Best Split ACs With Buying Guide12 min read

Summer is knocking at the door and ACs are selling like hot-cake (pun intended). In fact, in a hot country like India, ACs, and especially Split ACs are the best choice for consumers. 

Advancement in technology has enabled air-conditioners to today do a lot more than just throw cool air. Tens of brands, hundreds of different variants, myriad of colors and designs to choose from. Indeed, Indian consumers are spoilt for choice, and therefore, it is essential to carefully consider a few important factors before bringing home an AC for your family. This checklist will come handy whenever you decide to bring a new air-conditioner home.

1.Tonnage

The tonnage you need for efficient cooling and long-term performance depends on the cooling requirement of the living space. For example, an area of 100-120 sq ft. needs an AC of 1 tonne. You need a 1.5 tonnes AC for anything between 150 and 180 sq ft. of space. And a 2 tonnes AC is good enough to cool a room as big as 240 sq ft. You must also consider something called “heat load”. Heat load is impacted by the number of electrical appliances in the room, exposure of the room to direct sunlight, average occupancy of the room in terms of number of people, and the number of doors and windows in the room. If the heat load is too much you decide accordingly.

2. Window unit or split AC

Window ACs come with all the components, connecting pipes and tubes bundled in a single box and are usually installed on a room’s window. A split AC, on the other hand, looks sleek because it has two separate units – the indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The indoor unit comes with the cooling coils, blower and air filter, and the outdoor unit houses the compressor, condenser coils and other capillary tubing.

Remember that a window AC is usually cheaper and easier to install. But a split AC is aesthetically pleasing, provides more control on cooling, and is efficient and much quieter.

3. Star rating

You must check the energy star rating offered by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on the unit you intend to purchase. In India, electricity is expensive, especially for the middle class people. The ever increasing cost of power can make the operating cost of your AC a lot more financially damaging over the lifespan of the AC. Though a bit more pricey, go for a four or five star rated AC if possible. More BEE stars means less electricity consumption.

4. 100% copper-built mechanism

The choice of metal used in the condenser unit, evaporator coils and connecting tubes has a positive impact on the long-term functioning and operating cost of an AC. Copper is a great thermal conductor and therefore, 100% copper units offer a superior cooling experience. This superior performance helps you save on power cost and maintenance cost. Over a five-year lifecycle, 100% copper ACs are about 17% to 20% cheaper to run than other non-copper/alloy ACs.

Copper doesn’t rust like steel. Durability copper made units can easily be cleaned with a water spray and perform optimally with just two services a year as compared to four services required by other non-copper units. Copper condensers also have a lifespan almost double than that of other alloy/ non-copper condensers.

5. Inverter or fixed speed ACs

In a fixed speed AC, the compressor motors run either at full speed or minimum speed As the room temperature goes above the set temperature, the compressor starts at full speed, lowers the temperature, and shuts off. This way the cycle continues. On the other hand, the compressor of inverter AC runs at variable speed depending on the cooling requirement of the room. An inverter AC starts at full speed to cool the room at set temperature and after that, depending on the cooling of the room and the room’s heat load, the speed will keep adjusting. Inverter ACs consume less power while the constant process of switching on and off in a fixed AC consumes a lot of power.

Most of the 5 Star and 4 Star ACs offered in the market in India are based on inverter technology. 3 Star and below ACs are generally fixed speed ACs. Inverter ACs are recommended for consumers who need to run the AC for long hours everyday.

6. Installation and maintenance

Ask the salesman for options that are convenient to install and easy to maintain. Remember that the greater the distance between the blowing unit and the condenser means higher  installation cost. The average cost may go up by Rs 200-300 per sq ft. for additional tubing and electrical wiring.

100% Copper Advantage ACs have low maintenance cost.. Copper ACs do not rust and are  corrosion free, and hence have very low failure rate in terms of gas leakages. They can be cleaned easily during regular service. A simple spray of water on the outdoor unit can get rid of major impurities settled on the condenser coil. These impurities, if not cleaned, reduces the cooling efficiency of the ACs.

7. Brand and price

Google up the websites and to see specifications of the unit, performance, user review and feedback on after sales service along with the option to compare models. Do your own research online by comparing various available models and buy an AC based on your requirement and budget.

