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Alex Hawkins is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. He has worked on consumer surveys with over 5,000 homeowners, conducted in-depth interviews with solar and windows industry experts and has experienced ride-alongs with professional window installers. His work has also been featured on This Old House, MarketWatch and Architectural Digest. Alex has a Masters in English language and literature from Texas Tech University but now lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. In his free time, Alex explores the Smoky Mountains or publishes video essays and book reviews on his YouTube channel.
We analyzed the top brands in air conditioning and compared critical factors such as features, reliability, warranties and overall value to help you choose the right AC brand.
The best air conditioner brand is Carrier as they top our list with some of the best all-around AC units, offering a combination of features that give it some of the most energy-efficient systems. Lennox is a close second as our choice for the best warranties paired with some of the highest efficiency ratings. If you’re more concerned about affordability, we suggest you look at Bryant.
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.
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.
What we like
Carrier is a well-established company that specializes in home comfort through HVAC systems, with a focus on energy efficiency and home-connectivity controls. We like that its air conditioning products have high SEER ratings and are known for their quality, customer satisfaction and reliability. A SEER rating indicates how effectively an air conditioner or heat pump can cool a house. A higher SEER rating indicates better energy efficiency, resulting in more cooling per kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed.
Carrier’s models are also known for their quiet operation, with some rated at just 51 A-weighted decibels (dBA). The dBA rating is a measurement of sound emitted by air conditioning units, which is adjusted to align with how an average human perceives sound. This is achieved through a process known as “A-weighting,” which emphasizes the sound frequencies humans hear the best. In the case of air conditioners, a lower dBA rating is considered better, as it indicates a quieter operation for your home.
Overall, Carrier offers well-built, quality air conditioners that you can pair with smart-home technology to create a top-of-the-line, seamless AC system.
What we don’t like
Many of Carrier’s AC units feature SEER ratings of 24–26, so they’re priced higher than some competitors. Therefore, Carrier isn’t your go-to brand if you’re a budget-conscious homeowner. But if you can afford the initial cost, you’ll enjoy better performance throughout the life of your system.
Carrier features mixed customer review scores across popular review sites, such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. The company has an A- rating on the BBB and responds to each customer complaint on its headquarters page. The negative reviews mention frustration around getting a Carrier representative to return to cover any repairs or replacements.
You receive some of the highest SEER ratings possible with Carrier. The company offers up to a 26 SEER rating.
Carrier provides a standard 10-year product warranty that can be extended by registering. If you don’t register your Carrier AC, you’ll only receive a five-year warranty.
Carrier’s AC units are more expensive than competitors. When researching the company’s product lines, we noted some units cost as much as $15,000, but others can be as low as $3,200. A more standard AC unit installation, such as the 14 SEER Carrier Comfort Series, would cost around $5,000–$7,000.
Lennox, a company with almost 60 years of experience in the HVAC industry, offers models with SEER ratings as high as 28. This is one of the highest SEER ratings we encountered during our research, meaning Lennox’s AC units outperform most other ACs. Though Lennox features the highest SEER rating on this list, we find Carrier’s ACs to feature the most efficient units overall with additional smart-home features and high-performance components.
Lennox also boasts some of the most comprehensive warranties we analyzed. The company provides plenty of details about its warranties online, which is an excellent perk in an industry that doesn’t disclose this information upfront often. You can purchase Lennox products at retailers such as the Home Depot or Lowe’s, and you can sign up for financing via their websites if you can’t afford to pay upfront. We like that the company’s financing and availability strike a balance between top-of-the-line performance and budget.
Like Carrier, Lennox products are priced higher than those of some of its competitors. Repairs are also typically more expensive due to the proprietary parts, which means the parts are only available to Lennox products and certified technicians. However, though these are costly parts, they make Lennox’s ACs some of the most efficient. We suggest determining whether higher repair and installation costs are worth the long-term energy savings.
Lennox has an A+ BBB rating and is accredited despite having a low customer review score. This positive rating is partly due to the company’s high response rate and handling of complaints.
We found a similar mix of complaints and praises on Lennox’s BBB and Trustpilot profiles. Many customers were frustrated that replacement parts took multiple weeks to arrive — sometimes up to seven weeks — but many were impressed with Lennox’s customer service staff and that the company stood by its warranties.
Lennox manufactures some of the most efficient air conditioners, with its Signature Collection reaching SEER ratings of 28. This high rating means Lennox’s products provide optimal, high-performance cooling and offer major energy savings.
Lennox offers some of the best warranties we’ve seen. All customers receive the company’s basic limited warranty, which covers some components and the AC’s compressor. Coverage varies by product line, but all units include a three-year labor warranty at no extra charge.
