Based on over 3,500+ genuine customer reviews from across India, this research aims to be your most trusted guide in choosing the best split AC for your specific needs. We cut through the noise, marketing gimmicks, ads, fake reviews, sponsored videos, to analyze real feedback from real customers to avoid any purchase mistakes.
Regardless of your location in India, this article brings you common problems faced by customers in your state or city. We have also curated insights from leading influencer videos featuring live tests and unique perspectives to help you select the ideal AC and ensure its long-term safe operation. So let’s get started!
Why 41% of Indian AC Buyers Regret Their Purchase within 18 months?
A staggering 41% of AC buyers in India face regret within 18 months, primarily due to mismatched tonnage (29%) and hidden costs (22%) as uncovered by our analysis of 3,500+ customer reviews across India.
- 63% of inverter ACs require PCB replacements within 3 years which results in additional cost burden of ₹4,200–9,800 per repair (ex-warranty).
- The biggest reason for PCB replacement is voltage fluctuations, which degrade PCBs 4.7× faster.
How voltage fluctuations degrades AC PCB?
What is the most common complaint by Indian customers in our survey, mouth shut, amazon, flipkart, youtube, google reviews, reddit, quora and others?
- Poor Customer service
- Faulty installation due to inexperienced technicians causing short-term and long-term faults in the AC.
To dive deeper into how poor customer service and faulty installation is the main cause of customer complaints, click the detailed reviews on mouthshut for all the popular brands Voltas, Panasonic, Lloyd, Carrier, LG, Daikin.
Why this is the most detailed and In-depth guide you will read online?
For this study, we analysed more than 3,500+ customer feedback after months of use and inferred insights from experts, amazon reviews, surveys, youtube demos, company websites and a lot more. You don’t need to spend more time researching on youtube, google search or look for advice from friends & family to buy the right AC. Our recommendations are 100% authentic, trusted and non-sponsored, to help you make the right decision for the right AC for you.
Which is the best Split Air Conditioner in India in 2025?
There is no single best air conditioner for the entire country. You would ask why?
Because every region in India has different climatic conditions and requirements. Customers in north Indian states like Delhi and Haryana prioritize energy efficient ACs with rapid cooling technology to avoid high electricity cost during peak summers. Whereas, customers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities of UP face frequent voltage fluctuations, and thus prioritize voltage resistant PCBs to avoid ACs failure. And customers in humid southern states like Kerala often complain about frequent corrosion and prioritize Anti-corrosive technology for AC coils.
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Brands reviewed in the research include O General, Cruise, Godrej, Whirlpool, Lloyd, Mitsubishi, IFB, Hair, Voltas, Daikin, Marq, Blue Star, Panasonic, Hitachi, Midea, Carrier, Samsung & LG.
Let’s jump into the most detailed and researched buying guide in India to buy the right Ac.
What features and functionality are getting popular in India?
- Inverter-based split Acs
- Smart Connectivity (IOT)
- Solar-compatible ACs
What you should know before buying the AC?
Inverter Models are popular choice
72% of urban buyers prioritize inverter ACs despite higher upfront costs. But you should buy inverter ACs if your daily use is more than 5 hrs. For less than 5 hours/day consumption, the savings from efficiency will not justify the additional cost of Inverter AC’s.
Customers in coastal regions or near drains will experience higher gas leakage problems
Majority of customers in high humidity regions with salt laden air complain about corrosion and resulting gas leakage. Similarly, people living near drains (Naala) frequently complain about gas leakage due to corrosion.
Tier 2/3 towns prefer brands with strong service network
Customers in Tier-2/3 cities show 40% preference for budget models which have a wide and reliable network of service centres. Because you don’t want to be stuck without service in peak summers.
Avoid Refurbished ACs
There is a 19% increase in first-time AC buyers opting for refurbished ACs costing between ₹18,000–₹25,000 range. But 63% lack valid warranties and 28% have reported refrigerant leaks.
Which are the popular Influencers we reviewed in our research?
