Whats the best air conditioner in India for this year? We compare the features and price of best selling AC in India to create this list of top 10 best AC in India in 2021
If you want to avoid spending hours researching air conditioners, trying to understand which AC you need, then you’re at the right website. In this review, we will find out the best AC that suits your needs. We will also help you decide whether to go for 1.5 ton AC or 1 ton AC, inverter AC or normal AC, window AC or split AC. Is it prudent to pay more to buy an Inverter AC or a 5 start BEE rated AC. Find out which air conditioner offers the best value for money.
Below are our comprehensive review and comparison to answer the all-important question: “What’s the best air conditioner for the majority of people?”
Here goes..
10 Best AC in India 2021 - 1.5 Ton Inverter, Split, & Window AC Click To TweetTable of Contents
- How Do We Rate Air Conditioners?
- Top 10 Best Air Conditioners in India? – 1.5 Ton Inverter, Split & Window AC
- #1 LG 1.5 Ton 5 Star Dual Inverter Split AC
- #2 Panasonic 1.5 Ton 5 Star Wi-Fi Twin Cool Best Inverter Split AC
- #3 Sanyo 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC (Best Seller)
- #4 Daikin 1.5 Ton 5 Star Wi-Fi Inverter Split AC
- #5 Voltas 1.5 Ton 5 Star Best Inverter Split AC
- #6 LG 1.5 Ton 5 Star Wi-Fi Inverter Window AC
- #7 LG 1.5 Ton 3 Star Best Inverter Window AC
- #8 Voltas 1.5 Ton 5 Star Window AC
- #9 Voltas 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Window AC
- #10. O General AXGT18FHTC Window 3 Star Best 1.5 Ton Air Conditioner
- Best AC in India 2021 – Which AC Do You Need? (Buyer Guide)
- 1 Ton, 1.5 Ton or 2 Ton Air Conditioner?
- Inverter AC, or Normal AC- Which one is Better?
- BEE Ratings: 2 Star, 3 Star, 4 Star or 5 Star Rated AC – How much of a difference does it make?
- Split AC, Window AC, Portable AC, or Cassette AC
- Type of Compressor & Condenser
- Durability of Air Conditioner
- Type of Refrigerant Gas
- Brand and Service Availability
- Best AC in India – Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is the best AC brand in India?
- Which AC brand provides the best service?
- What is Blue Fin / Gold Fin technology?
- Which condenser is better - Aluminium or Copper?
- Which type of AC consumes less electricity?
- Is it safe to buy AC online?
- Can a MCHE condenser AC lasts as long as a copper condenser AC?
- What is better for health - Air Cooler or Air Conditioner?
- How can I know something is not right with the compressor of my AC?
- Why water is dripping from the indoor unit of my AC?
- Which refrigerant is better?
- Best AC India 2021 – Conclusion
How Do We Rate Air Conditioners?
So, when it comes to determining which are the best AC on the market in 2021, how do we go about it? In rating air conditioners, we use a set of five criteria.
- Features: We look at the overall features offered by the manufacturer relative to how expensive the air conditioner is.
- Customer Experience: We review buyer ratings on a variety of online platforms to find out the best and worse customer experience.
- Price: We consider upfront cost of the air conditioner and the cost of operating it and the cost of maintenance over the years..
- Durability: We consider the durability of air conditioners and the manufacturer’s warranty policy.
- Brand/Service Quality: We consider the ability of manufacturer to provide good after sales service over a long period of time and to every part of the country.
Lets now look at our list of best AC in India for the year 2021.
Looking for a 2 Ton Air Conditioner? Check out our post for Best 2 Ton AC in 2021. For 1 on AC, check out our post for Best AC in India 1 Ton.
