Top 6 BEST Air Conditioner Brands in 2024 

Very helpful! Thank you!

I really like your presentation, our Arco is waaaaayyyy old but still runs like a champ. we bought this house 20 years ago and the air unit was probably installed 15 or more years before that. I thank God every summer when it’s hot for this Arco. ❤. We’re retired so we don’t run it 24/7 but we’re cool when we need it!

We've had a roof mounted single stage Trane for 8 years, it keeps on ticking and giving. We live in Morongo Basin of SoCal. it get's hot in the summer here. You can't go wrong. Carrier wantede $1,500 more for the same type of unit. We couldn't be more happier. Our Trane service company is great. We just put a Sinsi T55 smart thermostat on and it works great.

Carrier, goodman budget friendly my top two picks for Texas. Most seen around here as well.

Good information and confirms a lot of what I know to true. Thanks!

You produced a very nice informative video here. I’m just a consumer but I do try to keep up with the brands I currently have two AC systems one train and one carrier and they have both been good systems. Thanks for your efforts and posting

Thanks for your frank & unbiased critique on these AC systems. Cost in my opinion will carry the day but quality & reliability is ranked right up there too.

Hi Kenneth, missing on this list is Bosch that recently entered the American market with inverter heat pumps (not side discharge) and both me and my customers are very happy with them. We install mainly American Standard (that is priced much better than Trane) and Bosch.

I found your videos very educational as we are in need of replacing our air conditioners. Unfortunately it appears that you do not service my area...

Looking forward to the video on side discharge units. I see these more on new construction and there seems to be 2-3 outdoor units instead of one unit like you see with conventional central systems. Also, what’s the difference between these and split duct systems since the outside equipment appears to be the same.

Kenneth, I never thought I'd say this, but I have to agree with you on your statements. Back in 2010 I had a new House built. During the construction I wanted a Trane Packaged Heat Pump, due to past experience. My Trane Unit has been great and very reliable. I used to tell anyone looking for a new HVAC system to go with Trane. However, my sister had a new Trane Packaged Heat Pump installed around 2018. I could tell the quality had slightly changed from when mine was installed. I have since seen and heard many people complaining about the Trane quality slowly going down over the years. I'm not sure why this is happening. If my Trane were to bite the dust tomorrow, it's safe to say that I'd be moving toward Carrier products. Just my opinion. By the way, I really like your RU-vid channel and all the helpful information you give. Thanks!

Over a year ago my adult son decided to replace his 15 year old Carrier AC Heat Pump system. He got quotes from several. Trane was the most expensive but based on my previous experience I encouraged him to spend the extra and get the Trane. Unfortunately that has turned out to be a very bad decision. The Trane has been a lemon, constant problem. The warranty does not cover refrigerant so he has been charged around one thousand dollars for the refrigerant that has been leaking since new but the several technicians could not find the leak. The refrigerant and oil has been leaking from the evaporator. The plastic condensate pan leaked which kept wetting the filter and as the leak increased caused the overflow pan to leak which is in an upstairs closet and wetting the ceiling and wall downstairs. Finally a technician came out and located the leak in the evaporator coil. Trane is supplying the replacement coil but like with the condensate pan he is having to pay for the labor and refrigerant. Trane does not consider the refrigerant a part. I feel bad that I influenced him to buy the Trane rather than Diakin which has a 12 year parts AND labor warranty. He used a local Train dealer in Yulee, FL, where he lives thinking he would be taken care of. Trane and dealer have proven to be bad choices.

Just what I needed. My home is 19 years old. I’m VERY sure the a/c is the original from the initial build, it’s a RUUD. Still going strong though, just needs coolant now and then. I had a feeling Carrier was the brand I wanted to go with, nice confirmation from this video. Wondering if it’s easy enough to go from one manufacturer to anther when it’s time to replace my system or if it’s better to stay with the same company?

Wish there were installers like you in Southern California. All the companies I have contacted seem to want to maximize their returns on me. Love the open pricing, really makes it easy to compare.

great video, would be great to see video on second tier for single stage, best bang for the buck. Things like thickness of coil aluminum, wear points, etc.