- The Grapevine
2. Vineet Malhotra
3. Simple Ghar Telugu
4. Techielashorts
5. bekifaayati
- Geekyranjit
Which features should you prioritize in your AC purchase?
| Factor | Metro (Delhi/Mumbai) | Tier-2 (Jaipur/Nagpur) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Concern | Energy efficiency (58%) | Service network coverage (73%) |
| Star Rating | 5-star preferred despite 6.2Y ROI | 3-star dominates (82% market share) |
| Usage Hours | 8–12 hrs/day (77% households) | 4–6 hrs/day (63%) |
Are you buying for Elders in the family or yourself?
If you have elders in the house, avoid smart ACs with App based features as 68% of 40+ year olds value “physical buttons” & simpler remotes.
Will the local climate and locality of your home influence your AC brand and model?
A crucial insight from experienced technicians is that location and climate significantly impacts AC performance and durability. For example, users living near areas with organic waste, trash dumps, or open drains (“naala”) complain more frequently about AC not working, regardless of brand quality.
If you live in South India & Coastal India then Anti-corrosion coatings like blue fin evaporator, Gold Fin or Ocean Black fin technology are a must to withstand salt-laden air in regions like Mumbai, Kerala and Chennai.
If you are located in West India with extreme heat of up to 52°C in regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat desert, then a reliable heavy-duty machine is required, like O General or Mitsubishi.
And if you live in North India, then most customer prefer Energy efficiency in regions like Delhi NCR with dry summers and high electricity bills during Apr-July months. But if you are residing in Tier 2 or tier 3 cities of north India, then a high tolerance to energy fluctuations is a must to prevent PCB damage, which is a leading cause of customer complaints.
What is the most common reason customers highlighted for split AC breakdown?
Faulty installation is the most common reason for short-term and long-term issues. Make sure that you get the installation done from an experienced technician.
Should I buy 1 ton or 1.5 Ton AC?
A mismatch in AC tonnage is the primary reason for higher electricity cost. As a thumb rule, use the below table for reference. If the room receives a lot of direct sunlight then add 0.5 ton.
100–120 sq.ft.: 0.8–1 ton
150–180 sq.ft.: 1.5 ton
200+ sq.ft.: 2 ton
What should be the cooling capacity?
Opt for AC with 4.4 – 5.2KW cooling capacity if you live in regions with higher temperatures, like Delhi NCR, Rajasthan, UP and Haryana. Higher capacity means faster cooling which is crucial during peak summers. If the AC does not have inverter technology, then it will lead to a higher electricity bill too.
Should I buy a 5 star AC or 3 star AC?
India’s ISEER standards (3-star vs 5-star AC) significantly impacts the long-term costs of ownership. In a live test, a 1.5 Ton 3 Star Inverter AC consumed 0.8 units/hour, while a 1.5 Ton 5 Star inverter AC consumed 0.5 units per hour. If the AC runs 8 hours/day for 4 months, a 3 star inverter AC will require 960 hours x 0.8 units/hour x Rs. 6/unit = Rs. 4,680/year and a 5 star inverter AC will require 960 hours x 0.5 units/hour x Rs. 6/unit = Rs. 2,280/year running cost. Therefore a 5 star AC costing Rs 12,000 extra will break-even in 5 years.
Units Consumed by 3 Star AC in Live Test
Units consumed by 5 Star Ac in Live Test
Now, if the AC usage drops to 4 hours/day, the break-even will take 13.8 years. Therefore for optimum usage, buy 5 star AC for rooms which will require 8 hours or more usage like bedrooms or office. And buy 3 star AC for rooms with less usage like living room or guest room.
Should you pay more for an Inverter AC?
Yes. Inverter and dual inverter ACs promoted by LG and Samsung, helps reduce electricity consumption by adjusting the compressor speed and reduce the compressor noise, while maintaining ±0.5°C temperature stability.
What is the difference between Regular AC and Inverter AC?
1. Function: In Regular AC the compressor turns on and off like a tube light switch. But in an inverter AC the compressor runs continuously like your wifi router, but the compressor speed fluctuates depending on the cooling requirements.
2. Electricity Bill: Inverter ACs consume 30% to 50% less electricity.
3. Cooling performance: The cooling is uneven in regular AC. Remember the ACs from 2006, The room will feel cold when the compressor is on and feel hot when it’s off?. In inverter AC the cooling is consistent and uniform.
