Top 10 Best ACs in India in 2023 with Buying Guide and Reviews

Summers are here and what better than an air conditioner that can be thought of(except for mango lovers😁). Well, people looking for an AC, this article is for you. It will guide you through the points which are necessary to be kept in mind while buying an air conditioner. Moreover, you will get the list of the Top 10 Best ACs in India in 2023 along with reviews on each of them so that you can make an informed decision. Firstly, let's have a look at the buying guide for selecting your required AC.

This guide will showcase many important factors that play a crucial role in getting the best suited AC for you and your family.

There are 4 types of air conditioners available based on design namely Window, Split, Portable, and Cassette (Central ACs). Out of these, window AC and split AC are the popular choices. Cassette ACs are mostly seen in offices, building lobbies, and other high space areas whereas Portable ones are relatively new in the market.

Window ACs are suitable for rooms with windows i.e. space for them to fit in. People looking for a lesser-priced AC can go for it. Although, if you shell out a bit more(around Rs 3-5k) since this machine is a long-life product, then you can get a split one. Let’s check the comparison between these two in the table below.

As you can see, split ACs score more marks in terms of important features. Moreover, they have replaced the traditional ones in most areas.

Split ACs have their compressors outside due to which creates minimal or no noise inside. Although, it requires heavy drilling work to connect the compressor and main unit due to which costs you additional Rs 1-3k in Installation.

It is very important to choose the capacity of AC depending on various factors. This will help you in better cooling, electricity efficiency, and easy maintenance. Some of the available options here are 1 Ton, 1.5 Ton, and 2 Ton. Now, let's see which one you will require based on your room size.

There are many more factors to be considered other than room size. Some of which are no of persons, room sealed or not, AC facing(west or south), house location, no of windows, and city temperature. If there are more persons in a room then the AC will fetch more power. Similarly, if the city temperature(outside heat) is high(Delhi, Mumbai, etc) then a 2 Ton AC might work like a 1.5 Ton AC.

Inverter ACs are in huge demand these days, but they come with a higher price as well. The main difference between a standard compressor AC and an Inverter compressor is operating. The standard one switches between on and off to achieve the required temperature when the room temperature changes. On the other hand, the inverter one never goes off, instead, it changes the speed of operation based on the requirement. Thus, it saves more power compared to the traditional compressor and is also less noisy.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency(BEE) plays a crucial role in power savings on air conditioners. They have an ISEER star rating from 1 to 5 where 1 means least energy saved and 5 means max energy saved. It is recommended to buy an AC having 3-5 stars for good savings. Now, let's compare the ratings and find out how much you can save on electricity bills annually.

Note: Above values are measured in testing conditions by BEE so may change based on your room environment factors and usage.

As you can see, it is not only important to check the star ratings but you should also know the ISEER value. Besides, a 5 star AC can save you upto 30% when compared to a 3 star AC. This does not mean that you have to go for a 5 star AC blindfolded. If your usage is 1600 hrs(around 4.5 hrs daily) or more per year then a 5 star one is recommended, but if you use only during summers and occasionally then a 3 star one is a good option as it saves you more in buying price.

What if you bought the best AC, but requires servicing every 2 months. It will not only irritate you but also increase maintenance costs. Thus, it is important to check a few things while buying an AC.

ACs with auto clean feature clears dust, bacteria, viruses, etc during its operation without interrupting the normal functioning. Besides, you should in advance sign up a servicing contract with the brand which might also fetch you early enrolment discounts.

Just like maintaining the AC, after-sales service is also crucial. Therefore, you should check whether the company has official service stations nearby you or not. Moreover, you should check the company’s AC service reviews online and from friends & family. You can even visit a station randomly to enquire about your doubts and have a real-time view of operations there.

There are many AC brands in the market that you can bet on. Some of the popular ones include LG, Samsung, Daikin, Voltas, Blue Star, and Haier. LG is well known for its long-life ACs whereas Blue Star is popular for its superior cooling. Daikin gives you a Japanese tech touch while Voltas is known for powerful ACs. Similarly, all brands have their pros and cons. There are also less known brands(Croma, AmazonBasics, Lloyd, O General, etc) that are cost-effective and manufacture good air conditioners.

You can get an air conditioner for as low as Rs 15,000 and for as high as Rs 1 Lakh. Therefore, you need to specify your budget and requirement to carry out an informed purchase. If you are looking for a budget 1.5 Ton 3 star branded window AC then it will cost around Rs 25k. Besides, a budget 1.5 Ton 3 star branded inverter split AC will be at nearly Rs 30k.

Smart ACs are now available in India. These ACs have features like voice control, wifi, remote access(on/off/temp change/etc), Google Assistant, and more, thanks to IoT(internet of things) technology. They are around Rs 3-5k costlier due to these special features but are definitely worth it.

