Objectively speaking, split ACs aren’t any better than window ACs. After all, it isn’t just the design or configuration of an AC that is important. Other variables such as technology and energy efficiency matter more.

What this means is that a window AC can be better than a split AC if:

• It is an inverter AC when the split AC is non-inverter
• It has a higher ISEER value (the BEE star rating) than the split AC.

Of course, if all other variables are the same, a split AC will always be a better choice than a window AC. In this guide here, we’re reviewing the best split ACs (1.5 ton + 5 star) in India.

We chose 1.5-ton variants because they’re the most in-demand in a country like India. And, we chose 5-starred ACs because, when it comes to saving money, you cannot get much better than that.

However, if you’re looking for a different configuration, we have a comprehensive guide on the best split ACs in India for you too.

Best Budget Inverter Split AC (1.5 Ton 5 Star) in India	Best All-Around Inverter Split AC (1.5 Ton 5 Star) in India	Best Premium Inverter Split AC (1.5 Ton 5 Star) in India
TCL TAC-18CSD/EV5 1.5 Ton 5 Star Ultra Inverter Split AC	LG MS-Q18ENZA 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC	Blue Star IC518EBTU 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC
An inverter split AC that boasts of all the latest features in the market at amazingly low prices owing to its Chinese origins.	The best Indian-made inverter split AC mainly because it excels in terms of durability, cooling capacity, and cost-effectiveness.	A commercially viable split inverter AC that has considerably more cooling power than all competitors in the market.
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

Since we’re looking at the best ACs with this configuration, it invariably means that we ended up with inverter technology. Inverter ACs will always be better than non-inverter ACs. Why? Well…

• They last longer.
• They consume less power.
• They are more silent.
• They require less maintenance.
• They look prettier.

So, what we have here is a guide aimed at helping you find the best 1.5-ton split ACs in the Indian market with a 5-star rating. We’ve analyzed all the qualifying split ACs currently available and then reproduced our findings in easy-to-read reviews for your consumption.

The objective, of course, is for us to do the heavy lifting of researching and make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for. Here’s a clickable navigation panel that you can use to move around this guide.

• 10 Best Inverter Split ACs (1.5 Ton + 5 Star) in India: At a Glance
• 4 Best Inverter Split ACs (1.5 Ton + 5 Star) in India (Budget Segment): Detailed Reviews
• 4 Best (5 Star + 1.5 Ton) Inverter Split ACs in India (Affordable Segment): Detailed Reviews
• 2 Best Inverter Split ACs (1.5 Ton + 5 Star) in India (Premium Segment): Detailed Reviews

10 Best Inverter Split ACs (1.5 Ton + 5 Star) in India: At a Glance

4 Best Inverter Split ACs (1.5 Ton + 5 Star) in India (Budget Segment): Detailed Reviews

#1: AmazonBasics ‎PBAC18K5INV201 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.0/10

AmazonBasics, as you’ve no doubt figured out already, is Amazon’s brand for selling everything under the sun.

When the e-commerce giant sees any opportunity in the Indian market, it sets up manufacturing units and sells the product under this brand.

They take all the information they get from selling other brands’ products and then make sure that their product has all the best qualities.

Whether you like this behavior from an MNC or not, you have to say it makes business sense.

Besides, the most important question is if the products they sell are any good because if they aren’t then the whole exercise becomes unethical. However, the products sold by AmazonBasics are actually quite good regardless of whether you look at low-ticket items or premium-grade items.

Take the ‎PBAC18K5INV201 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC for example. This is a high-ticket item because of its price. This is an AC that manages to offer features only seen in top-of-the-grade ACs from top-of-the-grade AC brands at prices that are quite simply unbelievable.

On our list, this happens to be the cheapest 1.5-ton 5-star inverter split AC but still offers features that are comparable to dedicated AC brands.

For example, it has an ISEER value of 4.6. The AC with the highest ISEER value in the Indian market is the Chinese-made TCL with 4.80.

Another example is the fact that this AC boasts a 4-stage filtration system. This feature was incorporated into this AC because Amazon saw a lot of demand for HEPA filters in ACs on their website.

So, they made an AC with not only HEPA but also anti-bacterial filters. By the way, this feature makes this AC extremely useful in highly polluted regions like Delhi NCR (along with most north Indian cities), Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, and even some southern cities.

In case you were wondering, there aren’t many ACs that offer inbuilt HEPA filters but you can get third-party filters and install them on existing ACs.

Other than the fact that this AC offers 4-stage filtration, there are other features worth mentioning too. It comes with features present in most other ACs such as auto-restart and self-diagnosis.

It even has the anti-fungal blower function which makes the AC run for 40 seconds after it has been turned off to dry its insides and prevent microbial growth.

In terms of core function also, this AC is well stocked. It is 100% copper and comes with a protective blue fin coating. Inside the coils, it uses R32 refrigerant gas. Mode-wise, it comes with Sleep and Energy Saving.

The best part of this AC, however, is that it offers these features at a very low price. Other ACs with such features are priced 5-10k higher. This AC isn’t perfect though. It has one serious flaw – post-sales service.

Because ACs aren’t a core business for Amazon, they haven’t bothered to invest in a nationwide support network. Instead, they have outsourced this work to third-party contractors and vendors.

This results in irregular technicians and poor knowledge. Further, it takes away from the great warranty (1-year comprehensive, 2-years condenser, and 5-years compressor) offered by the American e-commerce giant.

Who’s it for: If you’re okay with getting AC serviced from local vendors or Urban Company, then you can get all the features you want at an amazingly low price by buying this AC from AmazonBasics.

#2: TCL TAC-18CSD/EV5 1.5 Ton 5 Star Ultra Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 8.5/10

This is the most energy-efficient split AC in the Indian market and it is not even manufactured in India! The TAC-18CSD/EV5 1.5 Ton 5 Star Ultra Inverter Split AC is manufactured by TCL, a Chinese company.

If you don’t have a hang-up against foreign-made products (most products, their components, or raw materials are made abroad), then you could save a ton of money by buying this AC.

The ISEER value (4.86) that this AC has achieved from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is significantly higher than any of its competitors. For reference, the closest any other AC comes to this is the LG AC with an ISEER value of 4.73.

Another area where this product is better than its competitors is the ambient temperature threshold. It is rated to remain functional even when external temperatures rise to 60°C. This is a considerable improvement on competitors, most of which cannot claim anything above 55°C.

This AC also has a 3-stage filtration technology which includes a HEPA dust filter. The vitamin C filter is also notable and the company says it keeps your skin moisturized. The third is the silver ion filter which counters microbes like bacteria and viruses in the air.

One feature in this AC that most people crave in their ACs is a 4-way swing. This means that this AC swings horizontally and vertically. Most competitors, unfortunately, only have a vertical swing in India.

Many Indian customers have also got on board the idea of the Internet of Things or IoT. If you’re one of them, this AC will please you with its WIFI compatibility and support for Google Voice Assistant and Amazon Alexa control system. Of course, you can also control the AC through the TCL Home App.

TCL says that its ACs are based on “AI Ultra-Inverter Compressor Technology”. The technology is touted to be about 50% more energy-efficient than competitors.

Additionally, the ultra-inverter is also responsible for giving this AC speed when it comes to cooling. The company claims that it can bring the temperature down from 27°C to 18°C in just 30 seconds.

The AC is also 100% copper with a patented coating (Titan Gold) technology. The device uses the R32 refrigerant gas, like most other ACs in the Indian market right now.

Being made in China, this AC is pocket friendly too. While not as cheap as the one from AmazonBasics, it will prove to be very healthy for your bank balance over time.

However, being made in China is its biggest flaw especially if there are clashes between our two governments. Moreover, the need to import it also creates availability issues. Stocks have been known to disappear very quickly.

You should also be aware that the post-sales service of this AC might not be the best. We’re pretty sure that TCL, like most foreign brands, outsources its post-sales service.

This obviously means lower reliability which can prove to be a problem when the AC breaks down. Remember, Chinese products are notorious for low build quality which means that they break down much faster than products made elsewhere.

Who’s it for: If you want the most advanced 1.5-ton 5-star split inverter AC in the market and are willing to buy one from a Chinese brand, get this one.

#3: Whirlpool SUPREMECOOL PRO 5S COPR INV 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.0/10

Whirlpool is a well-known name in India. However, judging by how infrequent its advertisements have become on TV, the company seems to be in decline.

They still seem to be a major player judging by how many people have whirlpool ACs in their homes. The main lure, here of course is the cost-effectiveness of their products. This product is a good example.

The Whirlpool SUPREMECOOL PRO 5S COPR INV is a 1.5-ton 5-star inverter split AC that is quite capable. We say this because its ambient temperature threshold is higher than most other ACs in the Indian market.

It will remain functional and will not trip even if the temperature around the outer unit reaches 55°C which is a good technological achievement. In fact, technology-wise, this AC boasts Magicool, MPFI & Turbo Cooling Technology.

In practice, though, the coils inside the AC are still copper, and the refrigerant gas is still R32.

The indoor unit also boasts multiple features such as antibacterial HD filtration and stabilizer-free operation. Further, it has the India-specific auto-restart function too.

The device is fairly efficient as well, particularly if you run it in Sleep mode. A unique feature of this device is that it remembers the position of the louver (the swing blade that directs the air coming out of the AC) when you turn it off.

Warranty-wise, it comes with a 1-year comprehensive and a 10-year on the compressor. The warranty isn’t the most useful because the post-sales service is outsourced and, hence, poor.

This device can also prove to be louder than its competitors, as per some customers.

Who’s it for: If you want a basic 1.5-ton 5-star inverter split AC at a good price, get this one from Whirlpool.

#4: Amazon Basics ‎AB2021INAC004 1.5 Ton, 5 Star, Wi-Fi Enabled, Twin Rotary Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 8.5/10

This is the second Amazon Basics 1.5-ton 5-star invert split AC on our list.

If you thought the previous one was impressive, this one is even better because of two things.

The first is that it is a twin rotary, which means that it is two times more efficient than the one we reviewed earlier.

The second is that it is Wi-Fi enabled which means that you can control it from anywhere in the world.

These two qualities are complimentary too. For instance, the twin inverter feature means that you can use this AC for longer periods without worrying about rising electricity costs. This ability comes in handy because you can turn this AC on as you leave work. By the time, you’ll reach home, your room will be just the right temperature.

The cost-effectiveness and efficiency of this device are best seen with its ISEER value of 4.7, putting it right up there with the best options in the market.

Another great feature of this device is that it comes with an inbuilt PM 2.5 filter. This makes it perfect for places known for high pollution levels such as the metropolises in India.

Essentially, Amazon noticed all the high-end features of the bestselling split ACs in India and then reproduced them in their own product because this product has other great functions too.

These include features like auto-restart, timer, self-cleaning, self-diagnosis, and multiple modes of operation.

The core attributes of this AC are also great. It is a 100% copper split AC with a blue fin coating to keep the coils from corroding. The refrigerant gas used is R32 which is the gold standard in the industry right now.

The best part, though, is that this device offers all these stellar qualities at a very competitive price. In fact, it will be very difficult to find another device with such features at such prices in the market right now.

Technically, the warranty is excellent with 1-year comprehensive and 10 years on the compressor but the catch is post-sales service.

Amazon doesn’t really have an organic sales and service network in India. Instead, it uses third-party vendors for the same. So, the quality of post-sales service is very erratic. If you’re lucky you’ll get skilled technicians punctually but if you’re not then getting the AC serviced or repaired can turn into a recurring nightmare.

Who’s it for: If you want a WIFI-enabled split AC at a very competitive price with great efficiency numbers, get this one from Amazon.

4 Best (5 Star + 1.5 Ton) Inverter Split ACs in India (Affordable Segment): Detailed Reviews

#1: LG MS-Q18ENZA 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 9.5/10

This is, by far, the best split AC (1.5 ton and 5 stars) in the market right now. It boasts of virtually everything you can ask for in an AC except for one thing – WIFI compatibility.

However, if that is not a dealbreaker for you, this AC can be a great addition to your home.

It boasts a dual variable-speed compressor which means that it is a dual inverter or dual rotary device.

This AC is also convertible. This means that it can operate at different capacities. You can use it at 40%, 60%, and 80% capacities in addition to the usual 100% capacity. The tonnage, of course, will vary according to which mode you convert this AC to.

This device also boasts an antiviral filter along with a high-density pre-filter. The antiviral filter is coated with silver ions that can render microorganisms inert by destroying their cellular wall.

There are two other technologies that LG highlights painstakingly when it comes to this AC but they aren’t unique and are seen in other ACs too.

The first is the Monsoon Comfort technology where the AC adjusts its operation to cope with the changing conditioner of the monsoon season (read: varying humidity levels).

The second is Himalaya Cool technology which promises to cool the room extremely fast in peak summer.

Other features worth mentioning include smart diagnosis (identifies the problem and shows error codes), auto clean (blows during shut down to get rid of moisture and dust), and auto restart (restarts automatically after a power cut). The smart diagnosis feature also has a system for a low gas check.

One feature that this AC lacks is a four-way swing but that is true for the majority of ACs in the market. This AC, instead, offers a two-way swing that is the basic up and down swing available in all such devices.

This AC excels in terms of durability, cooling capacity, and cost-effectiveness. It has a 100% copper condenser with ocean black coating that keeps it from corroding. Inside the coils, it uses the usual R32 refrigerant. The setup is strong enough to cope with 52⁰C ambient temperature outside.

The technology has received an ISEER value of 4.73 from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency which is on the higher side in the industry.

It is also priced affordably, especially if you consider the fact that it doesn’t need a stabilizer. A reliable stabilizer can end up costing close to ₹2,000 which is a considerable amount for a lot of people.

LG also offers one of the best warranties in the market. It includes 10 years on the compressor with gas charging, 5 years on the PCB, and 1 year on the whole product. The only catch is their sales network. It is nowhere close to being as widespread or reliable as its competitors like Voltas.

Who’s it for: If you want the most reliable, long-lasting, and pocket-friendly 1.5-ton 5-star split inverter AC, get this one!

#2: Voltas 185VADQ MAHA SUPER UVC 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 9.0/10

You can’t go wrong with Voltas in India. The brand is super-reliable just like all TATA ventures in the country, including their stocks. There’s a reason why they are the market leaders, after all.

In the 1.5 ton 5-star category, this is their best offering. The 185VADQ MAHA SUPER UVC is an excellent device with only one significant flaw – it barely scrapes into the 5-star category.

In fact, this is the main reason why we didn’t pick this device to be the best on our list. It has scored an ISEER value of 4.51 from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency which is considerably below what competing devices have scored. Most competitors boast of 4.70 ISEER ACs in this tonnage bracket.

However, it is a convertible inverter AC which means that its variable speed compressor can be used in different capacities. In fact, other than the 100% capacity, there are four others to choose from.

The coils inside the AC are all copper and utilize the most popular refrigerant gas in R32. The coils also have a blue fin coating which is why this AC can remain operational even when external temperatures touch 50⁰C.

Other than the convertible modes, you’ll have other modes to choose from too such as Auto, Cool, Super-Dry, and Sleep.

The indoor unit also has a Titanium Dioxide Coated Filtration system. Its purpose is to remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from your room. This is useful if you use a lot of incense or have smokers in the house.

There are other features as well such as auto restart, self-diagnosis, and timer. The only thing missing in terms of features is the four-way swing.

The AC is priced affordably like all Voltas products and comes with a very useful warranty. The warranty covers 1 year on the whole product and five years on the compressor.

The company has an excellent sales network all over the country, so you’ll always get Voltas technicians for service and repair work.

Who’s it for: If you want an Indian-made AC with flawless post-sales support go for this one from Voltas.

#3: Carrier ‎Ester Cxi CAI18ES5R30F1 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 8.5/10

For the company that is credited with inventing air conditioners, it is surprising that they’re not market leaders in every country of the world.

On some forums, people even think that Carrier is dying a slow death.

However, while they may not be market leaders in India, you wouldn’t think the situation’s so bad if the ‎Ester Cxi CAI18ES5R30F1 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC is anything to go by.

Again, while it may not be the best on offer in the Indian market, it is a very good AC. It is a very powerful and durable device that can function at ambient temperatures as high as 55°C.

It seems like the company is still going for power over efficiency because this device has an ISEER score of 4.60. Although not the lowest, it doesn’t come close to the higher end either.

The cooling power of this AC is impressive with its cooper condenser coil and R32 refrigerant gas. The coil is coated for longevity with what the company calls Aqua Clear Protection.

This device is also classed as convertible and you’ll have four tonnage modes to choose from. Other than the 100% mode (1.5 ton), you’ll have the free-running mode (1.6 ton), the 75% mode (1.2 ton), and the 50% mode (0.8 ton).

The best part, though, is that this inverter AC is one of few that come with a PM2.5 filter. Along with the High-Density pre-filter, this filter comes in very useful in highly polluted Indian cities.

The device has the usual modes and features but one that stands out is the Follow Me mode. This mode activates the temperature sensor built into the remote and allows the device to manage temperatures specifically around you in the room.

