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.

KANIONco and MRCOOL 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, MRCOOL scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

KANIONco
MRCOOL
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	KANIONco	MRCOOL
Efficiency index	47%median —	53%median — · 17th ranked
COP at 5°F	37%median 1.83	50%median 1.99 · 19th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	45%median 72%	50%median 73% · 17th ranked
HSPF2	50%median 9.5	56%median 9.2 · 11th ranked
SEER2	58% (higher)median 19.0	54% (higher)median 18.8 · 15th ranked
EER2	41%median 11.1	49%median 11.7 · 17th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	49%median 18,000 Btu/h	52%median 17,100 Btu/h · 16th ranked
Outdoor models	56	92
AHRI certifications	60	504

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	KANIONco	MRCOOL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	66.1%37 models	67.4%62 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	66.1%37 models	66.3%61 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	62.5%35 models	57.6%53 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	35.7%20 models	56.5%52 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

KANIONco
MRCOOL
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	KANIONco	MRCOOL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	7 · index 23%	10 · index 67%
Ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 55%	12 · index 57%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	7 · index 57%	15 · index 52%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	10 · index 49%	19 · index 54%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	19 · index 49%	35 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 40%	10 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	6 · index 51%	6 · index 34%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	3 · index 51%	3 · index 61%

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	KANIONcoCold-climate score, best model	MRCOOLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	57.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-18IR454BHS201 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 217048780	80.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)O-HH-09-HP-C-230C-Owith ducted air handler DUCT-09HP-230B-OAlso listed as O-ES-09-HP-C-230C-O18 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 216032559
Ducted, 2 tons	67.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEAlso listed as KAHUO-24IR454BHS20AE3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218043597	86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)O-ES-24-HP-C-230C-O1with ducted air handler O-18-HP-WMAH-235C-O10 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 217447812
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	64.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-36IR454BHS18AEAlso listed as KAHUO-36IR454BHS18AE6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 218043598	77.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UHP18030-Owith ducted air handler UAH18030 - O9 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 217730329
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	64.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KAHU-60IR454BHS17AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-60IR454BHS17AEAlso listed as KAHUO-60IR454BHS17AE10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 218043600	77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MULTI6-48HP230C-O13 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 217291702
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	70.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-18IR454BHS27R15 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 218396955	80.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)DIYHH-12-HP-C-230D25-Owith ductless indoor unit DIYCASSETTE12HP-230D25-O22 of 35 models qualify · AHRI 216032550
Non-ducted, 2 tons	58.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R*with ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 218399921	89.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)O-HH-24-HP-C-230C-Owith ductless indoor unit CASSETTE24HP-230C-OAlso listed as O-ES-24-HP-C-230C-O16 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 216032567
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	68.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5R4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 218396956	41.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI4-27HP230C-O3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 217291695
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	48.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-48IR454BHS24R3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 218396958	56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MULTI6-48HP230C-O3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217291703

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	KANIONcoAll-around score, best model	MRCOOLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	69.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-18IR454BHS207 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048780	86.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)O-HH-09-HP-C-230C-Owith ducted air handler DUCT-09HP-230B-OAlso listed as O-ES-09-HP-C-230C-O19 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032559
Ducted, 2 tons	79.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEwith ducted air handler KAHU-24IR454BHS20AEAlso listed as KAHUO-24IR454BHS20AE4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218043597	78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)O-ES-24-HP-C-230C-O1with ducted air handler O-18-HP-WMAH-235C-O11 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217447812
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	69.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-27IR454BHS207 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048781	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)UHP18030-Owith ducted air handler UAH18030 - O13 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217730329
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	67.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSMO-42IR454BHS1910 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217048783	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MULTI6-48HP230C-O16 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291702
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	82.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-18IR454BHS27R19 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396955	80.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)O-HH-09-HP-C-230C-Owith ductless indoor unit O-09-HP-WMAH-230C-OAlso listed as O-ES-09-HP-C-230C-O135 of 35 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216032557
Non-ducted, 2 tons	56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R*with ductless indoor unit KWSM-24IR454BHS22.5R4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218399921	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)O-ES-24-HP-C-230C-O1with ductless indoor unit O-18-HP-WMAH-233C-O10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217447810
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5R6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396956	66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI4-27HP230C-O6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291695
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	70.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KWSMO-48IR454BHS24R3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 218396958	68.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI6-48HP230C-O3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291703

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	KANIONco	MRCOOL
COP at 5°F	beats 81% · 2.03KWSM-36IR454BHS19PNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 98% · 2.44DIY-18-HP-C-230D25-OAlso listed as DIYP-18-HP-C-230DE11-ONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 92% · 106%KWSM-09IR454BHS25RNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 126%MDPH18024DDucted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 80% · 10.5KWSMO-27IR454BHS20Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 98% · 13.5O-HH-24-HP-C-230C-ONon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 26.5KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5RNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 97% · 25.0MULTI4-27HP230C-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 97% · 14.0KWSMO-27IR454BHS26.5RNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 95% · 15.4O-HH-09-HP-C-230C-OAlso listed as O-ES-09-HP-C-230C-O1Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 19,800 Btu/hKWSMO-18IR454BHS27RNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 30,300 Btu/hMDPH18024DDucted, 2 tons

More comparisons

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KANIONco vs MRCOOL heat pumps