Best Air Conditioners In India- AC Review & Buying Guide
So have you been confused which is the Best Air conditioner in India out of so many overwhelming options available today in the market? Don’t worry we have got it covered for you.
- Introduction
- Review of Best Air Conditioners
- Whirlpool 1.5 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split AC
- LG 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC
- Whirlpool 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC
- Daikin 0.8 ton 3 star inverter split AC
- Daikin 1.5 ton 5 star inverter split AC
- Sanyo 1.5 ton 5 star dual inverter split AC
- Voltas 1.5 3 star inverter split AC
- Voltas 1 ton 5 star window AC
- Carrier 1.5 ton 5 star window AC
- Voltas 1.5 ton 3 star window AC
- Buying Guide
- Standard Installation what is free and chargeable
- Best Brands for AC
- Frequently Asked Question.
The summers are getting hotter year by year. In fact some parts of India face the brunt of heat for as long as 10 months in a year. Air Conditioners have moved a step up from luxurious item to now necessity
A few years back the usage of AC was restricted owing to the huge electricity cost that it attracted but with the coming of Solar energy generation the cost issue has been wiped out to a great extent.
Hence now the demand for AC’s too has increased. To cater to the increase in demands various companies have started manufacturing AC’s with various attractive features and in such scenario it becomes very difficult to choose and understand which is the best AC for your home.
There are so many aspects to this decision and almost all companies try to provide the best and varied features in their products, however which one is suitable for your requirement becomes a big question.
That’s exactly what we are here for. To ease your buying and eliminating your confusions so you can beat the heat without any worries.
Also Read:  Best Air coolers for 2020. Review and Buying Guide.                                  Best Washing Machines. Review and Buying Guide.
We have reviewed the best selling Air Conditioners in India which are tried and tested by many people.
Before you finalize your decision on buying the Top Air Conditioner there are various aspects to be kept in mind. To clarify all your confusions and help you make an informed decision we recommend you read our Buying Guide for Air Conditioners.
For getting clarification on what is covered and not covered under standard installation we suggest you read – AC Standard Instalation; what is free and what is chargeable.
But first let’s get you excited with the list of Best Air Conditioners In India.
10 Best Air Conditioners
Features:–
- Split AC; 1.5 ton capacity
- Energy Rating: 3 Star ,
- Power Consumption (Watts) :1410 ,Noise Level IDU (dBA): 36
- Warranty: 1 year on product, 1 year on condenser, 10 years on compressor
- Long air throw: 12m long air throw to give maximum cooling.
- R-32 with zero ozone depletion potential
- IntelliSense Inverter Technology ensures optimum cooling with energy savings
- Turbo Cool mode for instant cooling even in peak summer days
- 100% Copper: Easy maintainence & durability
- HD Filter- designed to be better than normal filter
- 6th sense energysaver technology-automatically adjusts cooling depending on room termperature, this enables in maximum energy saving.
- Sleep Function- set time for air conditioner to automatically adjust to pleasant sleeping condition.
- Self Diagnosis- you can self diagnose the error and inform the service centre.
- 3 Star BEE Rating 2019 : For energy savings upto 15% (compared to Non-Inverter 1 Star).
- Auto Restart: No need to manually reset the settings post power-cut
- Dehumidificaton- yes
- Remote control-yes with night glow buttons
Pros:
- Value for money
- Noise level is low
Cons:
- Installation is an issue meaning the cost is unclear so please clarify before buying.Extra pipe and stand all will be charged extra.