Pricing-wise, this product is just about affordable. A little more and it would’ve been in our expensive category. The warranties are decent, though. In addition to the 1-year comprehensive warranty, you’ll get 10 years on the compressor and 2 years on the PCB.

The only catch is that the company doesn’t have a good service network in India. This results in poor post-sales service in most cities.

We should also point out that some users say this device is a bit on the noisier side when compared to other comparable air conditioners but that might be because of its higher cooling potential.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for power, durability, and pedigree, get this device from Carrier.

#4: Hitachi Kiyora RSRG518HFEOZ1 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 8.5/10

Hitachi is a Japanese brand. Like all Japanese brands, it is a company that is known for innovation.

While the Kiyora RSRG518HFEOZ1 is a good AC, it lacks the famed Hitachi innovation. In terms of features, the AC is fairly basic but it is a long-lasting and durable device.

The company says that this “expandable inverter” AC is based on 100% copper condenser coils which are heavily grooved with super-slit fins for maximum heat exchange

The ambient temperature threshold of this AC is 52°C.

Inside the coils, however, the AC uses a refrigerant gas that isn’t commonly seen in India – the R410a. This refrigerant is not as environmentally friendly as the R32 and was used before R32 was slowly phased in. The R410a could be the reason why this AC makes more noise than its competitors.

The ISEER value that this entire setup has managed to get from the BEE is 4.55. This is on the lower side of the spectrum which means that this device isn’t as energy efficient as its competitors.

The usability features in this device are pretty standard too. It has the usual modes along with a filter clean indicator.

The new feature is the ambience light which shows how cool or warm your room is by changing shades from blue to red.

This device is definitely trending towards being expensive but what saves it is the fact that it doesn’t need an external stabilizer. It has inbuilt voltage control which will save you a tidy sum.

The warranty is super-impressive though and shows how durable this device will be for you. Instead of the usual 1-year comprehensive warranty, Hitachi is offering a 2-year comprehensive warranty. Additionally, the company will protect you against compressor failure for 10 years and PCB issues for 5 years.

The only problem is that the company relies on outsourcing to honor those warranty commitments. This can cause trouble for the end-user in the form of tardy technicians with or without the requisite skills.

Who’s it for: If you want a super-durable split AC with longer warranties, get this one from Hitachi.

2 Best Inverter Split ACs (1.5 Ton + 5 Star) in India (Premium Segment): Detailed Reviews

#1: Daikin FTKM50TV 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10

Daikin is another Japanese brand. It was a brand that was famous for its unique tonnage in multiples of 0.2 like 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, etc.

However, the brand has now gone more mainstream with AC tonnage in multiples of 0.5.

The FTKM50TV is a 1.5-ton AC with a pretty impressive ISEER value of 4.7 from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. This is on the higher side even for inverter ACs.

Like most ACs, its condenser coils are 100% copper and the gas inside is R32. The provided features are also fairly common.

There’s the turbo cooling mode under the guide of Power Chill, the even air distribution in the form of Power-Airflow, and the energy-saving mode under the heading Econo mode. The sleep timer is also a feature.

For the kind of features this product offers, it is definitely expensively priced. Even if you take into account that it doesn’t require an external stabilizer, you’ll find its price to be damaging to your bank balance.

There are no mitigating factors either such as a better warranty or stellar post-sales service. The offered warranty is standard i.e., 1 year comprehensive and 10 years on the compressor. The post-sales service is poor as is the case with most international brands operating in India right now.

Who’s it for: Daikin’s higher list price makes it less attractive but if you want sturdiness and longevity, this is the brand you should choose.

#2: Blue Star IC518EBTU 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10

This AC from Blue Star has a capacity of 1.5 tons and is rated to be 5 stars. However, it isn’t like other ACs with similar qualities and ratings. This can be seen as a positive trait and a negative trait. Let us explain.

The positive part is that even though this AC is 1.5 tons, its cooling power is greater than other ACs with a similar capacity.

However, this extra cooling capacity comes with a downside. This is the fact that this AC consumes more power than other ACs with a similar star rating.

Specifically speaking, this AC has an ISEER value of 4.66 from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. This is on the upper end of the accepted spectrum in the industry. However, in practice, the power consumption of this AC is a bit higher than what you would expect from an air conditioner with this ISEER value.

This is despite the fact that this AC contains usual components such as 100% copper condenser coils, proper blue fin coating, and the environment-friendly R32 refrigerant gas.

In terms of ambient temperature threshold, this split AC can handle up to 52⁰C of heat without tripping and shutting down.

With respect to internal features, there are the usual modes of use such as Turbo, Eco, and Comfort Sleep. The Eco mode saves energy because it focuses on efficiency while the Turbo mode is all about maximum power. The Comfort Sleep mode is to be used while sleeping and is like a blend of Turbo and Eco modes.

Other features worth mentioning are the self-diagnosis function called the Smart Detection Technology and the Self Clean Technology which prevents dust collection and microbial growth.

Unlike many of its competitors, though, this AC boasts of a 4-way swing i.e., vertical and horizontal swing. However, this split AC has plenty of flaws beyond the fact that a lot of users report excessive power consumption.

To start, it is pretty expensive even though it comes with a good warranty. The comprehensive warranty is for one year but this can be extended another four years with some extra payment. Further, the compressor in the AC has a 10-year warranty.

Another flaw of this air conditioner is that it can be a bit noisy at higher settings. However, we think that is because of its added power. Finally, despite being fairly well spread in the country, Blue Star’s post-sales service isn’t the best in the industry.

Who’s it for: This air conditioner is for people who need their ACs to be slightly more powerful than 1.5-ton ACs without going for higher tonnage options.

Pondering over inverter AC Vs non inverter AC?

You’re on the right page. When you’re planning to buy a new AC, inverter vs. non-inverter is one of the first things you need to consider.

In fact, this question is perhaps even more critical than window vs split AC as it is going to impact your pocket.

We are answering the top 6 commonly asked questions about inverter AC vs non inverter air conditioners here so you can be well informed for your next AC purchase.

• Inverter AC Means What? What is Inverter Technology in AC
• Non Inverter AC vs Inverter AC: Which is Best?
• Comparing Inverter AC Benefits with the Disadvantages of Inverter Air Conditioners
• Inverter AC vs Normal AC: Do Non Inverter ACs have Advantages Too?
• Can Inverter ACs Run on Inverter?
• Inverter Air Conditioner vs Non Inverter 5-Star AC: What are the Differences?

Inverter AC Means What? What is Inverter Technology in AC

Note: This section deals with the science of inverter technology in AC and explains how inverter AC works. Feel free to skip to the next section if you want.

There are considerable differences between inverter and non-inverter ACs when it comes to technology.

While the core mechanical principle is the same in both ACs, the components they use to leverage it are slightly different. So, to understand the differences properly, you need to understand this core principle first.

The mechanical principle ACs use is that when a liquid evaporates into a gas, it increases its temperature or “absorbs heat”. The opposite is true too. When a gas’s temperature lowers or it “releases pent-up heat”, it changes back into a liquid.

A substance that excels in absorbing and releasing heat while changing its form is called a Phase Change Material.

Air conditioners use this core principle to cool the air in your room with the help of a Phase Change Material. The Phase Change Material they use, of course, is the refrigerant gas.

Here’s how the process looks.

1. The refrigerant in its liquid state flows in the coils which are located inside the room (the indoor portion of the coils of window AC and indoor unit of split AC).
2. The AC’s fan then sucks in the hot air and blows it over the coils containing the cold, liquid refrigerant.
3. The air becomes cool and is blown back into the room while the refrigerant absorbs the heat and changes into a gaseous form.
4. The conversion isn’t complete, though. As the natural flow takes the refrigerant into the compressor, it is then squeezed even more tightly. This results in its complete conversion to a gaseous state.
5. The refrigerant (now fully gas) flows into the coils located outside the room (the outside portion of window AC and outdoor unit of split AC) where it releases its heat into the surroundings.
6. Once it releases the pent-up heat, it turns back into a liquid and flows back into the room.
7. This occurs in a loop till the room’s air temperature reaches the number you chose on the remote.

The inverter AC technology comes into play during the compressor phase.

Non-inverter ACs use reciprocating compressors. These compressors are like pistons. They move up and down to compress the refrigerant.

Inverter ACs use rotary compressors. They use a circular motion to compress the refrigerant. Dual inverter ACs, by the way, use two rotary compressors.

There are two important things you need to remember here.

#1: There’s no speed component to the up and down motion. It is either up or down. The circular motion, though, can occur at different speeds.

#2: Up and down motion (push and pull) will always consume more force than circular motion. The circular motion requires less force because it leverages centrifugal and centripetal forces.

Non Inverter AC vs Inverter AC: Which is Best?

If you read through the science lesson in the previous section, then you must have been the PCMB student in school. It does take some doing, so Kudos!

What all that science boils down to is this: inverter ACs (Variable Speed ACs) can run at different speeds while non-inverter ACs (Fixed Speed ACs) have just one speed.

The practical implication of this ability is that inverter ACs are more energy-efficient than non-inverter ACs.

Being more energy-efficient, your inverter AC will consume less power to cool your room to a certain temperature than a non-inverter AC. This will not only help bring down your power bills and save you a lot of money but it will also help the environment.

Durability is another variable worth considering when you’re trying to decide if inverter ACs are better for you than non-inverter ACs.

The circular motion of the rotary compressors in inverter ACs causes less wear and tear than the up and down motion of reciprocating compressors in non-inverter ACs.

In the long term, this causes non-inverter ACs to lose efficiency and break down more often than inverter ACs. It all culminates in you having to replace your non-inverter AC much faster than you would have to replace an inverter AC.

So, circling back to the question “is an inverter AC better than a non-inverter AC”, we would say “yes, in more ways than one”.

However, there’s a catch – TIME.

Comparing Inverter AC Benefits with the Disadvantages of Inverter Air Conditioners

If you compare inverter and non inverter ACs objectively, you’ll find that the advantages of Inverter ACs are many but they aren’t completely flawless.

Of all the disadvantages of inverter air conditioners, the one that stands out most is COST.

Their higher cost is the only reason why people choose non-inverter ACs over them.

Inverter ACs are almost always several thousand rupees more expensive than their non-inverter ACs. If they have a better ISEER value and star rating, they’ll be even more expensive.

However, if you read the previous section, you’ll know that inverter ACs save you money in the long term through lower power bills and a longer lifespan.

So, at which point will the inverter AC recoup the extra money you paid to buy it?

Normally, it takes about 5 to 7 years for this to happen.

However, it depends entirely on how often and how long you use your inverter AC. The more you use it and the lower the temperatures at which you use it, the quicker you’ll recoup your investment.

With the right maintenance, you can even prolong the life of an inverter AC which will lead to even more savings.

Inverter AC vs Normal AC: Do Non Inverter ACs have Advantages Too?

There aren’t many advantages of non-inverter ACs, especially when compared to inverter ACs.

However, as we’ve explained already, the one benefit of going for a non-inverter AC is that it is cheaper.

For example, if you’re buying an AC for a room that isn’t used very often (consider a room that doesn’t receive a lot of sunlight or a room that is empty most of the time), then it will only be on for a little bit of the time.

Since it won’t be run very often or very long, the savings you’ll get from an inverter AC will take that much longer.

In fact, to recoup the extra money you spend to buy an inverter AC, it might take up to 15 years!

In such scenarios, it is much better to save money at the very beginning instead of waiting years for it to come back to you.

Inverter Air Conditioner vs Non Inverter 5-Star AC: What are the Differences?

The whole question of can an inverter AC run on inverter is borne out of a common misconception.

People who don’t understand inverter technology in ACs think that these ACs are called “inverter ACs” because they can run on inverters.

Nothing can be more wrong.

The word “inverter” in inverter ACs refers to the type of technology they have instead of their compatibility with inverters.

However, even though most people ask this question because of a mistake, the question is still relevant.

Can you really run an inverter AC on an inverter?

The answer depends on the capacity of your inverter and the state of the room when the power cut happens.

A 1-ton inverter AC will need an inverter of at least 1 KVA capacity. However, realistically, you’ll be better off with a 1.5 KVA inverter because you’ll need other things in your home such as fans and lights to be on too.

Similarly, for a 1.5-ton inverter AC, you should at least have a 2.0-KVA capacity inverter.

The backup capacity requirement, though, also depends on the state of your room.

For instance, if your room has already cooled and your 1.5-ton inverter AC is only maintaining that temperature then it won’t need to draw upon 1.5 KVA and will probably run at the 1.0-KVA level.

Similarly, a 1-ton inverter AC doesn’t pull on the full 1KVA power when it is only maintaining the temperature in the room.

The best would be to, of course, go for convertible inverter ACs that can be used at various capacities (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% in addition to 100%). A 1.5-ton AC running at 60% for example would only need about 0.9 KVA.

The reason for this is that if the inverter AC is not a convertible AC, then it would automatically start pulling more KVA when the room gets warmer.

The inverter AC’s increasing demands can cause can the inverter to trip, especially with other appliances in the house.

What Are the Differences Between 5-Star AC And Inverter AC?

So, we’ve already answered the inverter AC vs on inverter AC debate above. What we haven’t done is taken care of the inverter air conditioner vs non inverter 5-star AC debate. In this section, we’ll settle everything once and for all.

Both the 5-star rating and the inverter technology are aimed at the same target – energy efficiency.

Although they are aimed at the same target, there are plenty of differences between them because they are, essentially, different things.

The 5-star rating is the overall assessment provided by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on how much energy an AC consumes to cool a room to a pre-defined temperature.

Inverter technology, however, is the technology that an AC uses, as we explained in the first section of this article.

In a way, you can say that the 5-star rating is an evaluation of the inverter technology in an AC.

This is an important distinction because it means that you can get a 5-star inverter AC!

Whether you should or not is a different question. The reason again is the cost.

1. An inverter AC is more expensive than a normal AC.
2. A 5-star AC is more expensive than a 4, 3, or 2-star AC.
3. So, a 5-star inverter AC is going to be the most expensive option available to you within a particular tonnage.

In fact, it is possible that a 5-star inverter AC of 1.5-ton capacity will be more expensive than a 2-star non-inverter AC of 2.0-ton capacity.

However, no AC will save you more money in the long term than a 5-star inverter AC. To unlock those savings, though, you’ll have to run the 5-star inverter AC round the clock for the next 5 years because of the exorbitant initial cost.

Therefore, if you don’t expect that kind of usage then you’ll be better off buying a 3 or 4-star inverter AC. It might even be better to buy a 5-star non-inverter AC but you’ll lose out on the improved durability that inverter technology provides.

Personally, I would go for a 3 or 4-star inverter AC but you can make up your own mind there.

If you do need help choosing a particular model, we have guides for both the best window air conditioners and split ACs. These guides contain both inverter and non-inverter ACs spanning various BEE Star and ISEER ratings.

While split ACs will always prove to be more energy-efficient and aesthetically appealing than the best Window ACs in India, in some scenarios, a window AC might be a better choice than a split AC.

In fact, when it comes to homes, you’re more likely to find a window AC in someone’s house than a split air conditioner. There are multiple reasons for this.

The most obvious one is that window ACs turn out to be cheaper than split ACs. Another is that maintaining and servicing window ACs is much easier than split ACs. And then, there is the installation problem.

Installing a split AC is not possible in every room because you need some kind of an outlet for the copper tubing, the electrical wiring, and the water outlet pipe. Window ACs, on the other hand, can be fitted into any window, provided the size is right.

Whatever may be the reason that you’re choosing a window AC over a split AC, you need to make sure that you buy the right one. After all, an air conditioner is something you buy for years if not decades. This is why we’ve created this guide for you.

Here’s everything you’ll find on this page beginning with information that you need to make a good choice and ending with in-depth reviews of the best window ACs (2022) in India.

• Which Is the Best Window AC Company in India
• How to Choose the Best Window AC Unit?
  • What AC Tonnage Do You Need?
  • What are ISEER Value and Star Ratings?
  • Is an Inverter Window AC the Best Room AC for you?
  • Will the Window AC in your Room Affect the Environment?
  • Does The AC Model/Year Matter?
• 14 Best Window ACs In India (2022): At A Glance with Approximate Price (By Tonnage)
• 14 Best Window ACs In India (2022): At A Glance with Approximate Price (By Brand)
• 4 Best 1 Ton Window ACs In India (2022): Detailed Reviews
• 5 Best 1.5 Ton Window ACs In India (2022): Detailed Reviews
• 3 Best 2 Ton Window ACs In India (2022): Detailed Reviews

Which Is the Best Window AC Company in India

How effectively a window AC cools depends on two things. The first is whether you’ve chosen the right capacity for your room size or not and the second is how well you’ve sealed your room.

Everything else including technology doesn’t matter because there isn’t much difference in the technology of one model and another. Therefore, in terms of the effectiveness of their products, all window AC brands in India are the same.

The areas where the brands will vary in India are durability and post-sales service.

Durability is all about the build quality of the window AC i.e., the quality of materials used in it. With some brands, the lack of quality will be clearly visible in the AC’s body. You’ll only see this difference if you have the better-quality product, though. Otherwise, it will all seem normal.