Now, let’s see a list of the Top 10 Split ACs that are efficient as well as pocket friendly:

1. AmazonBasics 1.5 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split AC (Copper, High Density Filter, 2019 Model, PBAC18K3INV301 , White)

Features:

1. Split 1.5 Ton air conditioner with inverter compressor that has variable tonnage technology for faster cooling and higher energy savings; Suitable for small sized rooms (<180 sq. ft.)
2. 3 Star BEE Rating with Eco mode and an ISEER rating of 3.85 which is above the industry standard
3. Higher Airflow Volume with Auto-swing mode that allows cool air to reach all corners making it more effective in high temperatures
4. 100% Copper Condenser with advanced anti-corrosive Golden Fin coating that prevents damage in even extreme weather conditions
5. After Sales Service present in 347 cities / 13868 pincodes. Cashless and Paperless Warranty Process
6. Warranty: 1 year product and 5 years on compressor; For claiming warranty, A) Go to ‘Your orders’ section, B) select the product, C) Click on Get product support and D) schedule an appointment. No need to call anyone and wait in a queue. Hassle free process. Paperless Experience with complete visibility on every step of your warranty claim.

2. AmazonBasics 1.5 Ton 5 Star 2020 Inverter Split AC (Copper Condenser Advanced Motor White)

Features:

1. Split 1.5 Ton air conditioner with inverter compressor that has variable tonnage technology for faster cooling and higher energy savings; Suitable for medium sized rooms (<180 sq. ft.)
2. 5 Star BEE Rating with Power Saving Mode and an ISEER rating of 4.6 (better than industry benchmarks) for higher energy savings
3. Higher Airflow Volume allows cool air to reach all corners making it more effective in high temperatures
4. 100% Copper Condenser with extended lifespan to ensure that the air conditioner is protected in all weather conditions
5. Warranty: 1 year product and 5 years on compressor. For claiming warranty, A) Go to ‘Your orders’ section, B) select the product, C) Click on Get product support and D) schedule an appointment. No need to call anyone and wait in a queue. Hassle free process. Paperless Experience with complete visibility on every step of your warranty claim
6. During installation, in case there is requirement for pipe extension to connect indoor & outdoor unit, kindly ask the technician to do a gas refill for effective cooling
7. Four Stage Filtration System with micro dust anti-bacterial filters to keep out both visible & invisible dust & other pollutants, making the air healthier to breathe

3. Whirlpool 0.8 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split AC (Copper, 0.8T Magicool 3S COPR Inverter, White)

Features:

1. 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
2. Capacity: 0.8 Ton. Suitable for small sized rooms (< = 110 sq ft), Auto Restart: No need to manually reset the settings post power-cut
3. Energy Rating: 3 Star. Annual Energy Consumption: 520.08 units. ISEER Value: 3.87 (Please refer energy label on product page or contact brand for more details)
4. Manufacturer Warranty : 1 year on product, 1 year on condenser, 10 years on compressor
5. Copper Condenser Coil: Better cooling and requires low maintenance
6. Special Features: Cools Even at 52 Deg Celsius;Turbo cool;Dehumidifier
7. Refrigerant gas: R410A. No ozone depletion potential
8. Included in the box: Indoor Unit, Outdoor Unit, Remote Control, User manual, Warranty Card,Connecting Pipes

4. Daikin 0.8 Ton 3 Star Split AC (Copper, PM 2.5 Filter, 2019 Model, FTL28TV, White)

Features:

1. Split AC with non-inverter compressor: Low noise. Affordable compared to inverter split ACs
2. 0.8 Ton
3. Energy Rating: 3 Star: , Annual Energy Consumption (as per energy label): 594 units, ISEER Value: 3.65
4. Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year on Product, 1 Year on Condenser, 5 Years on Compressor
5. Copper Condenser Coil: Better cooling and requires low maintenance
6. Stabilizer Free, Econo mode, Coanda airflow, Power chill operation, PM 2.5 Filter
7. Refrigerant gas: R32 – Environmental friendly – no ozone depletion potential

5. Midea 1 Ton 3 Star Split AC (Copper, MAS12SC3R30F0, Santis Pro CLS Split AC R32, White)

Features:

