Stuffy and greasy kitchens are a nightmare. They take away the joy that should normally come from cooking your favorite meals. This problem becomes even harder to deal with if your favorite meals contain a lot of oil and involve a lot of frying, as is common with most traditional Indian dishes.

A kitchen chimney solves this problem by absorbing all the oil and fumes produced while cooking.

To fully achieve this, you need to get a kitchen chimney that is as efficient as it is suitable for your kitchen. This can be overwhelming because there are numerous types of kitchen chimneys available and there are several factors to be considered. But do not worry, we have done the research for you and have written this article to guide you on how to select a kitchen chimney that will suit all your needs.

Here are some important things to consider when choosing the best kitchen chimney to purchase.

• Size of Chimney and Cooking Hob
  • Wall-Mounted Chimneys
  • Island Chimneys
• Mounting Style of the Chimney
• Suction Power
• Type of Chimney Filter
  • The Mesh or Cassette Filter
  • The Baffle Filter
• Type of Ducts

Size of the Chimney

The two standard sizes of kitchen chimneys available are 90cm and 60cm. Before selecting a chimney, it is necessary to take note of the size of your cooking hob or stove.

It is recommended that the chimney should be moderately larger in width than the stove. This is to ensure that the chimney absorbs all the smoke produced efficiently.

Naturally, if you have a stove with only two burners you might want to go for the 60cm chimney. But bear in mind that the type of food you cook also influences the size of the chimney.

If you regularly cook foods that are very oily and require a lot of frying, then a 60cm chimney might not always suffice. This is true regardless of if you use a two-burner or a four-burner stove. Therefore, a 90 cm chimney is recommended for most Indian kitchens.

Mounting Style of the Chimney

Kitchen chimneys are often classified based on how and where they are mounted in the kitchen. The two common types of chimneys based on this classification are wall-mounted and island chimneys.

Wall-Mounted Chimneys

As the name implies, these chimneys are installed against the wall, above the cooking hob. This type of chimney is ideal for kitchens that have their cooking hob placed next to the wall.

Wall-mounted chimneys come in all sizes and designs and are quite suitable for both small and large kitchens alike. They also require fewer ducts for the expulsion of waste fumes and oil particles. Therefore, they are considerably cheaper than the other types in this category.

Island Chimneys

These chimneys are mounted from the ceiling, usually in the middle of the kitchen. This is ideal for kitchen designs where the cooking hob can be found in the middle of the kitchen.

Island chimneys require a lot of ducts and pipes to expel smoke. The extra ducts increase the total cost of installation, making them more expensive than wall-mounted chimneys.

 The Suction Power of the Chimney

The suction power of a chimney is the measure of its capacity to absorb oil particles and fumes. It is necessary to consider the suction power when choosing a chimney as it is directly associated with the primary purpose of the chimney.

If a chimney doesn’t have adequate suction power, it could leave behind some grease and fumes. This defeats the whole point of getting a chimney.

Most chimneys generally have suction power ranging from 700 m3/hr to 1600 m3/hr. The suction capacity of a chimney can be selected based on the size of the kitchen, the type of food regularly cooked, and the length of duct required.

Simply put, if you have a large kitchen or you cook oily foods regularly, you should consider getting a chimney with high suction power.

Type of Chimney Filter

 A chimney filter traps oil/grease and solid particles (spices) and separates them from the air. This process reduces pollution by preventing the solid particles from entering the chimney and being released into the environment. The most common types of chimney filters are the mesh/cassette filter and the baffle filter.

The Mesh or Cassette Filter

These types of filters trap solid particles and grease between multiple layers of aluminum or steel mesh filters. The mesh has very tiny openings making it quite efficient for trapping solid particles and grease.

However, the tiny holes are easily clogged and require regular cleaning (usually every 2 weeks) to maintain good performance. Fortunately, it can be removed and cleaned without the help of a technician. Mesh filters are relatively cheap compared to the other types of filters.

 The Baffle Filter

This type of filter is more commonly used as it is quite efficient. It uses layers of aluminum or steel to trap the solid particles and grease while allowing the air to pass through.

The baffle filter doesn’t require regular cleaning like the mesh type does and can be cleaned every 5-6 months. However, some baffle filters are difficult to detach and clean and so they require the help of a technician to be cleaned properly.

But others, especially the newer models are easily detached and can be cleaned without the help of a technician. Baffle filters are generally more expensive than mesh filters.

In general, chimneys with the baffle filter are often recommended, especially if you don’t want to spend a lot of time cleaning your filters regularly. But if you want to go for something cheaper, then you can opt for the mesh/cassette type.

Type of Duct

Kitchen chimneys are also classified based on the method of the expulsion of the oil and fumes waste produced in the kitchen.

The two types of chimneys based on this classification are ducted and ductless chimneys.

Ducted chimneys expel the waste outside the kitchen via a duct, while the ductless ones filter the smoke and dirt and let the filtered air back into the kitchen.

Ducted chimneys are better suited to handle the high volume of oil and smoke produced when cooking most traditional Indian meals. Ductless chimneys fall short in this regard.

Even so, ductless chimneys have a standout benefit in that they do not require any openings in the kitchen for the passage of exhaust ducts. Therefore, if you prefer to keep your kitchen completely sealed, the ductless type of chimney would be more suitable. But it is necessary to consider the extra cost of maintaining the filters used in ductless chimneys.

In general, ducted chimneys are preferred to ductless ones because they are more efficient and less expensive.

Kitchen chimneys are also selected based on the method of cleaning. The two available methods are automatic and manual methods. Auto-clean chimneys, although more expensive on the initial purchase, are often recommended. This is because they don’t require as much maintenance as manual ones. Thus, saving costs in the long run. Here are  8 of the best auto-clean chimneys for kitchens in India.

Some other factors to be considered when choosing a kitchen chimney are price, brand, and design.

The price is important as you wouldn’t want to break the bank to get a chimney. But at the same time, you wouldn’t want to buy a substandard product while trying to save cost. The prices of kitchen chimneys vary based on the brand, the suction power, the type of filter, the method of cleaning, and other features. You can find the prices of kitchen chimneys based on the brand or the type on  Amazon.

Also, when choosing a brand of kitchen chimneys, it is important to select one that is very efficient and cost-effective. Customer care service is also important, and it might be a good idea to choose a brand that has a service center close to where you live.

The most popular brands of kitchen chimneys are Hindware, Elica, Faber, and Kaff.

Finally, selecting a kitchen chimney with a suitable design comes down to personal preference. The design of a kitchen chimney does not necessarily affect its performance, but it could change the look and feel of your kitchen.

The most common designs are curved glass, straight glass, pyramid, angular, straight line, and box-type. It is necessary to check the design and see how it would fit in your kitchen before making a decision.

Did you know that a solar water heater can help you save money on your energy bill? A solar water heater uses the sun’s energy to heat water, which circulates through your home.

This type of heater is an excellent alternative to traditional gas or electric heaters, becoming increasingly popular daily. If you’re trying to decide if you should get one for your home, then you’re probably asking yourself “how does a solar water heater work”?

• What Is a Solar Water Heater?
  • What Size Solar Water Heater Should You Buy?
• How Many Types of Solar Heaters Are There?
  • Flat Plate Collectors
  • Evacuated Tube Collectors
  • Parabolic Trough Collectors
• How Does a Solar Water Heater Work?
• How to Maintain a Solar Water Heater
• Summarizing How Solar Water Heaters Work

What Is a Solar Water Heater?

A Solar Water Heater is a device that uses the sun’s energy to heat water. These devices are typically installed on the roof of your home and consist of two parts: a collector and a storage tank.

The collector absorbs solar energy and transfers it into heat, which is then transferred into the storage tank via pipes to raise its temperature. When you want hot water, a circulation pump turns on and sends heated water from the storage tank through the pipes back to your faucet or shower head.

These systems use different collectors, including flat-plate and vacuum tube collectors. Flat-plate collectors are less expensive than vacuum tube collectors but don’t perform as well in low temperatures or high altitudes.

Vacuum tube collectors perform better in those conditions but cost more.

What Size Solar Water Heater Should You Buy?

You should figure out how many gallons of hot water you use daily and purchase a system with enough capacity to meet this need.