The same will be true with the internal parts of the window AC. Internal parts of lower quality window ACs tend to break down much more often than higher quality window ACs.

Of course, lower build quality means that the price of the product will be lower and vice versa.

For example, Daikin, Hitachi, and LG are all brands that offer exceptional build quality inside and outside the machine which is why they’re slightly more expensive than their competitors’ products. Therefore, in terms of durability, these are the best window AC brands in India.

Everything is different when it comes to post-sales service though. In the majority of cases, international brands fall woefully short in this area. The reason for this is that they don’t have a sufficiently widespread service network in India.

More importantly, they’re not interested in establishing independent service networks either. Instead, they try to outsource their service jobs to third-party vendors. Since there are no foolproof checks and balances on these third-party vendors, the quality of the post-sales service suffers.

For instance, if you’re not in a tier 1 city and you order reps for any of the brands mentioned above, you’ll either have to wait a long time or make do with uninterested and unskilled technicians.

On the other hand, when it comes to the quality of service, the Indian brands perform the best. The best example of this is Voltas, the Tata brand. While their ACs are also great, the main reason why Voltas is the market leader in India (21% market share) is its service network.

Another example of an Indian company leveraging its service network to capture the market is Blue Star. However, Blue Star is 3^rd in the Indian market (12% market shared) mainly because it pays attention to the industrial or commercial market which is why it leads it.

In fact, the top 3 brands in the Indian air conditioner market are all domestic with LG (16% market share) completing the trifecta.

As is obvious, this can only be due to their respective service networks in the country.

Best 5-Star Window Inverter AC in India
LG JW-Q18WUZA, 1.5 Ton, 5 Star Inverter Wi-Fi Window AC
A new age window AC that is head and shoulders above traditional air conditioners in terms of everything including cooling potential, energy efficiency, and ease of use.
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Best 5-Star Window Non-Inverter AC in India
Voltas 175 LZH, 1.4 Ton, 5 Star Window AC
A pocket-friendly 1.4-ton non-inverter window AC that is great if you don’t plan to use it for more than a few hours at a time, especially with Voltas’s exceptional service network in the country.
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Best 1-Ton Window AC in India	Best 1.5-Ton Window AC in India	Best 2-Ton Window AC in India
Carrier ESTRA CX, 1 Ton, 3 Star Window AC	LG JW-Q18WUZA, 1.5 Ton, 5 Star, Inverter, Wi-Fi Window AC	Blue Star 3W24GBT, 2 Ton, 3 Star Window AC
Best of the 1-ton window AC market segment but if you have any margin (space and money), go for a higher capacity AC.	Hands down, the best window AC in the Indian market regardless of what variable or feature you use to compare it to its competitors.	In the 2-ton market segment, you won't find a window AC better this one, particularly when it comes to cooling large rooms fast while keeping power bills low.
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How to Choose the Best Window AC Unit?

There can be a considerable difference between which window AC is best for you and which one suits your next-door neighbor. This is why you should always spend some time analyzing the products you’re planning to buy on your own. The Hitachi RAW318HEDOThere are 4 things you need to consider when trying to choose a window AC. These are the capacity (tonnage), energy efficiency (ISEER value or star rating), technology (inverter/non-inverter), and the refrigerant (environmental impact).

You can also consider the make i.e., the year of construction of the window AC but it isn’t going to make a huge difference unless some new technology has been released recently. Window ACs are not like cars.

Let’s look at each of these variables one by one.

What AC Tonnage Do You Need?

The tonnage or capacity of your window AC will depend on multiple variables but here are the basic calculations.

• Find or calculate the area of your room in sq. ft. Multiply the width and length of the room.
  E.g., 10 ft. x 10 ft = 100 sq. ft.

• Divide the resultant number by 600.
  E.g., 100 sq. ft/600 = 0.166

• Add half a ton to it.
  E.g., 0.166 + 0.500 = 0.666.
  Result: A 0.8-ton window AC will work fine.

• This is the basic tonnage you need for your room but there are other things to consider.
• If 5 or more people are going to be present in the room, add another half-ton to the number.
  E.g., 0.666 + 0.500 = 1.166
  Result: A 1.4-ton or a 1.5-ton window AC is recommended but a 1-ton or a 1.2-ton window AC will work in a pinch.

• If you’re on the top floor or receive direct sunlight on 2 to 3 sides of your home, add another half-ton.
  E.g., 1.166 + 0.500 = 1.666
  Result: A 1.8-ton or a 2-ton window AC is recommended but a 1.5-ton window AC may work too.

• If you’ve put some effort into sealing the room’s windows and doors, remove half a ton from your total.
  E.g., 1.666 – 0.500 = 1.166
  Result: You can go for a 1-ton window AC because that is the power of sealing your room well.

Sealing a room’s windows and doors can make a world of difference in how effective your window AC proves to be. Its impact is such that you can actually use a lower capacity window AC and not have to cope with backbreaking power bills.

You’ll note that in point no. 7, we’ve said that you can go for a 1-ton window AC. That recommendation is only on the tonnage required.

In practice, we would suggest going for a 1.4-ton or 1.5-ton window AC. Why?

Well, it’s because there’s not a huge price difference between a 1-ton air conditioner and a 1.5-ton air conditioner. This is something that I learned from an expert when I went to buy my AC as a youngster and have found to be true.

The price difference between a 1-ton and a 1.5-ton AC from the same brand is usually only ₹2,000 to ₹3,000. Sometimes, there’s no difference! You can see this with the Hitachi window ACs in our window AC price comparison table (approximate).

Wouldn’t you be willing to pay ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 extra to reduce your power bills? After all, you’ll be saving for at least 5 years and maybe as much as 15 years (my parents kept their ACs going for 25!).

The real difference in window AC price comes when you go from 1.5-ton ACs to 2-ton ACs. The difference is usually around ₹7,000 to ₹8,000. This is one of the reasons why the demand for 2-ton window ACs is on the lower side. However, this isn’t the only reason. There are a few others.

• The majority of rooms in homes and businesses are in the 150 to 160 sq. ft range.
• In the case of larger rooms, they tend to be closer to 225 or even 250 sq. ft. which means the use of two separate AC units instead of one with a large capacity.
• Moreover, a room as large as this would benefit more from one or more split ACs installed near the ceiling than a window AC.
• The power consumption ratings of 2-ton window ACs are lower than 1.5-ton window ACs (2 stars and 3 stars, respectively).

So, you’ll not only be paying more to buy a 2-ton window AC and more to run it but also be receiving imperfect cooling from it.

This makes sealing your room even more important. Maybe you can make do with a 1.5-ton AC by sealing your room properly and keeping the doors shut as much as possible?

Here are quick tips to seal your room properly.

1. Put film on your windows. Use SIA VENDORS One Way Mirror Window Film or get something similar from your local hardware store. You just have to cut it into the right size and paste it onto your window.
2. Seal the bottom of your doors. Use RADIANT Door Bottom Sealing Strip or Deco Window 1 Pc Door Seal to seal the space between your door and the floor. The metallic door seal with the brush is easily available at most local hardware stores.
3. Seal the gap between the window and frames. Use Smart Saver D Shaped Self-Adhesive Window Lining to fill the gap between the window and its frame.

What are ISEER Value and Star Ratings?

Apart from tonnage, it’s also advisable to pay attention to the ISEER value of the window ACs you’re considering.

ISEER stands for the Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The ISEER value is a grading system that was developed by the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

It is a standardized method of measuring how energy-efficient a home appliance is. It is mainly used for larger appliances such as ACs and refrigerators.

In terms of ACs, it is a measure of how much power the air conditioner consumes to cool a room to a certain temperature within a pre-specified range of external temperature.

In simple terms, the BEE calculates how much electricity an AC will consume to cool a room to a certain temperature when the temperatures outside are between 24 and 43 degrees Celsius.

From time to time, BEE changes this range of ambient (external) temperature to reflect summer temperature trends.

The ISEER number typically comes out at a specific value between 1 and 5. Depending on where the benchmarks are set, the final value results in a “star” rating. This is where the 2-star, 3-star, and 5-star AC concept comes from.

The benchmarks are different for different types of ACs. They will be different for window and split ACs and different for inverter and non-inverter ACs.

Here are the benchmarks for Window ACs.

It doesn’t matter how you look at it. The best window air conditioner will always be the one with the highest rating (5-stars) as it will save you money on power bills in the long term. The savings will mount the longer you use your AC.

On the other hand, if you don’t think you’ll be using the AC much, you can go for a 3-star AC. In practice, if you don’t think your AC will be running more than 3 or 4 hours a day, you’ll be fine with a 3-star AC. However, if you think it will run more than 8 hours a day, go for a 5-star or at least 4-star.

Why would you want to go for a lower star AC? Well, it will be cheaper to buy. A higher ISEER value will always lead to higher list prices.

Is an Inverter Window AC the Best Room AC for you?

ACs are based on compressors. The compressors in inverter window ACs are different from those in non-inverter window ACs.

Non-inverter ACs have reciprocating type of compressors that create up and down motion. Inverter ACs, however, are based on rotary compressors that create circular motion.

Reciprocating compressors are run at either full speed or are completely off like a missile or rocket. Rotary compressors, though, can run at various speeds like your car.

This is why non-inverter ACs are also known as fixed speed ACs while inverter ACs are often called variable speed ACs.

All this technical jargon, though, maybe of no use to you. Here’s the practical meaning of all this.

Because inverter ACs can run at varying speeds, they’re more energy-efficient than fixed-speed non-inverter ACs.

Even if you set the temperature at 23 degrees Celsius, your non-inverter AC will run full blast till that temperature is achieved. Then, it will shut off and wait for the temperatures to rise again. This up and down process consumes more energy.

In inverter ACs, the compressor only runs full tilt when you set it to the lowest temperature i.e., either 16 or 18 degrees Celsius. When you set 23 degrees Celsius or something similar, the AC runs at a lower capacity and consumes considerably less power.

In addition to being more energy-efficient, inverter ACs are also more durable. Since they don’t start and stop all the time, they suffer less wear and tear.

So, do you need an inverter AC or not because it will cost you extra?

The answer has to do with how long you think your AC will be on. If it is just around 3 to 4 hours then you’ll be fine with non-inverter ACs but if you think it’ll run overnight or even more then you need an inverter AC.

In a nutshell, it is always better to get inverter ACs if you can spare the extra cash. We’ll even tell you to wait another month if that helps you save for an inverter AC over a non-inverter AC.

Will the Window AC in your Room Affect the Environment?

It’s a well-established fact that ACs contribute a lot to global warming. In fact, it is kind of a long-term vicious circle.

The more we use our ACs the higher the ambient temperature gets. The higher the temperatures rise, the more we want to use our ACs.

One way to avoid this would be to not use our ACs and instead rely on natural means of cooling ourselves, like the traditional “shade of the tree”. However, only the luckiest amongst us can do that. We’ve got work and school to worry about.

The other solution is technological advancement. It is already happening. Today’s ACs are less damaging to the environment than their earlier counterparts.

Increased energy efficiency has had a role to play here but more important has been changing the nature of refrigerants that our ACs use. Basically, the gases in modern ACs are more environmentally friendly than those used in earlier ACs.

For instance, only a few years back, India banned the use of R22 refrigerant gas. This gas was great for manufacturers because it was low cost. It was horrible for the environment because it accumulated in the atmosphere, contributed to the greenhouse effect, and even damaged the ozone layer.

The banning of this refrigerant has seen the entrance of R32 refrigerant gas which is significantly more environmentally friendly. While it is damaging to the environment, its impact is nowhere even close to what R22 did.

So, how does this affect your decision to buy a window AC? Well, you need to choose window ACs with R32 instead of R22.

Even though R22 gas has been banned, there are still some old models floating around. These ACs are incredibly pocket-friendly and will save you tons of money on the initial cost and maintenance cost later. But, your kids will pay for your choice by the time they grow up.

There’s also the catch of whether you’ll be able to find the R22 refrigerant gas when the time comes to top up your AC. This is a risk worth considering but it isn’t that much of a concern because R22 gas is available on the black market. Any AC technician should be able to get it for you.

Sooner or later R22 gas-based ACs will fade away which will reduce the demand for this gas. As a result, it will disappear from the black market too. Therefore, it would be wiser to choose R32 gas-based window ACs instead of R22.

Does The AC Model/Year Matter?

In some cases, it matters. In others, not so much.

It matters when the gap between the current model and the one you’re getting is too large.

For instance, if you’re ordering your window air conditioner in the first quarter of the year, then you’ll be lucky to get the latest model. On the other hand, if you’re ordering it in the second half of the year then you shouldn’t settle for an older model.

Typically, whether it is online or offline, dealers and sellers offer the previous year’s model in the first half of the year and the new model in the second half.

The reason for this is obvious – stocking. It takes time for manufacturers to deliver newer models to their distributors and dealers. Moreover, dealers and sellers need to offload older stocks before they’re willing to take up newer models.

This is also the reason why older models tend to be cheaper than newer ones. However, it is always advisable to choose the latest model over an older one.

This will ensure that you get the latest technologies in your AC, even though technological advancements aren’t very common with these devices. The last one was the inverter AC with dual inverter ACs only being a further improvement of the same technology.

14 Best Window ACs In India (2022): At A Glance with Approximate Price (By Tonnage)

14 Best Window ACs In India (2022): At A Glance with Approximate Price (By Brand)

4 Best 1 Ton Window ACs In India (2022): Detailed Reviews

#1: Lloyd GLW12B32WSEW, 1.0 Ton, 3 Star Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 6.5/10

In fact, it is the cheapest window AC on our list. However, it is only about ₹2,000 cheaper than its 1.5-ton variant. So, you’ll be better off choosing that one over this one.

Like most modern AC models, the tubes inside this product are 100% copper. In case, you didn’t know, copper coils make an AC more energy-efficient and better able to cool the room because they’re better at heat exchange than aluminum coils. Aluminum coils were used in ACs up until 3 to 4 decades ago.

The fins on this AC also have a blue hydrophilic coating that prevents corrosion caused by the elements. Corrosion of the fins and coils is the biggest problem with ACs because when the tubes corrode, they release the refrigerant gas into the air.

Since the gas is used for heat exchange and cooling, replacing it takes a lot of money. The type of gas used also has a bearing on your impact on the environment. Luckily, this air conditioner is based on the R32 refrigerant gas that doesn’t deplete ozone and contributes minimally to global warming.

In terms of energy consumption, this product comes with a 2.91 ISEER rating which means that it qualifies to be a 3-star product. Effectively, you can buy this AC if you only plan on using it for a few hours per day. If your requirements entail using it for more than 8 hours or even overnight, we suggest going for 5-star options.

The features of this window AC are fairly basic which means that there’s nothing new or groundbreaking but you’ll find the usual pre-filter, the self-diagnostic error codes, remote control, and automatic restart after power cuts.

The biggest flaw of this device is that it is noisier than its competitors. Another complaint that we’ve come across pretty often from new buyers is that the remote is broken out of the box. This could be a delivery-related problem or a manufacturing defect. We’re not sure.

The final flaw has to do with how new Havells is to the AC market. Because of their newness, they haven’t had the time to establish a wide service network. This can result in delays or incomplete responses from their representatives, especially in tier 2 and 3 cities.

Like most AC manufacturers, Lloyd will give you a 1-year warranty on the whole product and a 5-year one on the compressor. The model you’re likely to receive will depend on when you place the order. As of writing, it was 2021.

Who’s it for: If you’re very short on funding and need an AC for a very small room, get this one from Lloyd.

#2: Voltas 123 LYI/123 LZF, 1 Ton, 3 Star Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 5.5/10

Voltas is, by far, the leading name in the Indian AC market. The company has captured nearly a 5^th of the Indian AC market and has, in fact, retained its leadership over decades.

Their entry-level product in India is the Voltas 123 LYI/123 LZF window AC. This is a 1-ton device which makes it suitable for up to a 110 sq. ft. room.

However, as is the case with all 1-ton ACs, you’ll get more value for money by buying a higher capacity variant. There are two of them available too – one 1.4-ton and one 1.5-ton.

If for some reason, you have your heart set on a 1-ton AC, then you’ll find this one to be quite powerful but you’ll have to be very careful about the seller you order it from.

You see, in some quarters, an older version of this product is being sold that uses R22 as the refrigerant gas. While this makes the AC a little more powerful, it isn’t the best choice because it harms the environment and forces you to dip into the black market for gas refilling later.

Therefore, to avoid this problem, you need to ensure that you either buy a higher capacity air conditioner or get the latest model of this one. It doesn’t even matter whether you’re buying from Amazon or your local dealer.

Other than this seller-related flaw, the only other problem with this AC is that it doesn’t come with any type of coating. The condenser coil, though, is made up of copper which does help in lowering maintenance costs and improving efficiency.

This is partly the reason for this AC having a 2.93 ISEER rating. This translates into 3 stars.

This AC comes with the usual features and multiple running modes such as Eco, Turbo, and Sleep. However, on higher settings, this AC may make more noise than you might be used to.