Should you pay more for Smart Home features?
It depends on you. Smart home features available today include power monitoring app, voice commands and app-based controls like geofencing to activate cooling when users enter a 5 km radius. Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem enables cross-device automation (e.g., pairing ACs with air purifiers). But only a few users utilize these features due to complex UI designs.
What are the overhyped features in ACs will low or no real benefit?
- Self-Cleaning: Split ACs will require manual cleaning despite self-cleaning claims.
- AI Cooling: Some customers reported higher energy bills in certain situations.
- 10-Year Compressor Warranty: All popular brands provide a 10 year compressor warranty today.
- PM 2.5 Filters: These filters in ACs are ineffective in highly polluted zones like Delhi NCR. For air purification, we prefer an air purifier
We recommend focusing on reliability, cooling performance, electricity efficiency and service center network, instead of marketing gimmicks.
What is the Price Range for Split ACs?
| Pricing Table | 1.5 Ton 5 Star ACs |
|---|
| Less than ₹35,000 | MarQ (Flipkart), Cruise |
| ₹35,000 – ₹45,000 | Blue Star, Voltas, Carrier, IFB, Haier, Godrej, Whirlpool, Midea, Panasonic |
| ₹45,000 – ₹50,000 | Daikin, Hitachi, LG |
| Over ₹50,000 | Mitsubishi, Samsung, OGeneral |
Are there any additional charges?
Yes. Installation charges range from Rs. 700 – 1,500. This does not include additional copper pipe and outdoor unit frame costs. Expect to pay Rs. 2,500 – 5,000 for external stabilizer if your area faces voltage fluctuations and frequent power cuts.
Should I worry about warranty and after-sales Support?
Yes. All major brands today provide 10-year compressor warranties, but PCB coverage can vary by brand. And despite a 10-year compressor warranty, approval rates in some states are very low due to DIY installations without vacuum pumps (28% customers).
Independent surveys indicate 22% of AC owners face service delays during peak summer, highlighting the importance of size of service network in your city.
What are the most common AC Issues by region in India?
Northern states like Delhi face more compressor failures due to temperature fluctuations and direct sunlight on the outdoor unit, while southern and coastal states like Goa and Mumbai deal with mold and corrosion due to humidity and salt air. Regions with frequent power cuts, like Bihar, witness more PCB failures.
Can I balance electricity cost and cooling by setting the temperature to 24 degrees despite hot weather ?
Yes. BEE’s Pan-India Study Recommends setting the temperature to 24°C. But the actual average is 21.3°C. In Delhi it is 19.8°C during May-June. This leads to higher electricity costs. On average there is an 6% increase in energy use per 1°C below 24°C.
According to LiveMint “Prasanto K. Roy, 51, a technology policy professional whose home in south Delhi was India’s first TERI GRIHA green home, has witnessed significant savings in electricity bills by setting the AC temperature higher.
Roy, who also has a condominium in Gurgaon, sets the AC temperature at 27 degrees during the day and moves to 28-29 degrees with a ceiling fan at low speed, if required, at night. “The bill that I get in my Gurgaon apartment is around ₹ 3,000. Comparable apartments in my building get electricity bills of ₹ 6,000-10,000. Though the apartment has six ACs, only about 1-2 are used at a time, but all are set at 27-29 degrees, which means that the compressors are mostly not on or are on only intermittently,” said Roy.”
Root Causes
There is a myth we all have, that lower temp equals faster cooling. This is not true as explained by most youtubers.
AC Market Analysis
Majority of AC sales come from North and South India. And Voltas is the market leader with presence in both residential and commercial space, followed by Daikin, LG, Blue Star and others.
Premium vs Mid Range vs Budget Segment in India
Which are the popular brands and what are they known for?
O-General and Mitsubishi:
Both the brands are the gold standard for industrial-grade durability. They are preferred by high-budget users for domestic as well as commercial usage. A Chennai hotel owner stated that “Our 8 O-General units ran 24/7 for 5 years with zero breakdowns”. On the flip side, service quality may be lacking in tier 2 and 3 cities.
