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.

Multi MFG 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, Multi MFG scores higher on 5 of the 6 ratings.

Multi MFG
TCL
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Multi MFG	TCL
Efficiency index	56% (higher)median —	43% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	46%median 1.93	48%median 1.90
Capacity retention at 5°F	59% (higher)median 73%	43% (higher)median 70%
HSPF2	65% (higher)median 9.3	31% (higher)median 8.5
SEER2	64% (higher)median 19.4	38% (higher)median 19.0
EER2	47% (higher)median 10.6	30% (higher)median 10.0
Heating capacity at 5°F	58% (higher)median 19,700 Btu/h	50% (higher)median 16,720 Btu/h
Outdoor models	54	52
AHRI certifications	100	229

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Multi MFG	TCL
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	70.4%38 models	42.3%22 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	68.5%37 models	38.5%20 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	55.6%30 models	36.5%19 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	29.6%16 models	23.1%12 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

Multi MFG
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 11, 2026

Models per peer group · efficiency index within the group
Size and duct type	Multi MFG	TCL
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	7 · index 62%	1 · index 31%
Ducted, 2 tons	5 · index 61%	5 · index 53%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	10 · index 61%	4 · index 49%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	10 · index 57%	3 · index 55%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	1 · index 42%	None
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	19 · index 50%	23 · index 38%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	4 · index 48%	8 · index 47%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	8 · index 64%	8 · index 35%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	6 · index 53%	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	Multi MFGCold-climate score, best model	TCLCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	86.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)HHS-18HD-Awith ducted air handler 18MUC0-HP-A6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 213156952	56.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH18HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 212400611
Ducted, 2 tons	79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH-24HD-Awith ducted air handler 24HCHP0-C-M-A5 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 214609247	55.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH24HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 212390892
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	79.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH-36HD-Awith ducted air handler 36HCHP0-C-M-A6 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 214432057	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-36D7HWA/DV2I6 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 207827230
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH-48HD-Awith ducted air handler 48HCHP0-C-M-A6 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 214432058	62.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCE-60HA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCE-60D7HWA/DV2I4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 201864499
Ducted, 5 tons and up	None on this board (0 of 1 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)MSH-06HD-Awith ductless indoor unit 06HWMS0-C-M-A11 of 19 models qualify · AHRI 214797689	68.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSC-12HA2/I3TI23with ductless indoor unit TSC-12HA2/I3TI23-I10 of 23 models qualify · AHRI 207688890
Non-ducted, 2 tons	86.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)MSH-24HD-Awith ductless indoor unit 24CCHP0-C-M-A2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 214432056	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)36MPC4-HH-A4 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 214232438	None on this board (0 of 8 models qualify)
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	78.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)48MPC5-HH-A4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 214232441	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	Multi MFGAll-around score, best model	TCLAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH-09HD-Awith ducted air handler 9HCHP0-C-M-A6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214609244	30.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)THH18HAI2NAF2U23with ducted air handler 4TXCB003DS31 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212400611
Ducted, 2 tons	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH-24HD-Awith ducted air handler 24HCHP0-C-M-A5 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214609247	76.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-24D7HWA/DV2I4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207827229
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)27MPC3-XX-A10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214797725	67.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCE-60HA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-36D7HWA/DV2I6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211869249
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)48MPC5-HH-A11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214232442	74.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TCU-60D7HEWA/DV2Owith ducted air handler TCU-48D7HWA/DV2I2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207827118
Ducted, 5 tons and up	41.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)HES-60HD-Bwith ducted air handler 60MPHP0-M-A1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212920477	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)MSH-06HD-Awith ductless indoor unit 06HWMS0-C-M-A19 of 19 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214797689	70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)TSC-12HA2/I3TI23with ductless indoor unit TSC-12HA2/I3TI23-I14 of 23 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207688890
Non-ducted, 2 tons	84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)MSH-24HD-Awith ductless indoor unit 24HWMS0-C-M-A4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214232437	61.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)TUM-27HA2/I2I21-21ES3 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209424844
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)36MPC4-HH-A8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214232438	65.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)TUM-36HA2/I2I21-21ES5 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 209424845
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	78.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)48MPC5-HH-A6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214232441	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	Multi MFG	TCL
COP at 5°F	beats 91% · 2.21MSH-24HD-ANon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 98% · 2.27TUM-27HA2/I2I21-21ESNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 99% · 113%36HPC4-HH-ANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 100% · 142%THH24HAI2NAF2U23Ducted, 2 tons
HSPF2	beats 99% · 10.3MSH-48HD-ADucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 73% · 9.2TCU-60D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2.5–3 tons
SEER2	beats 99% · 24.627MPC3-XX-ANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 94% · 20.0TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2 tons
EER2	beats 98% · 16.2MSH-09HD-ANon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 95% · 13.0TCU-36D7HEWA/DV2ODucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 98% · 41,000 Btu/hMSH-36HD-ANon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 100% · 34,000 Btu/hTHH18HAI2NAF2U23Ducted, up to 1.5 tons

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Multi MFG vs TCL heat pumps