It also comes with a remote but Voltas has the same remote for all its ACs. The most advanced features, though, are only available with higher-grade ACs. Therefore, you might receive a remote with some buttons that don’t work.

On the flip side, you do get a great product at very low rates from a super reliable brand in terms of post-sales service. The post-sales service makes the 1-year comprehensive and a 5-year compressor warranties valuable too.

Who’s it for: This AC is ideal for people in tier 2 or tier 3 cities who need cooling for very small rooms.

#3: Carrier ESTRA CX, 1 Ton, 3 Star Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10

Ideally, you would forego 1-ton window ACs and choose 1.5-ton variants especially since the same Carrier ESTRA CX model is available with 1.5-ton capacity.

However, if you absolutely have to get the smallest window AC in India, then the only one you should consider over all its competitors is the Estra CX from Carrier. Why do we think this is the best window AC in the 1-ton category?

First, you won’t be sent an older model by any dealer or seller. You’ll only get 2022 one.

Next, it has the highest ISEER value amongst 3-star, 1-ton window ACs in the market at 3.0. This means that it is one of the most energy-efficient ACs on the market. One of the reasons for this AC’s high efficiency is that its condenser is made up of 100% copper.

Third, this AC has the highest ambient temperature threshold in the 1-ton category. While other window ACs can only handle external temperatures in the late forties, this one can operate even at 50 degrees Celsius.

In other words, this AC will continue to cool your room long after its competitors have tripped and shut down. While this may not affect you if you live in the southern or coastal regions, it should be very important if you’re in North India where ambient temperatures can easily touch 50 degrees Celsius.

Remember, ambient temperature isn’t what you hear in the news, it is the temperature on the ground. Therefore, while the reported temperature maybe 44 or 45 degrees Celsius, it can be much higher on the AC’s body if it receives direct sunlight throughout the day.

Another great quality of this AC is that it will also stay with you a long time, this is because it comes with an anti-corrosion blue coating. Further, this AC will also be environmentally friendly because it uses R32 refrigerant gas.

Features wise also, this AC is competitive. Apart from the usual features, it supports an Energy Saver mode for when you need extra savings and a Dry mode for high humidity days.

Like most ACs in the Indian market, this one is protected by a 1-year comprehensive warranty and a 5-year warranty on the compressor.

All these features and qualities, however, mean that this AC’s price is slightly higher than others like it.

It is well-worth a purchase because this AC has only one flaw. It is noisier than others but only because of more power.

Who’s it for: If you cannot choose a 1.5-ton window AC and are restricted to a 1-ton window AC, this is the best one in the Indian market right now.

#4: Hitachi RAW511KUD Kaze Plus, 1 Ton, 5 Star Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 5.0/10

Hitachi is mainly known for its technology. In window ACs, advanced technology essentially means better energy efficiency.

This is evident from the fact that even their entry-level widow AC is a 5-star product.

We’re referring to the RAW511KUD Kaze Plus 1-ton window air conditioner which has an ISEER rating of 3.4.

However, if you truly want to see how awesome Hitachi technology can be, we recommend going for their 1.5-ton window AC.

That AC can operate perfectly even when the outside temperature rises to 52 degrees Celsius. And, the most unbelievable thing about that AC is that it is priced the same as this one!

While Hitachi’s technology has made this AC more energy-efficient, it has resulted in other changes too.

For example, despite having the same capacity, this AC is slightly more powerful than its competitors when it comes to its cooling potential. On the downside, it is also a bit larger than its competitors and tends to make a lot of noise.

The condenser coil in this AC is fully copper but it doesn’t come with any type of anti-corrosion coating. However, this is a problem that will only trouble you if you live in a coastal city or an industrial area.

The biggest risk with buying this AC, though, is that you might get an older model, specifically from 2020. What’s worse is that it is possible that that older model will be based on the R22 refrigerant gas.

As you’ll know already, this refrigerant gas is banned in India because of how damaging it is to the environment and the ozone layer. Moreover, if your AC leaks gas as all ACs do after some time, you’ll have to rely on the black market to get this gas. This can mean extra gas refilling expenses.

The AC features all the usual modes and settings ranging from the auto-restart to the filter cleaning indicator. Moreover, it manages its fan speed based on whether the compressor is on or not.

Hitachi ACs are almost always built to last. The stronger, more durable material means that they turn out to be more expensive than other devices in the market.

Being an international company, Hitachi doesn’t have the same kind of a service network in the company as competing brands. This makes the 1-year comprehensive and a 5-year compressor warranty much less attractive than it should have been.

Who’s it for: You should only go for this window AC if you want an air conditioner with more cooling potential than other 1-ton devices on the market.

5 Best 1.5 Ton Window ACs In India (2022): Detailed Reviews

#1: Lloyd GLW18B32WSEW, 1.5 Ton, 3 Star Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10

We reviewed the 1-ton version of this AC earlier in this guide. Most of the features are identical in the two models but this one has fewer flaws.

For instance, while that device can be quite noisy, this isn’t a problem that many users have reported with this model.

Similarly, a lot of users said that the 1-ton variant comes with inherently faulty remotes but there’s not a single complaint about this model’s remote.

We don’t know whether this is just a strange circumstance or if the company has paid more attention to this, more in demand, model.

Either way, we recommend choosing this product even if you were only looking for a 1-ton window AC. The price difference is about the same as one swanky dinner i.e., ₹2,000.

In fact, the only flaw this device shares with the 1-ton variant is that the company’s service network is still in its nascent stages. This means that its network is in the process of being created.

Until it is complete, tier 2 and tier 3 cities will likely be managed by outsourced technicians who aren’t as good as company employees.

The rest of the variables are the same. Like the other product, this one also has blue-coated evaporator and condenser coils, making them corrosion resistant and more energy-efficient. The tubing in the AC is also 100% copper and the refrigerant R32.

All these things combine to give this AC an ISEER value of 2.99 with a 3-star rating.

Features-wise, the AC boasts the self-diagnosis function where it gives error codes on an LED display and the auto restart function that allows it to start at the right setting after a power cut.

This one is only a couple of thousand rupees more expensive than the 1-ton variant and comes with the same warranty too – 1-year comprehensive and a 5-years compressor.

Who’s it for: If you want a cheap air conditioner from a company with a bright future, get this one from Lloyd.

#2: Voltas 175 LZH, 1.4 Ton, 5 Star Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10

The Voltas 175 LZH was only launched in 2021. In fact, it is so recent that even Voltas customer agents fail to recognize it without consulting their manuals.

It is possibly the best 5-Star Window AC In India in the budget market segment too.

The only reason it isn’t the best in all categories is the LG 5-star dual inverter AC in the premium category.

Since it was launched recently, it keeps up with the current trend of ACs having capacities in multiples of 0.2-ton instead of 0.5-ton.

Voltas, of course, has the traditional 1.5-ton AC too. In fact, you’ll have two options to pick from.

The first is the Voltas 183 DZA, 1.5 Ton, 3 Star Window AC which is about ₹1,000 more expensive than this one. The second is the Voltas 185 DZA/185 DZA, 1.5 Ton, 5 Star Window AC which is more than ₹4,000 more expensive.

This one is a 1.4-ton window AC which makes it suitable for rooms with an area of up to 150 sq. ft.

Being the latest model, the 1.4-ton variant can operate at ambient temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius. It does this through its 100% copper coils that are much better at heat transfer than coils made with other materials.

These coils also end up making this AC more energy-efficient. It has an ISEER value of 3.31 which makes it one of the least power-hungry 5-star ACs in the market. However, it does tend to make a lot of noise.

It is worth noting that the coils in this air conditioner don’t come with any type of coating. So, you might have to have a technician coat it manually.

The AC also comes with the usual features such as self-diagnosis with error codes on the display screen and a memory function that assists restarts after power cuts.

Notably, Voltas ACs now come digitally locked. This means that after installation, they’ll only turn on after you put in a code provided by the company through SMS. The company has done this to prevent third-party installations.

You can decide independently if this is a pro or con of Voltas ACs. We don’t think it is that big a deal because of the greatest quality of Voltas i.e., their service network.

Not only is their network widespread but it boasts of better technicians, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

Pricing-wise, this is one of the cheaper ACs in the 1.5-ton AC market and the company gives the usual 1-year warranty on it too.

Who’s it for: If you can do with 1.4-ton window AC and are based in a non-metropolitan city, go for this product from Voltas.

#3: Hitachi RAW318HEDO, 1.5 Ton, 3 Star Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 8.0/10

This device may not be the answer to the question “which window AC is best in the 1.5 ton category” but it definitely comes close.

The Hitachi RAW318HEDO also  won’t find any product better than this one when it comes to cooling, energy efficiency, features, and value for money.represents a very strange scenario that can only happen on the internet.

You see, this AC has the same list price as the Hitachi 1-ton window AC.

Seemingly odd, this scenario also shows you how skewed AC prices can be and that if the manufacturer was to price them fairly, they won’t ever seem exorbitant.

This product specifically is a great buy for precisely this reason. While not the cheapest in the 1.5-ton category (slightly more expensive than competitors), this window air conditioner gives value for money because it can operate even when temperatures are as high as 52 degrees Celsius.

This is a hugely beneficial quality, especially for people living in North India whose ACs will be receiving direct sunlight for the majority of the day.

This AC can function at such high ambient temperatures because of its 100% cooper condenser coils with inner grooves in the tubing. Even the fins in the AC come precoated.

The refrigerant this AC depends on is R32, which is widely regarded to be one of the most eco-friendly options in the market.

In terms of energy consumption, you should know that this AC is rated 3-stars. However, that is only a technicality. Let us explain.

If you check the ISEER value chart, a window AC is qualified 4-stars if it has an ISEER value of 3.10. This AC has an ISEER value of 3.09, which means a minuscule difference of 0.01.

In practice, this difference is negligible when it comes to the units of power this AC will use. For all intents and purposes, you can take this device to be a 4-star AC.

Another great quality that sets this window AC apart from its competitors is that its remote has backlighting. This makes it easier to use at the night. This is a fairly unique feature that very few window ACs offer.

There are other features worth noting too. For instance, there’s a filter clean indicator. Since cleaning the AC filter regularly can increase its life, this feature is quite useful.

Further, the AC has a function that will allow you to choose when the AC will reach a specific temperature. This means that if you want the air conditioner to cool at 20 degrees Celsius at 3:00 PM, then you can choose to set it up.

In addition to being slightly expensive, you should also know that this window AC isn’t supported by a nationwide service network. Hitachi is an international brand so this is understandable but it still takes away from the value of a 5-year compressor warranty.

Who’s it for: If your AC will spend a lot of time in direct sunlight or you want a backlit remote, get this product from Hitachi.

#4: Carrier ESTRA CX, 1.5 Ton, 4 Star Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10

Carrier is a company that will always stay reliable in the AC space. And even though this product here is not the best in its category, it has still made the top 5 window AC (1.5 ton) list for us.

They are, after all, the original inventors of the air conditioner.

As was the case with the 1-ton Carrier AC, choosing this one will also guarantee that you receive the latest 2022 model.

However, it isn’t just the year make that you should choose this model for (you’ll likely get 2022 models with others too). This also happens to be a great window AC.

In fact, if it wasn’t for the LG window ACs that we’ll be reviewing next, this would’ve probably been the best 1.5-ton window AC in India.

It is designed to be operational even when its surrounding temperatures rise to 50 degrees Celsius without making you cope with exorbitant power bills.

It is a 4-star window AC since its ISEER value is 3.21. A lot of this efficiency is a result of 100% copper coils with anti-corrosion blue fin coating.

The AC, being the latest model, doesn’t rely on banned refrigerant gases either. Instead, it uses environmentally friendly R32 gas.

The AC still turns out to be fairly noisy. If you’re a light sleeper, you might have trouble with it in the bedroom.

You’ll have multiple modes to play with, however. These include an Energy Saver mode, a Dry mode, and a Turbo mode, along with the Auto Swing mode. In addition to the modes, the AC boasts a timer and auto restart function to cope with power cuts.

The AC is also protected by a 1-year comprehensive and a 5-years compressor warranty but only if you live in a major city. The service network in smaller, out-of-the-way cities is not that great.

Who’s it for: If you want a durable window air conditioner from the people who invented ACs, get this one from Carrier.

#5: LG PW-Q18WUXA, 1.5 Ton, 4 Star DUAL Inverter Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 9.0/10

This is, by far, the best window inverter AC in India right now.

This also makes it the best window AC in the 1.5 ton category in India.

In fact, this makes it the best window AC (1.5 ton AND 5 star) in the country!

It offers the exceptional, state-of-the-art dual inverter technology that only a few products in the market can boast.

The dual inverter technology is an upgrade on inverter technology which means a dual inverter AC is not only more energy-efficient than a normal inverter AC but also quieter and more durable.

Further, because of its dual inverter technology, this AC also becomes a convertible AC. This means that you can run it at four different capacities which are 100% (1.4 ton), 80% (1.12 ton), 60% (0.84 ton), and 40% (0.56 ton). This creates exceptional flexibility in daily use.

Even the design of LG ACs is different. Instead of having a vertical air vent on the side, LG ACs have a horizontal air vent right at the top. This works out particularly well for people who install their ACs at the ground level because it ensures direct cool air at the bed or couch level.

This top horizontal air vent can be seen as a flaw by people who like to install their ACs higher up on the wall. However, even if you like to install your air conditioner closer to the roof, this shouldn’t create many problems.

While you won’t be able to feel direct cool air, your room will receive good cooling because cold air always sinks to the floor.

Even though dual inverter technology changes the game when it comes to energy efficiency, the standardized star-rating system from the BEE is still a good marker to evaluate this AC by.

This AC has an ISEER value of 3.26 in that grading system which qualifies it for 4-stars. However, since 3.30 is the benchmark for an AC to receive 5-stars, this AC only falls short by 0.04. This is fairly negligible when it comes to monthly power bills.

However, if you don’t want to compromise on that extra star, you can always go for the 5-star variant of this AC. You’ll only have to pay about ₹1,000 more for the LG JW-Q18WUZA, 1.5 Ton, 5 Star, Inverter, Window AC.

The biggest benefit of going for this model is that you’ll get Wi-Fi capability while the biggest drawback is that you’ll have to risk receiving an older model. There’s no surety that 2022 make is available for this model yet.

Inside the AC, you’ll find all copper coils with special Ocean Black protection. Ocean Black is LG’s coating designed to counter corrosion. Inside the copper coils, this AC will be running the environmentally friendly R32 refrigerant gas.

This AC has some unique features too.

The first of these is that this window AC has an inbuilt low gas detection system. Essentially, it senses that the gas is low in the AC and gives a CH 38 error on the display so you can call a technician.

This is a very useful feature because normally the only way we get to know that the AC needs a gas recharge is after it stops cooling.

The second is that you won’t need a stabilizer with this AC. This will save you another ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 and bring this air conditioner into the “affordable” price bracket.

However, if you don’t take this reduction into account (if you already have a stabilizer for example), you might find this window AC a bit too expensive.

Apart from these two features, the usual things are there too such as a clean filter indicator, auto start after power cuts, and a smart diagnosis system. One feature it lacks, though, is auto-swing.

The device even comes with the best warranty on the market too. It has a 1-year comprehensive like all such ACs. Where it differs is that the company offers a 5-year warranty on the PCB and a 10-year compressor warranty. Other brands only offer about 5-years on the compressor and nothing on the PCB.

All in all, we feel that this is the best 1.5-ton window AC in the market right now, despite its high list price. In fact, since the majority of people need 1.5-ton window ACs instead of 1-ton or 2-ton window ACs, this window AC is easily the best in the Indian market right now.

Who’s it for: If you want the best window (1.5 ton) AC in India, you won’t find any product better than this one when it comes to cooling, energy efficiency, features, and value for money.

3 Best 2 Ton Window ACs In India (2022): Detailed Reviews

#1: Voltas 242 LZH, 2 Ton, 2 Star Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.0/10

The 242 LZH is like the two other Voltas window ACs we’ve reviewed already.

The two major differences here are that this one is a 2-ton AC with an energy efficiency rating of 2 stars. These two differences, however, are connected.

To be a 2-ton air conditioner, the device has to be able to throw more cool air for longer periods. Naturally, this will increase the amount of power it consumes.

This is true for the majority of 2-ton ACs, by the way.

Other than the fact that it consumes a lot of power, this is a good AC to have for your room. It has a high ambient temperature threshold of 50 degrees Celsius which means that it will cool your room even in peak summer temperatures.

The condenser coil in this AC is made fully of copper. Unfortunately, like all Voltas ACs, the AC doesn’t come with any kind of anti-corrosion coating. This could prove to be a problem if you live near open drains or coastal regions.

Inside the coils, this AC runs the R32 refrigerant gas which is true for most ACs today.

There’s this uncertainty with this AC in terms of which year make you’ll receive. Even so, we know that models older than 2021 are no longer in the market so there’s no risk of a 2020 model coming your way.

At the same time, there’s no certainty that you’ll get the 2022 model either. The deeper you are into the 2022 year, however, the higher the chances that you will.

