People buying air conditioners often overlook the importance of budget over the capacity of the AC or the cooling requirements of their room.
This has led to a rather ironic situation where people end up buying a power-hogging piece of junk that defeats the purpose of an AC on multiple levels.
Here, in this curated list, we will guide you through the eight best AC’s available in the Indian market under 1.5 ton, which is more than sufficient for a typical bedroom or a medium-sized office space.
Without any further ado, let’s begin!
Best Air Conditioners Under 1.5 Ton
| 1. LG MS-Q18YNZA | Overall Best Pick |
| 2. Carrier 18K Ester NXi | Runner-up Pick |
| 3. Panasonic CS/CU-RU18XKYT | Value for Money AC |
| 4. Voltas 173V ADJ | Budget Inverter AC |
| 5. TCL TAC-18CSD | Best Feature-rich AC |
| 6. Daikin FTKG50TV | AC with Silent Operation |
| 7. Midea 18K Santis Pro | Cheapest Non-inverter AC |
| 8. Lloyd GLS18I56WRBP | Honourable Mention |
Note: The price shown are the once when we reviewed the products. However, as the promotional offers changes on the given E-commerce sites, the price may vary. Bettershark is supported by it’s readers and when you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
1. LG MS-Q18YNZA
Overall Best Pick
- 5-star BEE 2020 rating
- Suited for rooms up to 150 sq. ft
- Powerful dual inverter compressor
Pros
Integrated dust filter
Stabilizer free operation
4-way swing for better cooling
Cons
Bulky outdoor unit
LG is an undeniable leader when it comes to home appliances. The company has a wide range of consumer goods such as washing machines, LED TVs, refrigerators etc which does provide a great ownership experience in terms of performance and durability.
The LG MS Q18YNZA is a 5-star BEE 2020 rated split inverter AC suitable for rooms and office spaces ranging from 100 sq. ft to 150 sq. ft in size.
Design and Build Quality
As with all other ACs in the market, the chassis of the LG MS Q18YNZA is made for high-quality plastic fibre material which has been given a glossy paint job to look premium.
Since the chassis of an AC is one component that doesn’t need to do any work except the louvres, being plastic makes perfect sense for budget reasons and to reduce the overall weight of the indoor unit.
Both the indoor as well as outdoor units have been coated with ocean black paint to protect the hardware from corroding under exposure to elements.
The design of the indoor unit of this AC is very minimal and will suit any kind of home decor you have back at your place.
Overall the LG MS Q18YNZA delivers in the build quality front without any issues.
Compressor and Performance
LG is a market leader in home appliances powered by inverter motors – be it on washing machines, refrigerator compressor or ACs.
The LG MS Q18YNZA is powered by a dual inverter rotary compressor for powerful and quick cooling with minimal maintenance over time.
The dual inverter compressor is very apt for Indian conditions where the temperature during summer can soar up to 50 degrees during the daytime.
This AC from LG offers a 4-way swing to ensure the cooled air reaches every nook and corner of the room for a uniform cooling experience.
One thing to note is that this AC is certified to be very power efficient of which the 5-star BEE 2020 rating is proof of.
This AC has a cooling capacity of 5000W with a rated annual energy consumption of just 818.81 units.
Features
Even though this is an inverter type AC with the compressor that doesn’t turn off completely during the operation, the cooling process is super silent and won’t bother you in sleep.
The condenser is made from 100% copper to ensure excellent cooling performance and longevity.
It comes with useful features like low refrigerant detection which will notify the user when the refrigerant runs out, avoiding compressor damage.
This AC supports remote diagnosis features which the user can evaluate with the help of a smartphone app, in case something goes wrong.
For increased durability in Indian conditions, the LG MS Q18YNZA does feature an inbuilt stabilizer to cope with the fluctuating voltage conditions.
Warranty
LG offers a one-year comprehensive warranty on the air conditioner itself and an additional 10-year warranty on the compressor.