Top 10 Best Air Conditioners in India? – 1.5 Ton Inverter, Split & Window AC
Model | Features |
LG 1.5 Ton Dual Inverter AC |
|
Panasonic 1.5 Ton Smart Inverter AC |
|
Sanyo 1.5 Ton Inverter Split AC |
|
Daikin 1.5 Ton WiFi Inverter Split AC |
|
Voltas 1.5 Ton Inverter Split AC |
|
LG 1.5 Ton Wi-Fi Inverter Window AC |
|
LG 1.5 Ton 3 Star Inverter Window AC |
|
Voltas 1.5 Ton 5 Star Window AC |
|
Voltas 1.5 Ton Inverter Window AC |
|
O General 1.5 Ton Window AC |
|
#1 LG 1.5 Ton 5 Star Dual Inverter Split AC
LG Split AC with dual inverter compressor is our pick# 1 in our list for best air conditioner in India 2021. LG KS-Q18YNZA is a 1.5 Ton inverter split AC with 5 star energy rating and 4.73 ISEER Value. LG offers 1 year comprehensive and 10 year compressor with gas charging warranty on this model. It is fitted with copper condenser with GOLD FIN™ anti-corrosive coating and R32 Environment friendly refrigerant gas.
The best AC in India 2021 is LG 1.5 Ton 5 Star, Dual Inverter Split AC Click To TweetThis LG AC is exceptionally quiet, yet amazingly powerful, comfortable, and energy saving. Its auto clean feature is really useful if live in area with high humidity. It evaporates moisture from AC’s internal unit, thereby preventing bacteria or mold from breeding and eliminate potential odours.
It also comes with a low refrigerant detection feature which will be handy as your AC ages and you will know when to get refrigerant topped up.
While you can get several air conditioners cheaper than this one, but it offers you exceptional quality, more features, and promises a longer life. Further, LG is a time tested brand, has good service network of its own and manufactures great quality product.
Does LG KS-Q18HNZD Meet Our Criteria for Best Inverter AC in India 2021
Bottom Line If you stay near sea/coastal area or area exposed to industrial pollution, then stop your search here and buy this air conditioner of appropriate tonnage now. It offers best protection that an AC would need to survive the corrosive atmosphere present in such areas. This AC is also great for brand cautious buyers who don’t mind spending a little extra for a better product. Its a product that may last for several years if maintained properly. |
#2 Panasonic 1.5 Ton 5 Star Wi-Fi Twin Cool Best Inverter Split AC
This Panasonic air conditioner is our #2 pick in the list of best air conditioner in India for year 2021. It is also the best inverter AC in India for 2021.
Panasonic CS/CU-NU18WKYW is 1.5 ton Inverter AC that comes with a wifi that is compatible with Panasonic’s Miraie platform and Amazon Alexa. This makes this AC a “Smart AC” that can be controlled through a mobile App or voice commands if you have alexa.
Even if we assume that this AC does not come with a wifi feature, it is still a great product with copper condenser, twin inverter compressor, hydophillic anti-corrosive coating, 5 star BEE rating, self diagnostics , PM 2.5 Air purification system, stabilizer-free operation, and several other features.
The AC can operate within a range of 145V to 285V, which means you don’t need to purchase a stabilizer for this air conditioner. This means savings of rupees 2500 to 4000.
The brand Panasonic is a great company based in Japan that manufactures quality products in India. It has a wide network of service centers all over India and therefore, the serviceability of these air conditioners will not be a problem.
Does Panasonic CS/CU-NU18WKYW Meet Our Criteria for Best AC in India 2021
Bottom Line This Panasonic AC offers great value for money as it has every feature required in new age AC and comes at a reasonable cost. This AC is powerful, quiet, provides protection against sand, salt, industrial smoke, and humidity, and also has a WiFi feature. This is a great package and therefore one of the best AC in India 2021 |
#3 Sanyo 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC (Best Seller)
Sanyo SI/SO-15T5SCIA is another AC from Panasonic under Sanyo brand. Panasonic acquired Sanyo brand and currently it is a subsidiary of Panasonic in India.
This AC is suitable for rooms under 150 sq ft area. It is an Inverter split AC that comes with R32 refrigerant, 5 star BEE rating, stabiliser free operation (145V to 285V) and PM 2.5 air filter. It also comes with hydrophillic fins that are corrosion resistant. Sanyo offers 1 year comprehensive and 5 year compressor warranty on this model.
This is hands down buy not just for the price sensitive customers but also for others as you get a much powerful machine, which is cheaper, energy efficient, and comes with latest inverter technology.
