Selecting an ideal air conditioner (AC) in India is quite a task because of so many alternatives available in the market. With heat waves strengthening its grip, an AC can be a real blessing to accomplish comfort during the scorching heat. Through this buying guide, we aim to provide you with the most precise factors that can help you make an informed choice while getting that perfect air conditioner. Let’s take a look:
Top Factors To Consider Before You Get An AC
Here’re some of the most important factors needed to be taken into consideration when buying an air conditioner for your home.
1. Understand Your Cooling Needs
- Room Size: See what is the measurement of your room. Once you get the exact size of your room (preferably in square feet), then picking the AC with corresponding capacity makes perfect sense. Bigger the room, more the cooling capacity - that’s how it works.
- Number of Occupants: If your room has more people in the room, a higher amount of heat is generated and thus more cooling becomes obvious.
- Location and Climate: Geography you live in matters a lot. For instance, if you are residing in coastal areas that experience humidity, ACs with superior dry mode should be your choice. On the other hand, if you live in plain land where heat waves and rising mercury hits most, air conditioners with superb Turbo mode should be your choice.
2. Types of Air Conditioners
- Split ACs: These are more energy efficient and are ideal for rooms with larger space areas. These split air conditioners are available with separate indoor and outdoor units. Split ACs are versed with more features that could save power consumption without compromising on the cooling power. Also, Split ACs have more variants and are available in different energy consumption and capacity. Most popular models of Split air conditioners are 1.5 ton 5 star, 1.5 ton 3 star, and 1 ton 5 star. Split ACs are also available with filters namely PM2.5, HD, and PM 0.5 ensuring fresh air circulation when the cooling is on.
- Window ACs: Offers much effective cooling for small-sized rooms. One major advantage is that Window ACs are much easier to install and are effective when it comes to cooling in immense heat. In terms of energy efficiency, window air conditioners aren’t that good. Most window ACs are fixed speed, which is good for power cooling, however it consumes more energy than variable speed models.
- Portable ACs: For temporary cooling with the convenience to shift the unit between the rooms, portable air conditioners are much more effective. In terms of price range, these are more expensive.
- Inverter ACs: These are considered as one of the best ACs in India owing to their Energy-efficient operation. Available with inverter compressors, these air conditioners automatically adjust the cooling power in accordance with the heat load, making them energy efficient. Best models for continuous use, inverter air conditioners also give users the flexibility to adjust the fan speed and cooling capacity as per their preference.
3. Choosing the Right Capacity
How to choose the perfect cooling capacity for an AC? Well, as said earlier, it becomes extremely important to understand that it all depends on the size of your room. A bigger room demands a large capacity AC while smaller rooms can be cooled with air conditioners with lesser cooling capacity. Let’s understand this systematically.
A general guide is:
- Up to 120 sq. ft.: 1 Ton
- 120 to 180 sq. ft.: 1.5 Ton
- 180 to 250 sq. ft.: 2 Ton
4. Energy Efficiency
Which is the most energy efficient AC is the most important question for people looking to get an air conditioner for summers. Why? Because when the temperature hits the range of 40s and there's a heat wave, operating ACs during summers becomes an essentiality. When running for a longer period of time, AC will consume more electricity and hence it becomes wise to choose an AC that has better energy efficiency. What are the factors to consider? Take a look:
- Look for the BEE Star Rating. Higher star ratings indicate better energy efficiency. For instance, 5 star ACs are the best when it comes to low power consumption. Then comes 4 star air conditioners, 3-star ACs, and so on. In terms of pricing also, 5 star ACs are more efficient because of the powerful and effective compressor it possesses.
- Inverter Technology offers more energy savings compared to traditional compressors. How? Best inverter ACs come with variable speed inverter compressors that not only has the capacity to adjust the cooling with respect to heat load but also give users the flexibility to choose with varied operating modes to adjust cooling depending on external temperature and crowd in the room. All of these factors lead to much better energy efficiency overall.