An adjustable capacity AC helps in power savings. They can increase or decrease their operational speed depending on the requirement. Thus, they can operate from 20-110% of their capacity as per the need. For instance, a 1.5 Ton adjustable AC can operate as a 1 Ton AC as well as a 1.7 Ton AC(for a limited time).

There are 2 types of compressor coils used, copper-based and aluminum-based. Most brands use the copper one due to its benefits. Check the below table for comparison.

Different ACs have different cooling speeds so if you want your room to cool instantly then you need to make a note of this point. Some ACs have a fast cool button which lets the AC operate at 16-18℃. Moreover, there are some smart ones that switch instantly from fast cool to normal mode when cooling is achieved which saves energy. Besides, there are also some which take time to cool initially but then cool evenly.

Durability is very important for those who really value their air conditioners. People go for top brands mostly due to higher durability. It costs more, but in the long run, gives excellent results. Also, it depends on how you maintain the machine. For instance, you should carry out regular servicing, make sure you don’t switch on and off from mains, and avoid physical damage.

Many new-age air conditioners come with filters that enable cleaner air. They have the ability to automatically clear bacteria, dust, micro-organisms, etc. Some of them use an antibacterial coating. These are most important for babies, senior citizens, and people with allergic reactions.

Hot & Cold ACs work as air conditioners as well as room heaters. They also act as a dehumidifier. Thus, gets you going all year round.

Warranty in an air conditioner mostly covers Compressor, PCB, and Main Unit. Top brands provide 10 years on compressor, around 5 years on PCB, and 1 year on the main unit. Therefore, check the warranty terms before purchasing.

ACS in coastal areas attract more corrosion and that too quickly which in turn damages the machine. There are ACs available that provide protection against these issues. Some of them use a black coating to avoid corrosion while some use chemicals to deactivate infection.

Now, let's get into the Top Best 10 ACs(Air Conditioners) in India in 2023 along with their reviews featuring pros and cons.

The top of the list is grabbed by this LG air conditioner which comes with a dual inverter compressor. Here, dual means that you get 2 rotary motors that rotate at more frequency, and thus makes the AC more efficient. Moreover, it is a 5-in-1 convertible which means that you can operate it in 5 capacities namely 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1, and 1.1 Ton. Thus, depending on your requirement you can reduce and increase the capacity which in turn helps in power savings, durability, and many other benefits. You can also control this AC with your voice via Alexa and Google Assistant compatible devices. Moreover, the LG ThinQ app lets you monitor and manage this AC remotely.

Pros: This AC can cover approx 130 sq. ft. which is good in 1-ton capacity. Moreover, features like dual inverter, 5-in-1, and 5-star rating help amazingly in power savings. Some of the uniqueness here is an anti-allergy filters, antivirus protection, and HD filters which sort of help in air purification. Besides, you get a dehumidifier, sensors, and black coating(for coastal area protection) in the main & outdoor unit which is great. Its price is reasonable given the brand and benefits on offer.

Cons: The main unit’s body is made of ABS plastic, but some finer finish would have given it more solidity.

This Blue Star air conditioner is a portable one which means that you can carry it along with you. Thus, it has zero installation cost. It comes with a feather touch electronic panel on the top which includes buttons like swing, timer, mode, fan, swing, and plus & minus(temperature control). The best part here is the Hydrophilic golden evaporator fins which help in better heat transfer and thus ensures faster cooling.

Pros: This portable AC comes in under Rs 30k which makes it a budget buy. It includes an anti-freeze thermostat and also helps in self-diagnosis. Thus, it automatically lets you know of any malfunctions in the AC. Moreover, the silver coating helps in the destruction of dust and bacterias. Additionally, the dynamic drive design technology used gives superior performance. Besides, the R410A refrigerant keeps the environment clean and boosts cooler & purer air.

Cons: The BEE rating is only 2 stars so power savings will be compromised a bit. Although, the compressor helps in less power consumption.

This Haier AC comes with a triple inverter technology which helps it in operating effectively. The condenser coil is made of copper while the DC inverter keeps it stabilized. Thus, you won’t require a stabilizer here and the copper coil will prevent corrosion. The compressor uses a hyper PCB for faster performance mostly during summers so cools faster.

Pros: It comes with self-clean technology so you won’t need to clean its evaporator regularly. You can activate it by pressing its button on the remote. This AC has the ability to cool even at extreme temperatures of up to 60℃ which is a rare feature. Moreover, it can give air up to 15 meters which are again unique. In addition, the grooved copper cuts maintenance costs.

Cons: It is expensive. Moreover, the condenser warranty is less. Besides, self-clean takes a lot of time so you can’t use it till it completes the process.