The customer ratings on Amazon confirm the popularity of this model and the fact that this AC offers best value for your money and that’s the reason this AC finds itself at #3 in our list for Best AC in India 2021.
Does Sanyo SI/SO-15T5SCIA Meet Our Criteria for Best Air Conditioner in India for 2021
Bottom Line If you are a budget cautious person, then this AC is for you. Sanyo has done a great job of offering an inverter AC with such great features at an unbelievable price. This is truly the AC of India that most Indian middle class families can afford and beat the summer heat. This is the best AC in India 2021 for budget customers. |
#4 Daikin 1.5 Ton 5 Star Wi-Fi Inverter Split AC
This Daikin air conditioner is our #4 pick in the list of best air conditioner in India for year 2021.
Daikin FTKR50TV the best 1.5 ton inverter AC in India that comes with a wifi compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. This makes this AC a “Smart AC” that can be controlled through a mobile App or voice commands if you have alexa device.
Even if we assume that this AC does not come with a wifi feature, it is still a great product with copper condenser, Neo Swing inverter compressor, 5 star BEE rating, self diagnostics , latest R32 refrigerant gas, low noise level of 35 dB, power chill operation, inbuilt stabilizer and several other features.
The brand Diakin is a great company based in Japan that manufactures quality products in India. It has a wide network of service centers all over India and therefore, the serviceability of these air conditioners will not be a problem.
Does Daikin FTKR50TV Meet Our Criteria for Best 1.5 Ton Inverter AC in India
Bottom Line This Diakin AC is comparatively costlier than the other models in our list but it has every feature required in a new age AC. This AC is powerful, quiet, comes with inbuilt stabilizer, and also has a WiFi feature. This is a great package and therefore one of the best 1.5 Ton Split AC in India |
#5 Voltas 1.5 Ton 5 Star Best Inverter Split AC
Voltas SAC_185V_ADS is a 5 star BEE rated split inverter AC with 1.5 ton capacity. It is suitable for cooling a room of under 150 sq ft of size. This AC comes with a unique adjustable mode with which you can choose to operate this AC in 1 Ton or 1.5 Ton mode. This is a great feature to use and can help you save on electricity bills.
Other than that, it also comes with a dehumidifier, multi stage air filtration, turbo mode, sleep mode, and several other features. This AC is capable of operating in voltage range of 100-290V and hence you would not need to install a stabiliser with this AC.
For air purification, it comes with Anti Dust Filter, Catechin Filter, Acaro Bacterium Filter, Silver Ion Filter, and CO2 Reduction Filter.
If you look at customer ratings, most of the people left a positive feedback for this product. This is a great rating and confirms the over all satisfaction level of customers using this AC.
Because Voltas brand is customer’s favourite, we therefore place this AC in #5 position in our list of best AC in India 2021
Does Voltas SAC_185V_ADS Meet Our Criteria for Top 10 AC in India for 2021
Bottom Line We have placed this AC at number 5 among the Best 1.5 Ton AC in India for the only reason that it does not come with an anti-corrosive epoxy coating. Other than that, its a great machine. Avoid if you stay near sea/coastal area. |
We have now read about the top 5 best 1.5 Ton Split AC in India, Lets now checkout the list of best 1.5 ton window AC in India. Here we go..
#6 LG 1.5 Ton 5 Star Wi-Fi Inverter Window AC
LG JW-Q18WUZA is a powerful 1.5 ton windows AC with inverter compressor and WiFi. It comes with a 5 star energy rating and has R32 refrigerant which is eco-friendly and more efficient than the R410A. LG offers a 1 year warranty on product and a 10 year warranty on compressor of this model. It is suitable for a room of up to 150 Square feet.
This LG windows AC comes with a unique top air discharge design that looks trendy and gives it a premium look. The WiFi feature of this AC works with LG ThinQ, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. With the last two, you can use voice commands to control the functions of this AC.
It has all the features that you see in LG air conditioners like Low Gas Detection, Clean Filter Indication, Anti-corrosive Ocean Black Protection, and smart diagnosis.
This LG AC takes #1 place in our list of Best 1.5 Ton Window AC in India for its performance, durability, latest features, and wifi connectivity.