Investing in a higher-quality collector may also be beneficial if possible. For example, some models can track the sun during the day and adjust their angle accordingly. As a result, they end up catching as much light as possible.

How Many Types of Solar Heaters Are There?

There are three types of solar water heaters: Flat plate collectors, Evacuated tube collectors, and dish or parabolic trough collectors.

Flat Plate Collectors

Flat plate collectors are one of the most commonly used solar heaters. As the name suggests, they consist of a flat, metal plate exposed to the sun. The sun’s energy is transferred to the metal plate, and this heat warms up water or air circulated through the system.

These solar collectors are very efficient and can be used in many applications. However, they are not suitable for all locations and climates. In particular, they require a large amount of sunshine to work effectively.

Also, since they use a lens to concentrate light on the tube, their orientation must be changed from time to time so that all tube parts get sunlight.

The efficiency of this kind of collector depends on both the collector’s size and orientation. To achieve maximum efficiency, you’ll need a tall unit (which will take up more space) facing south at midday when the sun is highest.

Evacuated Tube Collectors

Evacuated tube collectors are another type of solar water heater. They comprise a series of tubes placed in a sunny location.

The tubes are filled with water. As the sun warms the water, it is circulated through the system and into a storage tank.

One advantage of evacuated tube collectors is that they can be used in freezing climates. The vacuum created by the evacuated tubes helps insulate the water from the cold air outside. In addition, evacuated tube collectors are often more efficient than other types of solar water heaters, as they lose less heat to the surrounding air.

As a result, they can be an excellent choice for anyone looking to use solar power to heat their water in areas that receive less sunlight.

Parabolic Trough Collectors

These collectors have a curved shape that allows them to capture more sunlight than flat solar panels. As the sun’s rays hit the collector, they reflect onto a pipe that runs along the focal point of the curve. The sun’s rays heat the water in the pipe.

The hot water can then be used for various purposes, such as washing dishes or taking a shower. Parabolic trough collectors are most effective in areas with lots of sunlight, such as the desert. However, they can also be used in cloudy regions if paired with another type of solar collector, such as a photovoltaic panel.

How Does a Solar Water Heater Work?

A solar water heater is a system that captures the sun’s energy and converts it into heat which heats the water. Solar water heating systems are popular because they are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

They are also great at lowering utility bills since you will use less electricity for water heating.

The first thing you need to do when installing your system is to find out how much sunlight your house receives. You should install solar water heaters at an angle to capture as much solar energy as possible. The most common way of collecting this energy is through photovoltaic cells, which convert photons from the sun into electrons.

These electrons go through copper wires and generate DC. As soon as these currents reach the solar panels, they flow towards a unit called the inverter, where power conversion occurs. Finally, the AC generated goes back into the power grid or your home or battery storage.

Once there is enough battery storage capacity, the inverter sends any excess power to your home. All in all, converting sunlight into usable electricity is a simple process!

How to Maintain a Solar Water Heater

Once you have your solar water heater installed, there are a few things you will need to do to keep it running at optimum efficiency.

The first is cleaning the panels regularly. This will increase their efficiency by keeping them free from dirt and debris that builds up over time.

You should also be checking and changing the fluid levels in the tank every three months, depending on how much hot water you use daily.

Additionally, solar systems require a break-in period where the system’s efficiency gradually improves as the sun heats the panel. During this period, it is normal for the hot water temperature to vary between 26°C and 49°C. After 30 days, this process should stabilize. Make sure to check with your installer about when your break-in period ends.

If you don’t think your system is working correctly during this period, contact a professional immediately!

They can help diagnose the problem before it becomes worse. Even though most problems can be fixed without having to replace anything, you want to ensure they get solved quickly to prevent more significant issues down the road!

Solar water heating can save money while helping protect our environment. So, call that contractor now and enjoy the benefits of solar power today!

Summarizing How Solar Water Heaters Work

Solar water heaters have a simple working mechanism. The sun’s rays are captured by solar panels on top of the roof and converted into energy. That energy is then stored in batteries and can be used during the night or whenever there is a lack of sunlight.

Solar water heaters use this renewable energy source, which means you’ll have warm water all year round without spending any money on electricity. So not only do they save you money but they also help the environment!

Nothing is more satisfying than coming home to the smell of delicious food being cooked in your kitchen. However, there is a fine line between the wafting sweet and satisfying aroma of dinner and the fumes that make you cough and make your eyes water. Choosing from the best auto clean chimneys for the kitchen in India will ensure that you get the former.

Most kitchen chimneys will do a decent job of ensuring that the home environment does not suffer too much on account of cooking oil-heavy Indian dishes. However, that does not mean that any kind of chimney will do.

Some are definitely better than others. A seasoned shopper will know that most kitchen chimneys are going to become a pain to clean in the long run. And this is where auto-clean chimneys come in.

The Auto clean function not only keeps the cooking smoke and fumes out but also makes it easy to keep the chimney clean in the long run. This means enhanced function of the chimney, better daily performance, and ease of maintenance in the long run.

Despite the easy functionality of these chimneys, there are still a lot of questions surrounding auto-clean chimneys. In this guide, we will not only address those questions but also tell you in detail about the best performing auto cleaning chimneys in the Indian market today.

Feel free to use the navigation panel below to jump to the section of your choice or read through it. Knowledge is power!

• How Does an Auto Clean Chimney Work?
• How Often Should You Auto Clean Your Chimney?
• What are the different kinds of Auto Clean Chimneys in India?
  • Different Auto Clean Chimney Sizes
  • Types Of Auto Clean Chimneys Based on Filters
  • Varying Orientations of Auto Clean Chimneys
• Which Kitchen Chimney Types Are Right for You?
• 8 Best Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: At A Glance
• 3 Best 60 cm Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews
• 3 Best 90 cm Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews
• 2 Best angular Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews

How Does an Auto Clean Chimney Work?

Well, the working of a chimney is pretty standard. There is a suction motor that draws in smoke and cooking fumes to eject them outside. However, what’s really cool in auto clean chimneys is that they have a heating element that runs through the internal chambers of the chimney, especially near the blower.

With the push of a button, the heating element heats up and melt all the deposited oil and grime particles. The heat liquefies the oil which then flows down the chamber into the oil collector.

You can then just remove the oil collector and wash it with soap and water. The oil collector is located on the outside for easy access and once clean all you need to do is put it back in place.

Some companies even coat their suction motor fans and the inside of the chamber with a non-stick material to speed up the process.

So, there you have it, with a regular chimney, you would probably have to dismantle the entire body to get to the inside and then finally clean it. Whereas, with an auto-clean chimney, all that work is reduced to just pushing a button and washing a container.

While the actual cleaning process is very simple in auto-clean chimneys, you still need to know when to initiate it. In fact, this is easily the most common question amongst auto-clean chimney owners.

How Often Should You Auto Clean Your Chimney?

Unfortunately, this question doesn’t have a single answer because it depends on the frequency and type of cooking that is being carried out under a particular hood.

For example, if you’re cooking 2-3 meals per day and using oil or frying in most of them then naturally your chimney will get grimier faster.

As a result, this chimney will need to be cleaned more frequently than if you only cook one meal or meals with little to no oil.

Figuring out how frequently to clean your chimney can be complicated but auto-clean chimneys even make this process easier.

You simply start by cleaning it every two weeks. Run the auto clean function, detach the oil collector, drain it and give it a thorough wash with soap.

Depending on how dirty you find your oil collector, you can change when you initiate the auto-clean procedure next. If the collector isn’t full, give it 3 weeks, if it is full, try 10 days.

That being said, there is no downside to running the auto clean function. It neither harms the chimney nor does it shorten the life span of the chimney. Therefore, you may use it proactively as per the cleaning schedule of your kitchen and your ease.

It is also worth noting that there are certain times in the year like around festivals when the kitchen tends to be used more. During such periods, you should clean the chimney more regularly. Similarly, during periods when the chimney is not being used (like if you’re on a vacation), simply skip a cleaning cycle.

