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Ranked by summer-long cooling efficiency only

Cooling efficiency over a whole summer, measured with a federal test. Like miles per gallon for cooling: higher means more cooling per unit of electricity over the test season. The federal minimum for a new split heat pump is 14.3. This list ranks by that one rating. For the units that hold up best in the cold overall, see the cold-climate picks.

Covers heat pumps sold new today (R-454B and R-32 refrigerant). See older R-410A models · Updated

Showing Ductless, 2.5–3 tons (27,000–38,999 Btu/h cooling). What size is my system?

Top 10 by summer-long cooling efficiency only: ductless, 2.5–3 tons

Ranked by this one rating, not an overall verdict. Every model here is the same size and type, so the numbers compare directly. Higher is better. One certified pairing per model.
  1. 1MCY-MUB0368HS2P-ULCarrier (sold as Toshiba Carrier)3 tons · 36,000 Btu/h · DuctlessTop 10%29.1
  2. 2048-TPH-MODU-1D4Della2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessTop 10%26.5
  3. 3KUSXA301Awith ductless indoor unit KNSCB301ALG2.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessTop 10%25.0
  4. 4BMS500-AAM027-1CSXRDBosch2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessTop 10%25.0
  5. 5D5CMRAH30EAKMideaAlso sold as MDV M5OD30-30HFN10-M1D, Bryant 37MGRAQ30EA3, Arcoaire D5CMRAH30EAK; also listed as 37MGRAQ30EA32.5 tons · 30,000 Btu/h · DuctlessTop 10%25.0
  6. 6BZ33-HP274Z2-454-G3-PBreeze332.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessTop 10%25.0
  7. 7MO4EX-H27B-2AMideaAlso sold as MDV M4OD30-27HFN10-M1D, MDV M4OD30-27HFN10-M1, MDV M4OD30-27HFN10-M1D-D; also listed as M4OD30-27HFN10-M1P, MO4DX-H27B-2A2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessTop 10%25.0
  8. 8MOM27H2BM4AInnovairAlso listed as MOM27H2BM4B2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessTop 10%25.0
  9. 9BMMZ27CBlueRidgeAlso listed as BXM1A27SC02.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessTop 10%25.0
  10. 10CH-R28MES-230VOCooper&Hunter2.5 tons · 27,000 Btu/h · DuctlessTop 10%25.0

Every ductless, 2.5–3 tons model, highest first

Top cold-climate picks, ductless 2.5–3 tons

These are certified test ratings, not a recommendation for your home. The right size comes from a load calculation by a contractor.

Want this size class’s full distribution and peer percentiles? Switch to Advanced

What good looks like: ductless, 2.5–3 tons

Good is better than half of this size class, great is the top quarter, top is the top 10%. The scale comes from the class’s own ratings.

  • COP at 5°F

    Efficiency on a 5°F day

    How much heat the unit makes from each unit of electricity when it is 5°F outside.

    Good
    2.00+
    Great
    2.02+
    Top 10%
    2.10+

  • HSPF2

    Winter-long heating efficiency

    Heating efficiency over a whole winter, measured with a federal test.

    Good
    10.0+
    Great
    10.5+
    Top 10%
    10.7+

  • SEER2

    Summer-long cooling efficiency

    Cooling efficiency over a whole summer, measured with a federal test.

    Good
    21.0+
    Great
    23.0+
    Top 10%
    24.0+

Next steps

The advanced view adds the all-sizes boards, each qualifier’s peer percentiles, charts of every model in each size class, and the EER2 and heat output boards.

Open the advanced view