All-around best: 3.5–4.5 tons, by 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. Where the cold-climate board asks whether a unit holds up in deep cold, this one asks whether it is good at everything; each row also shows its cold-climate verdict. Only manufacturers with a QMID (IRS Qualified Manufacturer ID) on file are ranked.
New to heat pump ratings? The Simple view explains them in plain words →
LeaderboardsData as of updated · sources
All-around best: Ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
2,182 of 2,565 models in this size class have all five ratings. 1,261 of them are from manufacturers with a QMID on file (the ranked pool).
| # · Outdoor model | Manufacturer | Size · type | Cap. 5/47 | COP@5°F | HSPF2 | SEER2 | EER2 | Btu/h @5°F | Meets | Combos | AHRI ref. | Score | Heating half | Cooling half | Beats on Cap. 5/47 | Beats on COP@5°F | Beats on HSPF2 | Beats on SEER2 | Beats on EER2 | Cold-climate score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1KUMXA421ALG · KUMXA421A | LG | 3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Ducted | 100% | 2.27 | 10.0 | 19.0 | 13.1 | 48,000 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 3 | 215402348 | 91.2 | 89.3 | 93.0 | 95% | 85% | 87% | 87% | 99% | 89.3 |
| 227VNA154A*030*CARRIER · Infinity 21 VS Cold Climate Heat Pumpwith ducted air handler FE5BNBD60L*+UIAlso sold as Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems 291VAN054**AA | Carrier | 4.5 tons51,500 Btu/h · Ducted | 102% | 2.00 | 10.5 | 21.0 | 13.0 | 52,000 | CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC | 482 | 215587917 | 90.4 | 81.5 | 99.4 | 99% | 54% | 91% | 100% | 99% | 81.8 |
| 3KUMXA481ALG · KUMXA481A | LG | 4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Ducted | 100% | 2.33 | 10.0 | 18.5 | 12.6 | 52,500 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 3 | 215408637 | 90.1 | 90.4 | 89.9 | 95% | 89% | 87% | 82% | 98% | 90.4 |
| 45TWV0X48A1TRANEwith indoor coil D(A,C,E)60B4J+TDR and furnace L8V1C100U5VSB+LRP | Trane | 3.5 tons42,500 Btu/h · Ducted | 107% | 2.74 | 9.5 | 20.4 | 11.7 | 50,500 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 207 | 216794476 | 88.8 | 92.6 | 85.1 | 100% | 98% | 81% | 96% | 74% | 92.9 |
| 5ASUM42HPMULOAUX · C-Series | AUX | 3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Ducted | 83% | 2.10 | 10.0 | 22.0 | 12.3 | 35,000 | CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC | 3 | 216032440 | 87.0 | 76.8 | 97.3 | 74% | 69% | 87% | 100% | 95% | 76.8 |
| 6SL22KLV-048-230A**LENNOX · DAVE LENNOX SIGNATURE SL22KLV SERIESwith indoor coil CK40[C,U]T-60C-**+TDR and furnace SL280UH080NV60C | Lennox | 4 tons46,000 Btu/h · Ducted | 98% | 2.02 | 9.4 | 20.5 | 12.4 | 44,000 | CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC | 163 | 216776088 | 86.7 | 76.4 | 96.9 | 90% | 62% | 77% | 99% | 95% | 84.9 |
| 7RD18AY48AJVCRHEEMwith ducted air handler L(E,G)M60IJ | Rheem | 3.5 tons39,000 Btu/h · Ducted | 104% | 2.80 | 9.0 | 18.0 | 12.0 | 42,500 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 1,022 | 218029742 | 86.3 | 90.1 | 82.5 | 100% | 98% | 73% | 77% | 88% | 95.2 |
| 8BOVA-60MTB-M19EBOSCHwith ducted air handler (V,R)60H210P19*+TXV+AEFE5 | Bosch | 4 tons48,500 Btu/h · Ducted | 103% | 2.10 | 10.0 | 19.0 | 12.0 | 48,000 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 160 | 218796938 | 86.3 | 85.3 | 87.3 | 100% | 69% | 87% | 87% | 88% | 90.9 |
| 95A6V0X48A1AMERICAN STANDARDwith indoor coil DH60T4J and furnace S8V2D120M5PCB | Trane | 3.5 tons44,500 Btu/h · Ducted | 90% | 2.10 | 10.0 | 20.4 | 12.0 | 42,500 | CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC | 230 | 217204644 | 86.0 | 79.8 | 92.2 | 83% | 69% | 87% | 96% | 88% | 79.8 |
| 10HH860E2S11COLEMANwith ducted air handler D(A,C,E)60B3K+JMC20D2SN1+TDR | York | 3.5 tons43,000 Btu/h · Ducted | 81% | 2.80 | 9.5 | 19.0 | 12.0 | 36,600 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 9,227 | 218014963 | 85.7 | 84.1 | 87.4 | 73% | 99% | 81% | 87% | 88% | 90.3 |
All-around best: Non-ducted, 3.5–4.5 tons
562 of 569 models in this size class have all five ratings. 279 of them are from manufacturers with a QMID on file (the ranked pool).