Does LG JW-Q18WUZA Meet Our Criteria for Best AC in India for 2021
Bottom Line If you are looking for a Windows AC, then its the best AC in India 2021 you can purchase. This AC is even suitable for areas that see high humidity and industrial pollution. Thanks to its steel body, copper condenser, and anti corrosive coating. With features like WiFi incorporated, this AC is future ready and surely the best you can purchase in India. |
#7 LG 1.5 Ton 3 Star Best Inverter Window AC
LG JW-Q18WUXA is a 1.5 ton 3 star window AC with Inverter rotary compressor and copper condenser. It also comes with a high quality ocean black hydrophilic coating on condenser which ensures long life of this AC. Further, it does not need a stabilizer as it can operate in voltage range of 145V~290V. With all these features, LG JW-Q18WUXA ensures a powerful cooling performance, quieter operation, long life, and saves cost of a stabilizer. We therefore have placed this AC at #2 in our list of best AC in India 2021 (Window Inverter AC).
The self-diagnosis feature in this AC alerts you of a fault in operation. It is a very useful feature that helps you fix a problem quickly.
LG offers 1 year warranty on this AC and 10 years on compressor.
Does LG JW-Q18WUXA Meet Our Criteria for Top 10 AC in India
Bottom Line This LG 1.5 ton window AC is an excellent air conditioner to purchase. It is not just powerful, but also durable and energy efficient. If you don’t need the wifi feature, then this is probably the best window AC you can purchase for your home or office. LG JW-Q18WUXA is at #7 in our list of Best Inverter AC in India |
#8 Voltas 1.5 Ton 5 Star Window AC
Voltas 1.5 ton windows AC ranks #8 in our list for best air conditioner in India 2021. It is #3 pick if you are looking specifically for a best 1.5 ton window AC in India.
Voltas 185DZAR32 is the best selling 1.5 ton AC this year on Amazon India. The reason for this out performance is very clear. It comes with a 5 star energy rating and still does not cost a bomb.
This AC comes with copper condenser coil, two stage filtration, eco-mode, turbo cooling and other regular features. At this cost, you can’t ask for more. This is the best windows AC for a price sensitive customer.
Does Voltas 185DZAR32 Meet Our Criteria for Best AC in India for 2021
Bottom Line This is a great windows AC for someone looking for a 5 star AC at a budget price. Cons of this AC include the absence of anti-corrosive coating and Inverter technology. |
#9 Voltas 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Window AC
Voltas WAC 185VDZA is the 3rd Voltas AC that makes it to the list of best air conditioners in India. It is suitable for a room of upto 140 Square feet. It is an Inverter AC and has a 5 Star BEE rating. It has a wide operating voltage range of 45~270 volts and therefore does not need a stabilizer. As it is a 5 star rated inverter AC, your savings on monthly electricity bill will easily pay back for the extra amount you will spend in purchasing this air conditioner.
This voltas AC is our #9 pick in our review of best AC 2021 in India.
Does Voltas WAC 185VDZA Meet Our Criteria for Best AC in India 2021
Bottom Line This model is not popular among customers as its costly and one can get a split AC for that price. Purchasing this model makes sense only for someone who does not like split AC or if its not feasible to install a split AC in his home/office. |
#10. O General AXGT18FHTC Window 3 Star Best 1.5 Ton Air Conditioner
Any list for best air conditioners will be incomplete if it does not include a O’General AC. This brand is know for manufacturing best quality air conditioners that are powerful and durable. However, as they import their air conditioners from Thailand and elsewhere, their AC cost just too much for customers in India. Also, their latest models come with aluminium MCHE condensers which are not popular in India as everyone here wants a copper AC.
O General AXGT18FHTC is an old model (manufactured in 2018 or before). However, it is a very powerful windows AC, made of 100% copper condenser, and hyper tropical rotary compressor. It has cooling capacity of 5370 watts which is the maximum offered by any 1.5 ton AC in India. For its powerful performance, we have placed this AC at #10 place in our list of best air conditioners in 2021.
The cons of this AC include absence of Inverter feature and anti-corrosive coating.
