When summer arrives, you want an air conditioner that beats the heat. But, nothing feels worse than picking an air conditioner brand that may be affordable at first glance, but is neither efficient nor reliable at the end of the day. You’ll want to keep in mind which air conditioner brands to avoid.
We’ve been in your shoes before. Not to worry.
Businesses and homeowners: to lessen the headache, hassle, and cognitive load of having to choose the right A/C, our HVAC pros created this article about this year’s best A/Cs — as well as air conditioner brands to avoid for 2025.
If you’re considering a new air conditioner for your home or business, consider our list of this year’s best and worst air conditioner brands. Let’s dive in!
Table: The best A/Cs and air conditioner brands to avoid (2025)
| The Best Air Conditioner Brands😊 | Air Conditioner Brands to Avoid😓 |
| 1. Carrier 2. Trane 3. York 4. Lennox 5. Bryant 6. Goodman 7. Rheem 8. American Standard 9. Amana 10. Ruud | 1. Concord 2. Luxaire 3. Coleman |
What to expect from the best air conditioner and HVAC brands
Especially in our hot and humid Florida, A/C units are a must. Air conditioners help keep us cool during the hot summer months.
The question is: which one is the best one — and which is best to avoid?
Perhaps, the better way to ask this question is which A/C brands are budget-friendly, energy-efficient, known for reliability, and available in different models.
The best air conditioners and HVAC brands in the HVAC industry tend to be:
- Lennox
- Carrier
- Rheem
- Goodman
- American Standard
But, these brands aren’t the only air conditioner brands on the market. If you’re looking for an air conditioner that’s both energy-efficient, reliable, and available in different models, you’ll want to check out our top 10 A/C brands and air conditioners below.
Our top 10 A/C brands and HVAC systems
When creating this list of top high-quality air conditioner brands and units, we looked at whether the air conditioners created cool and comfortable environments for businesses and homes large and small.
These air conditioner brands are the best on the market. If you’re looking for a new air conditioner, check out these different air conditioning brands.
1. Carrier air conditioners
Carrier makes A/C units that are smaller, more energy efficient, and quieter than most brands. They come in a variety of sizes and configurations, allowing you to find an A/C unit that’s just the right fit for your home or office space.
What’s more, because these reliable air conditioners are energy efficient, you’ll also save money on utility bills each month. Rest assured, Carrier air conditioners are powerful and will keep you cool during the dog days of summer.
2. Trane air conditioners
Trane air conditioners are some of the most popular A/C brands on the market. Their quality, durable, and efficient HVAC units are easy to install.
Plus, these handy A/C units are easy to maintain, meaning you likely won’t have to deal with a faulty air conditioner that leaks water on the regular. Trane makes a wide variety of air conditioners, making them an ideal choice for those looking for a high-quality air conditioner that will keep going when the hot weather gets going.
3. York air conditioners
York is a mainstay in the HVAC industry. For more than 50 years, they’ve been making a range of air conditioner models that are both reliable and efficient.
What’s more, York’s models use recycled refrigerant. York holds Energy Star certifications, making York an ideal air conditioner for people looking for air conditioner systems that boast eco-friendly features.
Whether you need a small or large unit for a home or office space, York has units for every need.
4. Lennox air conditioners
Another greater air conditioner brand on today’s market is Lennox. Also known for being reliable, efficient, and durable, Lennox’s air conditioners stand the test of time.
Many homeowners report rarely needing repairs or replacement parts for their A/C unit. For a powerful central air conditioner unit that will deliver years of quality air purification in addition to quality HVAC units, look no further than Lennox air conditioners.
5. Bryant air conditioners
Of the brands that consistently deliver reliable performance and energy-efficient air conditioning solutions, Bryant takes the cake. Arriving in a range of sizes, Bryant air conditioners come with a variety of features designed for comfort.
For example, Bryant air conditioners include variable-speed compressors and filter driers to keep you cool and comfortable all year long.
6. Goodman air conditioners
Goodman offers modern air conditioning systems for every need. Their products are known for durability and reliability.
Plus, they’re jam-packed with features and have an excellent warranty on HVAC systems and air conditioners. Goodman is considered one of the best brands for people looking for air conditioners to keep them cool during the summer.
7. Rheem air conditioners
Of the different brands on this list, Rheem air conditioners are known for being some of the best on the market. Their extensive collection of air conditioners is known for being energy-efficient, affordable, and reliable.
What’s more, their customer service team is top-notch, so you’ll be well supported if ever an issue arises with the quality of your indoor air.
8. American Standard air conditioning systems
American Standard air conditioners and HVAC systems are renowned for their powerful central air units and compact window units. American Standard’s brand is synonymous with quality, durability, and efficiency.