| # · Outdoor model | Manufacturer | Size · type | Cap. 5/47 | COP@5°F | HSPF2 | SEER2 | EER2 | Btu/h @5°F | Meets | Combos | AHRI ref. | Score | Heating half | Cooling half | Beats on Cap. 5/47 | Beats on COP@5°F | Beats on HSPF2 | Beats on SEER2 | Beats on EER2 | Cold-climate score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1KUMXA421ALG · KUMXA421A | LG | 3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted | 100% | 2.29 | 11.0 | 21.5 | 13.8 | 48,000 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 3 | 215402347 | 89.3 | 95.9 | 82.8 | 98% | 98% | 92% | 66% | 100% | 95.9 |
| 2ZRUM048GSS0LG · ZRUM048GSS0 | LG | 4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted | 100% | 2.10 | 10.3 | 23.3 | 13.5 | 54,000 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 3 | 214914947 | 88.5 | 80.2 | 96.8 | 98% | 82% | 61% | 94% | 99% | 80.2 |
| 3MXZ-SM48NLHZ***Mitsubishi Electric · Smart MultiAlso listed as PUMY-HL48NKMU, MXZ-SM48NLHZ- | Mitsubishi Electric | 4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted | 100% | 2.00 | 11.5 | 23.0 | 13.1 | 54,000 | CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC | 4 | 215685467 | 85.9 | 78.4 | 93.4 | 98% | 37% | 100% | 89% | 98% | 78.4 |
| 4KUSXA421ALG · KUSXA421Awith ductless indoor unit KNSCB421A | LG | 3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted | 91% | 2.20 | 10.8 | 21.5 | 13.5 | 43,500 | CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC | 2 | 214837930 | 85.6 | 88.6 | 82.6 | 83% | 96% | 86% | 66% | 99% | 88.6 |
| 5MCY-MUB0488HS2P-ULTOSHIBA CARRIER · MCY-MUB0488HS2P-UL | Carrier | 4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted | 70% | 2.50 | 11.3 | 24.4 | 13.4 | 38,000 | CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC | 5 | 216760288 | 84.9 | 70.8 | 99.1 | 14% | 100% | 99% | 100% | 98% | 70.8 |
| 6AVW-48F3DAH2Hisense | Hisense | 4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted | 100% | 2.40 | 10.8 | 22.0 | 12.0 | 54,000 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOE | 3 | 216618251 | 82.7 | 94.6 | 70.9 | 98% | 99% | 86% | 73% | 69% | 94.6 |
| 7CHV6-RS48URBMHHCooper & Hunter | Cooper&Hunter | 4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted | 100% | 2.40 | 10.8 | 22.0 | 12.0 | 54,000 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOE | 3 | 217026556 | 82.7 | 94.6 | 70.9 | 98% | 99% | 86% | 73% | 69% | 94.6 |
| 8AOUH42KUAH1FUJITSU · AIRSTAGE H-serieswith ductless indoor unit AUUH42KUAS | Fujitsu | 3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted | 102% | 2.02 | 10.6 | 22.0 | 13.0 | 48,000 | CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC | 2 | 217895710 | 80.2 | 76.7 | 83.6 | 100% | 58% | 73% | 73% | 94% | 76.7 |
| 9MXZ-SM42NLHZ***Mitsubishi Electric · Smart MultiAlso listed as PUMY-HL42NKMU, MXZ-SM42NLHZ- | Mitsubishi Electric | 3.5 tons42,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted | 100% | 2.00 | 11.1 | 21.5 | 13.4 | 48,000 | CEE 25CEE 26XcelES CC | 3 | 215685465 | 79.9 | 77.6 | 82.2 | 98% | 37% | 98% | 66% | 99% | 77.6 |
| 10KUMXA481ALG · KUMXA481A | LG | 4 tons48,000 Btu/h · Non-ducted | 100% | 2.34 | 10.5 | 20.5 | 13.1 | 52,500 | CEE 25CEE 26CEE AdvXcelDOEES CC | 3 | 215408636 | 76.9 | 88.0 | 65.7 | 98% | 99% | 67% | 34% | 98% | 88.0 |
Download CSV of these all-around boardsEvery board above in one file, ranked by all-around score within each peer group.