1. Split Ac; 1 Ton Capacity
2. Energy Rating: 3 Star
3. Warranty: 1 Year On Product, 1 Year On Condenser, 5 Years On Compressor
4. Split Ac With Non-Inverter Compressor; Powered With Turbo Mode For Faster Cooling
5. Capacity: 1 Ton Category. Suitable For Small Sized Rooms (< = 110 Square Ft)
6. Energy Rating: 3 Star. Annual Energy Consumption: 758.62 Units. Iseer Value: 3.62, 3 Star Bee Rating 2020: For Energy Savings
7. Controls Type: Remote Control
8. Efficiency: 3 Star Rating

6. Whirlpool 1.0 Ton 3 Star Split AC (Copper, 1.0T MAGICOOL ELITE PRO 3S COPR, White)

Features:

1. Split AC; 1.0 ton capacity
2. Energy Rating: 3 Star
3. Warranty: 1 year on product, 1 year on condenser, 5 years on compressor
4. Cools even at 55 degree
5. Save upto Rs.45, 000 on your electricity bills
6. 100% Copper: Easy maintenance & durability
7. Turbo Cool mode for instant cooling even in peak summer days
8. R-32 Eco Friendly Refrigerant with zero ozone depletion potential

7. Whirlpool 1.5 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split AC (Copper, 1.5T MAGICOOL PRO+ 3S COPR INVERTER, White)

Features:

1. Split AC; 1.5 ton capacity
2. Energy Rating: 3 Star
3. Warranty: 1 year on product, 1 year on condenser, 10 years on compressor
4. 6th sense fast cool technology
5. Pm 2.5 filtration with hepa filter media
6. Upto 99% purifying efficiency of PM 2,5 particulate
7. Stabilizer free(145v-290v)
8. R-32 eco refrigerant

8. Daikin 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC (Copper, Anti Microbial Filter, 2018 Model, FTKG50TV, White)

Features:

1. 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
2. 1.5 Ton
3. Energy Rating: 5 Star: , Annual Energy Consumption (as per energy label): 824 units, ISEER Value: 4.7
4. Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year on Product, 1 Year on Condenser, 5 Years PCB Warranty, 10 Years on Compressor
5. Copper Condenser Coil: Better cooling and requires low maintenance
6. Stabilizer Inside, Econo Mode, Indoor Unit Quiet Operation, Coanda Airflow, Power Chill Operation
7. Refrigerant gas: R32 – no ozone depletion potential

9. Voltas 1.5 Ton 3 Star Split AC (Copper 183EZA White)

Features:

1. Split AC with low noise. Affordable compared to inverter split ACs
2. Capacity: 1.5 ton. Suitable for medium sized rooms (111 to 150 sq ft)
3. Energy Rating: 3 Star
4. Warranty: 1 year on product, 1 year on condenser, 5 years on compressor
5. Copper Condenser Coil: Better cooling and requires low maintenance
6. Special Features: LED display, Intelligent Sleep Mode , Self diagnosis, Auto restart, Timer
7. Refrigerant type: R-32. Environment friendly – no ozone depletion potential & low global warming potential

10. Sanyo 1.5 Ton 3 Star Dual Inverter Split AC (Copper, PM 2.5 Filter, 2020 Model, SI/SO-15T3SCIC White)

Features:

1. Split AC; 1.5 ton capacity
2. Energy Rating: 3 Star
3. Warranty: 1 year on product, 1 year on condenser, 5 years on compressor
4. Split AC with dual inverter compressor: variable speed compressor which adjusts power depending on heat load. It is most energy efficient and has lowest-noise operation
5. Super wide indoor body of 100cm gives maximum airflow and superior cooling when C to competition’s smaller indoor Units; capacity: 1.5 ton. Suitable for medium sized rooms (<=180 square ft)
6. In-built PM 2.5 filter and anti dust filter which purifies air and improves air quality
7. Percent copper condenser coil: better cooling and requires low maintenance; refrigerant gas: R32. No ozone depletion potential and low global warming potential
8. Included in the box: indoor unit, outdoor unit, remote control, user manual, Warranty card, 2 batteries, Connecting pipes

Also Read: Top 10 Best Inverter AC in India – 2021