Features-wise, this AC has all the usual ones. Voltas gives Eco, Turbo, and Sleep modes in all their ACs along with self-diagnosis systems.

This AC, though, also boasts an active dehumidifier. Most air conditioners dehumidify rooms passively i.e., in the process of cooling them. This one does it actively. This means that it has a humidity sensor that monitors and manages humidity in the room.

Since it is a 2-ton window AC, it is pretty expensive to buy and run. Voltas does provide great support with its nationwide service network and a great warranty. There’s a 1-year comprehensive warranty, and a 5-years warranty on the condenser and the compressor.

Who’s it for: If you have a room that is under or very close to 200 sq. ft with a centrally located window, get this AC.

#2: Hitachi RAW222KVD Kaze, 2 Ton, 2 Star Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 6.0/10

Hitachi’s 2-ton window air conditioner has qualified for our list mainly because of the durability of their products.

2-ton window ACs almost always operate under difficult conditions.

They either have to handle rooms that are larger than recommended size or rooms that see a lot of footfall.

They need to do this while trying to cope with being in one corner of the room because they’re rarely installed in a central location. All this added pressure means that the AC needs to be especially durable which is something that Hitachi products are known for.

If it wasn’t for this specific quality, we wouldn’t have chosen this AC because of one major flaw. This is the fact that some users report older models being sent to them.

What’s more, is that these older models were based on R22 refrigerant gas. R22 is banned in India because of its negative environmental impact. In addition to environmental damage, the banning of this gas means that you’ll have trouble with the gas recharge as it is only available on the black market.

Here’s a disclaimer, though. It’s entirely possible that the latest model with R32 refrigerant gas has become available in the market by now. The best way to ensure this is to ask your dealer or seller to commit to delivering the 2022 or at least 2021 model because that would ensure R32 refrigerant gas.

After all, once you get around the R22 problem, this is indeed an impressive AC. It has a 100% copper condenser coil to ensure better cooling and power efficiency. It is only a 2-star rated window AC with an ISEER value of 2.75 but that’s true for most 2-ton window ACs in the market.

Hitachi says that the AC has gone through 43 quality tests, which is impressive too. It has the usual features such as a startup timer, a Dry mode, auto restart after power cuts, and even a filter clean indicator.

The standard warranties of 1-year comprehensive and a 5-years compressor have been provided with this device. This is important because this 2-ton window AC is expensively priced.

Don’t let the price throw you, though. If you can get the latest model, the sturdiness of Hitachi ACs means that this AC will last a long time and take away the need of replacing ACs every 5 to 10 years.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a particularly sturdy 2-ton window AC, get this one from Hitachi.

#3: Blue Star 3W24GBT, 2 Ton, 3 Star Window AC

Editor’s Rating: 8.0/10

Blue Star is an outlier in the Indian AC market. The reason we say this is that, unlike other brands, Blue Star is not aggressive about the retail market.

Instead, the company targets and is super successful in the commercial market.

If you take a walk to the nearest commercial or office complex, you’re likely to find more Blue Star units than others. Here’s why.

Blue Star’s ACs offer the perfect blend of cooling potential, energy efficiency, and cost benefits to commercial establishments.

Now, even though the costing benefits wouldn’t apply to you here because they’re exclusively reserved for bulk orders, the other benefits still will.

Consider energy efficiency. This is one of the fewer 2-ton window ACs in the market with a 3-star rating. This is going to go a long way in helping you save money. You’ll get this energy efficiency without compromising on cooling capacity too.

The efficiency is a result of copper condenser coils in the AC. Copper, itself, is resistant to corrosion but the fins in this air conditioner have a hydrophilic blue coating too.

The environmental impact of this air conditioner is also low because it is based on R32 refrigerant gas.

What’s more, is that Blue Star is one step ahead of its competitors in terms of ensuring the durability of its products. They do this with two unique features.

The first is a metal enclosure for the PCB in the AC. PCB stands for printed circuit board which is typically made up of plastic. It can fail when exposed to heat which is something that happens pretty often in older ACs.

However, with a metal enclosure, the temperature threshold for failure goes higher and the PCB lasts longer.

The second unique feature is the anti-freeze thermostat. The purpose of this feature is to prevent frost damage caused by the AC being run at very low temperatures.

Other than these features, this air conditioner has functions typical of window ACs such as self-diagnosis and Sleep mode.

The only flaw that this window air conditioner really has is its cost. It is more expensive than any other comparable AC available in the market but then it does offer all the qualities we have already mentioned.

If you do decide to go for this window AC, though, your investment will be protected by a 1-year comprehensive warranty and a 5-years warranty on the compressor.

Who’s it for: If you can spend a little extra, this is the best window AC in the 2-ton category that you can find in India right now.

An AC tonnage calculator in India is super-convenient. The only problem is that most AC ton calculators you’ll find online will not be able to take into account variables that are specific to your unique situations. However, if you take the time to calculate the AC tonnage for your room, you will still avoid a lot of potential AC problems. Further, not picking an AC with the right tonnage can mean paying more in electricity bills.

But before we explain how you can go about calculating exactly how many tonnes of AC you need, let’s first understand what ‘AC ton’ actually means.

• What Is Ton In AC
• AC Tonnage Calculation Formula
• How Well-Sealed Your Room Is
• How Much Sunlight It Receives and How Humid Your City Tends to Be
• How Many People You Expect To Stay In The Room

What is AC Ton and AC Capacity?

As you already know, room size and AC tonnage are closely related but before we delve into this relationship, let’s understand the basic term “ton”. In the simplest terms, the ‘ton’ of an AC shows you its cooling capacity. The more the tonnage of an AC the higher its cooling capacity. So, a 1.5-ton AC will cool more and faster than a 1-ton AC and a 2-ton AC will cool more and faster than a 1.5 ton.

How to Calculate AC Ton for your Room Size Without an AC Tonnage Calculator in India

AC Tonnage Calculation Formula: How Much Ton AC is Required for Bedroom & Other Rooms

If you’re wondering how to calculate AC ton for your room yourself, this is the section you need to pay attention to.

Since the AC tonnage calculation formula deals with temperatures i.e., heat and cooling, we have to understand BTU. BTU stands for British Thermal Unit and is used for measuring heat. 1 BTU is a specific amount of heat that is required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.

Generally speaking, a 1-ton AC can remove 12000 BTUs of heat. So:

1 ton = 12000 BTUs

The amount of heat in any physical space varies with the time of day as well the changing seasons. Also, most people, when trying to calculate the AC tonnage for a room, are working with the dimensions of a room. Therefore, BTU alone offers no help and you need a way to convert this measuring unit to room size.

Unfortunately, translating BTUs to square feet is a long and tedious process. Fortunately, the experts have already done the work for us.

They recommend that the thumb rule for AC tonnage calculation is:

20 BTUS ARE NEEDED PER SQUARE FOOT OF SPACE

Now that you know the dimensions of your room, you can easily find how many tonnes of AC you need with the right AC room size chart. Here we have compiled an AC tonnage chart showing just that:

If you know the height of your room ceiling, you can get an even more accurate idea of the AC tonnage that you need with online AC tonnage calculators. It doesn’t even matter whether you’re looking for a window or split AC ton calculator. You can use any but this AC capacity calculator from Carrier is particularly useful:

Tonnage Calculator – Carrier Midea India

It’s important to note that while calculating the AC tonnage for a room it’s a good idea to keep the maximum temperature in mind. The tonnage requirement of a 10 ft x 10 ft room in a city where the maximum temperature never exceeds 35 degrees Celsius would obviously differ from one where the temperature regularly touches 40 degrees.

Also, it is usually a good idea to go for the slightly higher tonnage AC if you have that option. For example, if your room measures 120 sq. ft. or something similar, then you’ll be better off buying a 1-ton AC than a 0.75-ton AC.

Now that you know the right AC tonnage for your room, have a look at the best split ACs available in the Indian market.

Other factors that determine what ton of AC you should go for are:

AC Capacity According to Room Size & How Well the Room is Sealed

By far the most important factor in determining whether or not your cooling efforts will be successful is how well the space is sealed.

Even if you have an AC with a higher tonnage, if there are gaps under the doors or constant opening and shutting of doors, there are bound to be leakages.

The installation plays a role too.

A split AC installation often produces a very small hole in the wall for the outlet pipes and this hole is usually sealed well by the technician.

With a window AC, however, things are different. The area around the AC has to be padded and well-sealed with the materials that are often provided with the AC. Not doing this results in constant air leakage and inefficiency of cooling.

If the space is such that there is constant opening and shutting of doors, you may consider buying a slightly higher tonnage to reduce energy leakages in peak summer conditions when cooling is required the most.

Consider Direct Sunlight & Humidity When You Calculate AC Tonnage for your Room

Weather conditions affect the efficiency of cooling tremendously.

It’s a no-brainer that a room that faces direct sunlight heats up a lot more and a lot faster than one that does not. In fact, it is not uncommon to see a temperature difference of 2-3 degrees in rooms that are facing the direct sun as compared to those that are not.

Further, top floors often get heated directly by the summer sun and are much hotter than the rest of the floor in a building. Other critical factors worth considering include how many sides of a room face sunlight and for how many hours.

If your room faces direct sunlight, especially in the peak summer months, it would be highly advisable to go for a slightly higher tonnage than the AC tonnage chart recommends. Doing this would ensure that you get maximum cooling when you actually need it.

Humidity too plays an important part. While dry heat decreases the efficiency of cooling, humid conditions often help it. For example, people living in coastal regions don’t need as much cooling power as people living in landlocked areas.

How to Calculate AC Tonnage & Consider Number of People

This is often something that people forget to take into consideration. The number of people in a room directly affects its temperature and thus how much cooling capacity is needed.

If you are buying an AC for your home, this is a relatively simple process. Where it gets complicated is when you are buying an AC for commercial purposes. In such a scenario it is best to first consider an average of the number of people and then plan for the maximum load as well. In effect, it often translates to buying a slightly higher tonnage.

Split AC vs Window AC is a battle that rages in the mind of any person who is on the market for a new air conditioner. It’s an even battle too which means that there’s no clear winner.

So, which AC is best, split or window? The real answer is that it depends. However, to be able to decide between the two, let’s refresh your knowledge of what they are.

Split AC vs Window AC: Definitions and Descriptions

The main difference between window air conditioning and split air conditioning is one of structure design.

The window-type air conditioners are those where all the parts of the air conditioner: the evaporator coils, the compressor, the condenser coils, and the expansion valve are contained within one unit. It is typically in the shape of a box.

On the other hand, a split type air conditioner as compared to a window air conditioner has two units: the outdoor and the indoor unit.

The cool parts of the air conditioner i.e., the evaporator coils and the filter are housed inside the indoor unit while the warm parts like the compressor, the condenser coils, and the venting fan are placed on the outdoor unit.

These differences in the design translate to some major differences in the functionality of the air conditioners in the long term. Here are the factors to consider when making your choice:

Window AC vs Split AC #1: Power Consumption

Air conditioners are expensive and running them is also a considerable spend. Most people know this already, though.

What they get wrong is when they think that split ACs are inherently more energy-efficient than window ACs. While they are in the majority of cases, this isn’t always true. So, when it comes to power consumption which is best? Window AC or split AC?

Here’s the whole story.

The power consumption of an air conditioner depends on a lot of factors. It is quantified as an EER rating. EER stands for Energy Efficiency Rating and the higher the rating the more energy efficient your AC is going to be. Nowadays, you can find both split and window ACs with high EER ratings.

While most split ACs do turn out to be more energy-efficient, it is an oversimplification to think that all split ACs are more energy-efficient than window-type ACs.

In fact, you may even find that a newer window-type AC model turns out to be more efficient than a slightly older split AC model. The rating has to be considered.

However, all other things like tonnage (calculating AC tonnage is not all that difficult) and energy ratings being the same, the best split ACs in the Indian market will always offer more benefits than the best window ACs for home in India.

Even so, if your needs demand that you go for a window-type AC, then don’t hold back simply because you may have to pay more for power. Just opt for a model with a higher EER rating.

Other factors should play into how you make your decision though. Let’s see the next one

Window or Split AC #2: Installation

This one is critical if you’re about to purchase a new AC and are trying to decide which is better window AC or split AC.

Installation in a window-type AC is pretty straightforward and does not need an expert hand. You can get it installed in any adequately sized window pretty conveniently.

Installation of the Split AC, on the other hand, requires some prior thought. Even though the indoor unit can be installed anywhere, you do need more space for mounting the outdoor unit and they do have to be somewhat close to each other, or you will be paying for the extra cost of coils and tubing.

Another factor to consider is the water outlet. In a split type AC, the water outlet pipe has to be given proper way. Not just that, if your internal unit is not mounted in the right manner by expert hands, the water can end up collecting in the unit and even dripping on your walls and wallpaper.

In a window AC the water usually exits out the back but you do end up losing a source of natural light for your space. Also, there is an additional safety concern.

A window-type AC can be removed quite conveniently on the ground level and this might compromise the safety of your home. On the other hand, with the split AC, you do have to consider the safety of your outer unit, since it is usually located on the outside periphery, it is prone to damage.

Window AC or Split AC #3: Maintenance

Another difference between a window AC and a split AC has to do with maintenance costs and difficulties. Since the window-type AC can be accessed easily, its maintenance is simple and relatively cheaper than the split ACs.

With the split AC, you’ll have to maintain two parts – the outer unit and the inner unit. While the outer unit does not present much of a challenge, it’s the inner unit that needs experts.

For instance, the first challenge is that the inner unit has to be serviced while it is mounted on the wall. Then, the next challenge is deep cleaning the fan blades and evaporator coils.

Doing this type of cleaning means that your walls, false ceiling, or wallpaper face the danger of getting soiled and stained. Avoiding this is pretty difficult too. Even trained technicians using specially designed high-power jet sprays and uniquely designed catch-cloths find it difficult to prevent dirty water from running down the walls.

It takes a lot of skill to avoid this which means that you may end up paying more for the technicians’ expertise. Moreover, you might have to move some furniture.

That’s why it’s always best to know and plan in advance where your split AC will be mounted and how it will be serviced.

Split AC or Window AC #4: Noise

The window-type AC tends to be a lot noisier than the split AC. This is because the unit houses the compressor as well, which happens to be the noisiest part of the AC.

In the split AC, the compressor is located in the outer unit. This means that there is minimal noise production in the inner unit, in most cases under 50 decibels.

This makes the split AC a good choice for kid’s rooms and offices and study spaces.

Split AC, of course, is also more aesthetically pleasing. This makes it the winner when it comes to the split AC vs window AC battle for living rooms and dining halls.

Split AC Versus Window AC#5: Cooling Capacity

Cooling a space depends on a lot of factors.

The tonnage of the AC matters most obviously, but other variables like how well the room is sealed, the presence of direct sunlight, and even the room shape matter too.

Between split and window ACs, it’s important to know that there are not any models above 2 tonnes in window ACs, whereas you do get options for a higher tonnage in split AC models.

So, if your space needs an AC of more than 2 tonnes, you’ll automatically be limited to split ACs. Split ACs do generally perform better when just looking at the cooling as the inner unit is mounted higher up on the wall and cold air sinks to the bottom. This creates a cool air current in the room which cools the whole room.

With the window-type ACs, the cold wind is thrown directly at you, which can be bothersome sometimes. In contrast, split ACs cool the entire space and you don’t have to deal with direct chilly air directly.

There is also the issue of cold and warm air pockets in the same room with window ACs, which is mitigated with a split AC.

Split ACs also have the separation of the cold and warm components of the AC which further enhances the efficiency. Due to this reason, split ACs perform better in larger and non-uniform spaces. They also come in a cassette design which can be mounted on the ceiling for multi-directional airflow.

Another split-type option is the multi-split air conditioners. These devices have two separate indoor units with just one outdoor unit. This can be super-efficient in terms of cooling multiple rooms and space management.

Window ACs on the other hand do best when it is a well-sealed clearly defined space with the AC not facing direct sunlight.

Split vs Window AC #6: Price

Price is a major difference between window air conditioning and split air conditioning.

When looking at the initial cost of the AC, installation costs, and maintenance charges, it may be fair to say that split ACs tend to be more expensive than window ACs.

However, what you pay for running the AC on a day-to-day basis is where the real spending is. If your space is not well sealed, both types of ACs can end up costing you more in running charges.

How an AC performs in the long run has a lot to do with how well suited for the space it is. A window AC with a good EER rating can be just as effective as a split AC if it is adequately sized for the space.

If you are really constrained on the budget, then window AC with a 5-star energy rating may be your best bet. However, the split-type AC is not only the safer and more aesthetic bet in most scenarios but also the best when it comes to cooling efficiency.

For the longest time, products that provided the maximum cooling for the lowest bills were considered to be the best split ACs in India. That perspective is undergoing a paradigm shift now. The rising pollution levels in various Indian cities are pushing people to add another variable to this equation – clean air.