5. Features to Consider
When buying an air conditioner in India, be thankful to the top AC brands that have so many features to offer. Some of these features are specifically sought by users for their utility and benefits these bring along. Let’s take a quick glimpse at some of the deciding factors when looking for best ACs for home in 2025:
- Cooling Modes: Multiple cooling options for different weather conditions. A lot of modern ACs today offer various cooling operating modes that you can choose from depending on the kind of heat load and people in the room. Typically, these air ACs offer cooling modes from 20% (cooling capacity) and can reach up to 110% (power cooling or turbo mode) that you can select from. This is called convertible mode and comes in 4-in-1 to 7-in-1 modes depending on the AC brands. This not only offers optimal cooling but also saves a lot of electricity consumption that happens when an air conditioner works on a single mode. Along with this, you can also choose AC on the basis of its ability to provide cooling quickly. For this, you can find Turbo mode, Power cooling, or VIRAAT mode (LG ACs) in split air conditioners that can quickly make the room temperature come down to the desired level. Apart from these, there is ECO mode - which ensures to operate the AC in a much more energy efficient mode. Like this, there are sleep mode - which ensures to optimize cooling for the entire night so as to maintain an optimal temperature by limiting the overall power consumption. Like these, there’re other cooling modes that are offered in ACs that you can prioritize and see.
- Air Filters: Ensure clean air by trapping dust and allergens. With rising pollution levels in metro cities, air quality inside the room is also a big aspect to look upon. To sort this, top AC brands in India offer different filtration technology to keep the air inside the room clean and free from pollutants, especially when cooling is ON. Typically, some of the best ACs come with PM 2.5 filter, PM 0.5 filter, and HD filter along with Anti-bacterial feature, to keep the pollutants, dust, smoke, pollen, etc, out of the room when cooling is going on. This ensures to keep your and your loved ones free from any sort of air pollution. So, when considering buying an air conditioner for your home, what kind of air filter it has matters a lot.
- Dehumidifiers: Useful in humid regions to reduce moisture. This kind of feature in an air conditioner is beneficial for consumers who reside in areas that experience humidity - typically areas nearer to coast. During summer time, coastal areas become extremely humid due to which conventional ACs are somehow incapable to give seamless cooling. This is why ACs with dehumidifiers are so crucial for a few consumers. Even if you live in plain land areas, these air conditioners become extremely useful during the monsoon season, when moisture is so prevalent.
- Smart Features: Wi-Fi control, voice commands, and mobile apps enhance convenience. Modern technology has allowed the best AC companies to come up with some of the finest smart features - with an aim to offer extreme user convenience. Smart features means something that is done with the comfort of your smartphone, tablet, or other device - in layman terms, you can control your ACs operation using your phone. Also, smart features include the facility to operate an air conditioner using the voice commands. When connected with a WiFi connection, modern ACs allow you to handle operations using your voice. Smart ACs has compatibility with Google Assistant, Alexa, Bixby, and allied voice command applications to offer further convenience. Choosing an air conditioner with smart features is beneficial for its convenience and suits the urban dwellers perfectly.
6. Budget and Maintenance
Price and maintenance cost are the two most crucial factors when it comes to choosing the right air conditioner for your home. Most of the ACs start from an average price bracket of Rs 30k (although some may go even lower). It all depends on the kind of AC you are seeking. Typically, Window ACs start somewhere around 28K price while split ACs come with a starting range of 31K. The more features and the more energy efficient an AC is, the higher its price. Let’s take a look at some of the important aspects that decide the price range of an air conditioner:
- Consider the initial cost along with the estimated energy consumption. Meaning - a 5 star AC comes costliest while a 3 star AC comes cheapest if compared on the same parameter of cooling capacity and brand. So, if you are seeking a 5 star 1.5 ton AC and comparing the price with the same brand’s 1.5 ton 3 star model, the price of the former would be much higher (rightly so). So, if you are seeking best AC under 30000, getting a 3-star model makes the perfect sense, however, if your budget allows you to come around the price bracket of 40K, a few 5 star models are also available. For premium buyers, a 1.5 ton 5 star and 2 ton 5 star models are also viable to get.
