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 9, 2026

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Hisense	TCL
Efficiency index	54% (higher)median — · 11th ranked	49% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	59% (higher)median 2.00 · 11th ranked	36% (higher)median 1.89
Capacity retention at 5°F	61% (higher)median 77% · 6th ranked	50% (higher)median 75%
HSPF2	51%median 9.0 · 15th ranked	52%median 9.5
SEER2	56%median 20.0 · 12th ranked	59%median 20.0
EER2	46% (higher)median 11.7 · 20th ranked	41% (higher)median 11.2
Heating capacity at 5°F	57% (higher)median 18,000 Btu/h · 11th ranked	51% (higher)median 17,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	161	177
AHRI certifications	1,109	636

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)	80.1%129 models	75.7%134 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	75.8%122 models	75.7%134 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	7.5%12 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	68.3%110 models	72.3%128 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	7.5%12 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	55.3%89 models	64.4%114 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 · 8 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 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Hisense	TCL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	11 · index 55%	10 · index 62%
Ducted, 2 tons	14 · index 46%	11 · index 49%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	23 · index 57%	19 · index 59%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	28 · index 54%	22 · index 51%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	5 · index 70%	None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70 · index 57%	86 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	15 · index 48%	18 · index 41%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	15 · index 45%	29 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	5 · index 49%	12 · index 46%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 84%	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	73.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUW-24U3TK1with ducted air handler AUH-18UX3TFH5Also listed as AOU-24U3T25U14 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 217465404	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)H18TDHXPCwith ducted air handler H18FAHUDE10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218332482
Ducted, 2 tons	82.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUWR-24U3TK5with ducted air handler AUH-24UX3TDH38 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 214802096	70.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)H24TDHXPCwith ducted air handler H24FAHUDE11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218332483
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	87.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUWR-36U3TW5with ducted air handler AUH-36UX3TDH3Also listed as AUWR-3624P, AOH-36U3T24P17 of 23 models qualify · AHRI 214802097	67.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)H30TDHXPCwith ducted air handler H30FAHUDE16 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 218332484
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	83.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUW-48U3TH1with ducted air handler AUH-48UX3TEH5Also listed as AOU-48U3T25U19 of 27 models qualify · AHRI 217469235	69.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)H48SDH20XQCwith ducted air handler H48APH20UDEAlso listed as THH48HDI2NAJ0H2621 of 22 models qualify · AHRI 218453819
Ducted, 5 tons and up	88.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUWR-60U3TH5with ducted air handler AUH-60UX3TEH36 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 214802098	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	90.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AO-12U3T25Pwith ductless indoor unit AS-12U3THE25PAlso listed as AO-12U3T26P249 of 70 models qualify · AHRI 217727404	70.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC, TMH18HEI2NAS0U2566 of 86 models qualify · AHRI 218028413
Non-ducted, 2 tons	76.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUW-24U3TK1with ductless indoor unit ACT-24UR3TJA1Also listed as AOU-24U3T25U15 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 216019253	61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)H24SBH23XQCwith ductless indoor unit H24SBH23XQE11 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 218451106
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	92.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVW-36F3DAH212 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 216618248	68.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U2519 of 28 models qualify · AHRI 218028414
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	94.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVW-48F3DAH24 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 216618251	48.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH48HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H48FMHD6XPC11 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 218028416
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	98.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AVW-60F3DAH21 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 216618254	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	67.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUW-24U3TK1with ducted air handler AUH-18UX3TFH5Also listed as AOU-24U3T25U14 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217465404	72.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25*Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218625046
Ducted, 2 tons	79.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUWR-24U3TK5with ducted air handler AUH-24UX3TDH311 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214802096	70.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH24HDI2NAJ0H26with ducted air handler THH24IDI2NAJ0H2613 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218467218
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	82.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AUWR-36U3TW5with ducted air handler AUH-36UX3TDH3Also listed as AUWR-3624P, AOH-36U3T24P23 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214802097	80.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25*17 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218625047
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AOH-48U3T24Pwith ducted air handler AE*L+DM60B4J+TDR28 of 28 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217269197	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH42HEI2NAM0U24Also listed as H42FMH20XPC22 of 22 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215351200
Ducted, 5 tons and up	80.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)AUWR-6024Pwith ducted air handler AUH-6024Also listed as AOH-60U3T24P5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214855379	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	94.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AS-09UW3TBW00with ductless indoor unit AS-09UW3TBW**00Also listed as AO-09U3T25P, AO-09U3T26P270 of 70 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216739752	82.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH18HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H18FMHD3XPC, TMH18HEI2NAS0U2580 of 87 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028413
Non-ducted, 2 tons	61.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AST-24UW3TKN00with ductless indoor unit AST-24UW3TKN**0015 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214081399	64.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)H24SBH23XQCwith ductless indoor unit H24SBH23XQE16 of 17 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218451106
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVW-36F3DAH215 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216618248	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U2528 of 29 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028414
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AVW-48F3DAH25 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216618251	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)TMH48HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H48FMHD6XPC12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218028416
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	83.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)AVW-60F3DAH21 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216618254	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 100% · 2.53AST-18UW3RXW00Also listed as AO-18U3R25ENon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 88% · 2.25TSH24HDI2NAL0B25Also listed as H24SVH20XQCNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 100% · 100%AVW-60F3DAH2Ducted, 5 tons and up	beats 99% · 125%H24TDHXPCDucted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 10.1AVW-60F3DAH2Ducted, 5 tons and up	beats 96% · 10.5TMH27HEI2NAS0U25*Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 32.0AS-09UW3TBW00Also listed as AO-09U3T25P, AO-09U3T26P2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 26.5TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 18.4AS-09UW3TBW00Also listed as AO-09U3T25P, AO-09U3T26P2Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 97% · 14.0TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Also listed as H27FMHD4XPC, TMH27HEI2NAS0U25Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 63,000 Btu/hAVW-60F3DAH2Ducted, 5 tons and up	beats 99% · 30,000 Btu/hH24TDHXPCDucted, 2 tons

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Hisense vs TCL heat pumps