Standard Installation–To get clarity on what is covered and what is not covered under standard installation read here
Features:–
- Split AC; 1.5 ton
- Energy Rating: 5 Star
- Warranty: 1 year on product, 10 years on compressor
- Split AC with inverter compressor: Variable speed compressor which adjusts power depending on heat load. It is most energy efficient and has lowest-noise operation
- Capacity: 1.5 Ton. Suitable for medium sized rooms (111 to 150 sq ft)
- Energy Rating: 5 Star. Best in class efficiency. Annual Energy Consumption: 835.50 (KWh) units. ISEER :4.73 (Please refer energy label on product page or contact brand for more details)
- Copper Condenser Coil: Better cooling and requires low maintenance
- Double Filtration system ensures that the air inside your home is free of various harmful particles
- Refrigerant gas: R32. Environment friendly – no ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential
- Gold Fin condenser-anti corrosive condenser can withstand salty air, rain dust and other corrosive elements
- Low refrigerant Detection- can detect low refrigerant levels which can leave the room hot and cuncomfortable.
- Auto clean- turn on auto clean and the heat exchanger will dry so no scope of bacteria and mould forming.
- Smart diagnosis- checks and trouble shoot problems of the AC through the LG smart ThinQ app
- Stabilizer free operation- protects the vital components of machine from power fluctuations. Hence unless power fluctuation is beyond the mentioned limit you don’t need a stabalizer.
Pros:-
- Energy efficient
- Himalayan cool feature helps in immediately bringing the temperature down and cooling the room fast.
- Has dehumidification mode for monsoon.
- Indicates low refrigerant
Cons:-
- Quality and knowledge of installation is a question mark.
- Swing is only two way and not four way
- Remote does not have back light.
 Features:–
- Split AC; 1.5 ton capacity
- Energy Rating: 5 Star
- Warranty: 1 year on product, 1 year on condenser, 10 years on compressor
- 6th sense fast cool technology, 100% Copper
- Intellisense inverter technology
- Cools even at 55 degree
- Stabilizer free(145v-290v)- protects the vital components of AC during power fluctuation
- R-32 eco refrigerant
- Dehumidifier- good for monsoon
- Turbo cooling= quickly cools the room.
- Self Diagnosis- you can self diagnose the error and inform the service centre
- Auto restart- no need to manually reset after power cut
Pros:–
- Cooling is good
- Stabalizer free functioning
Cons:-
- Noise reduction could have been a bit better.
Features–
- Split AC with non-inverter compressor
- Low noise.
- Affordable compared to inverter split ACs
- 8 Ton
- Energy Rating: 3 Star
- Annual Energy Consumption (as per energy label): 594 units, ISEER Value: 3.65
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year on Product, 1 Year on Condenser, 5 Years on Compressor
- Copper Condenser Coil: Better cooling and requires low maintenance
- Stabilizer Free
- Econo mode
- Coanda airflow
- Power chill operation, PM 2.5 Filter
- Refrigerant gas: R32 – Environmental friendly – no ozone depletion potential
- IDU dimension(80.0* 19.8* 28.3 cms), ODU dimension (76.5* 28.5* 55.0 cms) & IDU (8 kgs) and ODU Weight (28 kgs)
Pros:
- Value for money
- Noise level is very low
- Best product for small rooms
- Comes with Econo Power Saving Mode for reducing your electricity bills
Cons:
- Bit expensive
Features–
- Split AC with inverter compressor
- Variable speed compressor which adjusts power depending on heat load. It is most energy efficient and has lowest-noise operation
- 5 Ton
- Energy Rating: 5 Star
- Annual Energy Consumption (as per energy label): 824 units, ISEER Value: 4.7
- Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year on Product, 1 Year on Condenser, 10 Years on Compressor
- Copper Condenser Coil: Better cooling and requires low maintenance
- Stabilizer Inside
- Econo Mode, Indoor Unit Quiet Operation
- Coanda Airflow, Power Chill Operation
- Refrigerant gas: R32 – no ozone depletion potential
- IDU dimension(88.5* 22.9* 29.8 cms), ODU dimension (84.5* 30.0* 59.5 cms) & IDU (11 kgs) and ODU Weight (36 kgs)
Pros:
- Value for money
- Noise level is very low
- Comes with Econo Power Saving Mode for reducing your electricity bills
- Left right swing operation is also available
Cons:
- Customer support can get confusing at times
- Average warranty periods
Features–
- Split AC
- 5 ton capacity
- Energy Rating: 5 Star
- Warranty: 1 year on product, 1 year on condenser, 5 years on compressor
- Split AC with latest dual inverter compressor
- Variable speed compressor which adjusts power depending on heat load. It is most energy efficient and has lowest-noise operation
- Suitable for medium sized rooms (111 to 150 sqft)
- In-built PM 2.5 filter and anti-dust filter which purifies air and improves air quality
- Percent copper condenser coil
- Better cooling and requires low maintenance
- Refrigerant gas: R32. – no ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential
Pros:
- Best in price, pocket friendly
- Less power consumption
- Have all the features in reasonable price
- Good design
Cons:
- Little Bit noisy as compared to other brands
- Remote quality is not good
Features–
- Split AC with inverter compressor:
- Variable speed compressor which adjusts power depending on heat load.
