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.

PREMIUM LEVELLA and STEALTH 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, STEALTH scores higher on 6 of the 6 ratings.

PREMIUM LEVELLA
STEALTH
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	PREMIUM LEVELLA	STEALTH
Efficiency index	45%median —	57%median —
COP at 5°F	44%median 1.86	45%median 1.93
Capacity retention at 5°F	35%median 62%	61%median 80%
HSPF2	42%median 8.7	69%median 9.5
SEER2	45%median 19.8	61%median 18.3
EER2	36%median 10.4	45%median 10.5
Heating capacity at 5°F	36%median 10,100 Btu/h	62%median 22,765 Btu/h
Outdoor models	40	42
AHRI certifications	48	119

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	PREMIUM LEVELLA	STEALTH
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	52.5%21 models	61.9%26 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	50%20 models	52.4%22 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	0%0 models	2.4%1 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	27.5%11 models	47.6%20 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	0%0 models	2.4%1 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	12.5%5 models	50%21 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

PREMIUM LEVELLA
STEALTH
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	PREMIUM LEVELLA	STEALTH
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	1 · index 57%	8 · index 60%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	2 · index 66%	11 · index 54%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 64%	10 · index 54%
Ducted, 2 tons	None	3 · index 69%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	26 · index 42%	10 · index 58%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	5 · index 39%	2 · index 50%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	8 · index 45%	9 · index 59%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	1 · index 52%	6 · 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	PREMIUM LEVELLACold-climate score, best model	STEALTHCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	46.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ188800B1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 211991187	86.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-18-HPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-18W-WM7 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 213433305
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	79.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB3 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 212316167
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	None on this board (0 of 2 models qualify)	79.9(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-36ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-36CD-HH-MB6 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 212316191
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	None on this board (0 of 1 models qualify)	86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-48CD-HH-MB6 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 212316192
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	84.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIACWMZ9082280Bwith ductless indoor unit PIACWMZ9082279A8 of 26 models qualify · AHRI 214717543	89.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC5 of 10 models qualify · AHRI 212316184
Non-ducted, 2 tons	64.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAW2432580Bwith ductless indoor unit PIAW2432579A1 of 5 models qualify · AHRI 214232462	85.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24FM-HH-MB1 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 212316170
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	50.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ278800B1 of 8 models qualify · AHRI 211991190	79.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B3 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 212316177
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	39.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ488800B1 of 1 models qualify · AHRI 211991197	76.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-60ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-60FM-HH-MB4 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 212316196

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	PREMIUM LEVELLAAll-around score, best model	STEALTHAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	56.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ188800B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211991187	85.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-09CD-HH-MB8 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316164
Ducted, 2 tons	No models in this size class	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ducted air handler ACIQ-24CD-HH-MB3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316167
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	75.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)PIAWMZ278800B2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211991191	75.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)ES-27Z-M3B11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316210
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ488800B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211991199	82.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B9 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316181
Ducted, 5 tons and up	No models in this size class	41.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)ACIQ-60-EHPBwith ducted air handler ACIQ-60AHB1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213433299
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	84.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAW932580Bwith ductless indoor unit PIAW932579A23 of 26 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214232463	92.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-06W-HH-MC10 of 10 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316184
Non-ducted, 2 tons	72.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAW2432580Bwith ductless indoor unit PIAW2432579A3 of 5 models have all five ratings · AHRI 214232462	84.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230Bwith ductless indoor unit ACIQ-24W-HH-MB2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316160
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	67.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ278800B6 of 8 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211991190	82.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-36Z-HH-M4B7 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316177
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	51.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)PIAWMZ488800B1 of 1 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211991197	77.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)ACIQ-48Z-HH-M5B6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 212316180

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	PREMIUM LEVELLA	STEALTH
COP at 5°F	beats 95% · 2.37PIACWMZ9082280BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 91% · 2.21ACIQ-24ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 2 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 87% · 101%PIAW1232580BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 95% · 113%ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
HSPF2	beats 95% · 9.7PIAWMZ488800BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons	beats 99% · 10.3ACIQ-48ZPL-HP230BDucted, 3.5–4.5 tons
SEER2	beats 98% · 21.0PIAWMZ278800BDucted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 99% · 24.6ES-27Z-M3BNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 95% · 15.8PIAW932580BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 98% · 16.2ACIQ-09ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 90% · 17,742 Btu/hPIAW1832580BNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 99% · 56,500 Btu/hACIQ-60ZPL-HP230BNon-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons

More comparisons

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PREMIUM LEVELLA vs STEALTH heat pumps