Best Central Air Conditioners in 2025

Our definitive guide to the best central air conditioners brands and units for Canadians and Americans in 2025.

This guide will examine the best central air conditioners in Canada and the U.S.A. for the spring and summer of 2025 to help you choose the best central A/C for your home. We’ll break down available models based on customer ratings and reviews, price and value, warranty, efficiency, and features.

Plus, we’ll talk about how to get the best value for your money, and how to make sure that any air conditioner you invest in gives you the best and most efficient performance for many summers.  

Check out our full central air conditioner reviews where you can browse over 100 models from the top 20 brands in Canada and filter by criteria and ratings, and even compare them side by side!

Other Top Air Conditioner Buying Resources

• Central Air Conditioner Buying Guide
• Air Conditioner Pricing Guide
• Central A/C Cost Calculator (Get a Quick Rough Estimate)
• Current Local Heating & Cooling System Deals
• Get Free Estimates from Our Certified Local Contractor Partners

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[VIDEO] Best Air Conditioner Brands 2025: Price, Efficiency & Real Reviews

How We Evaluate the Best Air Conditioners

Some of the most important factors when assessing the best central air conditioner brands include:

• Real customer feedback: We continuously gather and analyze customer feedback and reviews from Canadian homeowners.

• SEER rating: An air conditioner with the right efficiency rating could save you plenty on cooling bills.

• ENERGY STAR®: It’s not necessary to get an air conditioner with ENERGY STAR certification, but ones that qualify are guaranteed to perform and deliver excellent efficiency, and they could be more likely to qualify for rebates.

• Compressor style: Whether the unit has a single-stage, two-stage, or variable-speed compressor will help to determine its price, efficiency, performance, and noise level.

• Warranty: A good warranty can save you lots on repairs and maintenance over the years.

• Features: Some air conditioners are very basic, but some of the higher-end ones come with cutting-edge technologies and cool features.

• Quality and durability: Air conditioners in Canada and across North America all meet a certain standard when it comes to quality of construction, but some are built more durably than others.

• Size: Getting an air conditioner that’s the right size for your space can be even more important than all the other factors because a unit that’s the wrong size won’t perform in terms of efficiency, longevity, or cooling capabilities.

• Value versus budget: We said that price isn’t necessarily a top priority, but value certainly is. An expensive top-of-the-line air conditioner isn’t necessarily worth the price if it doesn’t deliver, whereas an affordable entry-level model that performs reliably will be worth every penny.

Air Conditioner Recommendation Wizard

Best Central Air Conditioner Brands: Ratings and Reviews from Real Homeowners

We’re always collecting data from real homeowners about the best air conditioner brands and models to help you compare them. Here’s the list of the top-rated brands for quality and customer satisfaction, with average prices:

Air Conditioners with the Best Prices (by Budget)

Air conditioners can typically range in price from $4,000 to $7,500, but brands and models can be broken down into smaller price categories.

• Entry-level: The most affordable and most basic systems, usually single-stage models from brands like York and Goodman, possibly with shorter warranties
• Mid-range: In the middle in terms of price, features, and warranty coverage, single- or two-stage models from brands like Daikin, Amana, and Napoleon
• Top-tier: The priciest models with the highest SEERs, most features, and best warranties; two-stage and variable-speed systems from brands like Lennox and Carrier

Let’s compare some of the best-priced air conditioners to buy in the different price categories (the prices include the cost of installation):

Air Conditioners with the Best Warranty Coverage

Air conditioner warranties can save you hundreds of dollars or more on the cost of repairs and replacement parts.

Furthermore, a longer warranty means the manufacturer stands behind their product with more confidence, so it can tell you a lot about the air conditioner’s life expectancy and which brand/model might be more reliable.  

At the very least, every air conditioner sold in Canada and the U.S. will come with a 10-year warranty (after registration) that covers the compressor and functional parts. However, many manufacturers offer longer and more comprehensive warranties.

Here’s a list of the best air conditioner warranty coverage:

Getting the longest-lasting air conditioner warranties

After installation, you’ll have 60 to 90 days (depending on the manufacturer) to register your new A/C. As long as you register during that window, you’ll be eligible for the full registered warranty terms, including extended parts warranties, unit replacements, and separate compressor coverage.

Otherwise, you’ll be eligible for the basic warranty terms. Unregistered air conditioners are usually only covered by a five-year parts and compressor warranty, no matter what brand it is.

Most Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners

Air conditioner efficiency is measured with seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and SEER2. SEER measures how much energy an air conditioner uses versus how much cooling power it produces. The higher the SEER, the more efficient a unit is.

Single-stage compressors and single-speed fans are the least efficient and noisiest. Two-stage compressors are a step up for efficiency and quiet. Variable-speed compressors and variable-speed fans are the quietest and most efficient.

Air conditioners that fall within the 16 to 18 SEER range generally have the best balance between purchase price and energy savings for Canadian summers.

Here are some of the best air conditioners brands based on efficiency, broken down by budget:

Note: While there are air conditioners with SEER ratings above 20.5, these are rarely available in Canada, and we have not included them because they don’t offer high enough energy-savings to justify the cost. Canada’s milder climate and shorter summers make these units uncommon as they’re meant for places like Florida.

Best Central Air Conditioners that Meet SEER2 Efficiency Standards

The Canadian Government is considering amending its efficiency regulations to align with the new SEER2 requirements in the U.S.

SEER2 is similar to SEER, but SEER2 reflects the actual efficiency of an air conditioner after it has been installed in a home and connected to the ductwork, rather than tested in a lab under standardized conditions.

Because the SEER2 testing is more rigorous, SEER2 efficiency ratings are lower than SEER ratings. Here’s a list of the best central air conditioners on the market that already meet the new SEER2 guidelines:

Quietest Air Conditioners – Quiet Operation Features

Check out our full guide and ranking of the Quietest Central Air Conditioners

While air conditioners with variable-speed compressors and fans are naturally the quietest ones available, plenty of brands also have additional features to reduce noise.

While no air conditioner is silent, the best air conditioners to buy if you want the quietest performance are:

Important Installation and Maintenance Tips: Getting the Most from Your New Air Conditioner

When you spend a few thousand dollars on the best air conditioner for your home, you want to get the most of what it has to offer.

The best way to achieve this is to hire an HVAC expert and have the unit professionally installed. That will guarantee the air conditioner:

• Is installed properly
• Is the right size for your house
• Doesn’t get damaged during installation
• Operates at the efficiency level advertised

Plus, professional installation will get your new air conditioner up and running without invalidating the warranty.

Sizing is crucial for an air conditioner because too big or too small can spell disaster in terms of high humidity, temperature inconsistency, frequent break-downs, and a shorter lifespan.

Similarly, regular maintenance will keep your air conditioner clean, in good repair, and working optimally and efficiently for as long as possible. Plus, it will prevent minor issues from becoming major problems that could cost much more to repair than you’d spend on annual service.

Finally, maintenance will ensure that you don’t find yourself without a working air conditioner on those hot and humid days that sneak up on us in Canada or the northern United States.

Use our contractor certification program to find HVAC experts in your area who have been independently evaluated for things like customer satisfaction, credentials, experience, and more.

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