Daikin:
Daikin is a Japanese technology company, which is also the world’s largest Air Conditioner manufacturer. Their split ACs are known for the best cooling performance. Customers prefer it for power efficiency, cooling and silent operation. This makes them ideal for Delhi NCR region with extremely hot weather which requires rapid cooling. But they can’t match the service quality strength of LG. Customers sometimes highlighted service delays.
LG:
LG is the gold standard for service quality: They have the biggest network of service centres, 950+ in India, which resolve most complaints within 48 hours. And 96% of customers are satisfied with after-sales support. A Kolkata user reported: “Technician arrived within 6 hours during a July breakdown. On the flip side, they can’t match the cooling performance of Daikin or durability of O-general and mitsubishi, making them less suitable for extremely hot regions or large rooms which require rapid cooling.
Panasonic:
Panasonic is a Japanese company, which sells feature packed split air conditioners. Majority of users praise its cooling, smart home features like Wi-Fi enabled, and ‘Dry Mode’ effectiveness during monsoons. But some customers complain about remote control failures, smart home connectivity issues within 18 months. And Installation delays which exceed 72 hours.
What factors improve the build quality of Split ACs?
An influencer has shared a technical review of build quality of outdoor units of Godrej, Voltas, O General and Daikin. He shares how O General has two layers of thick copper condenser coils in the outdoor unit which improves its durability and cooling capacity.
Which is the best AC for me?
Best Overall for Metros and Coastal – Daikin 1.5 ton 3 star AC
- Model Number: MTK L50U
- Year: 2024
- Price: 37,490
- Tonnage and Star Rating: 1.5 Ton, 3 Star
Specifications
- Split ac with inverter swing compressor and hepta sense
- Dew clean technology with triple display
- PM 2.5 filter to ensure healthy air.
- Copper condenser coil with patented DNNS self heal coating for low maintenance & enhanced durability
- Noise Level: 30 db
- 3d airflow for uniform cooling and power chill for faster cooling
- Refrigerant gas: r32 environmental friendly – no ozone depletion potential
Why is Daikin 1.5 Ton 3 star, number 1 on our list?
- World famous Japanese technology.
- Customers consistently report high satisfaction with rapid cooling even during peak summers.
- Our research shows Daikin to be one of the most energy efficient with the majority of customers reporting lower electricity bills despite high usage.
- Proven for silent operations.
- Rated ~4 by 4,180+ users on Amazon.
- Amazon rated it as No. 1 Best Seller in Split ACs in India.
- Rated 4.2 by 16,200+ users on flipkart.
- Daikin is recommended by Youtubers like Grapevine (116K+ Subscribers), Vineet Malhotra (2.96M Subscribers), Emm Vlogs (490K+ Subscribers) and Sumit YPF (23K+ Subscribers).
- Warranty (Good)
- 1 Year on Product
- 5 Years on PCB
- 10 Years on compressor
- Noise (Great)
- 35 db (High customer satisfaction)
- Cooling Capacity (Great)
- 5000W (High customer satisfaction)
- Energy Efficiency (Great)
- ISEER 4.0 (High customer satisfaction)
- After Sales Service?
- Some users have report installation and service delays outside metros
What customers don’t like about Daikin?
Poor Installation by unskilled staff is the most common reason for all problems in short-term and long-term. And unsatisfactory customer service outside metro regions is the second most common complaint.
Detailed negative reviews on mouth shut, Amazon, Youtube.
Best Overall for Coastal Regions (Kochi, Chennai, Mumbai), Or Homes near Drainage, Or Homes in Non-Metros – LG 1.5 Ton 3 star – The Gold Standard for Service in India
Coastal cities of India like Kerala, Mumbai, Chennai have high humidity and salt-laden air which causes frequent exposure of AC parts to moisture, which corrodes AC components, especially the condenser coils.
Corrosion can cause lower efficiency, increase maintenance cost, and frequent gas leaks if the coils degrade. To solve this, ACs need anti-corrosion coatings and durable materials to prevent leaks from happening. Coating such as Ocean Black Protection from LG, Blue Fin technology from Panasonic, and anti-corrosion treatments from Daikin are must-have for coastal regions.