Does O General AXGT18FHTC Meet Our Criteria for Best AC in India for 2021
Bottom Line If you want a powerful windows AC and there is a service center of O’General in your city, then you can go for this air conditioner. Avoid if you stay in a coastal area like Mumbai as this AC has no anti-corrosive coating. |
Best AC in India by Price
Looking for best air conditioners categorized by price? Check out the following post:
Best AC in India 2021 – Which AC Do You Need? (Buyer Guide)
This is the most important question you should ask yourself before reading any further. Air conditioners don’t come cheap and you don’t buy a new AC every next year like your mobile handset. So, its important that you buy a great machine that remains good for years to come and meets requirement of your family not just on regular days but also during small family gatherings.1 Ton, 1.5 Ton or 2 Ton Air Conditioner?
This can also be measured in terms of BTU by calculating area of a room in sq. ft. and then multiplying it with 30 or with 40 if your room is at top floor and exposed to sunlight from roof or from more than two sides. The number of windows, area of windows, max summer temperature in your city, no of people occupying room, ceiling height, heat emitting appliances in room, and lots of other factors affects the BTU calculations.
Important Note: When calculating BTU for your room, add 600 BTUs for every additional person that is expected to be in the room. Also add 10 percent more BTUs if room is sunny or if your city temperature goes above 40°C in summers. |
Once you have calculated the BTU required for your room, compare it with BTU power supplied by different air conditioners as given in table below and then decide the capacity required for your AC.
Power of 1 ton, 1.5 ton and 2 ton AC
AC Capacity (tons) | Power (BTU/hr) |
---|---|
1 Ton AC | 12000 BTU/hr |
1.5 Ton AC | 18000 BTU/hr |
2 Ton AC | 24000 BTU/hr |
If that calculation is tough for you (It actually is), then refer to the simplified information below:
Condition | 1 Ton AC | 1.5 Ton AC | 2 Ton AC |
If Max Temp in Your City goes past 40°C | Avoid, unless you stay in a room that gets no sunlight. Max room size 100 Sq. Ft | For rooms under 140 Sq. Ft | For rooms upto 180 sq ft |
If Max Temp in Your City remains under 35°C | For rooms under 100 Sq. Ft | For rooms under 150 Sq. Ft | For rooms upto 200 sq ft |
If you expect AC to keep it cool during gatherings of up to 10 people including your family. City Temp Above 40°C | Avoid | Avoid | For rooms under 120 Sq. Ft |
If you expect AC to keep it cool during gatherings of up to 10 people including your family. City Temp under 35°C | Avoid | For rooms under 120 Sq. Ft | For rooms upto 160 sq ft |
Alternatively, visit the link below for an easy to use BTU calculator:
https://www.bluestarindia.com/roomacs/tonnage-calculator
Inverter AC, or Normal AC- Which one is Better?
In short, go for an Inverter AC. Don’t fall for low upfront cost, discounts, or freebies. Inverter ACs are more comfortable, highly durable, and last longer that the non invertr air conditioners.If you buy a 5 star inverter AC, it will save you more money than its cost over a span of 10 years.
Pro Tip: On an average, an AC uses 350-700 units a month (for 12 hours of use daily) costing you ₹1800 to ₹4500 per month in electricity bills in all major cities of India. With an Inverter AC, this cost comes down significantly. |
Whats so special about Inverter AC?
An inverter type air-conditioner operates at constant speed after achieving desired indoor temperature so that the temperature never goes up again. Whereas in ordinary AC, compressor turns off after achieving desired indoor temperature and turns on again when temperature goes up.
Non-inverter air-conditioners stops and starts repeatedly. A 1.5 ton inverter AC would work at 0.3 to 1.7 ton power based on cooling requirement. As a result, inverter air conditioners are more energy-saving and comfortable than non-inverter air-conditioners.
See the Diagram below for better understanding:-
Source: https://www.daikinindia.com/inverter-technology-0
BEE Ratings: 2 Star, 3 Star, 4 Star or 5 Star Rated AC – How much of a difference does it make?
Air conditioners are given energy star ratings by the BEE – Bureau of energy efficiency. More the number of stars, more is the energy efficiency of the appliance. The available stars are between a minimum of one and a maximum of five.