This Samsung AC comes with a triple inverter technology as well as a convertible feature. Thus, it gives great performance plus energy savings. It has modes like fast cooling, night mode, and comfort mode. The fast cooling mode works for 30 minutes and then automatically switches to comfort mode for optimum results. The night mode keeps the temperature at cozy level and also nullifies noise.

Pros: You get a voltage stabilization of 130-290 VAC so it works as a stabilizer as well. In addition, you get a 3 care filter for air purification from allergens and other pollutants. The 3-star rating works as 4 stars due to the triple inverter compressor. Moreover, the 2-step cooling mode works great for people using it for workouts. Besides, it also has an anti-corrosion coating inside both units.

Cons: Look & Feel could have been better.Check Price & Buy

Pros: The noise level is low so it is comfortable. It includes dust filters which is rare in traditional window ACs. Turbo mode works well even at high temperatures outside. The 6th sense energy saver technology helps in saving on electricity bills. Moreover, the multi-port fluid injection technology boosts capacity & cooling.

Cons: Its ISEER value is low which impacts the annual power unit consumption. Besides, the remote could have accommodated more functions. In addition, it requires regular servicing for better results.

This IFB Fastcool Gold Series AC includes a twin inverter compressor. This helps in faster operation and superior performance. Moreover, it uses a copper condenser and inner grooved copper tubes for high durability and better cooling. Besides, you get superior cooling at upto 58℃ ambient temperatures, air-cooled PCB for long life, and automotive grade coating in the outer unit to prevent damage from extreme weather conditions.

Pros: The indoor unit has a 7 stage air treatment filter that removes dust, pollutants(upto 0.3 microns), bacteria, activated carbon, and catechin, plus diffuses vitamin c and aroma. Moreover, in both units, you get gold fins for better heat exchange. Besides, the evaporator tubes are nano-tek coated for preventing corrosion and damages like leakage and wear & tear. The ECB used here is fireproof so that issues due to extreme heat can be prevented. Its design is rich and appealing. Moreover, you get a modern designed remote that is also ergonomic in nature.

Cons: Price is high. It is a relatively new brand in the market.

This LG 1.5 Ton 3 Star Dual Inverter Window AC gives you wider flaps just like a split AC. Thus, you get faster & even cool throughout the room. It uses a dual inverter technology where 2 rotary compressors work simultaneously for effective performance. Moreover, it has copper coils, ocean black coating, and a clean filter indicator.

Pros: The main operational & control buttons are given besides the flaps so makes it easy to use. Moreover, their look is of new-age design which is great for a window AC. It is easy to install and maintenance cost is also less. The noise level is 44 decibels which are again awesome for a window design. Power savings are good and come with an inbuilt stabilizer(145-290V).

Cons: If you are looking for a budget window AC then this might be a tough pick.

Panasonic air conditioners are well known for their Japanese technology. This AC is also known for its unique smart and AI(artificial intelligence) features. You get a twin inverter compressor here along with a blue coating on pipes. Besides, you can voice control it via Alexa and Google Assistant. Moreover, the Miraie platform lets you control the AC and also lets you know how to improve its performance via AI.

Pros: It has a PM 2.5 filter for clean air and shields blu technology for better heat exchange. Moreover, it can self-diagnose and does not require an external stabilizer. The sleep modes here and temperature controls are more detailed for better customizations. You can bet on it for long life. Also, it is best priced.

Cons: Miraie platform could have been restricted as many functions seem to be forced in.

This Daikin 1.5 Ton 3 Star Inverter AC comes with Econo mode for cooling along with power savings. Moreover, you get Coanda airflow which lets the room cool evenly throughout so that a fan is not needed. It also has a good sleep off-timer for a superior sleeping experience.

Pros: It is cost-effective. In addition, it gives more than 5K of cooling power which is great at this cost. A stabilizer is already fitted so no need to buy an external one. It comes with air purification filters & sensors. Moreover, its air throw rate is 16.2 cmm which is impressive.

Cons: It lacks high-end customization which could have been improved with more functions. Besides, the compressor warranty is less compared to other brands.Check Price & Buy

This Voltas 1.5 Ton 5 Star Window AC comes with R32 refrigerant, 100% copper, and energy efficiency technology. Thus, its condenser is built for higher durability. Moreover, it can cool even if the outside temperature is 50 degrees. Some of the other features include instant cooling, active dehumidifier, sleep mode, and air purification.

Pros: Its remote controller has a lot of functions with the energy saver being the best as it is rarely found in window ACs. Its cooling capacity is impressive. Besides, it can also diagnose major problems.

Cons: Power consumption is a bit more, but can be expected since Voltas is known for powerful cooling. This is due to the low ISEER value.

These are the top 10 best ACs(Air Conditioners) in India that you need to check out in 2023. Also, do share your views with us in the comments below. You can also share some tips on how to save on air conditioners or how to use them cost-effectively?