Here are the basic limited warranty options for Lennox’s most popular line:
Signature Collection products:
Elite Series products:
Merit Series products:
These warranties extend the coverage period upon product registration. The extended coverage varies by product.
Lennox is another premium AC brand. Some units in the company’s Signature Series cost as much as $10,000. Other Lennox units, such as the Merit Series, cost as low as $3,000. Typically, you’ll pay between $3,000 and $7,000 for one of the company’s more reasonable units for the average home.
Bryant is the best company if affordability is what you’re looking for. The company designs quality AC units with SEER ratings reaching up to 24, but it maintains an affordable price point for its products. Some AC units start at just $2,000 per unit. Additionally, the company provides easy access to rebates of up to $600 on its online product catalog.
Bryant also provides further value by helping you monitor and control your cooling system with its smart-home platform, Evolution Connex. Combining Bryant’s budget-friendly pricing and smart-home capability, you can balance your spending goals with your energy goals to get the most value possible upfront and in the long term.
Bryant may be affordable, but we’ve identified that it does feature some pitfalls regarding the quality of life with its AC units. We don’t love that its units are louder than other brands’ units on our list. Many of its standard 17 SEER units can reach up to 71 decibels (dB), which is one of the highest numbers we’ve seen.
Most of Bryant’s AC units sit around the 14–17 SEER rating mark, meaning they’re less efficient than many other options. Overall, we find that Bryant provides middle-tier offerings on its AC units with some downsides, but it might still be a good option if you want a standard AC at a competitive price.
Bryant features an impressive 4.93 out of 5 stars and A+ rating on its BBB profile. Although the company has no accreditation, its glowing customer reviews and response rate are rare compared to other brands. It appears that customers might be incentivized to provide a review, given the large number of them and how many lack details. However, Bryant does seem to uphold a positive reputation on other sites, such as in this Reddit thread, where customers and technicians mention finding its parts accessible and the brand providing major value compared to a competitor such as Carrier.
Bryant’s efficiency offerings remain mid-tier, with its highest SEER rating landing at 24. This rating only exists for the company’s more premium offerings in the Evolution series.
The company’s warranty options match industry standards. Bryant offers its 10-year Bryant Red Shield Unit Replacement Limited Warranty if you register your air conditioner within 90 days of installation.
Pricing is where Bryant beats a lot of the competition. The company’s more compact AC units, which are better for apartments or condos, start at $2,000, while some of its central AC units only cost up to $4,500. You can get highly competitive pricing for standard AC options with Bryant compared to Lennox or Carrier.
Industry veteran York offers a range of heating and air conditioning systems and smart-home products. Overall, the company provides solid performance and budget-friendly pricing along with years of HVAC industry knowledge. If affordability is your primary concern, we also recommend you check out York. The company supplies a wide range of available sizes and configurations, including options for multi-family properties. Because of this, you could find a better unit size and configuration with York than other providers.
Some of York’s air conditioners have lower reliability ratings than other brands, and they feature standard features and performance ratings. Additionally, York units are exclusively sold and installed through independent or authorized dealers. As a result, the dealer network is comparatively smaller than that of a builder or a mass retailer line, such as Carrier. Therefore, not all regions may have several qualified York dealers to choose from.
York’s parent company, Johnson Controls Inc., holds an A+ BBB rating and accreditation but only features a customer review about its security products and a transferred HVAC system. We discovered an older Reddit thread where customers discussed their experience with York HVAC products. Most comments mentioned that York provides standard quality for reasonable prices. They said that more high-end models have better performance and more cheap models are subpar, which is standard for the AC industry.
Many of York’s models have solid SEER ratings between 14 and 21. York’s expensive models have more efficiency features, such as variable speed and built-in Climate Set technology. These give added comfort by automatically fine-tuning the AC system to the current climate.
It’s important to note that York’s AC warranties vary by model. Generally, York offers a standard 10-year limited warranty on parts. Unlike many other manufacturers, York also includes a limited one-year labor warranty with all its equipment. To qualify for the maximum warranty, you must register any York equipment within 90 days of installation.
York is more affordable than the previous brands on our list. According to York’s website, its units range from $4,500–$9,000. A standard York AC with a 16 SEER rating costs closer to $5,200.
Trane has been a leading supplier of HVAC systems since 1885. We like how the company focuses on making its products compatible with smart thermostat technology, allowing you to automate and adjust your home’s comfort easily.
Trane constructs its ACs with durable components, such as weather-resistant coil casings and corrosion-proof bases, resulting in longer-lasting products than other brands. The compressors and fans undergo rigorous testing to ensure durability.