An AC with a 5 star BEE ratings save you upto 20 to 40 % in electricity bills when compared to a 1 star AC. Therefore, it makes sense to pay some extra money and purchase an AC with 4 to 5 star energy rating, as it will save you much more money in the long term.
Split AC, Window AC, Portable AC, or Cassette AC
Portable air conditioners, and Cassette air conditioners are not very popular in India. You can find cassette air conditioners in showrooms, or offices but very rarely someone purchases them for their home. Portable air conditioners are even more unpopular.
The remaining two types of air conditioners are very popular. And making a choice between these two is relatively easier. As far as efficiency is concerned, there is no difference. Both are equally good at cooling a room. However, the window air conditioners usually consume more electricity than their counterparts.
Lets look at pros and cons of a window AC and a split AC.
Window AC | Split AC | |
Cost | Cheaper by ₹3000 to ₹8000 | Product is costlier and the installation cost is also higher |
Electricity Cost | High | Less than Window AC of same tonnage. |
Looks | Looks Old Fashioned | Looks fashionable |
Comfort/Features | Makes lots of noise. Usually has less features. | Quiet Operation, Usually comes with features like auto clean, bacteria filter, air purifier, etc |
Maintenance | Service cost is almost half. | Service cost is high |
Now that we know the pros and cons of window and split AC, it should be easier for you to make a final decision on the type of best air conditioner to buy. We recommend going for a split AC but purchasing a windows AC in not a bad idea either.
Type of Compressor & Condenser
If you are looking for comfort and efficiency, you would want your AC to be less noisy, and capable to maintaining a constant indoor temperature. You can achieve this by preferring an AC with Inverter compressor over those that come with a simple rotary type compressor or reciprocating compressor.
Inverter Compressor
Actually, inverter compressor is also a type of rotary compressor. The only difference is that it has a DC inverter to control the speed of the compressor according to the cooling requirement. In such air conditioners, the compressor never shuts off completely. This results in less wear and tear to the parts, stable room temperature, no sharp fluctuations in current, and overall quieter operation.
MCHE or PFC Condensers
When it comes to the efficiency of condenser, MCHE (Microchannel heat exchange) condensers made of e-coated aluminium alloy is the best.
The MCHE coil construction provides for excellent heat transfer due to the enhanced surface area and the metallurgical bond between tube and fin. Air conditioners with MCHE coil will cool the rooms much quickly and will be capable of cooling rooms in cities that see temperatures soaring above 45 degree Celsius.
When MCHE is used as a condenser in an air-conditioning unit, it is commonly called a Parallel Flow Condenser (PFC).
However, these condensers are susceptible to corrosion, hard to clean, and hard to repair.
RTPF Aluminium-Fin-Copper-Tube Condensers
RTPF (Round Tube Plate Fin) heat exchanger, made of aluminum fin and copper tube condenser coil, are the most common type of condensers used by air conditioners in India. Such heat exchanger are are not as efficient as the MCHE condensers but are not bad either.
Also, one major advantage of these copper tubes is that they are repairable but the aluminium condensers would more likely need to be replaced when damaged.
For its lower maintenance cost, corrosion resistance, and durability, copper tube-aluminium fin condenser is our choice for condensers. The latest condensers of this type are also high in efficiency with the use of grooved copper tubes and dual inverter compressor.
Durability of Air Conditioner
While durability of any appliance is very important, it is even more important when it comes to purchasing an AC, especially for the people staying closer to coastal areas.
If you live near the coast, your air conditioner is a lot more susceptible to damage from the surrounding salty and humid air. If not protected, your air conditioner body will rust and condenser coil will suffer corrosion, resulting in cooling gas/refrigerant leak. This would lead to premature repair or replacement of broken parts due to galvanisation and salt corrosion.
To avoid such situation, you must purchase a AC that comes with some kind of hydophillic coating on condenser and evaporator. Such coatings don’t let water to stick to the coil or fins and therefore prevent corrosion.
Such coatings are known by different names like bluefin coating or goldfin coating, or titanium dioxide coating. Whether, you have a copper-tube-aluminum-fin condenser, or a MCHE condenser made of aluminium alloy, it should always come with a cathodic e-coating of some hydrophillic material like epoxy, etc. This is a must for longer life of your AC.