Verdict
If you have set your mind on purchasing an energy-efficient air conditioner with excellent cooling characteristics, the LG MS Q18YNZA should be on top of your priority list.
With features earmarked for Indian conditions, this AC will satisfy your air conditioning needs. Period.
Specifications
| Capacity | 1.5 Ton |
| Condenser Type | Copper |
| Compressor Type | Smart inverter compressor |
| Refrigerant | R32 |
| Cooling Capacity | 5000 W |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 818.81 units |
| Star Rating | 5 Star BEE 2021 |
| Model year | 2021 |
| Warranty | 1 + 10 Years Warranty on compressor |
ALSO READ: Best Air Conditioners Under 1 Ton
2. Carrier 18K Ester NXi
Pros
Auto-restart
Silent operation
Sleep mode feature
Cons
Relatively indoor noise levels
Carrier is a Chinese electrical equipment manufacturer specializing in HVAC products around the globe and well regarded for high-quality air conditioning products.
The Carries 18K NXi is a 1.5-ton capacity inverter type split AC suitable for a small room/office space with floor volume ranging from 120 – 200 sq. ft.
Design and Build Quality
The Carrier 18K NXi is made using high-quality polycarbonate plastic chassis which is designed specifically to ensure smooth airflow.
This air conditioner comes with a hidden LED display that displays the temperature information. It can be turned off during nighttime to avoid any distractions while sleeping.
As a novelty, this AC comes with a sensor mounted remote that detects the temperature around the remote rather than the indoor unit, which is far less accurate.
This feature allows the unit to cool the interior much more precisely.
The outdoor unit is treated with an anti-weather coat to prevent bacterial growth and subsequent degradation of air quality.
Compressor and Performance
The Carrier 18K Ester NXi comes equipped with a rotary inverter type compressor.
This compressor has a maximum cooling capacity of 5276W at a rated annual electricity consumption of 888.75 units.
This powerful compressor inside the AC is capable of cooling down the surroundings even from a high ambient temperature level of 52 degrees Celsius.
This is suitable for Indian summers as it gets very hot outside and since the outdoor unit is placed in the open, most other air conditioners tend to struggle in cooling down the interiors.
The 100% copper condenser coil will ensure the durability and peak performance of this AC for a long time into the future.
With the 5-star BEE 2021 rating from the Government, this device is certified to be highly energy efficient.
Features
The leakage detector in this air-conditioner in case of a leakage detection of the refrigerant will automatically shut down the operation, preventing further damages to the system.
Auto-restart and in-built louvre memory will remember the position of the swing blades and the temperature in case of a power outage.
The built-in PM 2.5 filter will trap dust and other particulate matter from entering the air stream, resulting in a clean and healthy environment.
The auto-cleanser option in this AC when activated blows wet air out of the indoor unit, eliminating the chance of bacterial growth inside the cabinet.
Miscellaneous
The company offers a 1-year warranty on the entire unit supplemented by a 5-year warranty cover on the compressor.
This AC has an inbuilt stabilizer to handle voltage fluctuations which is a common occurrence in India.
Verdict
The Carrier 18K Ester NXi is an excellent 1.5-tonne AC that comes with an energy-efficient inverter compressor to handle even the harshest of Indian summers.
Novel features such as remote mounted temperature sensor and auto cleanser add to the charm of this quality product.
Specifications
| Capacity | 1.5 Ton |
| Condenser Type | Copper |
| Compressor Type | Rotary inverter |
| Refrigerant | R32 |
| Cooling Capacity | 5276 W |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 888.75 units |
| Star Rating | 5-star BEE |
| Model year | 2021 |
| Warranty | 1 + 10 year on Compressor |
3. Panasonic CS/CU-SU18XKYTW
Value for Money AC
- Powerful twin inverter compressor
- 100% pure copper tubing
- Stabilizer free operation
Pros
Anti-corrosion Bluefin technology
Environment-friendly R32 refrigerant
Hidden LED display
Cons
Bulky outdoor unit
Panasonic is a renowned Japanese multinational company known for its cameras and other consumer electronics appliances including washing machines and refrigerators.