While Delhi NCR sits on top of the pile of most polluted cities, even featuring in global lists, other metros aren’t far behind either. For example, both Mumbai and Bangalore feature in the top 50 list of Indian cities with the highest pollution levels. Globally, 14 of the top 15 most polluted cities are Indian including all the satellite cities of the Delhi NCR.

While cities in Southern India don’t feature in such lists as heavily as their northern counterparts, that is only because of their coastal nature. Because of the wind dynamics, the air in these cities isn’t polluted round the year. Even so, they still get days of haze, smoke, dust, and PM 2.5-laden air.

The common man can’t do much about the quality of air in his city, except make an effort to not pollute. What you can do, however, is keep the air in your home purified.

To do this, you need as many things working in your favor as possible. This means sealing your windows and doors, buying air purifiers, and even getting an air conditioner with air purifying capabilities. Every. Little. Bit. Helps.

This is why we’ve created this ultimate guide on the best split air conditioners in India with air purifying qualities. Just like you’ll find everything about dealing with pollution on this website, on this page, you’ll get everything you need to know about using your split air conditioner against pollution.

From the basics to the advanced, we’ve included everything possible so if you wish to skip the knowledge section and just get to the reviews of the best split ACs available in the market right now, feel free to use the navigation panel below.

• Will a Split AC in India Purify Air Too?
• Which Is the Best AC Brand in India?
• Buying an Air Conditioner in India: Online vs. Dealers
• How to Choose the Best AC in India?
• Inverter Split Air Conditioners Vs. Normal Split Air Conditioners
• How To Choose Between 1 Ton, 1.5 Ton, and 2 Ton Split Air Conditioners in India?
• Taking Special Requirements into Account: Condenser Material, Coating & Refrigerant Gas
• 12 Best Split ACs in India: At a Glance
• 4 Best Split Air Conditioners in India up to 1 Ton: Detailed Reviews
• 4 Best 1.5 Ton Split ACs in India: Detailed Reviews
• 4 Best 2 Ton Split Air Conditioners in India: Detailed Reviews

Will a Split AC in India Purify Air Too?

In a nutshell, YES.

Even old-school split ACs i.e., those with only dust filters purify air to a certain extent. However, the devices that make a real difference are those that come with PM 2.5 filters. These filters can purify the air in the same way that standalone air purifiers do.

Typically, the PM 2.5 filters in split air conditioners are much smaller than the primary dust filters. However, this is because if they’re made bigger, then they’ll restrict proper airflow and the primary purpose of the AC i.e., cooling the room.

The most important thing here is that it doesn’t matter how big these PM 2.5 or HEPA filters are in the long run. The reason is that the air in your room will be cycled through the air conditioner multiple times. For those of you who think, the AC pulls air from the outside, here’s an explanation.

The belief that your AC pulls in air from the outside comes from the fact that the outer unit of your AC is, well, outside. However, that outer unit doesn’t supply the air into your room. The purpose of the outer unit is to be the exchanger for all the heat that your indoor unit is directing towards it.

You see, the refrigerant gas in your split AC cycles between the indoor and outer units constantly. In the indoor unit, it takes the heat from the indoor air that the unit is circulating. In the outdoor unit, it throws that heat into the surrounding area, turning cold in the process and returning to the indoor unit again.

At no point in this heat exchange, does your room’s air ever leave the four walls. It just keeps circulating in the room, getting cooler and cleaner in the process because it goes through the PM 2.5 filter again and again.

This is why it doesn’t matter if the PM 2.5 filter in your split AC is smaller than the dust filter, especially if you have sealed your room well. Of course, if you use an air-purifying split AC along with a standalone air purifier, then you get cleaner air faster.

While we’re talking about filters, a quick word for HD filters, anti-viral filters, and other filtration technologies.

HD filters are, essentially, High-Density filters that capture about 10 to 20 percent more dust particles than your standard dust filters. Anti-viral filters capture some larger viruses and other technologies such as ionization and ultraviolet sterilization kill those viruses.

Anti-viral filters aren’t common and technologies like ionization and UV sterilization are even rarer, available in only one AC brand.

Which Is the Best AC Brand in India?

Two things are most important when it comes to split AC brands operating in India – build quality or durability and post-sales service.

Traditionally, O General is considered to be the best option when it comes to build quality. However, to get that extra durability you have to pay a lot more than other brands in the market.

What you need to remember when it comes to build quality of split AC’s, though, is that they don’t need to be as strong as your steel almirahs. They only need to be strong enough to withstand environmental conditions.

Unlike window ACs, your split AC will be serviced exactly where it is instead of being pulled, dragged, yanked, pushed, shoved, and cajoled into the balcony or the bathroom. Therefore, your split AC, once installed, will not be moved around much.

Even if you move from one home to another, the compact nature of the split AC means that it is much less likely to get damaged during the move than the window AC. This is important because the build quality offered by other brands like Voltas, Carrier, Daikin, Lloyd, and Panasonic is more than enough for the ACs to last for years.

In terms of the other variable i.e., post-sales service, everything depends on how big a network of dealers and service centers the brand has. From this perspective, the market leaders have been Voltas and Whirlpool.

They not only have company-owned and operated service centers in most locations in the country but also have the largest networks of authorized third-party service centers.

Unfortunately, this, in no way, assures you of flawless post-sales service. That depends on the quality, professionalism, and skill set of the technician your job is assigned to. At best of times, this is all about luck and this is true for online purchases of split ACs too.

Buying an Air Conditioner in India: Online vs. Dealers

This is a question about preferences more than anything else but there are things you should be considering.

Online purchases will always end up saving you money. Because online sellers don’t have to worry about the cost of maintaining a shop or showroom, they can make profits with lower list prices.

You can expect a difference of about ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 in normal circumstances. If you add special discount days such as festival offers or Prime days, you can expect these to double or even triple. Additionally, you’ll also see extended warranties with some products too.

With dealers, the biggest issue is inconsistency. If you want to save money with dealers, it all depends on how well you can bargain with them. Even if you think you’re amazing at bargaining, you need to remember that these shopkeepers are essentially professional bargainers.

You cannot pull one over them no matter how good you are. They will always get their profit margins. To really get a deal with dealers, you’ll have to shop around. This means visiting five to ten dealers and getting them to compete with each other.

Tell them the competing offers and try to get them to outdo each other. Even then, since these dealers usually cooperate with each other through associations, you can be sure that the discounts or freebies you get will be substandard.

There’s another factor to consider, though. This is the post-sales service. Many dealers double up as authorized service providers for these brands. This means that they get service requests for online purchases too.

If the dealer has problems with online purchases, he can cause problems with online installation and service requests. On the other hand, if you buy from them, they may ensure decent service because they’re directly in charge of supplying the technicians.

While many dealers have problems with online sellers, most aren’t so aggressive that they’ll ruin installation and service requests. Besides, the easiest way of avoiding the problem of bad service with online purchases is to make sure that you get technicians from the company instead of local dealers.

It’s a little inconvenient because it can delay your installation as you’ll be sending back the local chumps till company guys show up, but it is worth the effort to save money.

Best Split AC up to 1 Ton	Best 1.5 Ton Split AC	Best 2 Ton Split AC
Panasonic CS/CU-NU12XKYW, 1 Ton, 5 Star, Wi-Fi, Inverter Split Air Conditioner	Panasonic CS/CU-NU18WKYW, 1.5 Ton 5 Star Wi-Fi Twin Cool Inverter Split AC	TCL TAC-22CSD/TPV4S, 2 Ton, 4 Star, WIFI, AI Inverter Split AC
The best air purifying split AC in the 1-ton category that can be accessed through WIFI, enabling cool features like voice control, remote control, and complete app-based management.	The 1.5-ton, WIFI-enabled, split air conditioner with solid air purifying capabilities without the downside of heavy-duty electricity bills.	The best energy-efficiency, 2-ton split air conditioner in India with exclusive air purifying and virus-killing technologies such as ionization and ultraviolet sterilization.
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How to Choose the Best AC in India?

A split air conditioner is not a small investment. Not only will you have to spend a lot of money to get one but the act of spending so much money will also mean that you will be wedded to the device for the foreseeable future. After all, it is only the richest guys who can think about switching devices after having spent a minimum of ₹25,000 and up to ₹60,000 on it.

This means that you have to be very careful about the purchase. The first thing is to decide where you stand when it comes to split ACs vs window ACs. Most people already know where they stand in this battle but if you have doubts, click that link to see a comparison.

Even after you’ve decided, you’ll need to take into account a few other variables so that you don’t regret your purchase later. The big question then is what variables you should be considering. Let’s look at each, one by one.

Inverter Split Air Conditioners Vs. Normal Split Air Conditioners

Here’s the bottom line. The best inverter AC in India will always be better than the best non-inverter AC in India so long as their capacities are the same. However, there are two conditions where you should choose a non-inverter AC:

1. If you don’t think you’ll be using your split air conditioner for more than an hour or two every day.
2. If you literally don’t have or can’t spend the few extra thousand bucks that you need to get an inverter split air conditioner.

Yes, it really is that definitive.

A split air conditioner has the potential to pay for itself and more within five to ten years of usage simply in terms of the money it helps you save on your electricity bills.

While the exact numbers vary based on the split AC’s energy-saving capabilities (read: BEE stars or ISEER ratings), average temperatures in your city, heat waves, your room’s exposure to direct sunlight, and how well your room is sealed, even the worst inverter split air conditioners are considerably more pocket-friendly than their non-inverter cousins.

Further, in terms of comfort, you’ll find an inverter split AC to be better than a non-inverter one because you won’t constantly be shuttling between feeling extremely cold and super-hot.

The reason for this lies in how inverter and non-inverter split ACs differ. Here’s a simple explanation

How Do Inverter Split Air Conditioners Work?

Your standard inverter split AC can be compared to your car. The equivalent of your standard non-inverter split AC would be a car that had only two speeds – 0 and 100.

When the room is hot and you turn on your non-inverter split AC, its compressor goes at 100 Km per hour. When the room reaches your chosen temperature, the compressor shuts off and the AC is going at 0.

Now, your room is getting hot again because the AC’s cooling is off. When the room reaches a certain temperature, the compressor turns on again and works at maximum capacity i.e., 100 Km per hour.

The inverter split AC is different.

When you turn it on, it goes full-tilt to achieve the temperature you told it to target with your remote. However, when the room reaches that temperature, the inverter AC’s compressor doesn’t shut off.

It operates at a lower capacity of say 50 Km per hour. Depending on the heat load and how quickly the room is getting warm again, this could be 10 Km per hour, 25 Km per hour, or even 75 km per hour.

Now, if your car could only drive at 0 or 100, what would happen? If you know your cars, you know that acceleration is the biggest drain on fuel. This means that every time you try to increase the speed of your car, you will burn more fuel. This is why a car gives a much better mileage on highways than on city roads. After all, there’s no traffic on highways and you can maintain a constant speed for the majority of the drive.

The same principle applies to your AC. By constantly turning the compressor on and off, the AC consumes a lot of electricity, running up your bills in the process. On the other hand, because inverter AC’s allow compressors to coast and maintain steady temperatures, they don’t consume as much electricity.

What Affects Your Inverter Split Air Conditioner’s Power Consumption?

The biggest variable that affects how much power your split Air conditioner consumes to keep a room cool is the temperature outside. The higher it is, the more power it will use and the higher your bills will be. Remember, this isn’t about how hot it “feels like” outside but instead the actual temperature because how hot you feel depends on humidity too.

The next big variable is the efficiency of the inverter split AC. The efficiency depends on the technology inside the device. In India, this efficiency is evaluated by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) which comes under the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India.

The BEE gives AC’s an ISEER rating which stands for Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This rating is given up to two decimals on five. The higher the ISEER score of an AC, the more it can cool with the lowest possible power consumption.

The ISEER rating determines the star rating of the AC too. ISEER ratings exceeding 4.5 earn the ACs five stars, between 4.0 and 4.5 gets them four stars, between 3.5 and 4.0 means three stars, and lower than 3.5 means only two stars.

A five-star inverter split AC will give you a much lower electricity bill than a three-star inverter split AC which, in turn, will be better than two-star inverter ACs. The savings particularly prove to be massive between inverter and non-inverter ACs.

Other than external temperatures and energy efficiency ratings, how well you seal your room will also play a role in how much power your AC consumes. The better sealed your room is, the easier it will be for your AC to maintain your chosen temperature.

Remember how your parents used to yell at you to close the door when the AC was on? Well, this is why they did it.  Sealing the room also helps you get clean air as the air in the room circulates through the AC’s HEPA filter much faster.

To seal the room, you can get door seals from any hardware store. The seals are basically metal strips with nylon brushes at the bottle. You screw the metal strip at the bottom of the door and the brushes drag on the floor to seal the room.

If you don’t want to visit the local hardware store, you can get these seals on Amazon too. The Aluminium Deco Window Door Seal is of the standard design. Another door seal with an innovative design is this foam-based Sealing Strip from Radiant. The second one is less sturdy but easier to install. So, take your pick.

When sealing your room, we strongly suggest doing it on all doors. This means even doors that don’t lead outside such as bathroom doors. Also, make sure you take measurements before buying these door seals.

How To Choose Between 1 Ton, 1.5 Ton, and 2 Ton Split Air Conditioners in India?

While the most important question for people looking to buy a split air conditioner, this is also the easiest to answer. The reason is that most manufacturers explicitly state what size room their AC is suitable for (there’s even an easy-to-use AC tonnage calculation chart if you’re interested).

For example, the majority of manufacturers say that a 1-ton split air conditioner is suitable for a room with an area of up to 110 sq. ft. Similarly, when it comes to 1.5-ton split air conditioners, you’ll find that most manufacturers agree on a room size of about 150 to 160 sq. ft. Finally, for 2-ton split air conditioners, manufacturers say that it is suitable for a room with an area around 150 sq. ft. and above.

If you do thorough research, you will notice that some brands like Panasonic and TCL will vary in their evaluations by 10 to 30 sq. ft.

For the most part, the manufacturers’ assessments of their products are fairly accurate. The only issue comes when your room falls on the cusp of those assessments. For example, if your room’s area is 160 sq. ft., should you go for a 1.5-ton AC or a 2-ton AC?

When it comes to such decisions, we suggest checking how much direct sunlight the room receives. If it receives a lot of direct sunlight, then you should go for the bigger capacity AC, and if not, for the lower capacity AC.

Taking Special Requirements into Account: Condenser Material, Coating & Refrigerant Gas

There are a few other elements that you may want to analyze when considering which air purifying split air conditioner is best for you. We say “may” because these are not critical elements. Instead, these are elements that different people will view differently based on their specific circumstances and preferences.

Condenser Type

There was a time when an air conditioner with 100% copper condenser and compressor was considered to be special. These days, air conditioners, especially the split variety, are expected to offer 100% copper feature as standard.

Earlier, the industry relied on aluminum because of two reasons. The first is that it is cheaper than copper in terms of raw cost and the other is that it is cheaper to work with because it is considerably more malleable.

However, copper is significantly more efficient when it comes to heat exchange which is the most important underlying principle that air conditioners rely on.

Further, copper is far more resistant to corrosion than aluminum, specifically in environments with a lot of humidity and salty air. Even open city drains can cause the condenser in your AC to corrode.

If the coils are coated with hydrophilic coatings like Blue Fin or Gold Fin, then copper’s inherent resistance is even better. In fact, if you already have an air conditioner that doesn’t have these coatings, a veteran technician will tell you to paint the coils for better protection.

Fin Coating

As mentioned in the previous section, hydrophilic coatings prevent the condenser coils from corroding. Typically, this kind of corrosion is caused by coastal air because it contains too much salt and gases released by large, open drains.

In the majority of cases, these coatings are presented as Blue or Gold but some brands use their own terms such as Aqua Clear. It boils down to the same thing i.e., your ACs coils have a coating that resists corrosion by pushing away moisture.

Refrigerant Gas

The refrigerant gas used in your AC will have no direct impact on your life. However, what you choose now will affect your children in the future because certain refrigerant gases are more environment-friendly than others.

Most modern split air conditioners have already switched to the industry-recognized environment-friendly refrigerant gas, R32. While some refrigerant gases such as the R410 or R22 may be a little more effective than R32, the latter is better for the environment.

The R410 and R22 gases, when released into the atmosphere due to leakage, can wreak havoc on the ozone layer of the planet. Since the ozone layer is responsible for blocking off harmful ultraviolet rays in sunlight, by using devices based on these gases, you’re contributing to the destruction of the environment.

Service Quality

This is something that you need to assess on a case-by-case basis because the extent of the service network doesn’t only vary from one brand to another but also from one city to another.

Further, there’s the element of how professional and skillful the technicians are wherever you live. While the installation and maintenance of a split AC are not very complicated, an incompetent technician can still cause problems.

For instance, people in smaller cities often complain about their ACs leaking water or not cooling after installation. This doesn’t happen because the ACs they’ve purchased are substandard but because of the imbecile who installed them.

Therefore, before you pull the proverbial trigger online, we suggest you make sure of a few things.

1. The brand you’ve chosen has a decent network in your locality.
2. The brand’s network doesn’t comprise of local dealers with no professional training from the company.