Also read our post on how you can prevent coil corrosion and refrigerant leak in air conditioners.
Type of Refrigerant Gas
Most customers will not care about this factor and the sales men at showroom will also not care to mention this aspect of air conditioners. However, it still makes a difference, not just in performance but also in future serviceability and cost of maintainance of your air conditioner.
If you have an old AC at your home, it will probably have R-22 refrigerant in it. While it works great for cooling performance but when leaked into atmosphere, it contributes to the depletion of ozone layer. This was a real problem for safety of enviornment and governments in several countries including Indian Government has therefore banned its use. Needless to say, you should avoid purchasing new AC that comes with R-22 gas.
Another type of refrigerant is R410. This is used by a few brands like Daikin in India. However, it is also being phased-down for the same reason as R-22 refrigerant.
Finally, the latest refrigerant that is safest among all and is widely used in India now is R32. It is a better choice for the environment and reduces electricity consumption up to approximately 10% when compared to that of air conditioners using R-22 gas.
For detailed information about refrigerant gases, read our post on Why AC Manufacturers Are Switching Over to R32 Refrigerant?
Brand and Service Availability
When purchasing expensive appliances like air conditioners, its important to limit your choices to brands that have their own service centers in your area. For example, O’General air conditioners are great when it comes to the quality but when we talk about service availability, it is limited to only a few select cities in India. Then there are brands launched by e-commerce companies that sell for very cheap cost but offer poor after sales service. One must avoid such brands, particularly when there are better options available from brands like LG, Panasonic, Sanyo, Voltas, Hitachi, and Diakin.
Best AC in India – Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best AC brand in India?
In India, Voltas and LG are two most popular and best AC brand in India. Other than these, Hitachi, Panasonic, Diakin, Godrej, Samsung, and O'General are also popular brands. Videocon was once a very popular brand of air conditioner but not anymore due to problems with the parent Videocon group. TCL has also comeup with reasonably priced air conditioners with great specifications in India. But the company is at a nascent stage and one should wait for them to establish a good network of dealers and service centers before purchasing their air conditioner. But it is surely a brand to keep watch on.
Which AC brand provides the best service?
LG, Panasonic, and Bluestar provide great service. You will find their service centers all over India. LG especially is a trusted brand name in India. Voltas also has a good network of service centers but we have read several negative reviews about them and that makes us sceptical about the quality of service Voltas provides.
What is Blue Fin / Gold Fin technology?
Its a type of coating that protects condenser from corrosion and helps it live longer. Such coatings can be of several types, like goldfin coating, bluefin coating, and others. However, they are used for only one reason and that is to preven corrosion.
These coatings have ydrophillic character which enables water droplets to flow off the surface without facing a lot of resistance. Thus water does not conglomerate in large droplets and disperses easily.
Which condenser is better - Aluminium or Copper?
Copper tube condenser is better than the aluminium tube condenser. Always prefer purchasing an air conditioner with copper condenser, no matter what the sales man tells you. Many companies tried selling air conditioners made of aluminium metal or aluminium alloy but have failed maserably in India.
No matter, which type of AC you purchase, just make sure that it is coated with a hydrophillic coating. Such coatings ensure long life of condensers.
One major disadvantage of aluminium condenser is that it is hard to repair and would need replacement if broken. Copper condensers on the other hand are easy to repair.
Which type of AC consumes less electricity?
Electricity consumption depends on the tonnage or capacity of an AC. Higher the tonnage, more is the electricity consumed.
Among air conditioners of same tonnage, the ones with higher star energy ratings consume the lowerst amount of electricity and one star rated AC would use the highest amount of electricity.
If the tonnage and star ratings are the same, then the air conditioner with Inverter compresser will use less electricity.
Also, a Split air conditioner usually is more energy efficint than the Window AC of same capacity.
Is it safe to buy AC online?
Yes, its completely safe to purchase air conditioners online. Not only you save your time when shopping online but you can also take your time selecting the right AC from the right brand. Plus you save the money you would otherwise have to pay to transport AC to your home. Above all, you get better deals online than what you get in the stores.
Can a MCHE condenser AC lasts as long as a copper condenser AC?
