Singapore is swelteringly hot and humid all year round. To ensure that you can live and work in comfort, buying an aircon is perhaps one of the most important considerations when purchasing a home or office.
To ensure your investment is worthwhile, there are several factors that buyers should take into account when finding the right brand of aircon. Here we compare the general characteristics of what we consider to be the top 10 best aircon brands in Singapore today.
Considerations When Buying an Aircon
Before comparing different brands, we need to define which features are important to base our evaluations on. Aircon owners are most concerned with the cost and reliability of their aircon. The cost can be broken down into the unit’s base cost, installation cost, how much it will cost to run, how prone it is to breaking down, and, by extension, the brand’s warranty period.
We have given each brand a general rating for each of these attributes; however, keep in mind that this is an overall rating only, and does not indicate that all models of this brand are accurately represented by the rating – some air conditioner models may be better and some models may be worse. To see the details of individual aircons, please follow the link to each brand’s detailed page.
Installation Cost
The installation cost of aircons is composed of the base unit cost, as well as an installation cost. Unless you have experience opening up your walls and installing gas piping, you will likely need an aircon installation specialist to help you with this process. The air conditioner installation cost varies from company to company, and you will need to inquire to find out the total cost.
Energy Efficiency Rating
The energy efficiency of appliances is measured by a 5-tick system in Singapore. Appliances with 5 ticks are considered to be highly energy efficient, whereas those with only 1 tick are deemed to have low energy efficiency.
Appliances with a low rating will generally cost you more to run in the long-term compared to appliances that have a higher rating. The energy efficiency can widely vary between models made by the same brand, so the overall rankings we have listed here do not necessarily apply to all aircon models by the brand.
Reliability and Performance Features
It can be hell to be in a room without aircon cooling in Singapore, and an air conditioner’s reliability should be a top priority for prospective owners. We assess the reliability of aircons based on user reviews as well as performance testing by independent entities.
Some air conditioners have multiple aircon features that allow for more flexibility in user experience, such as multiple aircon fan speeds, aircon sleep mode, timer settings and dehumidification.
Warranty
Air conditioners generally come with a warranty of between 1 to 5 years. The warranty period of a brand should be considered when purchasing a new air conditioner, as a longer warranty means you are protected for a longer period of time in the case that something unfortunate happens.
Top 10 Air Conditioner Brands
1. Daikin
Daikin began its air conditioning history in 1968 in Japan. It has risen to becoming one of the most popular air conditioner brands in Singapore today because of its high reliability and energy efficiency combined with its comparatively low price point.
Due to its widespread presence in Singapore, owners of Daikin aircon units can easily reach customer service as well as get access to Daikin’s own team of installation and repair experts.
Daikin continues to stay at the top of the air conditioner market by ensuring that newer models have energy saving functions such as the ability to sense the amount of human movement in the room and make adjustments to air flow accordingly.
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Overall, we rate Daikin as the number one brand at present because it performs comparably with more expensive brands but at a cheaper price. Daikin is a strong contender for first place in terms of reliability, efficiency and affordability.
2. Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi’s first venture into air conditioning began in 1953 with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Mitsubishi is actually split into two separate streams of air conditioner manufacturers: Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
The air conditioners of these two brands are largely unique, but they have similar overall performance characteristics and price ranges, so we have grouped them together here. Currently both Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have a large share of Singapore’s air conditioner market, demonstrating the trust this brand has gained in Singapore’s consumer base.
Mitsubishi offers one of the longest warranty periods on its aircons, attesting to its faith in their outstanding quality and durability. Depending on the model and system purchased, Mitsubishi can be a more expensive option, but aircon owners can be sure that they will benefit from lower electricity bills, a very user-friendly control interface, a fantastic warranty period and a long-lasting air conditioner.
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
We give Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries a combined rating of 9.5. These models are slightly more but they offer buyers a high degree of peace of mind. This brand is for buyers looking for a long warranty and exceptional durability.
3. LG
LG is a Korean brand that has been involved in air conditioner manufacturing since 1968. LG is known for its low price point, while at the same time offering exceptionally high energy efficiency and high reliability.
While sometimes a low price is a tradeoff for reliability issues, this doesn’t appear to be the case with LG, and its air conditioners perform very well against more expensive competitor brands. Also, the range of technological features offered by LG has steadily kept on par with many competitors over the last decade.
While we have seen some mixed reviews, we can’t be certain whether these reviews were due to the equipment itself or the installation. Like all aircon brands, buyers should have the aircon company itself or a trusted aircon installer perform the installation so as to avoid issues down the line.
LG spare parts are also generally widely available in Singapore, and the company has a good customer service presence.
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
LG aircon units are very affordable, while at the same time provide good reliability and energy efficiency. LG has become such a widespread aircon name in Singapore due to its ability to satisfy buyer demand and cater to a wide consumer base.
4. Panasonic
Panasonic’s history in air conditioning began in 1958, and they have become known for the consistency, reliability and durability of their air conditioning systems. Panasonic’s controls stand out as one of the most user-intuitive across all aircon brands, and their air conditioners generally offer buyers with a high degree of regulation.
The automatic cooling setting of new models is exceptionally responsive and stands out among competitors. The warranty period provided by Panasonic is typical for an air conditioner brand, and the high quality of their products should mean that issues are extremely infrequent.
Panasonic has an excellent customer service presence in Singapore due to the wide range of electronic goods they sell here.
Overall Rating: 9.5/10
Panasonic beats some other Japanese brands in terms of affordability, and offers both high reliability and energy efficiency. We give it bonus points for amazingly user-intuitive controls.