Because it’s a premium AC brand, Trane costs more than its competitors. We like that Trane integrates its system with its ComfortLink II smart thermostat, but some of its more high-end units require you to own that specific thermostat for them to operate. If you purchase one of these units, you must undergo an entire AC system revamp that includes this thermostat.
Trane has a B rating with the BBB and isn’t accredited. It has a low customer review score and doesn’t appear active on the site. Trane does have a 2.6-star rating on Trustpilot, but only from four reviews.
Many customers mention Trane’s good product quality. The complaints stem from ordering replacement parts or difficulty scheduling repairs.
While not the most energy-efficient brand on the market, Trane air conditioners maintain a respectable SEER rating of 22 on its more high-end units, such as its XV20i TruComfort Variable Speed Air Conditioner.
Trane offers superior warranties compared to other AC brands, with a 12-year compressor and a 10-year parts and labor warranty included in many of its units. In fact, Trane’s confidence in its product extends to a transferable system warranty, meaning if you choose to sell your home, the warranty will still apply to the new owners.
Some of Trane’s units are very expensive, costing as much as $15,500. However, its units include additional features not every homeowner is interested in, such as built-in air purifiers. More modest units cost between $3,000 and $6,500.
Frigidaire is a well-known brand in the refrigeration industry, and we like that customers rate it highly on various review platforms. The brand is easily accessible at major home retailers, such as the Home Depot, which makes it easy to find products and schedule installation.
The company only manufactures built-in, portable and window-mounted AC units. This limits the selection of Frigidaire ACs that match certain homeowners’ needs. Also, Frigidaire air conditioners only go up to a 20 SEER rating. This is fairly low for a high-end unit, especially compared to Lennox and Carrier. The company’s selection is also more limited than other brands.
Electrolux, Frigidaire’s parent company, has an A+ BBB rating and is accredited, but its customer review score is lower than 2 stars. Like American Standard, different locations under Electrolux’s umbrella have different BBB profiles. Many of the reviews present cover Frigidaire’s refrigerators and dishwashers.
Frigidaire also has a low Trustpilot score for its products. Most complaints are about difficulty fulfilling repair appointments and subpar product quality, though the company eventually fulfills its warranties.
Because it doesn’t focus on big central AC units for entire homes, Frigidaire’s ACs only reach up to 20 SEER. However, many of its units use an inverter compressor. This compressor runs at low capacity, so it uses less energy than other air conditioners.
You must register your Frigidaire AC for warranty coverage. When you register it, you receive a 10-year parts warranty and a 10-year warranty on any air quality products. Additionally, you can opt for an extended labor protection plan to cover labor costs associated with repairs. These protection plans vary by dealer.
Frigidaire offers competitive pricing for its small AC units. We noticed prices from $500–$1,082 on the company’s website
American Standard has been selling smart-home products and air conditioners for more than a century. It’s one of the oldest brands on this list and receives good customer service and reliability ratings. Reliability and reputation are key factors in obtaining quality air conditioners in the HVAC industry, so given that American Standard has been a household name since the early 1900s, you’re dealing with a trustworthy brand.
Like Amana, it clearly outlines its financing and equipment leasing options on its website. These features help if you’re trying to match a specific budget for your new AC.
Finding a dealer for American Standard’s ACs can be difficult. The easiest way to find one is to search the company’s website, but the nearest one may be far away. Additionally, the company tends to cost more for installation than other brands because you have to use its certified installer network.
It’s difficult to pinpoint a general consensus for American Standard products because the company relies on a network of dealers, all with their own BBB profiles. The company also offers a variety of home appliances. We noticed some American Standard locations featuring BBB scores as high as A+ while others had B ratings. During our research, we found a popular Reddit thread in which many American Standard customers mentioned they were satisfied with its products and found them of average quality for the prices they paid.
American Standard provides AC units that reach up to 21.5 SEER. This rating applies to the brand’s high-end options, such as its AccuComfort Variable Speed Platinum 20 Air Conditioner. This high rating is possible due to a variable speed motor and built-in AccuClean Air Cleaner, which filters dust and pollutants.
All American Standard units have a Base Limited Warranty, which allows you to receive a free replacement in case of any defects. This warranty usually lasts five years and covers units that are either not registered or registered more than 60 days after installation. However, it doesn’t cover labor costs, and the coverage length may vary by product. Once registered, the warranty is extended to 10 years.
An American Standard air conditioner costs between $3,500 and $11,000 before installation. Its standard 14 SEER units cost around $5,000.
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.