When properly protected with a quality hydrophillic coating, a MCHE condenser lasts as long as a copper condenser if not more. Especially if you are not living near coastal areas. For more on this topic read our post: Copper Condenser vs Aluminium Condenser
What is better for health - Air Cooler or Air Conditioner?
There is no definative answer to this question. Air conditioners provide excellent cooling and some AC also come with air purifier features, resulting in better comfort, low humidity that prevents skin infections during monsoon, and easy maintenance. Air coolers on the other hand pull fresh air into rooms. This can be good or bad depending on air quality outdoors in your area. However, air coolers require frequent maintenance or coolers can grow all sorts of slimy stuff in the tank and cooling pads. For more on which one to choose among them, check out our post on Air Cooler or Air Conditioner – Which is Better & Why?
How can I know something is not right with the compressor of my AC?
When the compressor of your AC malfunctions, it reflects in dispersal of hot air from the indoor unit, unusual sound coming from it, reduced air flow, etc
Why water is dripping from the indoor unit of my AC?
When there is clogging in or disconnection of the condensate drain, water drips from the indoor unit instead of being drained outside.
Which refrigerant is better?
R32 is better than R22 and R410A since it brings down operational cost and it is more eco-friendly.
Best AC India 2021 – Conclusion
We reviewed the most popular 50 air conditioners on the market, across a range of uses and settings. For it’s outstanding performance at a reasonable price, 5 star BEE rating, inverter technology, copper coil, service quality, and sleek design, the LG 1.5 TR 5 Star Inverter Split Copper Convertible 4-in-1 Cooling AC (White) is our number 1 pick in 1.5 ton split AC and LG 1.5 Ton 5 Star Wi-Fi Inverter Window AC (Copper, 2020 Model, JW-Q18WUZA, White) is our top pick in 1.5 ton window AC.
This was our list of best AC in India. Do let us know if you think there is a better AC that we should include in this list.
- 7 Things You May Not Know About Ceiling Fans - October 5, 2020
- Common Mixer Grinder Faults and How to Fix Them - October 3, 2020
- How to De-lime the Water Heater - October 1, 2020
Last update on 2020-12-02 / Images from Amazon
I am staying on the top floor in our flat at Kolkata. The roof get sunlight almost through out the day. The size of my rooms are approx 120,110 & 150 sqft. The Hall is approx 300 sqft.
I want to know what capacity ACs are to be installed according to the size of the room.
Whether false roofing will help to fix lower capacity AC. The number of person in my flat is 2.
Hi B. Mukherjee,
You will need a 1.5 ton AC for each of your rooms. For this, you can choose any of the options we have listed above.
For hall, you would need a 3 ton AC. If a single 3 ton AC is not available, then you can install two 1.5 ton air conditioners in the hall.
Alternatively, we recommend you to consider getting a Cassette AC for your hall. This ofcource if its within your budget, because it would also mean additional expense on false ceiling. Here are few options to choose if you are interested in Cassette ACs:
https://amzn.to/2XTo0sz
https://amzn.to/3dtWWqk
Hi pls suggest my room size is aprox 220 sq feet. Will 1.5 ton AC sufficient for this. Additionally with ac provides max cooling in 1.5 ton range. I need non inverter Ac.
Pls suggest some model. My budget up to 40k. Max.
Hi Rohit,
You need a minimum of 2 ton AC for your room. If your budget is 40K, you can purchase this AC https://amzn.to/2ZvqjnG which is well under your budget. But this particular AC sells out quickly, so make sure to take a decision quickly.
If you are looking for Window AC, then buy this one https://amzn.to/3jaS3pk
Hello, We are planning to buy one 1.5 ton and one 1 ton AC. Below are the suggested list from friends and shop staffs.
***1.5 ton***
1. LG LS-Q18ANZA
2. LG LS-Q18HNZD
3. Samsung AR18TY5QAWK
***1.0 ton***
1. LG LS-Q12GWZA
2. LG LS-Q12FNZD
3. Samsung AR12TY5QAWK
They say 2019 version is obselete and should buy 2020 model only and hence 2 and 3 were added.
Please advise the best ASAP.
All are good machines. Personally, I would have gone for LS-Q18HNZD and LS-Q12GWZA