It can be difficult to choose the best air conditioner brands. Learn what to look for and get suggestions for top models by using our guide.

Lennox, Carrier, York, Trane, American Standard, LG, Ruud, Amana, Goodman, and Rheem are the best air conditioner brands that we choose. To learn more specific details, continue reading.

Best Air Conditioner Brands 2023

Here is a list of the best air conditioner brands:

Lennox

Lennox takes the next spot on our list with an A+ grade at the BBB. According to Consumer Reports, the dependability of their products is rated at four out of five, and customer satisfaction is rated at five out of five.

The HVAC industry is nothing new to Lennox. They began making heating furnaces in 1895 and air conditioners in 1952. More recently, they have added smart thermostats and smart zone controls to their lineup to complement their existing offerings.

They don’t have the most expensive air conditioning prices, but they do fall on the higher end of the spectrum. The company offers six-month payment-free financing and $1,000 rebates for some homeowners.

Recommended model: We suggest the SL28XCV air conditioner from Lennox. This AC from the company’s Signature Collection is Energy Star-certified and has a SEER rating of 28. On all covered parts, including the compressor, there is a 10-year limited warranty. If you’d like, you could power it with solar panels.

Pros	Cons
Found at popular retailers such as The Home Depot	Varies warranty coverage by product
Features some of the highest SEER ratings available	Has higher prices than other brands
Includes options for solar-powered AC units

Carrier

The next well-known brand in the residential and commercial HVAC sector is Carrier. The BBB awards them an A+ rating despite the company’s products landing at the high end of pricing among their competitors. Carrier offers a wide selection of AC products backed by 10-year limited parts warranties and five-year warranties if you choose not to register your product.

The highest SEER rating of the businesses we reviewed, 26 is offered by some extremely efficient Carrier models. Some models are additionally whisper quiet at 51 dB(A). Consumer Reports rates the company at four out of five for reliability and a perfect five of five for customer satisfaction.

Recommended model: The Infinity 26 Air Conditioner with Greenspeed Intelligence from Carrier comes highly recommended. It is quieter than many competitors thanks to its comfort control features, including humidity control and an integrated sound blanket, and has a SEER rating of up to 26. When you register the product, you also get a 10-year limited warranty on parts and a 10-year limited warranty on replacement units.

Pros	Cons
Has some of the quietest ACs available	Requires a consultation for an accurate quote
Includes air purification and humidity control with some models	Has higher prices than some competitors
Provides a 10-year limited parts warranty for registered products

York

Next on our list is York, another Johnson Controls-owned business with an A+ rating from the BBB. York has been around as a business since 1874. Despite being the oldest company in our reviews, they continue to offer air conditioners at competitive prices.

York products operate quietly with noise levels as low as 53 dB(A), while maintaining industry-standard SEER ratings of 15 to 21. Additionally, they come with 10-year protection for all other parts and a limited lifetime warranty on compressors. The York Hx-3 smart system offers zoning controls and touch-screen convenience.

Recommended model: Our pick for an air conditioner is the York YXV 20 SEER2 Variable Capacity. It includes variable speed and York’s built-in Climate Set technology, which provides improved comfort by automatically fine-tuning the AC system to the indoor and outdoor environment. The unit has a lifetime compressor limited warranty and a SEER rating that can reach up to 20.

Pros	Cons
· Oldest company in our review	· Few reviews available
· Competitive pricing	· Lower than average Consumer Reports ratings
· Lifetime compressor warranty

Trane

• Our rating: 92 out of 100
• Price range: $3,000–$15,500
• SEER rating:Up to 22

In the HVAC sector, Trane is particularly interested in cutting-edge technologies. The company offers multiple variable speed models and a ComfortLink II smart thermostat. With the help of these features, you can precisely control your air conditioning system and regulate the temperature and humidity in your home from one convenient location using the Trane mobile app.

In addition, a 12-year compressor warranty and a 10-year parts and labor warranty are included with a lot of Trane’s products. Compared to warranties provided by other AC brands, these are more extensive.

Recommended model: The XV20i TruComfort Variable Speed Air Conditioner by Trane comes highly recommended. With technology that automatically charges, configures, and calibrates for optimum performance, this Trane AC unit is one of the most effective ones available. This appliance also comes with Trane’s CleanEffects Whole Air Home Cleaner, which filters out dust and other harmful irritants while purifying the air in your home.

Pros	Cons
Offers solar-powered components that integrate with your AC system, such as water heaters	Requires ComfortLink II smart thermostat to operate high-end units
Includes a comprehensive 12-year compressor warranty plus 10 years for other parts and labor	Is known to require more maintenance than other brands
Helps create fully integrated smart home HVAC systems

American Standard

With an average rating of 4.7 stars at Consumer Affairs and an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau, American Standard stands out as our top choice. American Standard has been around in some form since before 1900. The company entered the air conditioning industry by purchasing Trane in 1984.

They provide AC products with single, two-stage, and variable speed fan motors that are compatible with their AccuLink and AccuComfort smart thermostats as well as the new company smartphone app. American Standard’s sound-insulated compressors have noise ratings as low as 57dB(A), up to a maximum SEER rating of 22, and come with 10-year limited warranties.