The easiest way to find this information is to talk to your friends, family members, and neighbors. You’ll get excellent intel that way.

12 Best Split ACs in India: At a Glance

4 Best Split Air Conditioners in India up to 1 Ton: Detailed Reviews

#1: AmazonBasics SOL12FS3, 1 Ton, 3 Star Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10

This is easily the cheapest split air conditioner in India right now. It’s not surprising that the manufacturer of this device is Amazon because this eCommerce giant specializes in finding new lucrative markets and then disrupting them by manufacturing incredibly low-priced options.

Considering how low its price is, the SOL12FS3 split air conditioner from AmazonBasics is quite impressive. It’s a 1-ton device which makes it suitable for a small size room.

At its virtually throwaway price, though, you cannot expect this air conditioner to have inverter technology. And it doesn’t which means that if you use it for an extended period, you will run up your electricity bills.

Even so, this AC does try to compensate for the absence of inverter technology through its Eco Saving mode. When you use this mode, the AC will start adjusting the target temperature and fan speed to save power. The Sleep mode attempts to do the same, by the way, but to a lesser extent.

This is also not the most efficient split air conditioner in the market, barely achieving the minimum expected three stars with an ISEER rating of 3.56. If its ISEER rating was 0.7 points below, then this would be a two-star AC. This means that it is best suited for small rooms that don’t receive direct sunlight.

The most impressive aspect of this split air conditioner is its air filtration system. Other than its unbelievably low price, this AC’s air purifying capabilities is the reason why we think it is worth a purchase.

The split AC has been given a four-stage filtration system. The system comprises the standard dust filter that all AC’s have along with a PM 2.5 filter. Further, the AC prevents microbial growth caused by moisture by combining an antibacterial coating and an anti-fungal function.

The anti-fungal function mainly ensures that the AC doesn’t retain any moisture after it has been turned off. This feature makes the blower motor run for an additional 40 seconds to dry its insides.

A strong blower motor also ensures powerful airflow in the room when used on maximum.

The condenser of this device is 100% copper along with Blue Fin anti-corrosion coating to prolong the AC’s life. The AC relies on R32 refrigerant gas to minimize its environmental impact.

The super-low price of this device is its main draw along with its air-purifying capabilities. Unfortunately, this low cost does reflect in a few things such as build quality and post-sales service.

You can tell that the device is made up of cheap, low-grade plastic and service requests are often delayed because they’re outsourced to local service providers. Further, the model you’ll be receiving will be the 2020 one, as of writing.

On the plus side, there are benefits of buying from an online company. The warranty and post-sales service requests are all handled online and without any bureaucracy or use of paperwork.

For example, you can get a warranty straight from the Amazon website or app and don’t have to worry about looking for bills. Incidentally, Amazon is offering a full one-year warranty along with five years on the compressor.

Who’s it for: If you want an air purifying split AC at unbelievably low prices, this one manufactured by Amazon is the perfect option.

#2: Daikin ‎FTL28TV, 0.8 Ton, 3 Star, Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 6.0/10

Daikin ACs are known for being the quietest in the industry and the Daikin FTL28TV is no different. It produces a mere 29db of sound which is considerably lower than most other split ACs, which clock decibels in the 30s.

As a result, if noise is a major concern for you (if you’re a musician or professional YouTube artist for example), then this might be a great choice for your home studio.

Because of the unique tendency of Daikin to categorically avoid sticking to designing ACs with tonnage in multiples of 0.5, this happens to be the model with the lowest tonnage in our guide at 0.8 tons.

While Daikin doesn’t ignore the typical 1, 1.5, 2.0 tonnage, it offers 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 1.8, and 2.02 tonnage on some models too. However, there isn’t a lot of difference between a 1-ton split AC and a 0.8-ton split AC.

The difference, at most, will prove to be about 10 sq. ft. in extreme temperatures. This means that this is a small split air conditioner best suited for rooms up to 100 sq. ft.

The room size is also important because this is a non-inverter AC that only boasts of a three-star efficiency. If you try to run it in a room that is larger than the recommended size, your bills will be huge even if you use the Economy mode.

In terms of purifying air, this AC’s standard dust filter is accompanied by a PM 2.5 filter. The filters are fairly effective, particularly if your room is well-sealed. By the way, sometimes the PM 2.5 filter is missing in the AC box. Make sure you check for it at the time of delivery, whether you’re buying from a local dealer or Amazon.

This is a stabilizer-free split air conditioner, which means that you don’t have to buy one separately. The AC also boasts of various other features such as the Power Chill mode that is essentially the turbo mode and Coanda Airflow which ensures uniform cooling all over the room.

The Self Diagnosis function of this AC is also very useful. This function will show you the error code on the remote so you know what’s wrong with the AC.

By checking the code online, you can identify the problem and avoid a crooked technician fooling you by citing multiple problems. Further, by telling your technician the error code in advance, you can ensure that he gets any required spares in the first visit itself.

This split AC boasts of a fully copper condenser coil. The AC makes use of the R32 refrigerant gas, making it environment-friendly too.

The company offers this split air conditioner with and without an installation kit. If you’re replacing an already installed split AC with this one, then you can pick the variant without the kit. The two differ by approximately ₹1,000.

If it wasn’t for the AmazonBasics split AC that we’ve already reviewed, this would’ve been the cheapest option in the market. This is understandable too because it lacks in some obvious areas.

First, as of writing, only the 2020 model is available, and second, the indoor unit doesn’t have a display unit. You have to rely on the remote to see temperatures. Further, when you get it installed, you’ll realize that the required parts can be quite expensive.

People have reported installation costs exceeding ₹3,000 despite having purchased the variant with the kit. This means that the effective cost of this device becomes comparable to its competitors.

The biggest flaw of buying Daikin, however, is post-sales service. They don’t have a strong network in most cities which results in the work being outsourced to third-party vendors. Naturally, this means a lack of expertise and professionalism.

The company offers a one-year warranty on the product and the condenser along with a five-year one on the compressor.

Who’s it for: If you’re happy to get super-quiet AC technology at a low price but with shoddy post-sales service, get this Daikin split air conditioner.

#3: Lloyd ‎GLS12I56WRBP, 1.0 Ton, 5 Star, Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 8.0/10

Lloyd was acquired by Havells in 2017. In its first three years as a Havells brand, Lloyd worked on consolidation and stabilization. It is only in 2021 that the company has turned around and delivered its first profits.

This has no relevance for you as a consumer, except for the fact that it means improved post-sales service in the future. In other words, because Lloyd’s network and infrastructure have been recently refreshed, the products and service you’ll get will be excellent.

In fact, the brand has gone from almost being dead in the water to the next big thing in the last few years, which is why two of their split ACs have managed to make our list in this guide. The first of these is the Lloyd GLS12I56WRBP, a 1-ton inverter split air conditioner.

Like all 1-ton split air conditioners, this one is also suited to a small, approximately 110 sq. ft. room. However, this AC comes with an inbuilt PM 2.5 filter that will keep your room pollution-free. Even the standard dust filter in this AC has been upgraded to be anti-viral, which means that it can catch viruses too.

More importantly, it won’t run up your electricity bills because of two reasons. The first is that it is an inverter AC and the other is that it is supremely efficient. In fact, as per its ISEER rating, this AC is one of the most efficient devices in the market right now. It has an ISEER rating of 4.69 which means that this is a 5-star AC.

Other than its exceptionally high ISEER rating, two other qualities make this product stand out. The first is its unique four-way swing. Typically, split ACs only offer an up-and-down automatic swing option with the sideways swing being manual. This isn’t the case here because this AC swings in all four directions automatically.

The second standout quality of this split air conditioner is that it can be upgraded into a smart AC. This is possible because this product is WIFI-ready. It comes with an inbuilt slot for a separate Printed Circuit Board (PCB), which if used, will allow this product to be controlled through WIFI.

Even though the WIFI-ready feature is unique amongst split ACs, it can be a little difficult to avail. The problem is that the feature is so unique that many of the company’s technicians don’t even know about it. And of those that know about it, most don’t know how to make it work. Besides, the extra PCB will also end up costing you more money.

Another area where this device excels is its backlit remote. While not unique, this isn’t very common amongst split ACs and does help late-night operations.

Other features worth mentioning are that it comes with a self-cleaning and self-diagnosis function. Self-cleaning is the blower function at high fan speeds and self-diagnosis allows the AC to tell you what’s wrong with it in the form of an error code.

The AC boasts 100% copper tubes along with gold fin evaporator coils. These two features allow longevity, durability, better efficiency, and easy maintenance. The refrigerant this AC depends on is R32, making it environment-friendly too.

The indoor unit comes with what the company calls a Deco print. Whether you like this look or not, depends entirely on your preferences.

Pricing-wise, this is an affordably priced AC even if you include what you’ll have to spend to get the WIFI PCB and other accessories for installation. The entire installation will at least cost you upwards of ₹2,000 without including the PCB. At the same time, you will save on the stabilizer because this AC doesn’t need one.

Who’s it for: If you want an air purifying split AC with a four-way swing that can be made Smart, go for this one from Lloyd.

#4: Panasonic CS/CU-NU12XKYW, 1 Ton, 5 Star, Wi-Fi, Inverter Split Air Conditioner

Editor’s Rating: 9.5/10

When it comes to 1-ton split air conditioners in India that can also purify the air, then the Panasonic CS/CU-NU12XKYW is easily the best option around. It is not only a WIFI-enabled split air conditioner but it is also the most feature-rich in the industry.

In fact, none of the competing products can even come close to the number and quality of features and capabilities this AC offers. And the best part is that this AC offers all those extra capabilities without being too expensive.

For example, as of writing this post, we found this AC to be a mere ₹1,500 more expensive than our next best option – Lloyd. The difference in prices between the four-star variant of this same AC and the Lloyd model is even smaller at ₹600!

Overall, we would say that this split AC is affordably priced especially if you consider the type of features it boasts of.

The best quality of this device is the fact that it allows WIFI connectivity through the company’s app – Miraie. Once you download this app and connect to this AC, you’ll get access to multiple extra features including the ability to use it with voice control via either Amazon’s Alexa or the Google Assistant.

Moreover, you’ll be able to operate this AC remotely. Therefore, if you’re leaving your office and want to come home to a room that doesn’t boil you on entry, you can turn the AC on from wherever you are.

The app will also allow you to create unique customizable sleep profiles. As a result, you can have different sleep profiles for monsoons, extreme heat, or even relatively pleasant days.

Further, if you have a big family, you can have sleep profiles for each family member. This can be particularly useful if you’ve just been blessed with a newborn.

The app is also the channel for features like Smart Diagnosis and One-Touch Service. The diagnostic system in the device is good enough to warn you before the error stops the AC entirely while the service option is completely hassle-free. You’ll also have access to all kinds of documentation through the app, such as e-warranties.

In terms of air purification, this split AC comes with a PM 2.5 filter over and above the standard dust filter.

The fact that this device is 5-star rated is a result of its 4.6 ISEER rating. This means that this device will keep your electricity bills low. Incidentally, while most 1-ton ACs are pegged for rooms up to 110 sq. ft., Panasonic says that this AC can handle up to 120 sq. ft.

The condenser coil in this AC is fully copper and supported by the company’s Shield Blu Technology which is just another name for the usual anti-corrosion blue fin coating. This device uses the environment-friendly R32 refrigerant gas and doesn’t require an external stabilizer.

The biggest issue that people have with this device is that it has an old-fashioned remote. We think this is because the company doesn’t expect you to use the remote. It’s supposed to be a backup option for when you don’t have WIFI access. It’s a bit like the spare tire in the car and who puts shiny alloys on the spare tire?

Another big flaw of this device is that its outer unit is very noisy. This will only be a problem for you if you’re putting the outer right outside your balcony or main entry door. If you can get some distance on it, we highly recommend that you do.

Talking about installation, be prepared to spend a bit. It is supposed to cost only ₹1,000 but actually ends up around ₹3,000. If you put the outer unit particularly far away, then this cost will go even higher on account of the extra tubing you’ll need.

If cost is a concern for you, you can consider going for the 4-star variant of this device. You’ll save about ₹800 on the initial cost but may end up paying a lot more than that on electricity bills over the years.

The warranty offered by the company on both variants is exceptional. It comprises a 1-year comprehensive one, a 5-years PCB one, and a 10-years one on the compressor.

Who’s it for: If you want the best 1-ton, split air conditioner with Wi-fi capability, get this one from Panasonic.

4 Best 1.5 Ton Split ACs in India: Detailed Reviews

#1: Whirlpool 1.5T MAGICOOL PRO+ 3S COPR INV, 1.5 Ton, 3 Star, Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 6.0/10

This split air conditioner from Whirlpool happens to be the cheapest inverter split air conditioner in India with air purifying capability but only barely. In fact, it is even cheaper than the cheapest inverter 1-ton split AC.

This means that if you only need a 1-ton split air conditioner, you can actually go for this 1.5-ton one and end up spending less money!

Imagine having an AC designed for up to 150 sq. ft. in a room less than 110 sq. ft. Not only will your room get cool super fast but you’ll end up saving tons on your bills. And all this while you lounge in comfort.

While it is the cheapest option, it is also possible that a dealer can give you a better price on this same model but then the difference will be ₹500 at most.

It is even possible that you can get a couple of thousands off on Amazon or competing websites if you time your purchase right. For example, by waiting for Prime, Freedom, Festival, or New Year sales, you can get such discounts.

However, there are a few reasons why this product is so cheap. The first is its low build quality. This isn’t the sturdiest or the strongest of split air conditioners in India so it won’t last as long as its competitors.

Another downside is that even though whirlpool has a fairly elaborate service network in the country, the quality of their technicians is not the best. In fact, after your purchase, it becomes very difficult to get the company to respond positively to complaints without spending more money.

Additionally, while the condenser in this split AC is all copper, there is no fin coating to speak of. This means that if you live near open city drains or on the coast, then you might see a lot of problems arising out of corrosion.

For purifying air, this split AC has the standard dust filter and a proper PM 2.5 filter to deal with the smaller particles in the air. It possesses the usual modes of Turbo, Sleep, and Dry but can function even when external temperatures rise as high as 55°C.

Additionally, this device has an Eco mode that, along with inverter capabilities, can end up in huge savings on electricity bills. On the other hand, three-star energy efficiency and 3.85 ISEER rating are not the best in the market but it is also not the worst.

The device relies on R32 refrigerant like most modern split ACs and doesn’t require a standalone stabilizer for voltage management. This split AC also comes with the self-cleaning and self-diagnosis functions that turn on the blower and report on AC problems, respectively.

Whirlpool supports this split AC with a 1-year full and condenser warranty along with a 10-year warranty on the compressor. You should expect to pay upwards of ₹2,000 to install this device.

Who’s it for: If you want the most pocket-friendly 1.5-ton split AC with air-purifying abilities, get this one from Whirlpool.

#2: Lloyd ‎GLS18I56WRBP, 1.5 Ton, 5 Star, Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10

This is the second Lloyd product that has made it to our list of best split ACs in India with air purifying capabilities. This shouldn’t surprise you because this product is essentially the same as the one that we’ve reviewed previously.

The only difference between the two is tonnage. This one is 1.5-ton while the earlier one was 1-ton. This means that this AC is suitable for any room up to 150 or even 160 sq. ft. while the other one was limited to rooms as large as only 110 sq. ft.

The rest of the features of this Lloyd split AC are virtually identical. Like the previously reviewed model, this one also benefits from the upward trajectory of the company in terms of its quality, reputation, infrastructure, and other operational systems.

The change in cooling capacity, though, has changed the energy efficiency levels. While this model is also rated to be 5-star like the earlier one, there’s a minor difference of 0.13 in their ISEER ratings.

This one has an ISEER rating of 4.56 while the 1-ton model had a rating of 4.69. However, both the ACs are based on inverter compressor technology so they should both keep the electricity bills down.

The air purifying component in this AC consists of a PM 2.5 filter and the standard dust filter. Further, the company has upgraded the latter to be anti-viral which means that it catches viruses too.

Like the other model, this one also offers a four-way swing and comes WIFI-ready. This means two things. The first is proper circulation in the room. The other is that you can get your technician to install an extra PCB to get the ability to use your AC through WIFI, provided he is skillful enough.

Since all technicians aren’t capable enough to do this, we strongly suggest contacting the company in advance and making sure they send someone senior and knowledgeable. You should also be prepared to spend upwards of ₹2,000 for installing this AC on account of accessories such as stand, extra tubing, etc.

Other features that this device shares with its 1-ton counterpart include the backlit remote, the self-cleaning or blower function, and the self-diagnosis function.

The remote can be very useful at night, the blower function is ideal after winter has passed, and the self-diagnosis function can save a lot of time and back and forth with the technician.

Incidentally, this model also offers Rapid Cooling technology based on its Duo Rotary Compressor. This allows this model to cool the room down to 18°C in a matter of 45 seconds. Additionally, this model also comes with a valve protection cover. This is useful because valves can prove to be expensive to replace.

