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Air conditioner reviews

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Last updated: 05 August 2024

We review split-system air conditioners (with an indoor unit on the wall, connected to an outdoor unit) ranging from small 2kW models for a single bedroom, up to large models of 10kW or more that are suitable for an open-plan living area.

 

Our review covers reverse-cycle air conditioners for both cooling and heating, as well as cooling-only models.

We've also partnered with Shop Ethical on this update to show the ratings the Ethical Consumer Group gives to each company.

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To pick the best models in the capacity you need, you can just pick a Recommended model in that size and type. Or you can use the filters to select the best models based on the below.

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

This review now includes zoned star ratings for each model where available. Check out our air conditioners buying guide for more details about the zoned energy rating label. The running costs are now also based on the rated energy usage in each zone, so you can see how much each model is likely to cost you to run in your location.

A note about scores

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 have more powerful fans and can cool or heat a much larger space. Scores can change from the previous reviews as newer more efficient models enter the market.

Our reviews are based on data provided by manufacturers, cross-checked against the government registry database. Read how we test air conditioners for more details about our method.

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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 at time of publication. You can often get a better price by shopping around. Some new models don't yet have prices available.

    enter value/s in increments of 1 between 0 and 4949

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    Member only

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    Size (capacity)

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    Small (up to 4kW cooling capacity) models are good for a bedroom or study. Medium (4 to 6kW) models are good for a large bedroom or living room. Large (over 6kW) models are good for large, open-plan living areas.

      Reverse cycle or cooling only

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      Whether this model is reverse-cycle (has cooling and heating modes) or is cooling only.

        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 i between 1.5 and 10

        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. "N/A" (not applicable) means this is a cooling-only model.

        enter value/s in increments of i between 2 and 11.2

        Yearly running cost – cold zone

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        An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in a cold zone (southern Australia including Melbourne, southern Western Australia, Tasmania, and Canberra), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kWh. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details.

        enter value/s in increments of i between 37 and 2425

        Yearly running cost – average zone

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        An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in an average climate zone (including Sydney, Adelaide and Perth), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kW. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details. 

        enter value/s in increments of i between 56 and 1156

        Yearly running cost – hot zone

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        An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in a hot zone (such as Darwin and Brisbane), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kWh. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details.

        enter value/s in increments of i between 151 and 1253

        Included in this review

        Members-only access
        • CHOICE Expert Rating
        • Recommended
        • Yearly running cost – cold zone
        • Yearly running cost – average zone
        • Yearly running cost – hot zone
        • Cooling efficiency score
        • Heating efficiency score
        • Airflow score
        • Reliability score
        • Satisfaction score
        • Good points
        • Bad points
        • Price
        • Unit type
        • Size (capacity)
        • Noise indoors (dBA)
        • Noise outdoors (dBA)
        • Rated cooling capacity (kW)
        • Rated cooling power input (kW)
        • Rated heating capacity (kW)
        • Rated heating power input (kW)
        • Energy star rating – cooling
        • Zoned star rating cooling – cold zone
        • Zoned star rating cooling – average zone
        • Zoned star rating cooling – hot zone
        • Energy star rating – heating
        • Zoned star rating heating – cold zone
        • Zoned star rating heating – average zone
        • Zoned star rating heating – hot zone
        • Stated standby power consumption (W)
        • Human presence sensor (energy saving)
        • Demand Response feature (DRED)
        • Shop Ethical rating
        • Warranty (years)
        • Country of origin
        • Reverse cycle or cooling only
        • Number of fan speeds
        • Operating temperature range (°C)
        • Fast mode
        • Quiet mode
        • Fan only mode
        • Sleep mode
        • Sleep mode auto temperature adjustment
        • Dimensions indoor unit (cm, H x W x D)
        • Dimensions outdoor unit (cm, H x W x D)
        • Refrigerant
        • Wi-Fi control
        • Air purifier
        • Indoor unit model
        • Outdoor unit model

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