Recommended model: This year’s top model from American Standard is the AccuComfort Variable Speed Platinum 20 Air Conditioner. It has a SEER rating up to 21.5 and a sound rating of 55 to 75 A-weighted decibels (dBA), providing an excellent balance between performance and energy efficiency. You can also choose to add American Standard’s AccuClean Air Cleaner, which helps your air conditioner filter out more dust and harmful irritants.

Pros	Cons
· High Consumer Reports ratings	· Not available at major home centers
· Phone app available

LG

• Our rating: 5 out of 100
• Price range: $300–$900
• SEER rating:Up to 18

If you’re looking for a premium window-mounted air conditioner or portable air conditioner for your condo, weekend getaway home, or apartment, we suggest LG’s air conditioning products. We especially encourage this if you own other LG appliances, as LG’s smart wi-fi enabled air conditioners sync to smart-home technology via the brand’s ThinQ products. Using a mobile app, this system enables you to set the temperature while you’re away, change the mode of the unit, or control cooling. A LG air conditioner also supports voice commands through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

As low as 44 dB when in sleep mode, LG’s air conditioners are also very quiet. The best part is that LG’s air conditioners go above and beyond the minimum requirements for Energy Star certification, so you get incredibly efficient single-room ACs.

Recommended model: An impressive window-mounted air conditioner with a reasonable price is LG’s LW1522IVSM Dual Inverter Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Window Air Conditioner. The LG BLDC Motor and DUAL Inverter Compressor used in this unit provide low noise cooling for an area of about 800 square feet.

Pros	Cons
Offers smart home-enabled portable and window-mounted AC units	Only offers window-mounted and portable ACs
Designs high-quality, stylish portable AC units	Some models require ample space in a window or wall fixture for installation
Has some of the lowest sound levels due to LG’s specially designed parts

Ruud

• Our rating: 90 out of 100
• Price range: $3,000–$6,000
• SEER rating:Up to 20

The high-end division of HVAC manufacturer Rheem is called Ruud. The company offers competitively priced, smart home-integrated, high-efficiency units. Ruud also emphasizes sustainability in its products related to HVAC, including choices like solar-powered water heaters.

Ruud provides its Econet line, which includes the Econet Smart Thermostat, for air conditioning. This thermostat has a seven-day programmable and vacation scheduling feature, allowing you to save energy and money while you’re away and return to a comfortable home after work or a getaway.

Recommended model: Excellent air conditioning is provided by Ruud’s Econet Enabled Ultra Series Variable Speed (Ua20). This model is strong and effective. It has up to a 20 SEER rating, a variable compressor, powder-coated paint, rust-resistant screws, a 10-year parts warranty, and a 10-year conditional unit replacement warranty (registration is needed).

Pros	Cons
Has an established service network for installation and maintenance	Is known for noisy AC units
Offers highly competitive pricing on quality AC units	Has a limited product selection compared to other brands
Integrates your entire HVAC system through its Econet smart technology

Amana

Amana is the next on our list, with SEER ratings as high as 24.5. Amana started out in 1934 as a manufacturer of beverage coolers, but today it sells a wide range of air conditioning systems for both homes and businesses that are compatible with Smart technology.

On all of its single, two-stage, and variable speed air conditioners, the company offers a strong two-year limited replacement warranty in addition to the industry-standard 10-year parts warranty. Despite the fact that Amana products aren’t offered at many large home centers, their helpful website offers AC education and a dealer lookup feature.

Recommended model: Our top pick is the AVXC20 from Amana. With a 24.5 SEER rating and a variable-speed compressor that connects to the company’s ComfortNet technology for programmable performance, this is Amana’s highest efficiency unit. This unit also includes a lifetime unit replacement limited warranty when registered.

Pros	Cons
· Dealer look up on website	· Not available at major home centers
· Informational website	· Mid-range Consumer Reports ratings
· Replacement warranty

Goodman

• Our rating: 81 out of 100
• Price range: $1,500–$10,000
• SEER rating:Up to 24.5

Air conditioning is synonymous with Goodman. The business emphasizes durability with elements like dirt-blocking filters and rail guards to shield coils from inclement weather. It is a sister company to Amana and offers a more constrained but reasonably priced selection. The ComfortBridge smart home system from Amana can be used with Goodman’s appliances.

For added security, Goodman has an impressive warranty package including a 10-year limited warranty on parts, a 10-year limited warranty for entire unit replacement, and a lifetime compressor warranty. R-410A refrigerant, which is less damaging to the environment than other refrigerants, is another refrigerant used by Goodman.

Recommended model: The GVXC20 model from Goodman, which has a maximum SEER rating of 24.5, is advised. Through the ComfortBridge Controls System, this unit combines smart-home features with durability features, such as a ground lug connection and copper tubing. It’s a durable AC that you can control and monitor remotely from any location with an internet connection.