Best 60 cm Auto Clean Chimney for Kitchen	Best 90 cm Auto Clean Chimney for Kitchen	Best Angular Auto Clean Chimney for Kitchen
Faber 60 cm: Hood Primus Plus Energy HC SC BK 60	Elica 90 cm: WDFL 906 HAC MS NERO	Hindware Skyla
Powerful suction power, very quiet, the best baffle filter chimney at an affordable price point.	Powerful suction, effective filter-less technology with gesture controls, at an unbeatable price from one of the best chimney brands in the market.	Modern, powerful, efficient, and effective by design at banishing cooking smoke and oil fumes, this is for the non-traditionalists.
Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now

What Are the Different Types of Auto Clean Chimneys in India?

The purpose of the auto clean feature is the ease and convenience of the user. Chimneys come in all shapes and forms and whatever type of chimney you decide to buy will likely have a variant that has the auto clean feature.

Different Auto Clean Chimney Sizes

Chimneys come in two different sizes, 60 cm, and 90 cm.

Simplistically speaking, the smaller one is for a two-burner set and the larger one suits any hob that has 2-4 burners. There is something to note here though.

Between two chimneys of different sizes but of the same make and model, the only difference will be the dimensions of the chimney and not the suction power.

You will find chimneys of both 60 and 90 cms with auto clean function in the market.

Types Of Auto Clean Chimneys Based on Filters

Another way to look at chimneys is by classifying them on the type of filter they have or don’t have. There are filter-less chimneys too you know. The most common type of filters in the market right now are cassette filters and baffle filters.

Baffle filters perform better in the Indian kitchen and that’s why they’re more widely used than cassette filters. The auto-clean function can be found in both cassette and baffle filter chimneys as well as filter-less chimneys.

Varying Orientations of Auto Clean Chimneys

Chimneys can be categorized based on their orientation too. These are the standard straight chimneys and the fancy angular chimneys.

While most consumers are pretty well acquainted with the straight or hooded chimney, angular chimneys are newer.

These chimneys look futuristic and modern and are generally better performing in every way than their straight counterparts. Since they are angular, they have more surface area covering the hood. They also tend to be more silent as the motor is not obstructing the path of the rising smoke.

However, the best feature of these kinds of chimneys is that the hatch or the louvre opens automatically when the chimney is turned on. This means that the rest of the time the chimney will remain shut and will not be a portal for air exchange with the outdoors. This is particularly important if you also have air purifiers in your home and consciously try to manage indoor air quality.

Which Kitchen Chimney Types Are Right for You?

It’s pretty clear that rather than looking for auto-clean chimneys, you need to figure out what type of chimney you are looking for.

Once you know that, you can find the auto-clean variant within that category. However, choosing a chimney can be quite an exercise in itself.

There are more than just a few factors to consider and it can make a difference if you take the time out to look at all the aspects involved.

If you want to make sure you have covered all the bases read our guide on how to choose a chimney for your kitchen. But if you don’t care for that at the moment, don’t fret because we have gone and done the research for you.

We have scoured the Indian home appliance market and found the best performing and most efficient kitchen chimneys in different segments. We have categorized the segments by size, orientation as well as filter options below and have detailed reviews too. Read on.

8 Best Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: At A Glance

3 Best 60 cm Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews

#1: Eurodomo 60 cm: Hood Classy HC TC BK 60

Editor’s Rating: 7/10

For those who do not know this brand and wonder where it came from, Eurodomo is a company registered under the Faber brand.

Although these chimneys are sold under the Eurodomo brand, they’re still installed, managed, and serviced by Faber. The product is made in China.

This chimney has all the features that one could look for in a modern chimney. It has an aesthetically pleasing curved glass, modern design that fits all contemporary kitchens.

It has touch controls with an LED display panel and LEDs to light up your cooking station, under it.

The suction power for this chimney is at a standard 1200 m3/hr which does very well in cleaning the space of smoke and cooking fumes if the kitchen is sealed.

If it is an open kitchen type of space, you may find the suction a tad lacking. The company specifies that this chimney is designed for kitchens that are more than 200 sq ft in size.

The baffle filters are stainless steel and require cleaning only once in 6 months. The auto clean feature does a good job of cleaning the insides of the chimney and users find it very effective.

The noise level is not too much. However, it must be said that how much noise a chimney makes depends a lot on how well it is installed.

Talking of installation, the cost for the tubing, pipes, and drilling is extra and is mentioned in detail on the product page. Even though Faber usually excels at post-sales services, there are some customer grievances when it comes to the installation of this chimney.

Another, aspect of this chimney that bothers most customers is the clock function. The company has provided a clock; however, it resets every time the power is turned off to the chimney because it does not come with a battery. This makes it an almost useless feature in a country like India where power cuts are the norm.

The buttons for the timer function are also not the most intuitively designed and some users have struggled with it. Although the company says that the product comes with a manual, some users have not found one.

Apart from these tiny niggles, the chimney performs it core function very well i.e., cleaning the kitchen of smoke and cooking fumes. Post sales services are managed effectively by Faber too and the company is giving 5 years warranty on the motor.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for an auto-clean chimney for under Rs 10,000, this is your best bet. You’re getting a reputable company name and all the features that make for a modern chimney.

#2: Faber 60 cm: Hood Primus Plus Energy HC SC BK 60

Editor’s Rating: 9/10

The Hood Primus is one of Faber’s best-selling chimneys in the 60 cm/auto-clean segment.

That’s not only because Faber is a market leader in Chimneys, but also because this chimney is very well balanced in terms of features. In fact, there are practically no flaws in this chimney.

It’s a minimalistic chimney that fits right into any type of kitchen. The 1500 m3/hr suction capacity is quite adequate and very effective in clearing out cooking fumes and smoke from the kitchen.

There are virtually no complaints when it comes to the suction power. The company claims that it is meant for heavy frying and grilling and its function matches those claims.

You can run this chimney at three different speeds. Although the noise level obviously increases as you increase the speed, it is still very much a quiet chimney.

Between previously reviewed Eurodomo chimney and this one, this one is a little quieter. We think it has something to do with the overall weight of the chimney. This one is quite light.

However, it is not lightweight when it comes to the auto clean feature. It just becomes very convenient to clean and maintain the chimney with it. The sturdy baffle filters need to be cleaned only once in 6 months and overall, this makes for a very fuss-free chimney.

We are nitpicking now but the only features missing from this chimney are the timer functions and the motion sensor functions. If you are a big fan of the motion sensor function the next chimney is for you. However, we have to say that, this one is very effective at what does.

There is a five-year warranty on the motor and Faber provides exceptional post-sale services. If you are on the market for a 60 cm auto clean chimney you cannot go wrong with this one. If you have a bigger cooking station, scroll down for the 90 cm variant of this same product.

Who’s it for: This one is ideal for those who want a powerful, effective, and no-fuss 60 cm auto-clean chimney that does what it does.

#3: Elica 60 cm: WD TBF HAC 60 MS NERO

Editor’s Rating: 8/10

If you’re looking through the Indian market for a new chimney, Elica is another name that you just can’t ignore.

Elica and Faber are market leaders when it comes to designing chimneys for the Indian kitchen and both have their own takes on how to go about it.

While Faber focuses on enhancing the build and optimizing the noise level, Elica focuses on providing more features at the same price point.

Needless to say, both make beautiful and effective chimneys.

And so, this Elica chimney is thoughtfully designed to suit all kinds of kitchens. It has a matte finish that hides a lot of dust and grime and can go for a long without needing a wipe.

It has a powerful suction capacity of 1425 m3/hr that is very effective in cleaning kitchens even bigger than 200 sq. ft. of smoke and cooking fumes and therefore is perfectly suited for the Indian kitchen.

This powerful suction capacity does make a little more noise though as you increase the fan speed. While both Faber and Elica mention that the max noise level in their chimneys is 58 decibels, there are more noise-related customer complaints in Elica than in Faber. We think it has something to do with the sturdy build of Faber chimneys.

The best part about this chimney is the motion sensing feature. You can turn on your chimney with the wave of a hand and increase and decrease the fan speed too.

Although we don’t think it’s the most important feature of a chimney, for those who do like it, it’s important to say that it works very well. It’s quite intuitive, responsive, and helpful when you have your hands covered in something gooey.

Ultimately, it does help to keep the external panel of the chimney clean.

As for the insides, the auto clean function on this chimney works as intended and comes in very handy. The great thing about auto clean function is that you never really have to get the chimney cleaned from outsiders ever again.

All you have to do is take care of keeping the baffle filters clean and there too the effort is minimized.

