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.

Samsung and Star Air Kontrol 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, Samsung scores higher on 4 of the 6 ratings.

Samsung
Star Air Kontrol
Other ranked manufacturers

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

Average peer percentile, raw median and rank among ranked manufacturers
Rating	Samsung	Star Air Kontrol
Efficiency index	62% (higher)median — · 6th ranked	51% (higher)median —
COP at 5°F	48%median 1.98 · 20th ranked	56%median 1.99
Capacity retention at 5°F	84% (higher)median 100% · 1st ranked	35% (higher)median 66%
HSPF2	55%median 9.1 · 11th ranked	61%median 9.2
SEER2	64% (higher)median 20.0 · 4th ranked	57% (higher)median 19.2
EER2	58% (higher)median 12.5 · 7th ranked	41% (higher)median 10.6
Heating capacity at 5°F	78% (higher)median 27,500 Btu/h · 1st ranked	44% (higher)median 17,700 Btu/h
Outdoor models	55	55
AHRI certifications	158	70

Share of models meeting each standard

Percent of each manufacturer’s models with a qualifying certification
Standard	Samsung	Star Air Kontrol
CEE 2025 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	85.5%47 models	50.9%28 models
CEE 2026 Tier 1 (Split ASHP)	83.6%46 models	43.6%24 models
CEE Advanced Tier (Split ASHP)	9.1%5 models	0%0 models
Xcel Energy Colorado cold-climate ASHP (2025)	89.1%49 models	23.6%13 models
DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge	9.1%5 models	0%0 models
ENERGY STAR Cold Climate	9.1%5 models	20%11 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 · 9 groups where both have models

Samsung
Star Air Kontrol
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	Samsung	Star Air Kontrol
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	4 · index 53%	4 · index 58%
Ducted, 2 tons	7 · index 61%	3 · index 68%
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	13 · index 64%	6 · index 53%
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	9 · index 58%	7 · index 53%
Ducted, 5 tons and up	2 · index 65%	3 · index 51%
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	18 · index 64%	18 · index 53%
Non-ducted, 2 tons	11 · index 63%	6 · index 51%
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	12 · index 70%	7 · index 41%
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	7 · index 53%	6 · index 41%
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	2 · index 38%	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	SamsungCold-climate score, best model	Star Air KontrolCold-climate score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	53.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC009BXADCHwith ducted air handler AC009BNLDCH4 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 207465440	67.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-12-DTMS/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-12-DTMS/220V2 of 4 models qualify · AHRI 213081463
Ducted, 2 tons	70.8(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC024BXUPCHwith ducted air handler AFM354+TDR7 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 212150566	80.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-24-DTMS/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-24-DTMS/220V2 of 3 models qualify · AHRI 211726522
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	80.4(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AC036BXUPCHwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M36G413 of 13 models qualify · AHRI 212590506	57.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-27-22MUZ/220(OUT)*1 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 211726669
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	86.4(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC060BXUPCHwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M60E48 of 9 models qualify · AHRI 213350966	None on this board (0 of 7 models qualify)
Ducted, 5 tons and up	75.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM060MXMDCHAlso listed as AM060NXMDCR2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 10147096	None on this board (0 of 3 models qualify)
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	90.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AR09CSDABWKXwith ductless indoor unit AR09CSDABWKN18 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 210445757	84.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-09-OC/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-09-OC/220V4 of 18 models qualify · AHRI 213279897
Non-ducted, 2 tons	81.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AJ020CXS3CH10 of 11 models qualify · AHRI 213353367	74.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-24CONS/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-24CONS/220V3 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 213279887
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	84.1(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AJ036CXS4CH12 of 12 models qualify · AHRI 213353370	49.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-27-22MUZ/220(OUT)*1 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 211726668
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	71.9(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM053NXMDCRAlso listed as AM053TXMDCH6 of 7 models qualify · AHRI 202083810	56.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-48CONS/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-48CONS/220V1 of 6 models qualify · AHRI 213279889
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	46.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM060MXMDCHAlso listed as AM060NXMDCR2 of 2 models qualify · AHRI 10147097	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	SamsungAll-around score, best model	Star Air KontrolAll-around score, best model
Ducted, up to 1.5 tons	74.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)AC009BXADCHwith ducted air handler AC009BNLDCH4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207465440	78.5(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-18-DTMS/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-18-DTMS/220V4 of 4 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726521
Ducted, 2 tons	80.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)AJ020CXS3CH7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213353371	83.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)SAK-24-DTMS/220Vwith ducted air handler SAK-24-DTMS/220V2 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726522
Ducted, 2.5–3 tons	83.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AJ030CXS4CH13 of 13 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213353373	71.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-27-22MUZ/220(OUT)*4 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726669
Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	66.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AC060BXUPCHwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M60E49 of 9 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213350966	63.5(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-48-21MUZ/220(OUT)*4 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726673
Ducted, 5 tons and up	64.8(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM060MXMDCHAlso listed as AM060NXMDCR2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10147096	57.1(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-60-DTMS/220V*with ducted air handler SAK-60-DTMS/220V3 of 3 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726674
Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	90.3(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AR09CSDABWKXwith ductless indoor unit AR09CSDABWKN18 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 210445757	77.2(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-09-OC/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-09-OC/220V18 of 18 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213279897
Non-ducted, 2 tons	90.2(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AJ020CXS3CH11 of 11 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213353367	72.0(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-24CONS/220Vwith ductless indoor unit SAK-24CONS/220V6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 213279887
Non-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	82.7(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AC030BXSCCHwith ductless indoor unit AC030BN4DCH12 of 12 models have all five ratings · AHRI 207698065	66.7(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-27-22MUZ/220(OUT)*6 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726668
Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons	68.0(50 is the typical model of its size class) (higher)AM048NXMDCR7 of 7 models have all five ratings · AHRI 202057118	48.3(50 is the typical model of its size class)SAK-48-21MUZ/220(OUT)*6 of 6 models have all five ratings · AHRI 211726672
Non-ducted, 5 tons and up	37.6(50 is the typical model of its size class)AM060MXMDCHAlso listed as AM060NXMDCR2 of 2 models have all five ratings · AHRI 10147097	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	Samsung	Star Air Kontrol
COP at 5°F	beats 94% · 2.17AC036BXADCHNon-ducted, 2.5–3 tons	beats 96% · 2.38SAK-18-24MS/220Non-ducted, up to 1.5 tons
Capacity retention at 5°F	beats 100% · 146%AC018BXADCHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 73% · 59%SAK-60-DTMS/220VDucted, 5 tons and up
HSPF2	beats 99% · 9.5AM060MXMDCHAlso listed as AM060NXMDCRDucted, 5 tons and up	beats 98% · 11.2SAK-24-DTMS/220VDucted, 2 tons
SEER2	beats 96% · 23.0AJ020CXS3CHNon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 98% · 21.0SAK-27-22MUZ/220(OUT)*Ducted, 2.5–3 tons
EER2	beats 100% · 15.0AJ020CXS3CHNon-ducted, 2 tons	beats 85% · 12.5SAK-24-DTMS/220VDucted, 2 tons
Heating capacity at 5°F	beats 100% · 26,200 Btu/hAC018BXADCHNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons	beats 79% · 13,100 Btu/hSAK-18-OC/220VNon-ducted, up to 1.5 tons

More comparisons

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Samsung vs Star Air Kontrol heat pumps