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.

KADEN and Mirage 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.

KADEN
Mirage
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	KADEN	Mirage
Efficiency index	58% (higher)median —	40% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	52% (higher)median 2.00	23% (higher)median 1.80
Capacity retention at 5°F	41% (higher)median 65%	40% (higher)median 69%
HSPF2	69% (higher)median 9.3	26% (higher)median 7.8
SEER2	74% (higher)median 19.3	39% (higher)median 19.0
EER2	49% (higher)median 10.9	27% (higher)median 10.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	44%median 18,250 Btu/h	47%median 14,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models	24	24
AHRI certifications	37	33

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	KADEN	Mirage
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	66.7%16 models	37.5%9 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	54.2%13 models	33.3%8 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	25%6 models	29.2%7 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	25%6 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 · 7 groups where both have models

KADEN
Mirage
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	KADEN	Mirage
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	3 · index 42%	1 · index 57%
Ducted, 2 tons	2 · index 52%	None
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 52%	2 · index 66%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	4 · index 55%	1 · index 64%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	2 · index 42%	None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	7 · index 73%	13 · index 24%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	1 · index 78%	4 · index 34%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 69%	6 · index 49%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	2 · index 49%	1 · index 52%

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	KADENCold-climate score, best model	MirageCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	52.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KO-PS218HP-2AAMA1 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 211793561	46.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)OVMH181B1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 207862052
Ducted, 2 tons	62.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KO-UUS24HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KI-UUS24AHP-2AAMAAlso listed as KO-UUX24HP-2AAMA2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 211793549	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 6 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 4 models qualify)	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KO-PSX06HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KI-PSX06WM-2AAMA2 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213265556	57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)OVMH181B4 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 207862051
Non-ducted, 2 tons	60.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KO-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KI-PSX24WM-2AAMA1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 211793559	28.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)OAEH241Awith ductless indoor unit IAEH241A1 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 10091693
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)OVMH271B1 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207862054
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	39.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)OVMH481B1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 207862060

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	KADENAll-around score, best model	MirageAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	59.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KO-PS218HP-2AAMA3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211793561	56.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)OVMH181B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207862052
Ducted, 2 tons	52.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KO-UUS24HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KI-UUS24AHP-2AAMAAlso listed as KO-UUX24HP-2AAMA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211793549	No models in this size class
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)KO-PS327HP-2AAMA6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211793564	75.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)OVMH271B2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207862055
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KO-PS548HP-2AAMA4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211793568	63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)OVMH481B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207862061
Ducted, 5 tons and up	41.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KO-UUS60HP-2AAMAwith ducted air handler KI-UUS60AHU-2AAMAAlso listed as KO-UUX60HP-2AAMA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211793553	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KO-PSX06HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KI-PSX06WM-2AAMA7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213265556	52.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)OVMH181B7 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207862051
Non-ducted, 2 tons	77.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KO-PSX24HP-2AAMAwith ductless indoor unit KI-PSX24WM-2AAMA1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211793559	42.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)OAEH241Awith ductless indoor unit IAEH241A2 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10091693
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	78.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KO-PS327HP-2AAMA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211793563	67.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)OVMH271B3 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207862054
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KO-PS548HP-2AAMA2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211793567	51.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)OVMH481B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207862060

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	KADEN	Mirage
COP at 5°F	beats 97% · 2.39KO-PSX12HP-2AAMANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 68% · 2.00OVMH271BDucted, 2.5–3 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 92% · 107%KO-PSX06HP-2AAMANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 60% · 83%OAEH241ANon-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 98% · 13.6KO-PSX06HP-2AAMANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 95% · 9.7OVMH481BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 24.6KO-PS327HP-2AAMANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 98% · 21.0OVMH271BDucted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 97% · 14.0KO-PSX24HP-2AAMANon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 75% · 12.2OVMH271BNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 79% · 13,100 Btu/hKO-PSX18HP-2AAMANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 85% · 14,000 Btu/hOVMH181BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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KADEN vs Mirage heat pumps