On the whole, this is a well-designed chimney and probably the only chimney in the market where you can get the auto-clean feature with a motion sensor at this price point. There is a 5-year warranty on the motor and great post-sale customer support.

Who’s it for: This one is for those who really want a hands-free experience while operating and cleaning their chimney.

3 Best 90 cm Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews

#1: Faber 90 cm: Hood Polo HC SC FL BK 90

Editor’s Rating: 9/10

We’ve already given you the best 60 cm Faber auto clean chimney, and now we bring you the best Faber 90 cm auto clean chimney that has more going for it than just auto clean and its bigger size.

This is a 90 cm auto-clean and filterless chimney. That means that your cleaning task has been cut even further.

Since filterless chimneys don’t have traditional baffle filters, there is less oil deposition to worry about.

The conventional motor in these kinds of chimneys has been moved out of the path of the rising smoke to give an even faster way out to the cooking fumes. This results in there being very few oil deposits on the outer mesh, that can be just wiped away with a cloth. No more scrubbing baffle filters!

As for the insides, again, where there is auto-clean technology you don’t have to worry. With the touch of a button, the internal chambers will get heated and any residual oil will flow down and collect in the oil collector. It’s just a matter of now giving it a simple soap and water wash.

Because this chimney bigger, it is meant for a slightly bigger cooking station/hob of up to 4 burners. The company states that it supports heavy frying and grilling and all the claims have been validated by the customer reviews.

This one has a powerful suction capacity. A 1200m3/hr suction power of a filterless chimney can be comparable to or even better than a 1500 m3/hr suction power in a filtered chimney. That is because there is no motor to bend the airflow and no baffle filters to slow it down.

For that reason, this chimney is very quiet as well. Along with the ease of maintenance, this chimney offers ease of functionality too. It has intuitive touch controls and motion sensor technology so that you can operate your chimney with the wave of a hand.

It has everything that you could ask for in an auto-clean chimney at this price point. We tried and we tried again harder but we could not find a fault in this one. Dare we say, Faber has designed the perfect chimney and it comes with a five-year warranty on the motor.

Who’s it for: For those who want a 90 cm filterless chimney with motion sensors and want it from a reputable name in the home appliance market this is the best one.

#2: Elica 90 cm: WDFL 906 HAC MS NERO

Editor’s Rating: 8/10

There is hardly an awesome Faber chimney in the market that does not have an equally amazing counterpart in Elica.

This is one such model, it competes directly with the Faber HOOD POLO, but is it better? You decide.

This is a filterless chimney with a suction power of 1425 m3/hr. That’s a lot!

We don’t know if it even makes a difference when you go above 1200 m3/hr of suction in a filterless chimney, but we think that as long as the noise is controlled, it adds as a feature.

Yes, 1200 m3/hr covers your daily cooking needs but for those times when you’re maxing out your hobs, this one would fare better.

The design is beautiful, the curved glass lends a beautiful touch to any modern kitchen. It is a 90 cm chimney so is meant for 3-4 burners. It’s not that you could not use a 90 cm chimney on a 2-burner set it’s just that usually, 60 cm suffices for a 2-burner set.

The auto-clean function on this chimney works as intended and makes maintenance a breeze. With filterless chimneys there is no hassle of removing and cleaning baffle filters, you can just give the outside a wipe and you’re done. The auto clean feature will take care of the insides of the chimney.

The touch controls are intuitively designed and the motion sensor works well. With it, you can effectively manage the functioning of the chimney with the wave of your hand. It does come in handy when your hands are busy or covered in foodstuff.

The best part and why this is a competitor of the Faber HOOD POLO is that it comes at a cheaper price point. With everything that this chimney has going for it, we think that it is the best one in the 90 cm category. It comes with a standard 5-year warranty on the motor.

Who’s it for: This chimney is for those looking for the biggest bang for their buck. It is filterless, has touch controls, powerful suction, and even motion sensor control. What more could you ask for in a chimney?

#3: Faber 90 cm: HOOD PRIMUS PLUS ENERGY HC SC BK 90

Editor’s Rating: 7/10

This chimney is a 90 cm variant of the already reviewed 60 cm HOOD PRIMUS.

So, if you’re looking to buy a chimney for a 2-3 burner hob go for the 60 cm and if you have a 3-4 burner set you may consider this one.

Note that we said to consider, not to go for. We’ll explain.

This is a well-designed chimney. It has curved glass that suits the modern kitchen and a powerful 1500 m3/hr suction that does well in removing cooking fumes from the kitchen.

The company claims that it is well suited for heavy frying and grilling in a kitchen that is bigger than 200 sq ft.

The baffle filters combined with the fact that it has an auto-clean feature means that you will probably be cleaning the filters once in 6 months. That’s not too bad, right?

There is a glass touch panel and the controls are pretty responsive, LEDs are bright and this chimney has pretty much everything you need from a standard smoke pulling machine for the kitchen.

The problem is that this model turns out to be a little pricey when you compare it to other chimneys of other brands and even another model of the same brand i.e., Faber.

If you are looking for a 90 cm Faber chimney, we think that the HOOD POLO is a better deal. It is a filterless chimney, which is a newer technology, it has gesture controls and it has these additional features at a lower price point.

Filter-less technology means that the chimney will run even quieter, this one tends to be slightly noisier. Another benefit of a filterless chimney is that it needs even less maintenance. Even if you’re not a fan of the gesture controls, this is enough of a reason to go for the HOOD POLO.

The only circumstance in which we would recommend that you buy this chimney is if you’re specifically on the market for Faber 90 cm auto clean chimney with baffle filters. Maybe you also prefer the 1500 m3/hr suction in this one over the 1200 m3/hr in HOOD POLO.

There is absolutely no fault with this chimney other than the price points and even Elica is offering a 90 cm auto-clean chimney with baffle filters at a lower price.

Who’s it for: This chimney is specifically for those looking for a 90 cm Faber auto-clean chimney with baffle filters, nothing more, nothing less.

2 Best Angular Auto Clean Chimneys for Kitchen in India: Detailed Reviews

#1: Hindware Skyla

Editor’s Rating: 9/10

Hindware is a trusted brand in the Indian market but because most of us associate them with sanitary fittings this gem of a product has probably gone unnoticed.

First of all, let’s be honest, there are not that many inclined chimneys in the Indian market.

We don’t know why the Indian consumer does not prefer it over the straight or hooded design but the truth of the matter is that they are better in every way.

Inclined chimneys are more efficient at removing smoke as the motor is moved out of the path of the rising smoke. Due to this they also require less suction power to do the same job as a straight or hooded chimney.

Further, since the filter surface is not parallel but at an angle to the cooking station/hob, the total surface area for the reception of the smoke is increased.

All these factors mean that an angled chimney is bound to be more effective than a traditionally designed straight/hooded chimney.

However, there is a drawback, they do not gel with a traditionally designed kitchen. They have a very modern and futuristic look to them and would most probably stand out in a traditional Indian kitchen.

But for those looking to make a statement or for those who are looking for the perfect accompaniment to their modern kitchen, this one is a great product.

One particular feature of angular chimneys that we love here at pollutionsolution is these chimneys have a ‘louvre’ or a mouth.

It opens when you turn the chimney on but stays shut otherwise. This means your chimney does not become an air exchange point with the outside polluted air.

In addition to its more efficient design, this product also has 1350 m3/hr suction power. Nothing can escape this chimney. The company states that it supports heavy frying and grilling and it does so very easily.

There is even a turbo functionality as well meant for such times as tempering of spices that is so frequent in Indian cooking.

The best part is that this chimney removes the cooking smoke and fumes but does so very quietly. Since this is a filterless chimney, there are no rattling baffle filters and no excessive pressure as the smoke is not forced to change its path.

There are touch controls and gesture controls meaning that you can turn on this chimney and change its speed with the wave of your hand.

The auto clean feature makes it very easy to keep the insides of the chimney clean. The outside just needs a timely wipe since the glass panel is very efficient at dodging any long-term stains. Talking of long-term, there is a 10-year warranty on the motor. This product is built to last!

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for the most efficiently functioning chimney by design and are not afraid of the bold look then this chimney is for you.

#2: Faber 60 cm: Hood Zenith FL SC AC BK 60

Editor’s Rating: 8/10

Faber is very good at making chimneys. When you combine a brand that is good at making a product with a design that is inherently more efficient, you get a great product.