5. Toshiba
This Japanese brand began manufacturing air conditioners in 1953 and has a steady track record of producing reliable and high-performance air conditioners. Despite being one of the less common aircon brands in Singapore, Toshiba air conditioning units are known for their exceptional reliability, durability and energy efficiency.
Toshiba has made some innovations over the past few years, such as using a new type of refrigerant gas that produces significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions.
In Singapore it may be difficult to find spare parts for older Toshiba units, but generally they are so reliable that buyers shouldn’t need to worry about parts breaking unless accidental force is applied or the aircon is improperly installed.
Overall Rating: 9/10
While Toshiba has a slightly lower market share in Singapore’s compared to some other Japanese brands, it is an excellent brand that is extremely reliable and efficient. If your aircon uses the more environmentally friendly gas type and your aircon has a gas leak, you may need to get a refill directly from Toshiba because most aircon maintenance companies don’t stock it.
6. Fujitsu
Fujitsu is a Japanese brand that has been rapidly developing and enhancing its air conditioner system technology over the past few years. Fujitsu began creating air conditioners in 1965, and is known for its high product quality and its focus on providing consumers with a high degree of comfort.
Fujitsu has a lower share of Singapore’s aircon market compared to other Japanese brands, but it has a strong customer service presence, and spare parts are generally available in Singapore. Fujitsu offers a broad variety of air conditioner systems for home, office and industrial needs.
This brand is relatively expensive, but this cost is justified by the assortment of high-tech features offered on new Fujitsu models, and Fujitsu air conditioners are generally highly dependable and long-lasting.
Overall Rating: 9/10
This brand is a more expensive option, but it has introduced a lot of innovative high-tech features in its new models, and it notably provides excellent air distribution and cooling with minimal blowing.
7. Carrier
Carrier is one of the only air conditioner brands from America with a sizable market presence in Singapore. Its history in manufacturing air conditioners dates all the way back to 1902, and despite the climate differences between America and Singapore, Carrier air conditioners perform excellently in Singapore’s hot humid weather.
Carrier is one of the aircon brands that offers the most in terms of technological features, and new models provide buyers with access to the latest innovative user-friendly technology, including multiple options to suit the air circulation requirements of their homes and offices.
While Carrier air conditioners are a more expensive option, the hefty price tag always comes with the promise of very high reliability, durability and access to the latest AI technology.
Overall Rating: 9/10
Despite their high price tag, Carrier aircon units are quite inexpensive to run due to their high efficiency. Being the owner of a Carrier aircon gives you access to top-of-the-market technological features. This brand is very robust and you shouldn’t find yourself needing to replace your unit for many years.
8. Samsung
Samsung is a Korean brand that has been manufacturing aircon units since 1974. Samsung aircon units perform to a high standard, and provide both strong cooling capacities along with excellent reliability.
Depending on the model you buy, the warranty on your Samsung aircon could last many years, and their average warranty can be higher than many other other brands, and covered both compressor and part faults. Newer air conditioning units come with a range of technological features that allow buyers to sensitively regulate airflow and timing.
One drawback of these air conditioning units is that they are slightly below the competition in terms of energy efficiency, meaning that buyers may need to pay more in electricity bills for certain Samsung models.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Samsung is slightly held back by its lower energy efficiency, but it performs superbly in terms of reliability and functionality. On top of that, most models offer a long warranty, signifying Samsung’s high confidence in their products.
9. Europace
Europace is a brand from right here in Singapore. The brand’s 28-year history is shorter than some competitors; however, Europace provides some key advantages over other aircon brands.
First, coming from a country with such high aircon usage as Singapore, Europace produces a huge variety of air conditioners, from wall-mounted to portable units, and these were developed to work optimally in Singapore’s hot, humid climate.
Next, Europace aircon units are generally quite cheap. While we have found that there have been mixed reviews on reliability in the past, the reliability of newer models seems to have stabilised.
The warranty provided by Europace is on par with competitors, so if buyers do run into issues they should be covered by their warranty.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10
Overall, this brand is quite a good option for buyers with a budget, especially in terms of good energy efficiency and affordability.
10. Midea
China’s Midea has been building air conditioner systems since 1985. It is at the top of the market in terms of affordability of its base units. Midea aircon units usually lack some of the high-tech enhancements offered by more expensive brands, but they boast consistent, strong cooling ability.
Midea produces a large range of different aircon models, giving buyers many options in terms of design, function and portability. The energy efficiency of Midea air conditioners is lower than competitors, and this may cost buyers slightly more in the long-term in their electricity bills.
Some air con users have remarked that reliability is an issue, and that care must be taken when installing the unit, but this is offset by the warranty period available on Midea aircon units. Just make sure to have Midea itself or a highly trusted aircon installer perform the installation for you.
Overall Rating: 7/10
Midea offers some of the best pricing on the market, and despite some mixed reliability reviews, lower energy efficiency, and fewer features compared to other brands, Midea’s affordability and warranty period should bring buyers some peace of mind.
Choosing the Best Aircon Brand in Singapore
Purchasing a new air conditioner is a big decision, and we want to support you in your choice by providing you with as much relevant information as possible. Making the right air conditioner choice can mean the difference between an aircon that lasts you years and one that you need to repair in a few months.
The information in this article is not representative of all air conditioner models manufactured by that brand, and is instead a combination of general reviews and performance testing data of similar aircon models of different brands. To find out more information on a specific aircon brand, visit our aircon brand catalogue page.
Give us a call if you ever need aircon servicing in Singapore.
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