Price
Expand to view more details.The recommended or typical retail price at time of publication. You can often get a better price by shopping around.
enter value/s in increments of 1 between 599 and 5519
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Rated cooling capacity (kW)
The rated cooling output of the air conditioner in kilowatts. The higher the number, the greater its cooling capacity and (in theory) the bigger the space it can effectively cool.
enter value/s in increments of i between 1 and 13
Rated heating capacity (kW)
The rated heating output of the air conditioner in kilowatts. The higher the number, the greater its heating capacity and (in theory) the bigger the space it can effectively heat.
enter value/s in increments of i between 2 and 15
Unit type
High wall: the indoor unit is mounted high on a wall so its air flow can easily blow across the room. Floor-mounted: the indoor unit is at floor level, which may be better suit some rooms. Cassette: the indoor unit is mounted in the ceiling. Floor/ceiling: can be mounted on either the ceiling or the floor.
Size
To help you narrow your search, we class air conditioners as small (up to 4kW cooling capacity), medium (4 to 6kW) and large (over 6kW). Scores are only comparable between models in the same size category, as it's not realistic to compare the efficiency of models with very different capacities.
Yearly running cost
Based on how much each model costs to deliver a set amount of cooling and heating per year at maximum capacity, with the remainder of the year in standby mode (based on electricity costs of 30 cents/kWh). It's only indicative; your actual running costs may vary. See our How we test article for more.
enter value/s in increments of i between 306 and 586
Airflow score
Based on the range of airflow on the lowest to highest fan speed settings. Ideally, air conditioners should have a gentle airflow on low settings and a powerful airflow on high. The wider the range of airflows, the better the score.
enter value/s in increments of i between 39 and 92
Cooling efficiency score
Cooling and heating efficiency scores are based on the model's AEER (Annual Energy Efficiency Ratio) and ACOP (Annual Coefficient of Performance) – a measure of efficiency that factors in standby power consumption when the unit's not in use. Our scores are more precise than star ratings.
enter value/s in increments of i between 48 and 97
Heating efficiency score
Cooling and heating efficiency scores are based on the model's AEER (Annual Energy Efficiency Ratio) and ACOP (Annual Coefficient of Performance) – a measure of efficiency that factors in standby power consumption when the unit's not in use. Our scores are more precise than star ratings.
enter value/s in increments of i between 54 and 97
Human presence sensor (energy saving)
This feature detects whether anyone's in the room; if no one's there, the air conditioner switches to an economy mode to reduce power consumption. Some models also direct the air movement towards the sensed person, so as to not cool or heat unused areas.
Wi-fi control
Allows control of the air conditioner via your home wireless network and an app on your smartphone, so you can power the unit on or off when away from home, set temperatures and monitor energy use. It's not available for all models, but is built-in for some and an optional extra for others.
Sleep mode
Sleep mode adjusts the air conditioner's output temperature and fan speed (usually in steps) so the temperature becomes more comfortable for sleeping and the air conditioner runs at lower power and more quietly.
Demand Response feature (DRED)
Demand Response Enabling Device (DRED), also known as PeakSmart. An air conditioner with this feature can be controlled remotely by participating energy companies
to run in a power-saving mode in periods of peak electricity demand. It's not available for all models, but is built-in for some and an optional extra for others.
Brand reliability score
Brand reliability is based on our 2018 member survey and shows the percentage of respondents owning that brand of air conditioner who reported no problems with it in the previous 12 months. "Not available" means we didn't get enough responses to score that particular brand.
enter value/s in increments of i between 79 and 91
Noise indoor (dB)
Noise levels are supplied by the manufacturer. Where available, we show the noise on the quietest indoor fan setting. Noise levels are broadly comparative, but note that different manufacturers may measure these values slightly differently.
enter value/s in increments of i between 19 and 53
Noise outdoor (dB)
Noise levels are supplied by the manufacturer. They're broadly comparative but note that different manufacturers may measure these values slightly differently.
enter value/s in increments of i between 42 and 71
Refrigerant
Refrigerant gases are usually R410A or R32. Both are hydrofluorocarbons but R32 has a lower global warming potential and should also give improved efficiency.
Status
A Similar model is identical in most aspects except for a few. This means that a majority of its test results are identical so you can reasonably expect to get the same results from the model we tested, but for those aspects which aren't identical, we'll note these as "Not Tested" in the Compare tables.
A Tested model refers to a model that is still current and available in the Australian market. You should be able to order this model through your local retailer, or find it online.
These models can't be found in retailers or online or are no longer manufactured. You may still find these models on second hand websites, or in second hand dealers. Test methods may change over time, so criteria which can't be directly compared will contain an N/A.
An Identical model is exactly that. Performance characteristics will be identical and the only difference will be something trivial such as colour, which won't have an impact on performance.
These are models we haven't yet tested but that are available.
Included in this review
- Overall score
- Recommended
- Yearly running cost
- Cooling efficiency score
- Heating efficiency score
- Airflow score
- Brand reliability score
- Owner satisfaction score
- Good points
- Bad points
- Price
- Brand
- Model
- Status
- Size
- Noise indoor (dB)
- Noise outdoor (dB)
- Rated cooling capacity (kW)
- Rated heating capacity (kW)
- Star rating cooling
- Star rating heating
- Stated standby power consumption (W)
- Unit type
- Number of fan speeds
- Operating temperature range (°C)
- Fast mode
- Quiet mode
- Fan only mode
- Sleep mode
- Sleep mode auto temperature adjustment
- Human presence sensor (energy saving)
- Dimensions indoor unit (cm, H x W x D)
- Dimensions outdoor unit (cm, H x W x D)
- Refrigerant
- Wi-fi control
- Demand Response feature (DRED)
- Indoor unit model
- Outdoor unit model
- Contact