And that is exactly what this chimney is. This angular HOOD ZENITH model comes in three sizes: 60 cms, 75 cms, and 90 cms.

This 60 cm model, is good for a kitchen between 100-200 sqft and supports heavy frying and grilling, according to the company.

Angular chimneys are inherently more efficient than normally found straight or curved design chimneys. When you combine that with a powerful 1350 m3/hr suction, there is no chance that smoke or cooking fumes will survive in your kitchen.

For some reason, this chimney is not as quiet as a usual angular chimney. The company lists the noise level at 58 decibels which is the same as its straight or hooded chimney ranges.

We believe it is not even as quiet as the Hindware Skyla chimney reviewed earlier. Read the previous review on Hindware Skyla chimney for more on this and other benefits of angular chimneys. However, it does come from a reputable brand and a leader in the chimney market.

This chimney has an automatic hatch that opens up when you turn it on. At all other times, the hatch stays shut, this way, there is no air exchange between the home and outside air when the chimney is not in use.

However, one drawback of this is that you cannot just turn the light on without opening the hatch but that’s a small consideration.

The controls are touch and motion controlled both. The auto clean feature works as it should. The heated element melts residual oil and grime in the chimney and collects it in the oil collector which can be detached and washed.

Since this is a filterless chimney, there is no worry about cleaning any other filters. Just wipe the outer glass surface and your chimney is good as new.

Overall, this is a very good chimney, if you have your heart set on an angular chimney for your modern kitchen. If you have a traditional kitchen you may want to check whether this one will blend in though. There is a 5-year standard Faber warranty on the motor.

Who’s it for: If you want an efficient, modern, and powerful chimney that sits well in the kitchen of the future, this one is for you.

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.

Looking for the best kitchen chimney in the market to complement your beautiful kitchen? You’ve come to the right place because this is where you’ll learn how to choose a chimney for your kitchen and which aspects to consider.

Asking a kitchen appliance vendor which chimney is best for your kitchen may be the tried and tested formula but it comes with the risk of feeling that you could’ve picked better.

After all, a particular vendor will always have limited models (whichever brands he’s licensed to sell for example) to offer you. Besides, if the dealer isn’t the most successful, then he won’t be updating his stocks regularly. This would mean that you’ll end up with an older model.

So, how then should you choose a kitchen chimney? Well, you have to do your research. First, you have to know the type of chimney you need and then you have to go about evaluating individual models within those types of chimneys.

Don’t fret. We’ve made it easy for you in this simple guide. Just consider these five questions and you’re good to go.

• #1: Where have you placed your hob or cooking station?
• #2: Which chimney is best for your kitchen: ducted or ductless chimneys?
• #3: What is the size of your hob or cooking station?
• #4: What kind of chimney filter would you like?
• #5: What kind of look does your kitchen have?

#1: Where have you placed your hob or cooking station?

Like most Indian kitchens, if you have decided to place your hob against a wall then naturally, you’re looking for a wall-mounted chimney.

However, there are other configurations of installation as well such as the island chimney.

This kind of chimney is meant to be mounted on the ceiling above the island on top of which the hob, cooking station, or induction plate are installed. Although these were not so common in India earlier, with the growing trend of open kitchens, island chimneys are fast coming into vogue.

Another not-so-common placement is the corner for which there are corner-mounted chimneys in the market too. However, due to their very low demand in India, we would recommend against going for them.

#2: Which chimney is best for your kitchen: ducted or ductless chimneys?

There are two main kitchen chimney types. Those that expel the smoke outside of the kitchen through ducts that lead out and those that filter the smoke and let the air out through the top within the kitchen.

Most people have only heard of a ducted chimney in India and the reason is simple.

A ductless chimney simply does not hold too well against the oil-heavy and heat-intensive Indian cuisine. If you are looking for a chimney for a traditional Indian kitchen that is used even once or twice a day, a ducted chimney is the best option.

However, if there is minimal or light cooking in a kitchen a ductless chimney can be a viable option too. That’s why considering the growing pollution levels, many young homeowners who often eat out are opting for ductless chimneys.

Although uncommon there are benefits to a ductless chimney. Your house remains sealed and it complements the heating/cooling as well as the air filtration devices in your home.

There is a cost of maintenance of filters to be considered here though. Unlike the ducted chimneys which have just one one-time installation cost to them, you’ll have to regularly replace your ductless chimney’s air filter. In that regard, it isn’t all that different from air purifiers.

#3: What is the size of your hob or cooking station?

Kitchen chimneys come in two sizes 60 cm and 90 cm. Kitchen hobs come in 3 variants, 2, 3, and 4 burners. It’s best to not automatically assume that for a two-burner you need a smaller chimney and for a four-burner, you need a bigger-sized chimney.

Because once again it is the quality and quantum of cooking that dictates what size you should buy. If you have a two-burner and are into the traditional Indian dishes and cook them often, then do not shy away from a larger chimney.

Another factor to consider apart from the two sizes is the style and dimensions of the chimney. There can often be a slight variation in the dimensions of different chimney models due to their designs like flat glass design, curved glass, etc.

It’s always a good idea to physically measure the width of your hob or cooking station as well as the width of your chimney, and then opt for a chimney that extends slightly beyond the dimensions of the hob. This will ensure that there is no escaping of smoke simply because it falls outside the periphery of the chimney. For the Indian kitchen, we almost always recommend a 90 cm chimney.

#4: What kind of chimney filter would you like?

Or maybe the question should be, would you like a chimney filter at all? Because voila! There are filter-less chimneys in the market too. But more on that in a bit.

Let’s talk about the most important aspect of your chimney because once the installation is done, you’ll be dealing with this one regularly: cleaning the filters.

Picking the right type of chimney filter will not only dictate how effective your chimney is, but it will also dictate how you feel about it in the long run as cleaning a chimney filter is no joke.

Pick the right kind and you won’t be disappointed but choose wrongly and you’re set for constant annoyance in your life.

It’s a good idea here to learn a little about the kinds of filters that are available in the market so that you can decide what you’ll be most comfortable with.

There are basically two kitchen chimney types if you categorize them in terms of the type of filters they have. Then, there is the third kitchen chimney type where there are no filters i.e., the filter-less chimney for the absolutely I-want-no-fuss kind of shoppers.

Cassette chimney filters

These are not very common these days in the Indian market. However, it’s still good to know about them so that you can avoid them when they do come your way.

The filter in this chimney is metallic, either steel or aluminum and basically contains layers of metallic mesh to trap the oil particles as the smoke passes through the filter.

Even though they do a good job of separating oil the main challenge with them is the cleaning. You do have to clean it regularly or else the oil will accumulate and start dripping onto your hob.

For this heavy maintenance reason alone, we always recommend going with baffle filters, read on. Typically, you’ll find such chimneys in low-cost restaurants (dhabas) and roadside eateries. Some even make their own by installing their exhausts surrounded by metal nets.

Baffle chimney filters

These are the most commonly found types of filters in the filtered chimney category. Baffle filters are easy to clean and they don’t have to be cleaned as often as a cassette filter. They are very forgiving in terms of the frequency of cleaning required.

While a cassette filter cleaning will have to be done on a rigorous schedule to ensure that the filter is not clogged, the ridges in the baffle filter are spaced much apart and can thus be cleaned less often.

Furthermore, nowadays chimney manufacturers have started integrating a slanting design for the baffle filter which means that there is a self-cleaning option and the cleaning routine is essentially cut down to nothing.

Just turn on a switch, the filter will heat up and the oil will melt and collect into an oil collector which you just have to remove, empty, and wipe or wash. You’re done.

Filter-less chimneys

This is a new technology for those who want a completely hands-off experience with their chimney. There is no filter in this design, the motor is sealed and placed out of the path of the rising smoke. The smoke itself rises in a helical fashion so that the oil particles stick to the walls of the ducts that are often coated with something nonstick.

When it’s time to clean simply turn on a switch that’s going to heat the insides of the chimney. The collected oil will melt and again you will find it in the oil collector which you can empty and wash.

Apart from the very low maintenance, another reason why these chimneys are popular is that they are very quiet. This is because there are no rattling filters.

Another reason why they are quieter is that they house smaller motors that are quieter.