The AC’s compressor is 100% copper which not only makes it more efficient and durable but also easier to maintain. In addition, it boasts of Gold Fin technology that protects against corrosion-related problems.

The refrigerant gas used is R32, which means that this AC is environment-friendly. You won’t need an external stabilizer with this split AC either.

Amongst 1.5-ton split ACs with air-purifying capabilities, this device can be considered affordably priced. It comes with a one-year full warranty and a 10-years warranty for the compressor alone.

Who’s it for: If you want an affordable 1.5-ton split AC that can be made Smart and can cope with poor post-sales service, get this one from Lloyd.

#3: Panasonic CS/CU-NU18WKYW, 1.5 Ton 5 Star Wi-Fi Twin Cool Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 9.5/10

This may not be India’s best AC in terms of ISEER rating but it comes very close. In fact, just like in the 1-ton category, Panasonic takes the cake in the 1.5-ton category purely on the back of how many features they’ve packed their device with.

Panasonic CS/CU-NU18WKYW is easily the most advanced split air conditioner with air purifying capabilities in the 1.5-ton category. This device not only comes with an inbuilt PM 2.5 filter but also complete WIFI capabilities.

This means that if you can keep your WIFI stable, you’ll never need to use a remote to control your device. This is a good thing because the remote provided by Panasonic will take you back to the 90s.

All the WIFI capabilities of this AC become accessible as soon as you connect your device to the company’s Miraie app. Doing this will allow you to control your split AC from anywhere in the world provided you have internet.

You’ll even be able to control your AC by voice through Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant!

You’ll also be able to use other features such as creating customized sleep profiles for different climate conditions or even individual preferences. And when you need the AC serviced, you can get the technicians mobilized at a single touch in the app.

Moreover, if there are issues in the AC, it will tell you itself through the self-diagnosis functionality. You won’t even have to worry about managing warranties because they’ll be stored in the app.

It is also worth pointing out that this is an incredibly efficient inverter AC which means two things.

The first is that it has very effective cooling capabilities which is why Panasonic says it is suitable for rooms up to 180 sq. ft. in size instead of the standard 150 sq. ft.

The problem with this extra power, however, is a super-noisy outer unit. We suggest putting it as far away from your doors and windows as possible.

The second is that while it cools your room, it won’t empty your bank balance. It will keep the electricity bills down because it is a 5-star split AC with the second-highest ISEER rating in the industry of 4.70.

The condenser coil in this device is made purely of copper and corrosion is kept at bay by what the company calls Shield Blu Technology. It’s the usual Blue Fin coating though.

Like most split ACs of note these days, this one doesn’t use a refrigerant that damages the environment. It is based on R32.

The best part is that this AC is competitively priced. The price is well within the affordable range for most people but if you still feel it is a bit too expensive, you can go for the non-WIFI, 3-star variant.

It will be about ₹8,000 cheaper. We still don’t recommend this because what you’ll save initially will be spent on electricity bills over the years. It is your choice, though, because the installation costs of this device aren’t low either.

Even though you won’t need an external stabilizer to keep this AC safe, you’ll need a series of other accessories to install it. Expect the cost of these accessories to add up to more than ₹3,000.

The warranty on this device is the best in its class at 1-year comprehensive, 5-years PCB, and 10-years compressor. But, be warned that at the time of writing this post, only the 2020 model of this device was available.

Who’s it for: If you want an air purifying, Wi-Fi-enabled 1.5-ton split AC full of features, then get this one from Panasonic.

#4: Carrier ‎CAI18ES5R30F0, 1.5 Ton, 5 Star, Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.0/10

Keeping with the fact that Carrier is the oldest brand with the most experience in manufacturing ACs (their founder – Willis Carrier – is credited with inventing them), this split air conditioner is pretty decent when it comes to its core purpose.

The only reason why it hasn’t scored higher in our assessment is its cost. Other products in the same class not only offer comparable cooling capabilities but also multiple modern features at lower prices than Carrier devices.

For instance, this is an air-purifying split air conditioner since it not only boasts of a PM 2.5 filter but also a High-Density (HD) filter. Further, this is a 5-star inverter AC with an ISEER rating of 4.60. This means that it is one of the more energy-efficient devices in the market that will keep your power bills fairly low.

It even has a unique feature that allows users to choose the capacity at which they want their AC to run. Called the 4 in 1 Cooling mode, this feature will give you the option to choose from the Free Running (1.6-ton) mode, the 100% (1.5-ton) mode, the 75% (1.2-ton) mode, and the 50% (0.8-ton) mode.

Incidentally, the fact that this AC can run at 1.6-ton capacity could be the reason why it is more expensive than its competitors. Another reason could be that this is the 2021 mode while most other brands are still pushing 2020 models.

However, this extra cooling capacity is translated into the outer unit being extremely noisy. If you’re not going to install it on top of your main door or your balcony, this should not be a concern for you.

Additionally, there are the Insta Cool (turbo) and the Follow Me (monitor temperature of the area around the remote) modes. The Insta Cool mode will cool the whole room lightning-quick while the Follow Me mode will ensure that wherever you are sitting is cool. The Follow Me mode, by the way, is glitchy and doesn’t always work properly.

This split AC is based on a 100% copper condenser coil with the fins boasting of Aqua Clear coating to prevent corrosion damage. Further, the gas used in this AC is R32, making the device eco-friendly.

While this AC doesn’t offer the same bang for the buck that other products with more features do, overall, it is priced competitively. On the list price, you should add more than ₹2,000 of installation costs by way of accessories.

This device is backed by the company with a 1-year full warranty, a 1-year condenser warranty, and a 10-years compressor warranty. The only issue is that the warranties don’t mean much when the service being offered is shoddy.

Unless you live in a major city, you’ll struggle to get knowledgeable and professional technicians employed directly by the company. Instead, you’ll get third-party technicians with poor standards of service and integrity.

Who’s it for: Choose this model, if you want to be able to change the cooling and power consumption of your split AC on a whim.

4 Best 2 Ton Split Air Conditioners in India: Detailed Reviews

#1: Sanyo ‎SI/SO-20T3SCIC, 2 Ton, 3 Star, Dual Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10

The Sanyo ‎SI/SO-20T3SCIC is the cheapest 2-ton, air-purifying split air conditioner in India. The price differential between this device and competing split ACs with similar features is not small either. The next best AC in this class is worth more than ₹6,000.

It’s not even like the low cost is a result of compromise on the build quality of the AC because this device is fairly sturdy and strong. In fact, its build quality is similar to Panasonic ACs which makes sense since Sanyo is a Panasonic brand.

While this device doesn’t have any of the fancy features that have become common in modern ACs, it isn’t short on the essential qualities either.

For instance, this AC comes with a PM 2.5 filter on top of the usual dust filter. It is a 2-ton inverter AC, which means that you can use it in a room as big as 260 sq. ft. without worrying about your electricity bills.

The AC’s efficiency, while not exceptional, is not low either. It is a 3-star AC with an ISEER rating of 3.80. This, combined with the Eco mode of the AC, also helps cut down power costs over time.

Moreover, this device has the standard usability features too such as a Glacier (turbo) mode, a Sleep mode that can be used when you’re sleeping, and the self-diagnosis function that allows the AC to tell you what kind of problem it has through an error code in the display.

One quality that this device has but many of its competitors lack is that its remote has backlighting. This can make it particularly easy to use in the dark.

The condenser coil in this split AC is 100% copper which ensures proper heat exchange, longer durability, and easy maintenance. The fins have also been given a hydrophilic coating to prevent corrosion-related damage. The refrigerant gas used in the AC is R32, making this device environment-friendly.

While this is a very pocket-friendly split AC in its class, you will have to contend with installation costs. You should expect to spend around ₹3,000 to get this device installed in your home.

This extra cost will be for using accessories like copper tubing, an outdoor unit stand, and even a plug. What you won’t have to spend on is a stabilizer because this AC doesn’t need it.

The installation process may be aggravating because this company’s post-sales service isn’t the best in the country. Your technician may be unprofessional or even without the required knowledge and skills.

We strongly recommend keeping a close eye on him while he works to make sure that he doesn’t take shortcuts or make mistakes.

The device comes with a 1-year full product warranty, a 1-year warranty on the condenser, and a 5-years warranty on the compressor.

Who’s it for: If you want to save money on your 2-ton, air-purifying split air conditioner, get this one from Sanyo.

#2: TCL TAC-22CSD/TPV4S, 2 Ton, 4 Star, WIFI, AI Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 9.0/10

The TAC-22CSD/TPV4S from TCL is easily the best split air conditioner in India with air purifying capabilities. In fact, this split AC’s ability to deal with pollution is the main reason why it is better than all its competitors.

While other split ACs in the country merely offer PM 2.5 filters, this device offers ionization and ultraviolet technologies over and above the HEPA filters.

The ionization technology allows this device to release oxidized ions into the room. These ions then collide with any viruses or bacteria that may be present in the room, neutralizing their protein structures and rendering them inert. The mechanism on which technology is based is clinically proven too as seen in this study conducted by South Korean scientists.

The ultraviolet technology is also aimed at deactivating microorganisms. Essentially, the air being circulated by the indoor unit of this AC passes through ultraviolet rays that destroy the genetic material and other cellular elements of the viruses and bacteria.

Therefore, while the HEPA filter in this AC takes care of the dust and chemical pollution in the air, these anti-microbial technologies handle the microbes too. In these covid times, we believe this capability to be an instant winner.

While these capabilities are part of the reason why we feel that this AC is the best in the market right now, they aren’t all. We also like this AC because, like Panasonic ACs, this one also offers complete WIFI control through the company’s proprietary app.

This means that you can not only control this device by voice through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa but also remotely from another location anywhere in the world. Further, the company says that you can even use this functionality through your Smart TV.

Another way through which this split air conditioner beats its competitors in India is air delivery. While most ACs work hard on delivering strong winds, this one goes the opposite way.

The design of the AC incorporates fine mesh plates in the area where the cool air exits the indoor unit. This mesh slows down the speed of the exiting air, turning it into a gentle breeze as opposed to a strong gust.

You might think that this will cause the airflow to be reduced but TCL says that their AC can throw this “gentle breeze” as far as 50 ft.

This AC beats its competitors even when it comes to ambient temperature. Ambient temperature is the external temperature at which the outdoor unit functions without its cooling getting affected adversely.

The highest ambient temperature that most other split ACs can function on is 55° C. This AC, however, can function at an amazing 60° C. While this function will not help your day-to-day usage of the AC, it will come in handy on those extremely hot days that break records every year in some locations.

This AC comes with the usual modes too even if they come under different names. For instance, the turbo mode is called simply, Fast Cooling. The mode is super-effective and can bring down the room temperature to 18° C in less than 30 seconds in comparison to 45 seconds claimed by other brands.

While this AC excels in cooling, it isn’t a chump at saving money either. The fact that this is a 4-star inverter AC with an ISEER rating of 4.14 means that you can use it all day every day without worrying about electricity bills much.

The condenser coil is also durable and easy to maintain because it is made up of pure copper. Unfortunately, this device doesn’t offer any kind of fin coating. This can be a problem if you live on the coast or near open city drains as corrosion might result in major expenses.

As is the case with all modern split ACs, this device uses R32 refrigerant gas. This means that your AC usage won’t hurt the ozone layer around Earth.

While a lack of fin coating is an issue, the biggest flaw of this device is that it is expensively priced. At the same time, the incorporation of the extra anti-microbial technologies had to have made a difference somewhere. We think it is more than worth the extra protection for the family.

Another flaw of this product has to do with the brand itself. TCL is only now entering India. This means that their service infrastructure is in its nascent stages. This will translate to poor post-sales service as the company will outsource its work to local technicians.

This can be an issue, especially if something goes wrong with your device and you try to claim warranties. Talking of which, the device comes with a 1-year comprehensive warranty, a 1-year condenser warranty, and a 10-years compressor warranty.

Who’s it for: If you want the split AC with exclusive and latest purifying, virus killing, and cooling technologies, get this one from TCL.

#3: Voltas 245V_AD, 2 Ton, 5 Star, Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 8.5/10

If you compare the features of Voltas 245V_AD with the features on offer from its competitors, you’ll end up being disappointed. However, if you compare this AC to its competitors in terms of energy efficiency and quality of company support infrastructure, you’ll find it to be miles ahead of them all. In simple words, this is the best AC in India when it comes to power consumption.

The standout quality of this split air conditioner is its ISEER rating. It is the most efficient (highest ISEER rating) AC in India as it has scored 4.75 with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. The closest any other AC comes is the 4.70 rating of the WIFI 1.5-ton Panasonic AC that we’ve already reviewed. In effect, this is the most energy-efficient 2-ton AC in the market right now.

Being a 5-star inverter split AC, you’ll never have to worry about your electricity bills after installing this device. Besides, the fact that you can manually adjust the capacity of this AC can also be used to save tons of money. The adjustability feature offers two options, full capacity i.e., 2 tons, or half capacity i.e., 1-ton.

Additionally, Voltas has one of the most widespread and extensive support infrastructures in the country. It not only has directly owned and operated service centers in most locations but also authorized service providers who are knowledgeable and behave professionally.

This means that if something goes wrong with your device, you can always rely on Voltas’s technicians to deliver excellent service.

This AC comes with a PM 2.5 filter on top of the usual dust filter. Further, it boasts of the standard cooling modes too.

The condenser coil in the AC is 100% copper which is part of the reason why it is so energy efficient. The biggest flaw of this device, however, is that there is no anti-corrosive coating on the fins. This can make the AC susceptible to gases from open city drains and salty coastal air.

The AC is also based on the R32 refrigerant gas which makes it an ecofriendly product.

Cost-wise, this AC is fairly expensive but most people wouldn’t hesitate in buying this product simply because of the stellar post-sales service that Voltas is known for. The warranty is decent too since the company offers a 1-year comprehensive, a 1-year condenser, and a 5-years compressor warranty.

As with all split ACs, you should expect to pay upwards of ₹2,000 for installation because you’ll have to buy certain accessories such as stand, plugs, and even tubing.

Who’s it for: If you want the most energy-efficient air-purifying split AC with superb post-sales service and don’t care much for fancy features, get this one from Voltas.

#4: Carrier CAI24ES5R30F0, 2 Ton, 5 Star, Inverter Split AC

Editor’s Rating: 6.5/10

This Carrier split air conditioner is the 2-ton version of the 1.5-ton Carrier split AC that we’ve already reviewed in this guide. It has the same qualities and features and even energy efficiency levels.

This means that the greatest feature of this split air conditioner is it’s 4 in 1 cooling mode. This feature is exclusive to Carrier split ACs and allows the user to choose the capacity at which they want to run their devices. By changing the cooling capacity of your AC, you’ll be able to change its power consumption too.

Further, this is an inverter split AC with 5-star energy efficiency because it has an ISEER rating of 4.62. The inverter technology combined with the high energy efficiency and multiple capacity options means that you can control how high your electricity bills go. While even in maximum capacity, this device will save you money, with some manipulation of the modes, you can save even more.

Like the already reviewed Carrier inverter AC, this one comes with the standard dust filter and a PM 2.5 filter. It boasts of the Insta Cool and the Follow Me modes too.

The Insta Cool mode is the turbo mode for quickest cooling at maximum capacity while the Follow Me mode is intended to keep the air around the remote at the right temperature. However, the Follow Me mode can be inaccurate owing to the erratic nature of the temperature sensor in the remote.

The remote, by the way, isn’t like what you get with other split ACs. For some reason (we suspect it’s the desire to be different), the company decided to make their remote black. It was a poor design choice.

The condenser coil in this AC is fully copper and the fins boast of an Aqua Clear coating designed to prevent corrosion caused by salty air from the coast or chemical-laden air from open city drains.

The refrigerant gas in the device is also eco-friendly and doesn’t harm the ozone layer around the Earth. It is the R32 gas.

As is the case with most Carrier ACs, this is an expensively priced device especially if you add the extra installation cost of more than ₹2,000. The extra installation cost is what you’ll pay for the accessories you’re sure to need such as outdoor unit stand, tubing, and even the electrical plug.

If you find the price unpalatable, you have options because this AC comes in two other variants. One is a 3-star version and it is available at roughly ₹6,000 less than this one. The second one is the non-inverter variant and will be cheaper by more than ₹10,000.

By choosing these variants, you’ll save a ton of money on the initial purchase but you’ll be paying more over the long term. The worst choice will be the non-inverter one because it will leave you with the highest running costs for years to come.

Even though the 3-star variant doesn’t come with the option to change cooling capacities, the fact that it is an inverter AC does help.  This is why we only suggest picking these options if you’re particularly cash-strapped.

The warranty on these devices is pretty decent. This one comes with a 1-year comprehensive warranty which includes the condenser, a 2-years warranty on the PCB, and a 10-years warranty on the compressor.

However, claiming these warranties is a problem because Carrier doesn’t have the greatest service infrastructure in the country. It’s not that they don’t honor the warranty. It’s just that their technicians aren’t the best because they outsource this work to local guys quite often.

Who’s it for: If you want an air purifying split air conditioner that focuses specifically on core functions and reliability, get this one from Carrier.