Ruud is also ideal if you want a quality AC unit on a budget. The company offers competitively priced, high-efficiency units that are smart-home-integrated. We like that Ruud emphasizes sustainability in its HVAC products, including options such as solar-powered water heaters. In addition to low-cost units, Ruud offers financing options through its in-house KwikComfort Financing with options for zero-interest payment plans.
Ruud offers a limited selection compared to other brands with large AC catalogs, such as Carrier. Additionally, most customer reviews mention that Ruud’s units are rather average quality for being marketed as a more upscale division of Rheem (another leading HVAC industry name). Notably, reviews mentioned how noisy the units can get.
Ruud features multiple BBB profiles for its air conditioner divisions. Ratings on these profiles vary from A+ to not rated. Ruud’s parent company, Rheem, features an A+ rating and accreditation. Rheem features lower customer review scores on its Trustpilot and BBB profiles. Most complaints are aimed at the AC units’ poor noise control and subpar performance. Other customers mention being content with the average quality for their price.
Ruud’s AC units reach as high as 20.5 SEER. This rating means the company keeps its efficiency features up to industry standard.
Ruud has one of the most lackluster warranties on this list, with a five-year warranty for the entire AC.
Though its features and performance are middle-of-the-road, Ruud offers highly competitive pricing for its AC units, ranging from $3,000–$6,100. You can purchase a standard 16 SEER central AC unit, called the RA16 Achiever Series, for around $3,000.
Amana is a supplier of various household appliances and home systems. The company’s website provides excellent consumer information, third-party financing options and a dealer locator to make finding its products easy. The website also clearly outlines Amana’s financing options so you can budget for your AC unit accordingly. Getting clear information about other brands’ financing options is more difficult, so we love that Amana prepares you properly.
Amana has a mediocre reception on popular review sites, which we’ll cover below. We don’t like that Amana’s more budget-friendly units only feature single-stage motors, meaning they’re less efficient than other brands’ cheaper units.
Amana features an A+ rating from the BBB, and its headquarters (Whirlpool Corporation) has the same. However, both brands have low customer review scores. Amana also features incredibly low Trustpilot scores through Whirlpool USA.
Though these reviews include Whirlpool’s and Amana’s other products, such as washers and dryers, most focus on the companies’ customer service and reliability. Customers mention frustrations around obtaining warranty coverage and finding flaws in a product after a couple years of use.
The company’s air conditioners have quality SEER ratings, with its more high-end models reaching up to 24.5. Amana offers further efficient control through its smart thermostat and mobile app, letting you achieve your usage goals and automate the system.
All Amana ACs include a five-year limited warranty, but upon registration (within 60 days of purchase), you receive a two-year replacement warranty and upgrade your coverage to 10 years of parts and compressor coverage.
Amana’s high-efficiency and luxury units cost up to $11,000 per unit, and its more budget-friendly options cost around $3,200. Realistically, you’ll pay around $4,000 for a decent Amana air conditioner, such as its ASX16 model, which offers a 16 SEER, single-stage unit with quiet operation features.
Goodman offers a comprehensive range of heating and air conditioning products. This includes several models with high SEER ratings of 24.5, available at budget-friendly prices. Although Goodman may not have the same level of prestige as some other brands, we recognize it for its reputation for delivering reliable, affordable and high-quality air conditioners.
Goodman designs its ACs using smart-home technology. Its factory-installed components are compatible with programmable and smart thermostats.
While Goodman air conditioners are budget-friendly, their noise levels are quite high compared to offerings from a brand such as Carrier. Some units reach up to 75 dB. Additionally, some units have lower-than-average reliability ratings, yet Goodman’s labor warranty only lasts a year.
Goodman’s parent company, Daikin Comfort Manufacturing LP, has an A+ rating and accreditation on its BBB profile. This positive rating is partly due to its high response rate on the site. The company’s profile page features a customer service alert saying it currently struggles to fulfill certain service requests due to “an acute labor shortage and certain supply chain delays.” Many complaints were focused on this problem, while other customers mentioned being satisfied with the longevity and performance of Goodman’s ACs.
Goodman’s energy efficiency features are industry-standard, and its ACs reach up to 24.5 SEER.
Goodman offers a 10-year limited warranty on parts, a 10-year limited warranty on entire unit replacement and a lifetime compressor warranty. These are solid options, besides its one-year limited labor warranty.
Goodman’s ACs range from $1,500–$8,000. A standard 14 SEER unit, such as the Goodman GSX 16 SEER AC, will cost $3,600–$4,000.
Unit size, efficiency features, sound ratings and budget are key factors to consider when selecting a new AC unit.
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.
Air conditioners use two main efficiency indicators: Energy Star certification and SEER ratings. Though similar, these indicators mean slightly different things.
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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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