Despite these motors’ small size, these chimneys still generate the same amount of suction as filtered chimneys. This is because they don’t have to cope with filters that can block the passage of the smoke.

All this does come at an added price though as these tend to be the most expensive of the lot.

#5: What kind of look does your kitchen have?

So, there you have it.

If you can answer where your chimney is going to go, if you’re comfortable with an outlet, how big it has to be, and what your cleaning preferences are, then you’re almost ready to pull the trigger on the purchase.

We have a whole guide on the best chimneys in the Indian market to further narrow down your choices here.

The only other question that you can consider is if you’d like any specific type of look for your chimney. There are many different types of kitchen designs and a chimney with a complementing design can definitely take the overall appearance up a notch.

There are the usual pyramid design chimneys, that go very well in the traditional kitchen. The Faber 60 cm Pyramid Kitchen Chimney has a beautiful old charming style for the traditional look lovers. Then, there are glass-paneled chimneys that look stunning in a contemporary styled kitchen.

Within the glass-paneled, there are flat glass and curved glass designs as well to stand with the lines and features of your kitchen. And for the modern minimalist kitchen design lovers, there are curved chimneys with digital controls.

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.

“Why should I buy Philips just because everyone else is buying it” is what I thought to myself before buying our first air purifier. Of course, Philips air purifiers in India are such a class apart that I ended up buying one on that day anyway.

Now, we own two!

If you’re also considering buying an air purifier in India, then we can’t recommend them enough for a wide variety of different reasons. We’ll not only talk about all those reasons in this guide but will also review the best Philips air purifiers in India from the most pocket-friendly to the most advanced.

Here’s everything you’ll find on this page.

If you don’t need any convincing that Philips air purifiers are the best in India then feel free to skip the first few sections by using the clickable navigation panel below.

• How Effective is a Phillips Air Purifier for Home?
• Is an Air Purifier from Phillips a Better Choice than Other Brands?
• Where Should I Place My Philips Purifier?
• How Long Does the Philips Air Purification Technology Last?
• How Can You Clean Your Philips Air Purifier Filter?
• Top 2 Best Philips Room Air Purifiers in India for Small Rooms: Detailed Reviews
• Top 2 Philips Air Purifiers in India for Small Rooms: Detailed Reviews
• Top 2 Best Philips Room Air Purifiers in India for Medium Rooms: Detailed Reviews
• Top 2 Best Philips Room Air Purifiers in India for Large Rooms: Detailed Reviews

How Effective is a Phillips Air Purifier for Home?

In a word? Yes.

Philips is the market leader in India. In other words, it sells the most air purifiers in India.

In fact, even though Philips is a multinational company headquartered in the Netherlands, India is of immense value to them.

You see, the largest portion of their revenue comes from India.

We’re highlighting this fact because it explains a lot. For instance, now that you know how important the Indian market is to Philips, you know why they’re so incredibly committed to it.

India’s importance to Philips and their commitment to their products sold here are interdependent. Their revenues are high because they devote themselves to this market and they devote themselves to this market because they depend on it for their profits.

For you, the air purifier buyer, this is important because it means that the company depends on the Indian market. Therefore, their products are almost custom-made for use in our country.

For instance, if you’ve ever tried to use electronics made for other countries in India, you would’ve noted that when there is a power cut, the device doesn’t start again on its own. You have to manually do it.

This is because power cuts are not common in other countries and auto-restarts are avoided because products can get damaged. However, in India, all electronics are designed for auto-restart after power cuts because there are so many power cuts.

Philips’s dedication to the Indian market also means that the company will never stop supporting its products here.

This ensures excellent post-sales service and availability of spares which is again crucial to us because we like to buy products that can be used for years and decades.

Is an Air Purifier from Phillips a Better Choice than Other Brands?

So, now that we know how and why Philips air purifiers are effective in India, the obvious question is “what about other brands of air purifiers”?

The answer depends on what you’re looking for.

In terms of overall performance, no other air purifier brand in the country can compete with Philips. Most importantly, air purifiers from this brand are market leaders because of their filter availability. It doesn’t matter which model you buy or own already, it is super easy to find a filter for a Philips air purifier for home in India.

What other air purifiers can beat Philips air purifiers on are innovation and unique features. For instance, it is only after Mi’s game-changing WIFI-enabled air purifier started taking over the market that Philips decided to launch its own WIFI air purifier in 2020.

We even reviewed this revolutionary device from Mi in our list of top home air purifiers in India.

Similarly, newer competing products have started appearing in the market with unique HEPA filters or additional purification technologies such as Coway air purifiers and Havells air purifiers respectively.

These devices compete well with the best air purifiers in the country. The only risk involved with buying those purifiers is that you cannot be sure of replacement filter availability unless those companies commit to the Indian market.

Therefore, you can buy those devices to get slightly more advanced technology but if replacement filters are not available then you’ll just have a decorative piece at the end of the next one or two years.

There’s another way that Philips air purifiers beat competing products and it’s not because of something that Philips does. After all, the fact that there are multiple aftermarket or third-party suppliers for Philips replacement filters is not something you can credit Philips for.

There are so many aftermarket options because Philips is such a major player in the country.

You can find replacement filters for Philips air purifiers at lower prices in the market simply because of these aftermarket suppliers.

While not at the same level of quality as the original Philips air filters, these aftermarket filters do save you a chunk of money without compromising on quality too much.

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Where Should I Place My Philips Purifier?

This is a universal question. What we mean is that it doesn’t only relate to Philips air purifiers. It applies to all air purifiers.

The answer varies according to the design of the purifier. There are two prevalent designs currently in the market.

The first is the flat rectangular design. These usually have vents in the front and at the top. The front vents are for sucking the polluted air in while the top vent is for throwing out the purified air.

These devices can be safely kept against the wall. However, their location still needs to be somewhere in the middle of the room. If you put them in one corner, then the air in the opposite corner may not get purified fully, unless you have a very small room.

The other, more modern design is the tower. Its vents are located all around its body instead of just in the front. The vents for purified air remain at the top but they’re arranged in a circular format.

The benefit of this design is greater efficiency. The device can take in more air and push out more air which means that it purifies the room more quickly.

Further, the circular filters also don’t have edges like the flat ones do. This along with the more diffused intake of air also prevents dirty air from sneaking around the sides.

The flat air purifiers are designed to be kept against a wall while the round ones are supposed to be kept away from the wall.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t keep the tower air purifiers against the wall, though. It just means that by giving it clearance space all around it, you just make it more effective.

If you do have to place it next to the wall, make sure that you clean around and behind it regularly as dust can build up due to high-pressure suction of air through a small place.

How Long Does the Philips Air Purification Technology Last?

Multiple variables play a role here.

The first is the HEPA filter grade. The higher the grade of the HEPA filter, the higher its surface area will be.

This means that it will last longer.

Generally, the following estimates apply.

• H11 and H12 grade filters last about one year.
• H13 grade filters last 18 months.
• H14 grade filters can last upwards of two years.
• Combi filters normally perform somewhere between H13 and H14 grade HEPA filters.

However, it is important to remember that the working environment also plays a role. This means variables like:

• What the AQI is where you live – indoors and outdoors?
• What settings and fan speed you use your air purifier on?
• How often and long you keep your air purifier on?
• How well sealed your home is?
• How often and well you clean your pre-filter?

In the majority of cases, the estimates given by Philips for its devices are conservative. They will want you to change the filter the moment you get the alert.

However, you should see the alert as the beginning of the end of the filter. In other words, you don’t need to replace the filter but should expect your air purifier’s performance to steadily decline from the point that the device alerts you.

This means longer periods of high fan speeds and reduced air purification capability.

If you want to keep your device running at optimal conditions, replace the air filter immediately. If you have more questions, we’ve answered all of them in a separate post on replacement air purifier filters.

How Can You Clean Your Philips Air Purifier Filter?

Three things need to be cleaned in an air purifier.

The first is the machine itself and it is probably the easiest. As you use your device, you’ll find dust collecting near the vents.

1. Simply use a wet wipe or damp cloth to wipe the surface around the intake and output vents.
2. Make sure to open the panel and clean the insides too as dust collects there as well.
3. Remember to either air dry the surface you’ve wiped or wipe it with a dry cloth.