With their many energy-saving features, brands like American Standard are a quality choice for buyers looking for the top-quality air conditioners.
9. Amana air conditioner systems
While well-known for their appliances — such as microwaves, dishwashers, and refrigerators — did you know that Amana also manufactures air conditioner systems? Amana’s air conditioners are a great choice for those looking for a one-stop shop for all things home appliances and home improvement.
Of the central air conditioner brands on the market, Amana offers a wide array of air conditioning solutions for different needs.
10. Ruud air conditioner systems
For businesses and homeowners looking for a durable and efficient air conditioning system with an equally reasonable price tag, Ruud air conditioners are often the right choice.
Should you have any questions, their customer support team can always help. Choose Rudd air conditioners if you’re looking for a product that delivers consistent, quality central air system cooling.
Bonus: LG window air conditioners
One of the most popular air conditioning window unit brands is LG. LG’s air conditioners can be found at big-box retailers like Home Depot and Best Buy.
These air conditioners are also some of the quietest options on today’s market. Of the portable air conditioning solutions, LG may also be one of the most tech-friendly.
Supporting smart home connectivity via LG’s ThinQ device ecosystem — and offering WiFi connectivity through its mobile app control center — homeowners and businesses can keep tabs on their living space at any time and in any place.
If you’re looking for a window or portable unit, LG will do the trick. Reach out to a professional HVAC team for help with the installation and cost of the HVAC installation, as window air units require special attention and care.
Our list of air conditioner brands to avoid
We’ve gone through our list of some of the best central air conditioners on today’s market. And while many other air conditioners exist, the above-mentioned brands are some of the reliable today.
With that being said, not every air conditioning unit can be considered the best. While you don’t have to buy a premium brand to enjoy quality climate and air conditioning solutions in your home and office space, some A/C models and brands aren’t often known for quality.
The HVAC, air conditioning, and central air solutions don’t make our list of the best air conditioner brands. The below brands aren’t known for quality construction, quality materials, high efficiency ratings, or low HVAC replacement costs.
Concord air conditioners
Some brands offer quality, energy efficiency, and reliability. Alas, while being one of the cheapest options for an air conditioner, Concord air conditioners tend to cost more in the long run. These air conditioners are less energy efficient and will add more money to your utility bill.
Concord A/Cs are some of the least energy-efficient on the market. If you’re looking to save money in the long run, you’d be best to avoid Concord.
With that being said, if you’re looking for a new air conditioner that doesn’t cost much to install, Concord may be your best bet. Just keep in mind that despite low installation costs, you may pay more for energy costs each month.
If you’re looking for an energy-efficient air conditioning system, you’d be best to steer clear of Concord air conditioners.
Luxaire air conditioners
Many air conditioner brands offer support with repairs and leaks. Luxaire is no exception.
However, you might want to reconsider purchasing an air conditioner with Luxaire because the coils in their A/C s systems often leak refrigerant fluid.
As leaks occur with greater frequency, an air conditioner can become less efficient. As an air conditioner becomes less efficient, you may need to repair it more often.
If you’re looking for an air conditioner that won’t need many repairs due to refrigerant leaks, you should look elsewhere.
Coleman air conditioners
Similar to Luxaire air conditioners, Coleman A/Cs aren’t very reliable. They tend to break down often, and they’re not very energy efficient.
As a result, utility bills tend to be high for users who own a Coleman air conditioner.
And with electricity coming in as one of the most expensive utilities on American’s utility bills list (Statista.com, 2024), running a Coleman air conditioner in the heat of summer may not help with the rising cost of electricity.
If you’re looking for an air conditioner that fits your energy needs, you might try looking elsewhere.
Did you know?
Did you know that our team of Straightforward Professionals has more than 20 years of experience in the HVAC industry? We continue to deliver HVAC installations and quality products that are second to none.
Check out this recent installation we completed at a local mechanic shop. This mechanic shop is saving money on their electric bill with a new 17 SEER System.
Find the best air conditioner brand and central air system for your space
When staying comfortable and healthy indoors becomes a priority, air conditioners are one of the most important investments you can make. But, to find the best air conditioner on the market, you need time, research, and expert advice.
Often, selecting the right air conditioner means seeking expert opinions from qualified and trained HVAC technicians. HVAC technicians often know the most popular air conditioner brands on the market, which air conditioner brands are backed by industry-leading warranties, and which air conditioner systems to avoid.
To find a quality air conditioning system, we invite you to contact one of our knowledgeable HVAC pros here at Streamline Air. We’d be happy to help you with selecting the right air conditioner that best suits your needs.
