We compared more than 300 models from Daikin, Fujitsu, Hitachi, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung and more
Our experts assess key factors such as cooling and heating performance, airflow, noise, features and more
Consider joining CHOICE to see the top-rated air conditioners in our reviews
If you’ve had enough of sweating in summer and shivering in winter, you might be considering splashing out on an air conditioner.
But between the high upfront cost and installation charges, plus the almost identical-looking air con units, it can be hard to tell which is the best option for your particular needs.
With household bills rising along with the temperatures, split-system air conditioners are a good option for summer, as they can be cheaper to run than a portable air con.
Plus if you opt for a reverse-cycle model that can heat as well as cool, you can efficiently keep your home at a comfortable temperature year-round.
To help make choosing easier, our air-con experts crunch the data to compare more than 300 models each year, covering all the major brands on the market including Daikin, Fujitsu, LG, Mitsubishi Electric and more.
Our experts crunch the data to compare more than 300 models each year
In our most recent air conditioner reviews, we encountered some excellent units and some poor performers. We reveal the lowest-rated small units below.
Please note: For this article, we’ve focused on small-size air conditioners (up to 4kW) as they’re the most popular type in Australia. You can check medium and large models in our air con reviews – you’ll just need to select which size you’re after.
We don’t recommend comparing large units against small ones because while they aren’t as energy efficient, they can heat or cool bigger spaces.
Interestingly, the same brands that delivered air conditioners with the lowest cooling and heating efficiency also produced some of our review’s top scorers – a result we often see across product reviews.
“It just goes to show that even a good brand can sometimes make some pretty ordinary products.
“In some cases these air conditioners are older models that may be overdue to be phased out or replaced with more efficient lines,” he says.
It just goes to show that even a good brand can sometimes make some pretty ordinary products
CHOICE expert Chris Barnes
There are a large amount of air conditioners available to Australian consumers, and while they will have passed a minimum standard, factors such as price point, features and how old the model is will all impact performance.
“All these models have passed minimum energy performance standards to be registered and sold in Australia, so their cooling and heating energy-efficiency scores are OK, but there are much better models out there,” says Chris.
Reverse-cycle air conditioners are also one of the best ways to cool your home in summer.
Poor performers for cooling
When the summer heat hits, you’re going to want an air con unit that can keep you nice and cool.
We suggest you avoid these air conditioners that scored the lowest for cooling efficiency in our latest review:
Reverse-cycle air conditioning is actually a very cost-effective way to heat your home. However, if you’re dreaming of a toasty warm home come winter, these models might leave you in the cold.
Here are the air conditioners that scored the lowest for heating efficiency in our review:
Haier AS35TBMHRA-SET (55%)
Haier AS35PBDHRA-SET (55%)
Mitsubishi Electric MFZKW35KIT (56%)
Haier AS25TBMHRA-SET (56%)
Samsung F-AR12BXECNWK1 (57%)
Insulation improves both heating and cooling.
What to do before you buy a reverse-cycle air conditioner
Insulate your home
If possible, make sure your home is insulated – particularly the ceiling. This will help keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, with or without air conditioning.
Do your research
Check out our expert air conditioner reviews before you buy, and check the stars on the energy rating label – the more stars the better.
And make sure the unit is suitable for where you live. A home in Tasmania is going to have different requirements to a home in Perth, so find out how the unit will perform for energy-efficiency in your region.
A home in Tasmania is going to have different requirements to a home in Perth
“The zoned star-rating label gives more information about how the air conditioner performs in different parts of Australia and New Zealand, so you can pick a model to suit the region you live in,” says Chris.
Buy the right capacity
It’s important to find the right size air conditioner for the space you need to heat and cool.
Don’t be tempted to undersize to save on the upfront cost, or to go for the biggest available unit in the hope that it will work better – these are both false economies.
“Try to size the air conditioner’s heating and cooling capacity correctly for the room where it will be installed,” says Chris. “Models that are too powerful or too underpowered won’t run as effectively or efficiently.”
Alice Richard is a Content creator and marketer. Alice writes on a range of topics, from health insurance to heaters and BBQs to bargain-hunting, always with the aim to help consumers find the best products to buy, and which to avoid.
Alice can take vast amounts of data from CHOICE product tests and turn it into content that is easily digestible and fun for readers.
Alice has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland.
Alice Richard is a Content creator and marketer. Alice writes on a range of topics, from health insurance to heaters and BBQs to bargain-hunting, always with the aim to help consumers find the best products to buy, and which to avoid.
Alice can take vast amounts of data from CHOICE product tests and turn it into content that is easily digestible and fun for readers.
Alice has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland.
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