You’ll also have to regularly clean the pre-filter.

1. To do this, open the panel and take the pre-filter out.
2. First, shake and tap all the gathered dust loose.
3. Do this either in your bathroom or outside your home. There can be a considerable buildup on the pre-filter that can spread in your home.
4. It might be a good idea to wear a mask so as not to inhale this dust.
5. Once the pre-filter is tapped out, take it into the bathroom and clean it with water.
6. You can use a hand shower, a tap, or dip it in a tub.
7. Air-dry the pre-filter before returning it to the air purifier.

The third thing you’ll have to clean will be the sensor of the device. You’ll need to do this once every year or so. You’ll know the sensor is dirty and choked when the AQI indicator of your air purifier constantly stays in red.

This can be a little tricky because it is a small space and you don’t want to damage anything.

1. Locate and open the panel protecting the AQI sensor on the device.
2. It will be located on the side of the device and the panel will open sideways like a door. Don’t pull it out. It is not like the big panel protecting the filters.
3. Once open, use a wet wipe or small, wet rag to clean the insides.
4. Since the area is small, we recommend using a pair of tweezers. Wrap your wet wipe around the tip of the tweezers and wipe the insides of the sensor.
5. Turn on the air purifier. If the AQI monitor doesn’t stay frozen, you’ve done a good job. If it does, go back to the sensor and clean deeper.

Top 2 Best Philips Room Air Purifiers in India for Small Rooms: Detailed Reviews

#1: Philips Air Purifier AC0817/20

Editor’s Rating: 6.5/10

This is the cheapest Philips air purifier you can get in India.

As a result, it also happens to be the simplest option available.

While many people often call bigger air purifiers portable, this one is the true portable device because of its super-compact profile.

In fact, it is because of its size that we think it is better suited as an accompaniment to the room air purifier than alone.

For instance, if you have an L-shaped room that your existing air purifier is unable to cope with then you can place this device in the far corner to boost purification efficiency.

Of course, you can also use it in a small room like a cubicle or home office (think as small as servant quarters). For example, you can take it with you to work if your stingy boss refuses to equip the office with an air purifier.

The small size means that this device’s CADR (that’s how much air it throws out every 60 minutes) is as low as 190 m3 per hour. This translates to this device being suitable for a room measuring 160 sq. ft.

The company says that it can handle a room as large as 234 sq. ft. but we find that hard to believe. You can probably manage to use it in a 200 sq. ft. room, though, but only if it is sealed properly.

As to how well it cleans, you cannot compare it to the company’s room air purifiers. Those devices, at least, have an H13 HEPA filter. This one only has an H12 and there’s a huge difference between the two.

You see, H12 grade HEPA filters can only purify up to 99.5% of particulate matter as small as 0.003 microns but H13 grade filters can manage as much as 99.97%.

That’s a difference of 0.47%. It doesn’t seem much but it is considerable as far as this technology goes. For perspective, the higher grade HEPA filters i.e., H14 and H15 are capable of 99.975% and 99.9975%.

Even so, if you have allergies and need a super-portable air purifier, then this device would suffice. It is, after all, certified by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF).

Another feature of this device that is a result of its compactness is that there’s only one button. You’ll be using this button to choose different modes and perform all other functions of the device.

The available modes are Auto and Sleep. The Auto mode is closely connected to the AQI indicator. The indicator uses colors to show you the state of the air in the room.

The Auto mode uses this information to change the fan speed of the device. Be aware that when this device is operating at the highest fan speeds, it tends to get noisy.

There’s a filter indicator as well that will tell you when they need changing. Unfortunately, the filters are small which means that they need to be changed far more often than you would feel comfortable with.

On the other hand, its small size means that it doesn’t consume a lot of power. It is rated to use about 20W of power which is the same as a light bulb.

For its size, it is a bit expensive. Other similarly sized devices in the market are cheaper. However, the relatively higher price of this Philips air purifier is because it contains a HEPA filter. Most of its competitors don’t.

At the same time, most of its competitors are battery-based, while device one needs to be plugged in to be operational.

Unlike its competitors, though, you’ll get a 2-year worldwide warranty from Philips.

Who’s it for: If you can’t spend too much and need something super-portable, get this portable Philips air purifier.

#2: Philips AC1217 or AC1215/20 Air Purifier

Editor’s Rating: 9.0/10

Philips Air Purifier AC1217 and AC1215 are very similar devices. The Philips AC1217 is a more recent model and supposedly more advanced. However, this is not evident when you look deeper.

The Philips 1217 air purifier is not only more expensive than the Philips 1215 air purifier but it is also louder and less effective in terms of coverage area or air throwing power (CADR).

At the same time, you need to know that the difference between the AC1217 and AC1215 are so minor as to almost be negligible.

Therefore, if you’re being asked to choose between the two, we recommend the AC1215 but if you can only find the AC1217 then you shouldn’t avoid the purchase.

As it is, the Philips Air Purifier AC1215 is possibly the most purchased and widely used air purifier in India.

It also needs to be credited with giving Philips the air purifier market on a platter. This is the product that is the reason why Philips is a market leader in India.

In terms of all the Phillips air purifier prices in India, this one is likely to suit your specific requirements and restrictions best. In fact, it offers all the core functions of an air purifier at a price that falls sweetly in that financial bracket that is suitable for most middle-income families in the country.

This is why so many people ended up buying this product.

If you weren’t one of those people, then you would now think that this device is criminally simple, especially when compared to all the latest IoT-type offerings. However, when it comes to purifying air, this device does wonderfully well.

It is based on an H13 grade HEPA filter which is extremely efficient. Even though it is less efficient than an H14 grade HEPA filter, the difference is not big enough to merit much discussion.

You’ll often find this device described as a bedroom air purifier because of its size and capacity. It has a CADR of 270 m3 per hour which is just about right for a room measuring 250 sq. ft. With proper seals, you can probably push this to 300 sq. ft.

Philips even specifies that, if put in a room measuring 18 ft. x 12 ft. x 8 ft., this device would be able to purify all the air in less than 12 minutes flat.

Other than the HEPA filter, this air purifier also has a pre-filter and an activated carbon filter. Both do a good job and neither comes off as poor quality.

There are three Auto modes to choose from – General, Allergen, and NightSense. All have different maximum fan speeds with the NightSense being particularly noteworthy.

The NightSense mode is designed to be used at night when you’re sleeping. Turning it on will kill the device’s lights and minimize high fan speeds without compromising on air quality.

Essentially, the device will go into turbo mode for the first 15 minutes before dropping fan speeds really low. If the air quality drops in the night, the fan speeds go up but never to maximum levels because it tries to minimize noise.

Another feature of this mode is that it turns on when the device detects low lighting conditions. The only problem is that it doesn’t turn off properly enough when the room becomes bright.

Other than these modes, there are also four manual fan speeds including Turbo.

The AQI indicator on this device is color-coded ranging from red (bad) to blue (good). Unfortunately, at this price range, a numerical AQI display is not available in any product.

There’s also a filter change indicator and a child lock for convenience of use.

Like all Philips air purifiers, this one is also tested approved by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF).

Pricing-wise, we’ve already mentioned that it is within the range of most Indians. What we didn’t mention is that this device is cheaper than all its competitors with similar capabilities.

Who’s it for: This cheap Philips air purifier is ideal for middle-class families in India with maximum bang for the buck.

If this and the previous device don’t exactly meet your needs, there are other super-cheap air purifiers you can go for too.

Top 2 Best Philips Room Air Purifiers in India for Medium Rooms: Detailed Reviews

#1: AC2887 Philips Air Purifier

Editor’s Rating: 8.5/10

The Philips AC2887 air purifier was the most popular such device for medium-sized rooms in India for a long time.

While it wasn’t as popular as Philips’s iconic AC1215/20, it was still hugely successful in the Indian market.

It would have carried on being exceptional too, except Philips launched an improved version that has already started taking over the market.

We’ll be reviewing that product next but first, let’s do this one because it is more affordable than that one.

This device’s success is based on its suitability for the upper-middle-income bracket in the country. This suitability, of course, is a result of its price and its capacity which makes it good for slightly larger rooms.

Depending on the time of year and ongoing deals, you can get this device for anything between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000. In terms of room size recommendations, you’ll find this device to be more than a match for an area of 325 sq. ft.

