The Best Air Conditioners of 2020

Nothing beats the feeling of cool breeze from your AC on a hot and humid day or warmth coming out of your air-conditioner on a chilly winter's day. Air conditioners have become a staple household appliance in current times, and modern life would be incomplete without them. However, with a plethora of different brands and models available, choosing the right one for your needs could be a tricky proposition. Which is why we have listed down the best air conditioners currently on the market. These air conditioners not only cater to your air conditioning needs but are also not too heavy on the pocket. Our criteria of selecting and ranking the top 5 is based upon technology, capacity, efficiency, smart enablement, and overall value proposition.

Primary Consideration While Selecting Your Next Air Conditioner?

Before setting out to buy a new air conditioner, there are some things which you need to know so that you buy the right one for your needs. Let us go over some of the primary considerations.

Air Conditioner Cooling Capacity

Air conditioners come in varying sizes, with some suitable for large halls, while others more appropriate for smaller rooms. But how do you know which size to get for your room? An air conditioners' cooling capacity is listed in British Thermal Units, or BTU's. Higher the number of BTUs, more cooling power an air conditioner has. But the downside is that a higher BTU also corresponds to higher energy usage.

This makes it essential that you get an air conditioner which is neither too large for your room nor too small that it doesn't give the required cooling. There are other things which you have to keep in mind too, such as the amount of sun a room gets, or if it's shaded throughout the day. Energy Star has a handy guide that will guide you through the whole process and let you pick the proper size.

Air Conditioner Efficiency

Buying an air conditioner is one thing. Keeping it running is another. Operating and running costs can quickly add up to become a big chunk of your monthly utility bills, which is why you need to be careful when you set out to buy a new air conditioner. A metric for finding out how energy efficient your air conditioner is is the energy efficiency ratio (EER). In simplest terms, the EER tells you the ratio of the input to output energy when running your air conditioner. A higher EER means you have a more efficient air conditioner.

Another thing to look out for is the Energy Star certification label. This label on an air conditioner guarantees that your air conditioner will use 10% less energy than an equivalent non-Energy Star certified air conditioner. This is achieved using better materials, higher manufacturing tolerances, and the latest technology.

Smart Air Conditioners

Latest air conditioners are coming up with WiFi enablement and smart features. The smart air conditioning not only adds convenience to your daily chores, but it also helps you save energy. Unnecessary running of an AC or time-based usage even in your absence can only be ensured through smart air conditioning. The smart AC is slowly becoming a standard as in future the DR programs by utility can only be possible via smart air conditioning.

Now that we know what to keep an eye on while selecting the best AC, let us look at the top 5 air conditioners currently available in the market.

What Are the Best Air Conditioners of 2020?

1.      MRCOOL DIY-12-HP-115B 3rd Gen

Our top pick among the top 5 ductless AC brands, this mini split by MRCOOL should be at the top of your wish list. A high SEER of 22 means that you not only get the best in cooling but also keep your monthly utility bills at a minimum.

The specs are incredible, but they aren't just impressive on paper. The latest in inverter compressor technology allows an industry-topping 533 cubic meters of airflow, ensuring that your room gets plenty of cold air.

All these superior technologies are engineered to perfection, making sure that the noise levels remain at a minimum. The maximum noise level of the outdoor unit comes in only at 49 dB, which is very impressive considering the cooling power the air conditioner throws out.

MRCOOL is the only brand in the US market with wholesome smartness

What's more, almost every model of MRCOOL air conditioner provides full Wi-Fi connectivity, meaning you can control it from anywhere at any time. The controls are provided through a smartphone app, and you can choose from a host of basic functions such as temperature controls, fan controls, power On/Off, to more complex and advanced features such as 7-day scheduling, temperature-based triggers, and location-based power modes.

This model by MRCOOL is offered in four different sizes, mainly 12,000, 18,000, 24,000, and 36,000 BTU.

2.      Mitsubishi MY-GL 12NA

Another noticeable product on the market, the Mitsubishi 12NA, suitable for mid-sized rooms. Coming in at a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU, this model can sufficiently cool a room of a size up to 650 square feet. The original remote which comes with the air conditioner provides a 24-hour programmable timer, which can be set once and then turn the air conditioner off by itself when decided.

