High wall – indoor unit is mounted high on a wall; floor-mounted – indoor unit is at floor level, which may better suit some rooms and is good if you mainly use it for heating; cassette – indoor unit is mounted inside the ceiling; floor/ceiling – can be mounted on either the ceiling or the floor; bulkhead – hidden in the ceiling like a cassette but the air vent is usually on a wall.

Small (up to 4kW cooling capacity) models are good for a bedroom or study. Medium (4 to 6kW) models are good for a large bedroom or living room. Large (over 6kW) models are good for large, open-plan living areas.

Whether this model is reverse-cycle (has cooling and heating modes) or is cooling only.

We recommend air conditioners with CHOICE Expert Ratings of at least 80%.

The CHOICE Expert Rating (or overall score) for reverse-cycle models is made up of cooling efficiency (40%), heating efficiency (40%) and airflow (20%). For cooling-only models, it's cooling efficiency (80%) and air flow (20%).

Cooling efficiency scores are based on the model's AEER (Annual Energy Efficiency Ratio) – a measure of efficiency that factors in standby power consumption when the unit's not in use. Our scores are more precise than star ratings.

Heating efficiency scores are based on the model's ACOP (Annual Coefficient of Performance) – a measure of efficiency that factors in standby power consumption when the unit's not in use. Our scores are more precise than star ratings. "NA" (not applicable) means this is a cooling-only model.

Based on the range of airflow on the lowest to highest fan speed settings. Ideally, air conditioners should have a gentle airflow on low settings and a powerful airflow on high. The wider the range of airflows, the better the score.

The rated cooling output of the air conditioner in kilowatts. The higher the number, the greater its cooling capacity and (in theory) the bigger the space it can effectively cool.

The rated power consumption (under set test conditions) for this model in cooling mode. Lower numbers means less power consumption. 

The rated heating output of the air conditioner in kilowatts. The higher the number, the greater its heating capacity and (in theory) the bigger the space it can effectively heat. "N/A" (not applicable) means this is a cooling-only model.

The rated power consumption (under set test conditions) for this model in heating mode. Lower numbers means less power consumption. 

This is the old star rating system, being phased out by the new zoned energy rating label. More stars means more energy-efficient, lower running costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. N/A means this model is only registered under the new zoned label.

The zoned energy label shows cooling star ratings for different zones: the cold zone covers southern Australia including Melbourne, southern WA, Canberra and eastern state mountain regions, and Tasmania. It also includes New Zealand. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for cooling in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

The zoned energy label shows cooling star ratings for different zones: the average zone covers the middle zone of Australia including Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for cooling in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

The zoned energy label shows cooling star ratings for different zones: the hot zone covers northern Australia including Darwin and Brisbane. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for cooling in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

This is the old star rating system, being phased out by the new zoned energy rating label. More stars means more energy-efficient, lower running costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. N/A means this model is cooling only, or is only registered under the new zoned label.

The zoned energy label shows heating star ratings for different zones: the cold zone covers southern Australia including Melbourne, southern WA, Canberra and eastern state mountain regions, and Tasmania. It also includes New Zealand. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for heating in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

The zoned energy label shows heating star ratings for different zones: the average zone covers the middle zone of Australia including Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for heating in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

The zoned energy label shows heating star ratings for different zones: the hot zone covers northern Australia including Darwin and Brisbane. The more stars, the better the air conditioner is for heating in these regions. This rating is not available ("N/A") for some older models that are still on the market but not registered with the new label.

Lower numbers means less power consumption in standby mode.

This feature detects whether anyone's in the room; if no one's there, the air conditioner switches to an economy mode to reduce power consumption. Some models also direct the air movement towards the sensed person, so as to not cool or heat unused areas.

Demand Response Enabling Device (DRED), also known as PeakSmart. An air conditioner with this feature can be controlled remotely by participating energy companies to run in a power-saving mode in periods of peak electricity demand. It's not available for all models, but is built-in for some and an optional extra for others.

A high score means the brand (not the model) is less likely to have faults over time, according to CHOICE members.

A high score means CHOICE members are satisfied with the brand (not the model).

Shop Ethical rates the environmental and social impact of the company (not the product) using independent sources. This rating is not included in our total score. The rating ranks from A (highest) to F (lowest). N/A means there is no rating for that company.

The manufacturer's stated warranty in years. 5 years is typical for a split-system, but a few go better with 6 or 7 years. You're still covered by the Australian Consumer Law regardless of the manufacturer warranty.

Where the air conditioner was manufactured, though parts may have been sourced from other places. Where two countries are listed, these are the origin of the indoor and outdoor units respectively.

The recommended or typical retail price at time of publication. You can often get a better price by shopping around. Some new models don't yet have prices available.

An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in a cold zone (southern Australia including Melbourne, southern Western Australia, Tasmania, and Canberra), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kWh. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details.

An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in an average climate zone (including Sydney, Adelaide and Perth), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kW. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details. 

An estimate of how much each model will cost to run in a hot zone (such as Darwin and Brisbane), based on an electricity cost of 40 cents/kWh. "N/A" means this model hasn't been registered for the Zoned label. See "How we test air conditioners" for details.

Noise levels are supplied by the manufacturer. Where available, we show the noise on the quietest indoor fan setting. Noise levels are broadly comparative, but note that different manufacturers may measure these values slightly differently.

Noise levels are supplied by the manufacturer. They're broadly comparative but note that different manufacturers may measure these values slightly differently.

Refrigerant gases are usually R410A or R32. Both are hydrofluorocarbons but R32 has a lower global warming potential and should also give improved efficiency.

A 'powerful' or 'jet' setting that gives a quick performance boost.

A low fan speed designed to be particularly quiet. Some models have a quiet mode for the outdoor unit too; handy for running at night.

This allows the air conditioner to act just as a fan, without cooling or heating; useful if you just want a breeze in the room.

Sleep mode adjusts the air conditioner's output temperature and fan speed (usually in steps) so the temperature becomes more comfortable for sleeping and the air conditioner runs at lower power and more quietly.

"Yes" indicates that the model's sleep mode adjusts the air conditioner's output temperature in steps, so the change is gradual.

Allows control of the air conditioner via your home wireless network and an app on your smartphone, so you can power the unit on or off when away from home, set temperatures and monitor energy use. It's not available for all models, but is built-in for some and an optional extra for others.

Whether this model has an air purifying feature.