Carrier is the best air conditioner (AC) brand on our list of the top overall AC brands. Carrier offers highly energy-efficient AC options with low decibel ratings, making them ideal for most residential applications.
Lennox is a close second — it offers the best warranties on its products, and along with Carrier, its ACs have some of the highest efficiency ratings. If you’re concerned about affordability, Bryant is our pick for a budget-friendlier yet still quality option.
We analyzed the top names in air conditioning and compared critical factors such as features, reliability, warranties and overall value to help you choose the right AC brand. Read below to learn more about the best options for your residence.
Compare top air conditioner brands
The most important aspects of top AC brands to consider as you search for a new unit are its features, the estimated life span of its systems and pricing. An AC’s energy-efficiency features and upfront cost determine your cooling system’s overall cost-effectiveness. Another important factor related to an AC unit’s life span is its warranty coverage. A warranty should get close to covering the entire life span of the unit, though it’s not uncommon for it to fall beneath it by five years or so.
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. An HVAC system controls your home’s internal temperature. It uses ventilation to exchange air, heating to raise air temperature, and air conditioning to lower it. An AC unit is one facet of your HVAC system.
The estimated life span of an AC unit is 10–15 years. However, this can vary based on the unit’s quality, how well it’s maintained and environmental factors. Higher-end AC units made by reputable brands paired with regular maintenance, such as cleaning and replacing filters, can extend the life span to 20 years or longer.
Factors such as improper installation, lack of care, excessive run time and exposure to harsh weather conditions can decrease life span to under 10 years.
In the United States, the average cost of a single air conditioning unit ranges from $3,000–$5,000, based on our calculations of averages from provider websites. For a basic window AC unit, prices start around $250. For a midrange split system central AC unit, expect to pay $2,500–$4,000. High-end, premium AC units with advanced features can cost $5,000–$10,000. Factors such as brand, size, efficiency rating, extra features and installation costs influence the total cost.
Top AC brands
Below are the best air conditioning brands based on our assessment. When it comes to the best and popular AC units, pricing and quality typically align. Therefore, many of our top recommendations may appear more expensive than others.
Best of the rest
While the following brands didn’t make our top picks, they still scored at least 4 out of 5 stars in our methodology and are worth looking at for their AC units. These brands offer more standard AC units with competitive pricing, so we suggest you consider them if you want a simple, affordable air conditioner.
How do you choose an air conditioner brand?
Unit size, efficiency features, sound ratings and budget are key factors to consider when selecting a new AC unit.
1. Determine the right size air conditioner system
Choosing the right size AC for your home is crucial for optimal performance and efficiency. AC units are measured in British thermal units (Btu), which refer to how much energy an air conditioner uses to remove heat from the indoors.
The first step is calculating your square footage, which a contractor can help you determine. The general rule is to use 20 Btu per square foot for average insulation and windows. For example, a 2,000-square-foot home would need an AC unit with around 40,000 Btu.
Then, you’ll factor in ceiling height, window size, insulation, sun exposure and average temperatures. More windows or poor insulation means you’ll need additional cooling power.
We spoke with Tim David, CEO of Airlucent.com and owner of David HVAC Services, and he told us what a pro considers when measuring a home for an AC unit: “When I assess a home, I take into account its layout, size, orientation, local climate and the current insulation it has. For example, if a home receives an excessive amount of sunlight or is situated in a windy area, it can greatly affect its heating and cooling requirements.”
Units in hotter climates need a higher Btu rating. For homes over two stories, add 600 Btu per floor.
While an oversized AC unit may seem better, it can cause short cycling and higher energy bills. An HVAC contractor can assess your home’s specs and recommend the optimal size, so we suggest contacting a professional for assistance.
2. Choose the appropriate efficiency
Air conditioners use two main efficiency indicators: Energy Star certification and SEER ratings. Though similar, these indicators mean slightly different things.
Energy Star ratings
When shopping for an AC, you’ll see units touting their Energy Star rating. This handy certification helps you discern more efficient, cost-saving cooling systems. Energy Star bases its ratings on SEER and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). The higher these numbers, the more energy-efficient the AC unit. Energy Star sets its minimum SEER at 14 but recommends looking for SEER 16 or greater, which could reduce cooling costs by 30%.
Higher Energy Star scores indicate robust cooling power, dehumidification and quiet operation. Choosing the correct Energy Star rating for your home size will keep your home cooler and your energy bills in check.
SEER ratings
SEER measures how efficiently an AC unit cools your home. SEER rates energy use during an average cooling season. The higher the number, the more electricity you’ll save. Like Energy Star, we recommend a SEER rating of 16 or higher. A SEER 16 unit will consume up to 30% less power than one rated 13.
Units with higher SEER cost more upfront but pay off over time through lower energy bills. Don’t oversize your AC unit in pursuit of a high SEER, as it won’t dehumidify as efficiently, resulting in less cost savings.
3. Choose the right sound rating
Picking an air conditioner with the right sound rating ensures your cooling doesn’t come with distracting noise pollution. AC units are measured in dB — the lower the dB, the better. Most units range from 45–60 dB. Under 50 dB is considered low noise, comparable to a humming refrigerator. Fifty to 55 dB is moderate, like background music in a coffee shop. Units with over 55 dB venture into disruptive territory.
You should also consider the unit’s placement. A window-mounted unit in a bedroom or office should be extra quiet. The better central air conditioner brands are often hidden outside, allowing for a higher noise level, but consider which room is against that exterior wall. Investing in a quality unit with sound insulation helps ensure peaceful cooling for your AC’s life span.
4. Consider the cost
Shopping for a new AC unit involves more than looking at brand names and Btu. To make the smartest purchase, compare operating costs to the upfront price. Although a cheaper AC may save you money initially, its inefficient cooling and costly repairs could cost you more over time. Investing in a higher SEER and Energy Star-rated unit typically pays for itself within three to five years through regular energy savings.
Remember to factor in installation, maintenance and repair costs over the unit’s life span. Quality parts and durable components mean less upkeep. Also, compare warranties. A longer coverage period can save you money.
While the upfront unit price remains a key factor, take the long view when weighing AC unit costs. David said most homeowners should be looking five to 10 years out when considering pricing. He also emphasized that the above factors determine your AC’s long-term cost-effectiveness.
“Having a system that is ideal for the square footage of the space along with considering external factors like other energy-efficient [features you] may have on or around the house should all be considered so that you don’t get a unit that has to work too hard to cool or heat efficiently,” he said
Final take: Carrier, Lennox and Bryant are our top AC brand picks
Many AC brands provide quality units for competitive prices, but Carrier, Lennox and Bryant take the cake. Carrier designs high-quality units that integrate energy-efficient features with smart-home technology, while Lennox provides an extra layer of security through its comprehensive warranties. If you want quality mixed with affordability, we suggest Bryant.
You should always consult a local HVAC technician about what size AC unit your house needs or you can get a specialized quote from the most popular brands we recommend. If possible, get at least three quotes from different AC brands. This will help you determine the brand that best matches your budget and system needs.
Our rating methodology for HVAC systems
We research and rate HVAC brands and companies to connect you with the right providers for your heating and cooling replacements and repairs. We examine a company’s reputation and customer reviews, energy-efficiency ratings, product and upgrade options, warranties, pricing, customer service and more.
Our detailed rating system helps us objectively review and compare HVAC providers. Companies are scored out of a possible 100 points, and that total is then divided by 20 to achieve the 5-star rating we include in our reviews.
BBB and Trustpilot ratings are accurate as of January 2024.
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Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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