%50 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

GE Appliances
Samsung
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	GE Appliances	Samsung
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	10 · index 51%	5 · index 55%
Ducted, 2 tons	11 · index 45%	8 · index 56%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	24 · index 36%	11 · index 66%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	28 · index 42%	9 · index 57%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	8 · index 37%	3 · index 68%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	14 · index 47%	41 · index 66%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	5 · index 49%	15 · index 58%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	5 · index 44%	10 · index 59%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 50%	5 · index 45%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 68%	3 · index 73%

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	GE AppliancesCold-climate score, best model	SamsungCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS15H18HA5***with ducted air handler D(A,C,E)30B3J+TDR9 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218358333	56.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC009DXSCCGwith ducted air handler AC009DNHDCG5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216441745
Ducted, 2 tons	89.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H24MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)24C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF96U070S3B7 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218792657	64.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC024FCUPCGwith ducted air handler HE-XX-5-BC+TXV+RDS+TDR7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 218405855
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	88.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H36MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)36C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U045S3A8 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 218792658	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC036FCUPCGwith ducted air handler CV362B*A+TXV+AEF48BXP11 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 217993392
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	87.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H48MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)48D4Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U110S5C9 of 29 models qualify · AHRI 218792661	71.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC048FCUPCGwith ducted air handler CH606C*C+TXV+AEF60CXP8 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 217993424
Ducted, 5 tons and up	80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ060NC2AA*1 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 218325038	83.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM060FCMDCG13 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216016316
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)1G12ED2BE**with ductless indoor unit GS12WP2BE14 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 215876552	92.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AR15DXDACWKXwith ductless indoor unit AR15DXDABWKNAlso listed as AR15DXDABWKX36 of 41 models qualify · AHRI 215222778
Non-ducted, 2 tons	61.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)3G24ED2BE**4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 217009765	82.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM024HCMDCG14 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 218717190
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ036NC2AA*4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 218309294	82.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM036FCMDCGAlso listed as AM036HCMDCS10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 216032693
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MWHQ048NC2AA*2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 218309297	57.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM048FCMDCGAlso listed as AM048HCMDCS4 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216032694
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ060NC2AA*1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 218325037	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM060FCMDCG13 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 216032696

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	GE AppliancesAll-around score, best model	SamsungAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	66.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)1G09ED2BE**with ducted air handler US09MB2BE10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217036500	71.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AC009DXSCCGwith ducted air handler AC009DNLDCG5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216441743
Ducted, 2 tons	84.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H24MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)24C3Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF96U070S3B11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218792657	79.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AJ020DXS3CG8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216372803
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	79.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)NS21H36MA5-*Awith ducted air handler NAM42V1TA5-23 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217642528	80.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AC030DXSCCGwith ducted air handler AC030DNHDCG11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215385456
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NS21H48MA5-**Awith indoor coil D(A,C,E)48D4Z+TXV+TDR and furnace NF80U110S5C28 of 28 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218792661	73.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM048FCMDCGAlso listed as AM048HCMDCS9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216014183
Ducted, 5 tons and up	74.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ060NC2AA*9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218325038	84.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM060FCMDCG13 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216016316
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)1G09ED2BE**with ductless indoor unit GS09WP2BE14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215876551	89.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AR09DXDACWKXwith ductless indoor unit AR09DXDABWKNAlso listed as AR09DXDABWKX41 of 41 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215399292
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)3G24ED2BE**5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217009765	90.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM024HCMDCG15 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218717190
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	76.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ036NC2AA*5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218309294	78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM036FCMDCGAlso listed as AM036HCMDCS10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032693
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	73.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MWHQ048NC2AA*2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218309297	66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM048FCMDCGAlso listed as AM048HCMDCS5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032694
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	67.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MWHQ060NC2AA*1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218325037	91.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM060FCMDCG13 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032696

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	GE Appliances	Samsung
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 4.00NS21H36MA5-**ADucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 98% · 2.50AR15DXDACWKXAlso listed as AR15DXDABWKXNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 98% · 109%NS21H24MA5-**ADucted, 2 tons	beats 99% · 85%AM060FCMDCG1Ducted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2	beats 100% · 13.5MWHQ036NC2AA*Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 10.5AM060FCMDCG1Ducted, 5 tons and up
SEER2	beats 99% · 20.5NS21H60MA5-**ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 98% · 23.0AM060FCMDCG1Non-ducted, 5 tons and up
EER2	beats 99% · 13.5NS16H42SA5-**ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 100% · 17.0AM024HCMDCGNon-ducted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 99% · 20,000 Btu/h2G20ED2BE**Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 100% · 54,000 Btu/hAC024DXSCCGNon-ducted, 2 tons

More comparisons

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GE Appliances vs Samsung heat pumps