A unique feature of the Mitsubishi air conditioner is the auto-restart function, which can remember all the current settings, and in the case of a power outage, keeps them in memory. When the power comes back on, the air conditioner can start operating from the same settings by itself. Pioneer offers this air conditioner with an EER of 23.

3.      Samsung Boracay

A very sleek and slim design, the Samsung Boroay series is another impressive air conditioner that should be considered. With a SEER of 10.1, this air conditioner offers high efficiency coupled with quiet operation. The Boracay line of air conditioners uses digital inverter technology, thus making it less energy intensive.

The air conditioner comes in 12,000, and 20,000 BTUs, thus making it suitable for a whole host of operating conditions, from office rooms, to garages, to single bedrooms.

An innovative feature with this line of air conditioner is the optimized 2-step cooling. At the start of the cooling cycle, the air conditioner works at Fast Cool mode, prioritizing quick cooling. As soon as the temperature is reached, the air conditioner switches to Comfort Cool, preferring a more energy efficient operation to maintain the desired temperature.

An attractive and stylish design ensures that the air conditioner does not stick out like an eyesore inside your room, and remains in line with your décor. Put together with the high efficiency and quiet operations, this air conditioner seems like a solid choice for your home needs. But the downside is the low reliability of this particular air conditioner, thus necessitating the need for frequent repairs and calls to tech support. This drawback can make this model a bit prohibitive.

4.      Fujitsu Halcyon Wall Mounted Split Smart Air Conditioner

Wi-Fi enabled systems from Fujitsu, such as the RLS3Y and RLS3YH series can be controlled from anywhere using Fujitsu's own FGL air app on a mobile device. Air conditioners within these series, such as the 9RLS3Y (9,000 BTU), 12RLS3Y (12,000 BTU) and 15RLS3Y (14,500 BTU) are one of the world's most efficient mini-splits in North America, with Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio ratings of up to 33.0*.

These systems also come along with inverter technology, and a host of other energy saving measures such as the Energy Saving Program by Fujitsu. With the ESP, the air conditioner knows when you have left the room, and after 20 minutes automatically increases the set point by 4o F when cooling and 8o F when heating. As soon as you enter the room, the set point reverts back to the original setting.

A combination of performance, convenience, and versatility, the Fujitsu air conditioner provides an affordable option for a new mini-split with the required specs.

DC inverter technology makes this model especially energy-efficient, with offerings coming in at 9,000 , 12,000 BTU, and 14,500 BTU, ensuring durable and appropriate cooling for large halls and spaces.

A unique feature of this air conditioner is the ESP feature, which can detect your presence in the room. If there is no one present for more than 20 min, the air conditioner automatically sets the temperature set point 4 oF greater when cooling and 8 oF when heating. As soon as someone enters the room, the set points revert back to original.

The Fujitsu air conditioner is a bit more expensive than the other air conditioner on this list though, and that is something which you need to be wary of.

5.      LG Inverter V LS120HSV5

LG is one of the biggest names in the air conditioner market, and it should come as no surprise that their mini-split is one of the quietest and most reliable ductless units on the market. Even though this unit scores top marks in those two departments, and despite the high energy efficiency, the LG inverter still could not match MRCOOL's DIY-12.

The LG inverter works at a whisper-quiet 39 dB on the indoor unit. As a benchmark, breathing noise levels are at 10 dB, while leaves rustle at 20 dB. For the outside unit, the noise levels are not any less impressive. Housing the inverter compressor and an outdoor fan, the outdoor unit works at noise levels of 48 dB or quieter.

A high airflow of 459 CFM makes it possible to have a well-ventilated indoor space with superior cooling, and proves that LG can provide higher cooling power along with extreme reliability. As a complete package, the LG appliance is a very worthwhile choice, which is not excessive on the pockets but also extremely reliable and efficient.

The Verdict- MRCOOL (DIY-12-HP-115B 3rd Gen) Smart AC is the Winner!

There are plenty of ductless air conditioners on the market, giving something for everyone, depending on their needs and requirements. Some of the essential criteria while selecting a new air conditioner are brand reliability, energy efficiency, cooling capacity, smart offering, and price. Whichever air conditioner presents the best possible combination of all these features, deserves to be the best. And currently, the MRCOOL DIY-12-HP-115B is the air conditioner, which tops the list in the US ductless market.