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MAXI AIR vs SEA BREEZE+ heat pumps

Measured against models of the same size and duct type, MAXI AIR scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings. MAXI AIR has 19 outdoor models, SEA BREEZE+ has 19 outdoor models. MAXI AIR and SEA BREEZE+ have no QMID on file and are not ranked.

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CompareData as of updated · sources

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.
MAXI AIR and SEA BREEZE+ 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, MAXI AIR scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.
  • MAXI AIR
  • SEA BREEZE+
  • Other ranked manufacturers
MAXI AIRSEA BREE…

Source: AHRI Directory, NEEP · as of

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
RatingMAXI AIRSEA BREEZE+
Efficiency index67% (higher)median —66% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F41%median 1.8746%median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F70% (higher)median 86%68% (higher)median 85%
HSPF275%median 10.378%median 10.6
SEER276% (higher)median 22.273% (higher)median 21.0
EER263% (higher)median 12.562% (higher)median 12.5
Heating capacity at 5°F68% (higher)median 18,000 Btu/h66% (higher)median 20,000 Btu/h
Outdoor models1919
AHRI certifications4569

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
StandardMAXI AIRSEA BREEZE+
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)68.4%13 models89.5%17 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)68.4%13 models84.2%16 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)0%0 models5.3%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)73.7%14 models84.2%16 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge0%0 models5.3%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate52.6%10 models89.5%17 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 · 5 groups where both have models
  • MAXI AIR
  • SEA BREEZE+
  • All models of the group
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons2.00884 modelsDucted, 2 tons2.00821 modelsDucted, 2.5–3 tons1.901,614 modelsDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.911,492 modelsNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons1.902,417 modelsNon-ducted, 2 tons1.87611 modelsNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons1.85975 modelsNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1.97438 modelsmedian

Raw ratings are only placed side by side within one size and duct type, where they are comparable.

Source: AHRI Directory · as of

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct typeMAXI AIRSEA BREEZE+
Ducted, 2 tons2 · index —4 · index 78%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons7 · index 67%4 · index 62%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons1 · index 53%2 · index 63%
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNone8 · index 67%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons9 · index 64%8 · index 70%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons4 · index 78%4 · index 61%
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNone4 · index 69%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNone3 · index 44%

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 typeMAXI AIRCold-climate score, best modelSEA BREEZE+Cold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class74.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)HSZ9H424ZMOwith ducted air handler D9H424ZMI7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 212595646
Ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SZ24H424ZMOwith ducted air handler D24H424ZMI4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 208128279
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons67.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)MAXS-2430with ducted air handler NE-F52-MAC36HWD6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 21326561370.6(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)CSZ36H424ZMOwith ducted air handler AH36H424ZMI3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 211126514
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons71.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MAXS-4260with ducted air handler AHMS-60201 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 21042658160.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)HMZ48H424ZMO1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 208816899
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons70.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)YS21F-18HRDN1with ductless indoor unit YS21F-18HRDN1Also listed as NE-T52-PLA18INT8 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 20323801086.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SZ9H424ZMOwith ductless indoor unit WM9H424ZMI7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 208674954
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)HSZ24H424ZMOwith ductless indoor unit CA24H424ZMI4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 212595654
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36E4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 21392762275.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CSZ36H424ZMOwith ductless indoor unit CA36H424ZMI3 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 208128274
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class76.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)CSZ48H424ZMOwith ductless indoor unit CA48H424ZMI2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 208128275

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 typeMAXI AIRAll-around score, best modelSEA BREEZE+All-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tonsNo models in this size class85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)HSZ9H424ZMOwith ducted air handler D9H424ZMI8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212595646
Ducted, 2 tonsNone on this board (0 of 2 models have all five ratings)83.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)SZ24H424ZMOwith ducted air handler D24H424ZMI4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208128279
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons74.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28E6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21392762074.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)HMZ28H424ZMO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208128295
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons53.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MAXS-4260with ducted air handler AHMS-60201 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21042658163.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MZ48H424ZMO2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208128292
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons75.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)YS21F-18HRDN1with ductless indoor unit YS21F-18HRDN1Also listed as NE-T52-PLA18INT9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 20323801086.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SZ9H424ZMOwith ductless indoor unit WM9H424ZMI8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208674954
Non-ducted, 2 tonsNo models in this size class77.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)HMZ24H424ZMO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208816895
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36E4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 21392762270.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)HMZ36H424ZMO4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208128297
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsNo models in this size class48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)MZ48H424ZMO3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 208128291

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
RatingMAXI AIRSEA BREEZE+
COP at 5°Fbeats 96% · 2.38YS21F-18HRDN1Also listed as NE-T52-PLA18INTNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tonsbeats 98% · 2.45SZ12H424ZMONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°Fbeats 85% · 97%NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 96% · 105%HMZ24H424ZMONon-ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2beats 95% · 10.6NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 12.0HSZ9H424ZMODucted, up to 1.5 tons
SEER2beats 92% · 20.0NE-T53-MULTI28EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI28EDucted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 98% · 21.3MZ27H424ZMODucted, 2 tons
EER2beats 96% · 13.6NE-T53-MULTI36EAlso listed as NE-T53-MULTI36ENon-ducted, 2.5–3 tonsbeats 95% · 15.8HSZ9H424ZMONon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°Fbeats 95% · 48,500 Btu/hMAXS-4260Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tonsbeats 98% · 41,000 Btu/hCSZ36H424ZMONon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons

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