- Most energy efficient and has lowest-noise operation
- Capacity: 1.5 ton Ton.
- Suitable for medium sized rooms (111 to 150 sqft)
- Energy Rating: 5 Star. Best in class efficiency
- Manufacturer Warranty : 1 year on product, 1 year on condenser, 5 years on compressor
- Copper Condenser Coil: Better cooling and requires low maintenance
- Special Features: Inverter, antibacterial_coating, dust_filter
- Advanced Air Purification
- Low Frequency Torque Control
- Refrigerant type: R-32.
- Environment friendly – no ozone depletion potential & low global warming potential
Pros:
- Value for money
- Less power consumption
- Less noise
- Turbo mode is powerful
Cons:
- Don’t come with a drainage pipe
- Stabilizer is not in built
Features–
- Windows AC: Economical & easy to install.
- Noise Level – Indoor [dB(A)]: 53
- Capacity: 1 Ton.
- Suitable for small sized rooms (< = 110 sqft). Unit Dimension (WxHxD) [mm] : 660x430x705
- 5 Star BEE Rating 2018 : For energy savings upto 25% (compared to Non-Inverter 1 Star)
- Best in class efficiency.
- Annual Energy Consumption: 822.88 units.
- ISEER Value: 3.31
- Air Flow Volume – Indoor [CMH] : 650
- Manufacturer Warranty : 1 year warranty on product, 5 years warranty on compressor
- Copper Condenser Coil: Better cooling and requires low maintenance
- Special Features: Anti-bacterial Filter; Dust Filter; Dehumidifier
- Refrigerant gas: R22
- Auto Restart: No need to manually reset the settings post power-cut
- Sleep Mode: Auto-adjusts the temperature to ensure comfort during your sleep
Pros:
- Cooling is good.
- Value for money.
- Energy efficient
- Best in window AC market
Cons:
- Bit noisy
- Remote doesn’t have night light
- Installation process is very poor
Features–
- Windows AC: Economical and easy to install
- Auto Air Swing: Yes
- Capacity: 1.5 Ton
- Suitable for medium sized rooms (111 to 150 sqft)
- Energy Rating: 5 Star. Best in class efficiency.
- ISEER Value: 3.35
- Manufacturer Warranty : 1 year on product, 1 year on condenser, 5 years on compressor
- Copper Condenser Coil: Better cooling and requires low maintenance
- Special Features: Dust_Filter ; Indoor Noise Level:High – 56 dB
- Power Requirement: AC 230 V, 50 Hz ; Power Consumption: 1582 W
- Other Power Features: Nominal Power Input: 1582 W
- Cooling Capacity for Inverter: 5300 W (Full Load Power Input)
- Annual Power Consumption: 1224.64 kWh
- Refrigerant gas: R32. Environment friendly – no ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential
Pros:
- Cooling is good.
- Value for money.
- Energy efficient
- 100% copper parts used
Cons:
- Bit noisy
- Remote performance is average
Features–
- Windows AC: Economical & easy to install
- Capacity: 1.5 Ton.
