Air Conditioner Brands To Steer Clear Of (And Better Alternatives To Consider)

Ideally, picking the right AC unit is a rare chore — but that all depends on whether you choose a unit that will last you for years to come. Luckily, there's plenty of data that makes it clear which brands are likely to have major issues. A few air conditioner brands to avoid at all costs include Arctic King, Honeywell, Luxaire, Coleman, and York.

Many brands only offer certain types of air conditioning. So before you narrow down brands, it makes sense to determine the right type and size of air conditioner for your needs first. The four most common types of AC are window units, portable air conditioners, mini-splits, and central AC systems. The former two are usually less expensive and easy to install yourself, while the latter two are pricier and require professional installation. Central AC systems send cool air through air ducts, while mini-splits don't require ductwork and are often more efficient. As for size, look for the number of BTUs, or British thermal units (BTUs). To effectively cool a space, you need 12,000 BTUs per 1,000 square feet. Many high-quality models will also carry an Energy Star rating, a sign of their higher energy efficiency. 

After that, finding a quiet, reliable, and effective unit is all about choosing the right brand and model. After reviewing Consumer Reports data, customer reviews, and professional opinions, we determined that Arctic King, Honeywell, Luxaire, Coleman, and York are the brands most worth avoiding. Instead, consider units from Midea, Trane, Lennox, American Standard, or Mitsubishi.

Arctic King is popular because it's reasonably priced and often available at Walmart. But the brand has low customer satisfaction ratings and mediocre reliability ratings. HVAC pros say the quality control is a miss and performance is unreliable, and even Walmart employees have claimed to see an unusually high number of these air conditioners in the returns section.

Take a look at the customer reviews, and you can see why. While the majority of reviews are 5-star, there is a high proportion of 1-star reviews for Arctic King air conditioners. The most frequent complaint is that the unit abruptly stopped cooling shortly after purchase, with one reviewer calling their unit a "big noisy heat-stirrer." The brand offers a 1-year limited warranty, but there's not much to be done for a unit that just stops working. You could be one of the lucky ones to have no issues at all, but why take the chance?

Some brands have high reliability ratings but are still poorly rated overall. That usually means that while their AC units may continue to work as intended, they're not very effective or easy to use, which is the case with Honeywell's portable ACs. Some models are better than others, but in general, pros say the units struggle with noise and energy efficiency, and the many poor reviews on retailer websites echo those complaints. One reviewer said the Honeywell HJ2CESWK8 "will sound like a mid-sized motorcycle is revving inside your room." Others agreed that the units are incredibly loud, difficult to drain, not very good at cooling, and need to be emptied so frequently that they're an inconvenience. Like Arctic King, Honeywell offers a 1-year limited warranty, but don't rely on it — several customers complain that the company was difficult to work with when resolving issues. Portable ACs are too expensive to risk these problems.

The Midea brand boasts high reliability, owner satisfaction, and comfort ratings, and one model in particular consistently comes up when great ACs are up for discussion: the Midea U-Shaped Inverter Window Air Conditioner. This AC cools quickly and effectively without using much energy, thanks to its inverter compressor. It's also remarkably quiet due to its unique construction; all the noisiest parts are outside rather than inside. The design means that you can open your window without uninstalling the air conditioner, which is a real game changer. And thanks to its effective insulation, you don't necessarily need to take it out in the winter either.

Those looking for portable ACs can also count on Midea. Portable ACs in general are not the most effective way to cool a space, but if you have no other choice, Midea's MAP14HS1TBL or MAP12S1TBL models are good bets. They're highly ranked in terms of reliability and customer satisfaction, and they provide better cooling than most portable ACs while making less noise. They are expensive, but no portable AC is truly cheap, and this is a case where you get what you pay for.

This is a three-for-one warning, because all three of these brands are affiliated with the HVAC company Johnson Controls, and all three tend to have the same major issue: the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is an important component; it uses refrigerant to remove heat and humidity from the air. It's also the most likely to break out of all the parts in a central AC system. According to customers and HVAC professionals alike, Luxaire, Coleman, and York units have a higher rate of problems with the coil than other brands, including refrigerant leaks. Replacing an evaporator coil can cost a few thousand dollars, depending on whether the system is still under warranty and whether labor is included in that warranty.

There are other complaints about these brands as well: they have low reliability ratings and are said to be less energy-efficient. Considering how much an air conditioning unit costs, it's best to go with the most reliable brand possible, and these three just aren't contenders.

There are several reliable central AC brands to choose from with many satisfied customers, including Trane, Lennox, and American Standard. These brands are energy-efficient, highly rated, and come with a range of warranty options. Trane units are praised for being quiet and having strict installation guidelines for HVAC pros, while Lennox is widely available and has a wide variety of models.

As you choose which brand to go with, you might find that local availability helps make your decision for you. When it comes to central ACs, picking a brand is at least as important as picking a professional to work with. Without properly installing and maintaining the system, even the best brands are more likely to present issues down the line. Look for a trustworthy contractor with a reputable background and business insurance. Get a detailed, specific estimate with explanations for all costs. You may also want to consider negotiating a service plan that can save you money on repairs and maintenance; while many brands offer 5- to 10-year warranties, not all will cover the cost of labor.

It's also worth considering a mini-split system instead of central air or window units. Mitsubishi mini-splits are highly reliable and have excellent customer satisfaction ratings. They're quiet, durable, and efficient, and mini-splits tend to have fewer problems than central ACs overall. With Mitsubishi, it's easy to find a service technician if necessary, and the brand offers a limited 12-year warranty. As with central ACs, finding a high-quality installer is just as important as picking a brand.