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Air conditioner reviews

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Last updated: 17 December 2018

We review reverse-cycle split-system inverter air conditioners, ranging from small 2kW models suitable for a single bedroom, up to large 10kW models suitable for a large open-plan living area.

Recall notice: The ACCC warns that the Seeley International Braemar SCHF21C3S and Braemar SCHF25C3S Outdoor Air Conditioner Unit could pose a fire risk. These faulty units aren't featured in our test. Units from Braemar that do feature in our test are not subject to the recall.

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It's essential to figure out the right size or capacity for your room. To pick the best models in the capacity you need, you can just pick a Recommended model in that size. Or you can use the filters to select the best models based on:

  • Brand reliability – the brands that rate well in our member surveys.
  • Running costs – the better the cooling and heating efficiency score, the lower the running cost.
  • Noise – for the indoor and outdoor units. Where possible we show the quietest indoor fan setting.
  • Airflow – it's good to have a useful range of fan speeds, from quiet breeze to powerful blast.

While all the different sizes are included here, scores are not comparable between size groups. For example, it's unfair to expect the same level of efficiency from a large model as for a small one – larger models aren't as energy efficient, but they can cool or heat a much larger space.

Our review is based on data provided by manufacturers, cross-checked against the government registry database. See how we test for more details about our review method.

Chris Barnes
By Chris Barnes
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Brand

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List of brands we tested in this review.

Price

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The recommended or typical retail price as of October 2018. 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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Size

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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.

Type

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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.

Rated cooling capacity (kW)

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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 1 between 1.7 and 9.5

Rated heating capacity (kW)

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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 1 between 2 and 10.5

Costs

Yearly running cost

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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 1 between 0 and 0

Test results

Airflow score

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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 1 between 0 and 0

Cooling efficiency score

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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 1 between 0 and 0

Heating efficiency score

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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 1 between 0 and 0

Features

Human presence sensor (energy saving)

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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

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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

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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)

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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.

Reliability

Brand reliability score

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Brand reliability is based on our 2016 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 1 between 0 and 0

Specifications

Noise indoor (dB)

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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 1 between 19 and 53

Noise outdoor (dB)

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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 1 between 42 and 69

Related products

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

Members-only access
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • Wi-fi control
  • Demand Response feature (DRED)
  • Indoor unit model
  • Outdoor unit model
  • Contact
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