- Suitable for medium sized rooms (111 to 150 sqft)
- Energy Rating: 3 Star.
- Annual Energy Consumption: 1338.43 units. ISEER Value: 2.92
- Manufacturer Warranty : 1 year on product, 1 year on condenser, 5 years on compressor
- Copper Condenser Coil: Better cooling and requires low maintenance
- Special Features: Anti-bacterial Filter;Dust Filter;Dehumidifier
- Refrigerant gas: R22/R32
Pros:
- Cooling is effective
- Best in window AC market
- Budget friendly
Cons:
- Litte bit noisy
Buying Guide for Air Conditioners
Air Conditioner manufactures are constantly coming up with cool sounding features to increase their products sale and no doubt these features lure you, but there are certain basic features which weigh more than these tacky ones.
Here I would throw light on these important factors which you need to understand before concluding your search for the best AC for your home or office.
Type of Air Conditioner
The first and foremost thing you need to decide is what type of Air Conditioner you are wishing for. There are various types of AC’s like
Window AC- As the name suggests Window Ac is installed in window. Unlike split AC it has only one unit. There is no thumb rule as to why you should prefer or not prefer the window AC but as a guide generally if the room is small getting a window AC is a less expensive choice though it has its disadvantages compared to split AC like noise and partial blocking of window.
Also read: Best Window AC’s
Split AC– Split AC has two units the inner and the outer. The compressor and the condenser are in the outer unit. This results in less noise. The inner unit is mounted on the wall. These have become quite popular now and come in various colours and designs to suit aesthetically to any room. Even the plain white ones look quite elegant.
Also Read: Best Inverter Split AC’s
Floor Mounted-  Floor mounted AC’s are helpful where there is no viability of mounting the Air conditioner on the wall. They are also known as vertical or tower split AC’s. These are a bit expensive when compared to normal wall mounted split AC’s.
Ceiling mounted- Ceiling mounted AC’s as the name suggests are installed on the ceiling. The whole unit is concealed. A false ceiling is a must to install the ceiling AC’s. These are also known as Cassette or concealed AC’s
Multi Split Ac’s- Multi Split AC’s are units which have one outdoor unit connected to four or five indoor units via refrigerant lines. Options are available to switch on one or all AC’s simultaneously.Such multi split AC’s can be used in homes as well as offices.
Cooling Capacity (Tonnage)- Â
This is a very vital factor to be considered before buying your Best Air Conditioner. The capacity of an Air Conditioner is defined in terms of tonnage. Meaning the amount of heat the AC can remove from the room in an hour.
Various options are available in the market ranging from 0.8 tons to 2 ton and beyond. The selection of tonnage depends on various factors like:
Size of the room– smaller rooms would need less ton capacity and larger rooms would need more capacity
Location of the room– If the room is exposed to direct sunlight through the ceiling or any wallside during major part of the day then the AC should be more powerful.
Average Temperature of your city– If the average temperature of your city remains on a higher side the capacity of your AC should be more powerful.
No.of People occupying the room– Yes this factor also becomes vital. If the room is going to be occupied by more people then the capacity of your AC should be higher.
Below mentioned is an indication of the room size and required tonnage.
9  x 10 ft room—– 1 Ton capacity.   Â
10 x 11 ft room——1.2 Ton capacity.                      Â
10 x 15 ft room——1.5 Ton capacity.                      Â
10 x 20 ft room——2 Ton capacity. Â
Inverter/Non Inverter Technology:
The inverter provides power to the compressor as needed, meaning if compressor needs more power the inverter will give more power when compressor needs less power the same will be provided.
In this technology the compressor does not cut off instead keeps running and adjusts power as per the cooling required.
Under non inverter technology the compressor powers up to the maximum to reach to the required temperature and then cuts off.
Due to constant start and stop of the compressor under the Non Inverter technology the consumption of electricity increases whereas under the inverter technology the consumption is comparatively less as the inverter manages the low and high power required by the compressor.
