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.

Hisense and TCL 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, Hisense scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

Hisense
TCL
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Hisense	TCL
Efficiency index	57% (higher)median — · 10th ranked	43% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	40%median 1.80 · 26th ranked	48%median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F	55% (higher)median 72% · 16th ranked	43% (higher)median 70%
HSPF2	42% (higher)median 9.0 · 20th ranked	31% (higher)median 8.5
SEER2	50% (higher)median 20.5 · 15th ranked	38% (higher)median 19.0
EER2	56% (higher)median 12.5 · 13th ranked	30% (higher)median 10.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	45%median 9,600 Btu/h · 20th ranked	50%median 16,720 Btu/h
Outdoor models	159	52
AHRI certifications	369	229

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Hisense	TCL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	64.8%103 models	42.3%22 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	64.8%103 models	38.5%20 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	59.1%94 models	36.5%19 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	47.2%75 models	23.1%12 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 · 7 groups where both have models

Hisense
TCL
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	Hisense	TCL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	5 · index 46%	1 · index 31%
Ducted, 2 tons	3 · index 57%	5 · index 53%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	5 · index 65%	4 · index 49%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 58%	3 · index 55%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	114 · index 59%	23 · index 38%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	24 · index 53%	8 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	10 · index 63%	8 · index 35%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 45%	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	HisenseCold-climate score, best model	TCLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	55.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUW-09U3SSwith ducted air handler ADT-09UX3SBL4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 204835479	56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)THH18HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 212400611
Ducted, 2 tons	65.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUWR-24U3SF2with ducted air handler A(E,F)M304+TDR4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 214447344	55.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH24HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 212390892
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUWR-36U3SAwith ducted air handler HE35936+TD5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 215333846	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-36D7HWA/DV2I6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207827230
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	74.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUWR-60U3SP2with ducted air handler L(E,G)M60I44 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 213896272	62.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCE-60HA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCE-60D7HWA/DV2I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 201864499
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	78.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUW-09U3SSwith ductless indoor unit ACT-09UR3SCA72 of 114 models qualify · AHRI 204835478	68.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSC-12HA2/I3TI23with ductless indoor unit TSC-12HA2/I3TI23-I10 of 23 models qualify · AHRI 207688890
Non-ducted, 2 tons	72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUW-24U3SAwith ductless indoor unit ACT-24UR3SGB14 of 24 models qualify · AHRI 203167189	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUW-36U3ST1with ductless indoor unit AUC-36UR3SHB12 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 205141567	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	41.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AMW5-42U3STA1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 205123813	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	HisenseAll-around score, best model	TCLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	57.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUW-09U3SSwith ducted air handler ADT-09UX3SBL4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 204835479	30.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH18HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212400611
Ducted, 2 tons	71.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AMW3-24U3SAA4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 203446790	76.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-24D7HWA/DV2I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207827229
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AMW4-36U3STA5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 203459336	67.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCE-60HA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-36D7HWA/DV2I6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211869249
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	65.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUWR-48U3SPwith ducted air handler DC61A44-245R6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213411088	74.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TCU-60D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-48D7HWA/DV2I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207827118
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	85.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AS-09UW3SXE00with ductless indoor unit AS-09UW3SXE**0082 of 114 models have all five ratings · AHRI 201981253	70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSC-12HA2/I3TI23with ductless indoor unit TSC-12HA2/I3TI23-I14 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207688890
Non-ducted, 2 tons	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AMW3-24U3SAAwith ductless indoor unit AST-07UW3SVE00+AST-09UW3SVE00+AST-09UW3SVE**0014 of 24 models have all five ratings · AHRI 202864314	61.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TUM-27HA2/I2I21-21ES3 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209424844
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	69.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AMW4-36U3STAwith ductless indoor unit AST-09UW3SVE00+AST-09UW3SVE00+AST-09UW3SVE00+AST-09UW3SVE002 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 202911535	65.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TUM-36HA2/I2I21-21ES5 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209424845
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	44.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AMW5-42U3STA1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 205123812	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	Hisense	TCL
COP at 5°F	beats 97% · 2.80AUWR-24U3SF2Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 2.27TUM-27HA2/I2I21-21ESNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 99% · 113%AMW4-36U3STANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 100% · 142%THH24HAI2NAF2U23Ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 83% · 9.5AUW-36U3ST1Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 73% · 9.2TCU-60D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 96% · 27.5AS-09UR3SXE00Also listed as AS-09UW3SXE00B, AS-09UW3SXETG00G, AS-09UW3SXETG00P, AS-09UW3SXETG00Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 94% · 20.0TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 93% · 15.5AS-09UR3SXE00Also listed as AS-09UW3SXE00B, AS-09UW3SXETG00G, AS-09UW3SXETG00P, AS-09UW3SXETG00Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 95% · 13.0TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 31,000 Btu/hAUWR-24U3SF2Ducted, 2 tons	beats 100% · 34,000 Btu/hTHH18HAI2NAF2U23Ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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Hisense vs TCL heat pumps