Every other year or so. As my unit grows older. I get the itch to replace. Hit YT for info. I see this gentleman's face telling me the good brands. Will I finally replace it? Or do another coil clean and refrigerant check on the 2001 American Standard 2.5ton package unit. Last HVAC guy told me to care for this system and ride it until the wheels fall off.

Thanks for the advice. Can you have a different furnace and air conditioner manufacturers? Or do they need to be the same 😊

I had a Janitrol for 29 years. nothing major ever broke, except for a capacitor change. We decided last year to put in a new system and now have a Trane.

Great video!! I bought my Carrier system from Atlas as a direct result of watching your informative videos. Keep up the good work!

How long your ac lasts is highly dependent upon the skill of the installer and the level of your maintenance. In texas and the southern states carefully check out an ac service company and select three to talk to you. Get an annual maintenance agreement with a check up every 6 months

We live in middle of the states where we do get some days maybe a week total of blow freezing. What brand would be best heat pump all electric?

Can you do one for condo air conditioning , I guess they are called split units or pancake units as many aren’t as highly rated . It’s confusing because some company won’t touch condo units . Thanks for your insight

Hi I just looked at your video and Iam in the process of of getting a complete system of both air & heating. So far, I have had Carrier and Goodman, Amana give me estimates. Would like your opinion .

What about the other ICP brands like Day and Night, Tempstar, Arcoaire, etc? Their modes look identical to Carrier’s package heat pumps except for the badge name.

I had a Lennox and the compressor died after 13 years. I have a Carrier and it started slowly leaking after 20 years of usage. Annual recharges seems to fix it, but it is an annual event.

Has a good laugh here <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="410">6:50</a> with the clip of the woman cutting a corner haha

Any comments on the Carrier 24SPA6 ?

The only significant manufacturer not mentioned is BOSCH ( both split and package units - and some of the Midea similars ). They don't require a proprietary thermostat ( i.e. communicating not required but they offer one ) which gives the customer more options. Don't know where you would categorize them on your "6 Best list". I would take a BOSCH over several on your list in a heartbeat.

Have you ever heard of Comfor-Aire? Made by a company called MARS. Do you have an opinion? Thanks

50% is the install and 20% is the brand and 30% is the tier of that brand. Stay away from variable speed if in Hot Climates that you plan to keep over 14 years due to scarcity of parts. Most units sold are single stage. 80%. The biggest enemy of an HVAC system is the owner not getting the maintenance done.

Would you go with Daikin or Comfortmaker? I'm in Florida and am looking for efficiency and reliability. thanks

Do some brands actually use better compressors, evaporator coils, line sets? I had heard that the same 2 companies make all the compressors. How can I make sure I am not getting a crappy Evap. coil, line set, etc? Thanks. Dave in Tucson.

Not a fan of Carrier. They are fine units when new, but the cost of their replacement parts is out of control. Had one last year, they wanted $1300 for a 1/2 HP genteq blower motor. Bought an identical motor for a Daikin for $600 and swapped the output shaft (which was the only difference between the two). Same motor for a trane was $900, which is greedy in itself, but Carrier is on another level. Same thing for control boards, gas valves, inducers, etc. They take an off the shelf part and modify it just enough to make it proprietary, then charge double or more for the part.

The 85 unit development that I live in was built with Lennox units. About 30% of the A/C units have been replaced in only 5-7 years. Most were not covered by warranty despite having been installed by the developer. I will not have Lennox ever again.

Isn't Daikin and Goodman the same product made in TX?

My Goodman just crapped out after being shy of 6 years. The cost to me even under warranty is more than what I paid for it. Terrible brand. I would never recommend it.

I just had a Bryant installed yesterday 2 ton . I replaced my 18 year old Goodman !

What about Mitsubishi or LG?

Hi ! My name is Trung Le. I just purchased my whole house central air Daikin Heat Pump and air handler last week.( I made the decision caused watching your RU-vid). Heat pump Model number DZ5SEA6010AB , 5 ton, 15.2 seer. My seller told me it's 1 staged ( 1stage ) but the installer told me it's 2 stage ( 2 speed ). Could you please tell me it's 1 speed or 2 speed ? Thank you .