Material of the coil: –
In initial days AC’s used to have copper coils because of various benefits. But that made Air Conditioners expensive as copper was an expensive material and not many people could afford such expensive home appliances.
But some odd 50 years ago a major shift happened in the Air conditioning manufacturing by introducing Aluminium coils. The cost of aluminium metal was much less compared to copper. This made the Air conditioners affordable for many.
Well Copper scores a high compared to aluminium as it has good heat transfer characteristics, it’s easy to repair at the spot, is much stronger than aluminium, is easier to clean and maintain.
Aluminium scores over copper majorly in the aspect of pricing. Hence you would find AC’s with aluminium coil a bit less expensive than that of copper coils.
Noise: –
Prima facie you are buying an Air Conditioner to have a peaceful sleep in the scorching summer of India, hence the noise of the AC becomes a vital aspect in deciding which is the Best Air Conditoner. As a thumb rule the noise emission of your AC should be around 44 db (decibel).
A window AC is prone to make much noise as compared to the split AC. Even under the category of split AC the inverter split AC is more silent than a non-inverter split AC.
Star Ratings:-
Star ratings are awarded by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) an Indian Govt department.
The star ratings point towards the efficiency of the machine in utilizing the electricity. The ratings range from 1 star to 5 star. 5 star being the most efficient.
To derive meaning out of this in layman language we can say that higher the start rating the power consumption is less enabling you to save on electricity bill and vice versa.
Also Read- Standard Installation of Air Conditioner what is free and what is chargeable
Budget and After Sales Services:- Â
Budget becomes one of the most important factors.Air Conditioners range fron 15000 to 50000, and with so many different features it becomes very confusing to settle on any particular model.
Hence you need to first decide your budget and accordingly select the Air conditioner which is suitable to you
Another important factor is the after sales service provided by the brands. Right from installation to maintenance and repair we all wish to have a smooth dealing and in such cases if the reverts or servicing do not materialize as expected it becomes too frustrating.
Therefore the AC brand you select should have a proven track record of servicing.
Standard Installation- What is free and what is chargeable
I have seen in many instances that the happiness of buying the Best Air Conditioner dampens a lot during the installation process.
The moment the installation guys come and unboxes the Air Conditioner their list starts “This is required that is required and it will be charged separately and right at that moment we all start feeling cheated and the temperature rises.
And then our brain starts safeguarding and strategizing what to say to the dealer and not to succumb to the demands. After all we are Indians we don’t go down without a fight.
Well my friends since I have myself faced such situations I can very well understand how the excitement evaporizes when such a situation comes.
So in order to safeguard yourself from landing in such a situation and spoiling the excitement it is vital to be clear on what actually is Standard installation.
Standarad Installation covers only the following;
- Drilling holes in the wall for passing of pipes.
- Fixing Hole sleeve and cap
- Installing the indoor and outdoor unit with the help of the standard kit of manufacturer.
- Concealing the pipes with tape
Does not Cover or charged separately;
- Stand for outdoor unit
- Copper wire if extra required
- Drain pipe extension if required more length than provided by the manufacturer.
- Extra Wirings from the electric metre to the AC.
- Vinyl tape
- Any shifting of old AC
- Sealing of holes drilled in the wall with white cement
- Any other plumbing or masonry work
- Any other electric work like MCB or power point fitting
- Any other fabrication work.
Best Brands for AC in India.
There are many brands in India manufacturing Air Conditioners. Some are quite established with respect to product performance and efficiency some are quite strong in after sales service and maintenance.
Below are few best brands for AC in India who have over the time established themselves as overall leaders.
Carrier Air Conditioner
Carrier is one of the leading company in Air Conditioners.They have a manufacturing fascilit in Haryana.
They offer a wide variety of Air conditioners. Some of the best AC’s from Carrier are as below.
LG Air Conditioner
Voltas Air Conditioner
Daikin Air Conditioner
Whirlpool Air Conditioner
