Brands
Every brand with at least 6 models we track in the US: how many we track, what is in stock now, where its cheapest model is the cheapest at its size, and the CPSC notices that name it. We do not score brands: no public data reports repair rates by brand.
Friedrich
76 models: window units, through-the-wall units and PTACs, portables
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 0 of 8 window sizes
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 0 of 3 through-the-wall sizes
MRCOOL
46 models: mini splits, central heat pump systems
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 0 of 5 mini split sizes
LG
37 models: window units, through-the-wall units, portables
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 1 of 7 window sizes
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 2 of 3 through-the-wall sizes
Frigidaire
35 models: window units, through-the-wall units and PTACs, portables
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 1 of 7 window sizes
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 0 of 3 through-the-wall sizes
Senville
34 models: mini splits
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 3 of 4 mini split sizes
Pioneer
31 models: mini splits
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 2 of 5 mini split sizes
Keystone
26 models: window units, through-the-wall units, portables
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 1 of 6 window sizes
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 0 of 4 through-the-wall sizes
GE
17 models: window units
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 2 of 5 window sizes
Whirlpool
16 models: window units, through-the-wall units, portables
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 0 of 4 window sizes
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 0 of 3 through-the-wall sizes
Midea
11 models: window units, through-the-wall units, portables
TCL
10 models: window units, through-the-wall units
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 0 of 2 window sizes
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 0 of 4 through-the-wall sizes
Amana
7 models: window units, PTACs
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 1 of 6 window sizes
Hisense
7 models: window units, portables
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 0 of 4 window sizes
Perfect Aire
7 models: window units, through-the-wall units
Cheapest by $20 and 5% or more at 0 of 4 window sizes
Whynter
6 models: portables
No brand is cheapest, most efficient and quietest at every size, and no public data reports repair rates by brand, so we do not name one best brand. What the live listings show, comparing each brand with every other brand at each size both have in stock: Among window units, GE is the cheapest in stock by at least $20 and 5% at 2 of the 5 sizes it is compared at and GE rates highest by at least 0.5 CEER at 3 of the 4 sizes where both publish a rating. Among through-the-wall units and PTACs, LG is the cheapest in stock by at least $20 and 5% at 2 of the 3 sizes it is compared at. Among wall-mounted mini splits, Senville is the cheapest in stock by at least $20 and 5% at 3 of the 4 sizes it is compared at and Pioneer rates highest by at least 0.5 SEER2 at 3 of the 5 sizes where both publish a rating. The better buy is the model that fits your room at the size you need, which each brand page lists.
The CPSC air conditioner notices we hold, by the firm each is filed under: Carrier (9), Amana (6), Goodman (5), Trane (3), Friedrich (2), GE (2), Daikin (1), Electrolux (1), Fedders (1), Lennox (1), LG (1), McQuay (1), Midea (1), Royal Sovereign (1), White Consolidated (1). 13 of the 36 were published in 2017 or later: Friedrich KÜHL Window Air Conditioners (2026); Amana Through-The-Wall Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps (2026); Amana Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps (2026); Midea U and U+ Window Air Conditioners (2025); Daikin FIT, Amana Brand S-series, and Goodman SD Heat Pumps (2024); Amana, Daikin, Goodman-Branded Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Packaged Units (2024), and 7 more. A notice covers specific model numbers, never a whole brand. One firm's notice can list other brands' models: Midea U and U+ Window Air Conditioners lists Midea, Comfort Aire, Danby, Frigidaire, Insignia, Keystone, LBG Products, Mr. Cool, Perfect Aire and Sea Breeze models. Each brand page lists every notice that names it and which of its models, if any, are named.
Of the brands we track, Friedrich (76 models, 42 in stock), MRCOOL (46 models, 46 in stock), LG (37 models, 26 in stock) and Frigidaire (35 models, 25 in stock) list the most. A long lineup means more sizes and options, not better units.
Looking for a recall by model number? Check it in the recall center.