- Factor in maintenance costs and service availability. Well, post-purchase, there is a lot of cost involved for AC users. The main of this cost comes from maintenance and service. Users often complain about the high maintenance cost of an AC. Maintenance cost refers to the price you are paying in keeping the cooling of an AC to an optimal level. Meaning, if your AC stops cooling effectively, you would have to either get it service or get it checked for any repairment requirement. A lot of top AC brands come with a comprehensive warranty - while other AC companies offer an above-par service standard through its customer service. Whatever it is, if your AC requires frequent checkups, you would not like it. Hence, before buying an AC in India, calculating the maintenance and service cost would save you trouble and money to a big extent post-purchase.
- Some brands offer free installation or extended warranties. This is the same as told above. A few of best AC brands are known to offer free installation - to increase user traction while others offer extended warranty period - say of 5 years, 10 years or 12 years, giving users the confidence to trust the brand. When choosing an AC, always check the warranty period and consult with your seller (online or offline) to make sure you make an informed and profitable decision.
7. Top Brands in India
When in the pursuit of the best AC for home in India, what kind of brands you are choosing also alters your decision making. Each of the AC companies in the Indian market has its own pros and cons.
- LG: Known for energy-efficient inverter ACs. LG, as an air conditioner brand has given a lot of things to trust for Indian customers. LG ACs are not cheap but they are one of the most energy efficient air conditioners in India. This is so because LG has invested a lot in terms of making its air conditioners energy efficient without getting down on the cooling. For instance, LG has its patented VIRAAT mode, which ensures to provide a superior-level quick cooling solution to you. The price range of LG ACs revolve around 35k - 46k.
- Daikin: Offers advanced air filtration and silent operation. Known for providing some of the best cooling solutions, Diakin ACs are an epitome of performance, budget, and energy efficiency. One of the very few AC brands that are known to offer an above-par customer service standard, Daikin air conditioners are known to provide best cooling with ambient temperature touching the upper range of 52 degrees odd. If you are looking for an AC with modern looks and sleek design, Daikin ACs are perfect for you. Typically, Daikin ACs start from a low range of Rs 29k and can reach up to Rs 50k for premium models (2 ton ACs).
- Voltas: Popular for reliable and affordable models. One of the oldest and best AC brands in India, Voltas, is known for its reliable and robust air conditioners. Especially appreciated for its sturdy build quality and longer shelf life, a Voltas AC is known to provide uninterrupted cooling and is one of the largest sold air conditioners in India. One of the first AC brands to come up with window air conditioners, the price range of Voltas ACs swing between 28k to 52k. Get Voltas ACs if you are seeking a dependable cooling solution from a trusted name.
- Blue Star: Provides a range of energy-efficient options. Blue Star is one AC brand that has gained immense user attention in the last 10 years. Known for offering efficient convertible modes, split AC models from Blue Star come with smart features and effective filters. With its 0.8 ton starting roughly around 28k, Blue Star ACs reaches a premium cost bracket of 54k for its 2 ton 5 star models. If you are seeking an AC under 40000, Blue Star has a lot of options to choose from.
- Samsung: Features smart technology with user-friendly controls. Again, a giant in the electronic industry, Samsung is known to produce some of the best air conditioners in India. A premium AC brand, Samsung offers the best AI inverter air conditioners in India that are known to optimize cooling intelligently by switching between different modes and customizing the overall power. The price range of Samsung air conditioners lie between 37k to 54k.
8. Conclusion
Getting the most perfect air conditioner in India requires measuring your room size, weather conditions, power consumption, and budget. By keeping these factors in check, you can ensure a comfortable and cost-effective cooling experience during summers. Whether you seek a split AC for a spacious living room or a window AC for a smaller bedroom, picking up smartly (with above factors in consideration) will ensure optimal cooling and energy savings.
If you are still confused? Feel free to check out the top-rated ACs available online and compare their attributes along with pros and cons to find the perfect air conditioner for your home in accordance with your requirements.