For example, the company says that this device can purify a room measuring 216 sq. ft. in mere 10 minutes. Technically, this means that it should be able to purify a 325 sq. ft. room in 15 minutes but it does depend on how well-sealed the room is.

It will perform best in smaller rooms but if you seal the room properly, it can even serve you well in a room exceeding 400 sq. ft. All this, of course, is a result of its 333 m3 per hour CADR.

Its purification abilities are also decent because it is based on an H13 HEPA filter, backed by a pre-filter and an active carbon filter. While it lacks an H14 HEPA filter, we don’t think the difference between the two is significant enough.

In addition to its suitability for the upper-middle class of India, the success of this device was also because of its AeraSense monitors that show AQI of the room numerically and color codes.

The AQI monitor is connected to this device’s 3 smart pre-settings which target specific types of air pollutants. These pre-settings of General, Allergen, and Bacteria & Virus are essentially running modes. Depending on the mode you choose, the device will adjust its fan speeds to suit the AQI of the room.

In terms of features, this device was fully loaded for its time. The only feature it didn’t have was the child lock.

In today’s world, though, it lacks a key feature – WIFI and app connectivity – but that is something that Philips has remedied in their latest launch.

Like all Philips air purifiers, this one also comes with a 2-year international warranty.

Who’s it for: If you’re not looking for WIFI connectivity in your medium room air purifier and want everything else, this device will be perfect.

#2: Philips AC2958 Air Purifier

Editor’s Rating: 9.0/10

Launched in 2020, the Philips AC2958/63 air purifier is quickly becoming a favorite in the country.

In fact, we’ll stick our neck out and say that this is the best Philips air purifier with HEPA filter in the market toda.

The device is an improvement on the AC2887 in more ways than one.

For instance, with this device, Philips has shown its intent to move away from the flat, wall-hugging design to the tower design.

The tower air purifiers are cylindrical.

While the flat air purifiers take in air from vents in the front, tower air purifiers suck in air from all sides. In both designs, the purified air is released from vents at the top.

However, tower air purifiers tend to be considerably more efficient when it comes to purifying the air. They’re not only faster but also don’t have any blind spots as is the case with wall-hugging air purifiers.

Since tower air purifiers can process air faster, they have a higher Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) too. A higher CADR also means that the device can handle larger rooms despite a small footprint.

The AC2958/63 has a CADR of 380 and can handle a room as large as 425 sq. ft provided it is sealed properly. If your rooms aren’t sealed properly, buy this device for 375 or 400 sq. ft. Philips claims it is suitable for 484.3 sq. ft. but that is in lab-like conditions and hard to get in real life.

Another way that this device improves upon the previously famous model is its WIFI compatibility. Newer products from other brands were eating into the Philips market share precisely because of this feature.

However, the AC2958/63 can not only be connected to Philips’s smart app but is also compatible with Google Voice Assistant and Amazon Alexa. You’ll be able to change all settings and access various features with the app.

As to the rest of the device, nothing is off except for one minor issue. This is the fact that this device uses an H13 grade HEPA filter instead of the latest H14.

We think this is a minor issue because H14 doesn’t offer a significant improvement over the H13. The usual pre-filter and activated carbon filter are present too in the combi filter configuration, of course.

Unfortunately, because this device uses a combi filter, aftermarket replacement options for the same are not easily available. This means that you would spend more every time you have to replace the filter but that is the price you pay for cutting-edge technology.

At the same time, the combi filter will have a longer life span too. Philips says that it can last for as long as 3 years but that depends on your usage and how polluted your city is. If it is like Delhi NCR, expect a life of around 2 years but if it is a cleaner city then you can overshoot the 3-year estimate too.

In terms of using it, this device boasts of all the standard features. It has 4 modes – Auto, Sleep, Gentle, and Turbo. The Auto mode takes its cue from the incredibly accurate AQI monitor. The monitor will show you its findings numerically and via colors where red is extremely unhealthy while blue is purified.

This device also has a smart filter status indicator. This indicator evaluates and displays how much pollution the device has processed.

Being the newest and most advanced air purifier in the market, you shouldn’t be surprised that of all the Philips air purifiers, the price of this one is at the upper end. It is costly to buy but since its filters last a long time, it isn’t expensive to run.

Philips is also very good at supporting its customers. Like all their air purifiers, this one comes with a 2-year worldwide warranty.

Who’s it for: If you’re looking for the latest technology in the air purifier market for your medium-sized room and don’t mind paying for it, get this one.

As with the budget devices, there are affordable air purifiers from other brands that you can try too if you wish to avoid Philips.

Top 2 Best Philips Room Air Purifiers in India for Large Rooms: Detailed Reviews

#1: Philips AC3059/65 Air Purifier

Editor’s Rating: 8.5/10

The Philips AC3059/68 air purifier is very similar to the AC2958/63 in terms of all its features. The only difference is that this device is meant for much larger rooms.

It has a CADR of 400 m3 per hour which means that it can comfortably handle a room with an area of 475 sq. ft. provided it is sealed properly.

In lab-like conditions, it can manage 516 sq. ft. but if your room is leaky then it may not even be able to cope with 450 sq. ft.

The rest of this device is virtually identical to the one we reviewed earlier. For instance, like that one, this one is also based on an H13 HEPA filter within the combi filter configuration. The combi filter also incorporates a 3-layer pre-filter and an activated carbon filter.

Similarly, this device is WIFI enabled which means that you can use it with Philips’ smart app. It is also compatible with Google Voice Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

It has 4 modes which are Auto, Sleep, Gentle, and Turbo. The AQI sensor is very accurate and shows findings numerically and through colors.

Further, it has the smart filter status indicator that tracks and shows how much pollution the filters have already processed. This indicator will also tell you when to change the filters.

One key difference, however, is that Philips recommends changing filters every 2 years with this device while for the smaller one Philips said 3 years.

Remember, because of its combi filter configuration, you’re not likely to find aftermarket replacement options.

Like all air purifiers for larger rooms with state-of-the-art features and technology, this device is also priced expensively. The good bit, though, is that it is fairly reliable and backed by a 2-year worldwide warranty.

Who’s it for: If you want a state-of-the-art and reliable air purifier for your large living room or hall, go for this one.

#2: Philips AC5659/20 Air Purifier

Editor’s Rating: 7.5/10

This is the largest device on Philips’s roster. It is intended for huge rooms of almost industrial proportions.

It has a CADR of 500 m3 per hour which translates to 645 sq. ft. in lab-like conditions.

Even in real-world conditions, though, this air purifier is a beast.

You can expect it to hold its own in rooms as large as 600 sq. ft. if they’ve been sealed properly. It should be able to handle unsealed rooms measuring 550 sq. ft. with ease.

It has a squarish tower design that boasts of “unique dual airflow”, as per the company. This dual airflow design does boost the CADR of the device but it isn’t as unique as the company says. Other air purifier brands are claiming the same thing.

There are other features that hint at this device’s semi-industrial personality. For example, it boasts of separate monitors for indoor air allergen, harmful gases, and PM 2.5.

The allergen indicator will show values ranging from 1 to 12 while the harmful gases will be shown on a scale of L1 to L4. The PM2.5 levels are shown numerically too. Additionally, the device’s display shows air quality by changing color.

The monitors are very accurate with the indicators showing values numerically and in color codes.

The combi filter inside this device is based on an H13 grade HEPA filter and includes a pre-filter and a carbon filter.

It is also approved to be allergy-friendly by the European Center for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) and tested by Airmid for its capability against the H1N1 virus. Incidentally, if you didn’t know, coronavirus is considered to be similar to H1N1 in size.

There are 3 modes to choose from. These are General, Bacteria & Virus, and Allergen. All the features and modes of this device can be accessed through the Philips app once the device has been connected to the WIFI.

All these features, and especially its size, mean that this device is super expensive. However, it does allow you to purify a huge hall that would otherwise need two separate devices.

The biggest challenge with this device, though, isn’t its cost. It is the availability of its replacement filter. It’s not easily available even with the company and you can forget about aftermarket options.

Who’s it for: If you need to purify the air in a huge room and don’t want the hassle of managing multiple devices, get this beast air purifier.

If you’re willing to spend so much on these devices, you should definitely consider Dyson air purifiers.