Pros	Cons
Manufacturers units with durability and longevity features	Doesn’t have as many premium features as other brands
Uses a more eco-friendly refrigerant	Doesn’t have a certified installer network
Offers above average warranties

Rheem

Popular for both residential and commercial applications, Rheem is a heating and cooling company. They receive an A+ rating from the BBB, and despite a few lower ratings on other public review sites, they perform well in Consumer Reports’ customer satisfaction and predicted reliability ratings.

Every air conditioning system offered by Rheem is compatible with its wide range of EcoNet thermostats and smart app, and each is covered by a 10-year compressor and part warranty. Rheem offers systems with one, two and variable speed operation at industry average prices.

Recommended model: We recommend Rheem’s Variable Speed Prestige Series RA20 ACs. These units have a variable-speed Copeland scroll compressor for peak performance, a 20.5 SEER rating, and a composite base pan to lessen noise and prevent corrosion.

Pros	Cons
· Priced at lower end	· Some low review ratings
· Good selection of products	Lacks customer support tools
· Good Consumer Reports ratings

Factors to Consider When Choosing An Air Conditioner Brand

When selecting an air conditioner brand, there are many things to take into account. The most important ones are highlighted in the list below.

Cost

The best AC brand for you will depend greatly on your budget. As a result of using more advanced technology and supplying smart home features, premium brands are more expensive. If you don’t require or want these features, you can save money by choosing a standard air conditioner.

The kind of air conditioner also affects how much it costs. For instance, a split AC unit, also known as a ductless air conditioning system, is less expensive than a full-size central air conditioner. Central Air Vs Forced Air: Which You Should Choose?

A few examples of typical prices for various AC models are provided below. The price of essential AC components, such as a condenser, is also included. These are included in the unit price but have the potential to change the final cost.

• Central air conditioning:$2,500–$7,000
• Compressor: $800–$3,000
• Condenser: $1,200–$4,200
• Heat pump:$1,000–$6,000
• Split air conditioning: $1,600–$3,500
• Window air conditioning:$150–$750

Be aware that some companies, like Trane, may justify higher prices with their well-known names and lengthy histories. Even though a strong indicator of quality is a company’s reputation, that doesn’t mean you should pay more for a similar product from a lesser-known brand.

Remember that in addition to the unit, you will also need to pay for installation. This will set you back between $1,200 and $2,200.

Warranties

Your investment in an AC system is protected by warranties. For parts, the majority of businesses provide a five-year limited warranty, but if you register your purchase online, this warranty will frequently be increased to ten years. We encourage you to register your AC unit with its brand to get the most out of your investment.

Standard parts and replacement warranties are for a period of ten years. A brand demonstrates its commitment to its products by providing a lifetime compressor warranty or lifetime replacement warranty.

Features

Air conditioning technology is continuously progressing. You can purchase an air conditioner that comes equipped with a variety of features, including a smart thermostat and an internet-accessible monitoring system. But more features come at a higher price. Consider what features and convenience level you want and compare them with the brand’s price tags to find a middle ground.

It may be more expensive up front to install central air conditioning systems that combine your HVAC systems into one unit with a heat pump. By choosing a split system, which divides your HVAC system into a furnace for heating and an air conditioner for cooling, you can save money. However, integrated systems with a heat pump are more effective in the summer and result in lower energy costs, saving you money over the long haul. How to Install a Portable Air Conditioner?

Customer Service

Consider how much customer service is offered. A good AC brand should provide numerous channels of communication, such as a direct phone line and an online submission form. Observe if the business offers certified installers, either directly or via a dealer network.

We advise looking up brands you’re interested in on well-known customer review websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Reading customer reviews will give you insight into the installation process and what it’s like to deal with that brand’s customer service representatives.

Air Conditioner Energy Efficiency

The overall performance and worth of an air conditioner are determined by its energy efficiency. Below are two of the most common ways an AC’s energy efficiency is determined. How Much Does An Air Conditioner Cost?

SEER Rating

Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings are the ratio of an AC’s cooling output over a typical cooling season divided by the energy it uses in watt-hours. A constant indoor temperature and a range of outdoor temperatures from 60 degrees Fahrenheit to over 100 degrees are used to calculate the SEER rating over the course of an entire cooling season. Be aware that a SEER rating is the highest level of efficiency. Depending on your home’s features, like insulation and windows, the efficiency of your unit may be lower.

Any SEER rating over 13 is regarded as favorable. The average rating is 16, and anything above 20 is top-of-the-line. Units below 13 are probably of low quality.

Energy Star Ratings

Another excellent sign of quality is a company’s partnership with Energy Star. Energy Star uses strict guidelines to certify AC units. A minimum SEER rating of 14.5 is required, for instance, for the unit. It must also have an energy efficiency ratio (EER) rating, which is a more uniform measurement than SEER and uses 8% less energy than standard AC models.

FAQs

Summary: Best Air Conditioner Brands

Depending on your tastes, finances, and house design, you can choose the best air conditioner brand. Lennox is among the top AC brands in our opinion because of its high SEER ratings, smart home functionality, and SunSource technology. However, Carrier offers more intelligent cooling options, and York builds some of the most durable and quietest ACs.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment. My Prime Home tries to give you the best home improvement information. Don’t forget to share the post. Thank you for reading.