How much $$ is a capacitor cost to buy?

Day kin?

I always liked carrier. The last carrier I had lasted from 2000 all the way to 2018

Here's my 2024 Update on this question: The most important thing about HVAC is getting a company who is going to do a professional job of the installation. Still be in business for the ten year warranty period after the install and have written warranties and guarantees for emergency service and satisfaction of the installation. You probably already guessed that this won't be the cheapest quote but instead will be one of the major brands which in my 21-years in the industry would mean; Carrier/Bryant, Rheem/Ruud, Trane/Am Standard, and Lennox. Nevermind Lennox told everybody to F-off during the covid era. The best companies usually install a major brand and seperate themselves with; Transitions with sheet metal not metal tape. Install non-proprietary Air-Filter systems-(that you can buy the media for at any hardware store instead of having to purchase from them). They braze the refrigerant lines instead of crimping or other even worse methods. (I don't trust plumbers who can't sweat-solder either). Good companies set new AC units on new leveled pads and replace the electrical disconnect and whip, replace the line-set whenever possible and pull a vacuum to 500 microns before adding the new refrigerant charge into the system. And so-on and so-forth. Those things are more important than brands, however, stay with a major brand if you can because cheap brands are usually installed by cheap companies that do not install with the procedures outlined above. Finally, this stuff is getting so ridiculously expensive and higher and higher efficiencies are being federally mandated that the equipment does not last near as long as older less efficient systems did, so look to basic value systems instead of high-end systems as you'll be looking at replacing them soon after the ten year part warranties expire. The cost to repair out of warranty parts is ridiculous unless you can do it yourself, so value over sales marketing and bells and whistles is the way to go and it's only going to get worse. I really enjoyed a call I ran yesterday where the customer was looking for an AC Only on top a 1960's era Low-Boy Rheem furnace with cast-iron burners, heat-exchanger and a belt-drive blower-motor with actual oil ports for the motor bearings. I unfortunately, had to shake my head and tell him we would have to replace the full system as the furnace was simply too old even though it was built much better than anything that would replace it today. They're not meant to last 30-40 years anymore they're meant to last as long as your refrigerator, about 10-years, or die as close to after the ten year part warranty expires as possible.

What about Mitsubishi? They bought Trane several years ago.

If you please, which a/c unit is more silent inside and outside?

Carrier, Trane, and Goodman are the three brands I see the most often here in Florida. Especially Carrier they're everywhere here.

Just watched another review of 7 brands. Single stage seer2. 3 ton lennox came in 1st. Is this just personal opinion

Midea owns Carrier and they are the world’s largest appliance manufacturer from China. All of these brands now have had and been making their equipment out of China. No more American made. Federal law is only 50% of product needs to be made or assembled in USA to be labeled MADE IN USA, which is mainly the blueprints and the rest in China. Not sure if you ever looked at the top HVAC equipment in other countries, which some have weather harsher than us, you won’t see one brand you recognize. Go figure ?

Is bosch good?

I guess I get a Goodman

I have to say I am not impressed with Carrier. My 5 year old unit has had the coil replaced twice already. I replaced the filter yesterday and noticed moisture and rust on the filter screen... so it's about due for another coil replacement. Maybe it was the way it was installed...who knows...

Train is the best residential and commercial air conditioning company in the country, What you say may be where you live only

You might be a bit biased.

We had a Janittrol many years ago and they told us it was a great product but we found it to be a piece of junk.

You did not include BOSH in any of your current and past vids. Can you shed some light on this? They are reported to be the TOP OF THE LINE and YES, I know they are more expensive.

Goodman is so popular they cant keep systems in stock. Waiting time is a month. That says all I need to know. Carrier/Bryant/Trane...total junk would never buy.

⭐ *promosm*

Forgot to put Mr cool on the list 😂😂. Not that it matters 💀

Change the refrigerant, the brand will not matter one bit. R410a faces a 40% cut to production this year (2024) The new refrigerants have a 12 year life cycle and begin a new phase out cycle in 2036. This thought that a name on the side of a box is going to really mean anything is really nothing more than click bait. People make these videos because they know you will click it.