- Model Number: US-Q18JNXE
- Price:
- Year: 2025
- Tonnage: 1.5 Ton
Specifications
- Convertible 6 in 1 modes with Dual Inverter for energy efficient and silent operation
- Gold fin+ coating and Ocean Black potection for prevention from corrosion and gas leakage
- Low Gas Detection to prevent reduced energy efficiency from undiagnosed gas leakage
- HD Filter with Anti-virus protection
- Viraat Mode
- Diet Mode
Why LG is our number 1 choice for non-metros Or costal regions?
- LG is the Gold Standard for service.
- Poor customer service is the number one complaint in non-metros by AC owners.
- Atleast 22% of customers face service delays during peak summer, highlighting the importance of service network density.
- LG has 950+ service centres which resolve most complaints within 48 hours.
- Customers consistently report high satisfaction with service, cooling, energy efficiency and silent operations.
- Rated 4 by 970+ users on Amazon (as of Mar 2025)
- Rated 4 by 5,454+ users on flipkart
- Which Youtube Infleuncer recommends LG
- Vineet Malhotra (2.96M Subscribers)
- Make sure that the installation is done in front of you.
- Warranty (Good)
- 1 Year on Product
- 5 Years on PCB
- 10 Years on compressor
- Noise (Great)
- 26 db (High customer satisfaction)
- Cooling Capacity (Good)
- 4400W (Increases in Viraat Mode and has High customer satisfaction)
- Energy Efficiency (Great)
- ISEER 4.0 (High customer satisfaction)
- After Sales Service
- We recommend LG for its superior customer service, which include 24*7 customer support, prompt engineer visit (in our case it was 6 hours), as well as expert and friendly technicians who were skilled and offered the right advice.
What customers don’t like about LG?
- LG AC may not provide the most powerful cooling compared to brands like Daikin.
- It may not provide the most durable and long lasting units similar to O General or Mitsubishi.
- Most users complain about improper Installation on Amazon, Mouth Shut.
AC Buying Checklist
- Ensure that the Vacuum test is completed by the technician, which prevents 53% of early failures.
- Install a voltage stabilizer if your area has voltage fluctuations, despite internal stabilizer claims by brands. (Most PCB failures in Surat involved <190V fluctuations)
- Do not unpack the product on your own and wait for the installation team to avoid problems with warranty.
- Make sure the drainage pipe is fitted correctly to prevent leakage from the indoor unit.
- Ensure that the PCB has a minimum 5 years of warranty.
- To save electricity and reduce power bills, keep the AC at 24°C default.
- Clean the indoor unit filters bi-monthly or monthly (with high air pollution cities like Delhi NCR) to reduce upto 11% power bill.
Myths and Facts
Fact – 27% of all ACs sold in India are manufactured on contract by Amber Enterprises.
This means that the same factory is manufacturing ACs for almost every company. It includes Fujitsu general, LG, Voltas, Panasonic, Samsung, Mitsubishi, Godrej, Bluestar, Daikin Reliance and Croma. The differentiation is due to customer service, service center, brand quality check and spare parts sourced by brand’s preferred suppliers.
How we selected the best AC for you
User Reviews and Forums
- Reddit: r/India, r/Chennai, r/Delhi, and other regional subreddits provide valuable insights into user experiences with various AC brands.
- YouTube: Tech reviewers offer detailed comparisons and reviews of AC models.
- Amazon Reviews: Thousands of user reviews on Amazon India provide feedback on performance, efficiency, and service quality of different AC brands.
- Independent Surveys: Independent surveys to understand genuine customer feedback.
Academic and Government Studies
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE): Official website (https://beeindia.gov.in/) offers data on energy efficiency ratings and standards for ACs in India.
- IIM Bangalore Study (2020): Analyzed the impact of YouTube reviews on consumer electronics purchasing decisions.
- IISc Bangalore Tests: Conducted independent tests on air purification claims of various AC brands.
Regional and Local Insights
- Technician Feedback: Interviews with technicians in different regions (e.g., Chennai, Mumbai, Jaipur) provide insights into common issues and brand performance.
- Local News and Blogs: Regional news outlets and blogs often report on service issues and product reliability in specific areas.
