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.

LG 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, LG scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

LG
MRCOOL
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	LG	MRCOOL
Efficiency index	56% (higher)median — · 10th ranked	53% (higher)median — · 17th ranked
COP at 5°F	56% (higher)median 1.96 · 17th ranked	50% (higher)median 1.99 · 19th ranked
Capacity retention at 5°F	57% (higher)median 74% · 9th ranked	50% (higher)median 73% · 17th ranked
HSPF2	51%median 9.0 · 14th ranked	56%median 9.2 · 11th ranked
SEER2	49%median 20.0 · 17th ranked	54%median 18.8 · 15th ranked
EER2	64% (higher)median 12.3 · 4th ranked	49% (higher)median 11.7 · 17th ranked
Heating capacity at 5°F	61% (higher)median 15,550 Btu/h · 7th ranked	52% (higher)median 17,100 Btu/h · 16th ranked
Outdoor models	100	92
AHRI certifications	1,179	504

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	LG	MRCOOL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	86%86 models	67.4%62 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	82%82 models	66.3%61 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	11%11 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	78%78 models	57.6%53 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	11%11 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	64%64 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

LG
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 9, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	LG	MRCOOL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	12 · index 54%	10 · index 67%
Ducted, 2 tons	9 · index 53%	12 · index 57%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	11 · index 62%	15 · index 52%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	16 · index 66%	19 · index 54%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	2 · index 81%	None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	44 · index 46%	35 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	14 · index 50%	10 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	12 · index 63%	6 · index 34%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	10 · index 69%	3 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 85%	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	LGCold-climate score, best model	MRCOOLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	80.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUSXA181Awith ducted air handler MSVT24***852FAA10 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 217581954	80.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)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	78.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRUN024GSS010 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 214914956	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	87.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZRUM036GSS010 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 214914952	77.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)UHP18030-Owith ducted air handler UAH18030 - O9 of 15 models qualify · AHRI 217730329
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	90.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA481A18 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 215408637	77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI6-48HP230C-O13 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 217291702
Ducted, 5 tons and up	94.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUMXB601A2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215402344	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUSAL091Awith ductless indoor unit KNSAL091A44 of 44 models qualify · AHRI 216368959	80.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)DIYHH-12-HP-C-230D25-Owith ductless indoor unit DIYCASSETTE12HP-230D25-O22 of 35 models qualify · AHRI 216032550
Non-ducted, 2 tons	85.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRUN024GSS07 of 14 models qualify · AHRI 215223214	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	93.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA361A12 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 215402345	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	95.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA421A8 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 215402347	56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI6-48HP230C-O3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 217291703
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	84.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUMXB601A2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 215408633	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	LGAll-around score, best model	MRCOOLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	78.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUSXA181Awith ducted air handler MSVT24***852FAA10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217581954	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	79.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZRUN024GSS08 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214914956	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	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA361A12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215402346	73.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)UHP18030-Owith ducted air handler UAH18030 - O13 of 15 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217730329
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	91.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA421A18 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215402348	85.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI6-48HP230C-O16 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291702
Ducted, 5 tons and up	89.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)KUMXB601A2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215402344	No models in this size class
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	91.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUSAL091Awith ductless indoor unit KNSAL091A44 of 44 models have all five ratings · AHRI 216368959	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	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ZRUN024GSS014 of 14 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214914954	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)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	90.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUSXA301Awith ductless indoor unit KNSCB301A12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214826535	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	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)KUMXA421A9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 215402347	68.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)MULTI6-48HP230C-O3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 217291703
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	85.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ZRUM060GSS02 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214914943	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	LG	MRCOOL
COP at 5°F	beats 100% · 3.17KUSXB181ADucted, up to 1.5 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 100% · 137%KUSXA181ADucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 126%MDPH18024DDucted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 97% · 13.5KUSAL091ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 13.5O-HH-24-HP-C-230C-ONon-ducted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 98% · 23.0ZRUM060GSS0Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	beats 97% · 25.0MULTI4-27HP230C-ONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 14.8ZRUN024GSS0Ducted, 2 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 100% · 25,000 Btu/hKUSXA181ADucted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 30,300 Btu/hMDPH18024DDucted, 2 tons

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LG vs MRCOOL heat pumps