The CS/CU-SU18XKYTW from Panasonic is a relatively affordable 1.5-Ton split air conditioner priced under a budget of Rs.35,000 in the Indian market.
Design and Build Quality
Made completely from polycarbonate plastic materials, the interior unit of this air conditioner looks and feels minimal, which ideally helps it to blend with whatever home decor you have back at home.
The quality of components used for construction is top-notch and without a doubt one of the best in its segment.
The LED display is hidden within the plastic frame to keep it elegant while at the same time preventing the light from distracting you at night.
This air conditioner comes with the special anti-corrosion Blue Fin technology which is ideal for a tropical country such as India where rust is one of the main failure points when it comes to electronic devices.
To withstand the fluctuating power situation, this AC comes equipped with an inbuilt voltage stabilizer that will flatten out any sudden spikes in voltage.
Compressor and Performance
The Panasonic CS/CU-SU18XKYTW features a twin rotary inverter compressor that is not only good with energy savings but powerful enough to provide a quick cooling experience with minimal noise levels inside the living space.
The 100% pure copper tubing inside makes sure the heat transfer is quick and efficient, and without any sort of corrosion problems that might lower the efficiency later on.
This 3-star BEE 2021 rated AC from Panasonic roughly consumes about 1056.45 units of electricity annually.
Miscellaneous
This air conditioner comes with a PM2.5 air filter inside that will trap most of the minute contaminants in the air, thereby delivering pure and healthy air inside the living spaces.
This AC can also act as a dehumidifier in the dry mode to bring down the humidity levels inside.
Verdict
The Panasonic CS/CU-SU18XKYTW is a feature-rich split AC with a power inverter compressor inside that can cool the living spaces much faster and without using too much energy.
Specifications
| Capacity | 1.5 Ton |
| Condenser Type | Copper |
| Compressor Type | Twin inverter |
| Refrigerant | R32 |
| Cooling Capacity | 5050W |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 1056.45 units |
| Star Rating | 3 Star BEE |
| Warranty | 1 + 10 Year on Compressor |
4. Voltas 173V ADJ
Budget Inverter AC
- 3-star BEE 2021 rating
- Powerful rotary inverter compressor
- Stabilizer free operation
Pros
Elegant and appealing design
Multi-stage air filtration
Active dehumidifier
Cons
Bulky exterior unit
Voltas is an Indian company known for its homegrown HVAC systems.
The Voltas 173V ADJ is a split type inverter AC with a 100% copper condenser priced just under Rs.35,000.
Design and Build Quality
The Voltas 173V ADJ is one of the pretty looking split ACs we have reviewed in this article.
It looks sleek and stylish and differentiates itself from other air conditioners with a bland design.
The white chassis with the dark red inserts makes it feel unique. There is a LED display on the top right corner for temperature and operating mode information.
The construction is from high-quality plastics and doesn’t feel cheap at all.
The interior unit of this AC is very compact and has a width of just 94cm and a height of just 30cm making it a suitable candidate for small rooms and office spaces.
Compressor and Performance
The rotary inverter compressor inside does a very good job in cooling the living space with minimal noise and in under 3-4 minutes flat.
This inverter split AC from Voltas features a 100% copper condenser with excellent heat transfer characteristics and durability for reliable long term usage.
The Voltas 173V ADJ has a cooling capacity of 4750W with a rated annual consumption of 1048.94 units.
Features
There is a four-stage filtration system inside this AC to keep the circulating air free from pathogens and allergens.
The supplied remote comes with glow in the dark buttons for easy usage at night.
This AC supports self-diagnosis and can reset on its own if it finds any fault in the system.
Warranty
Voltas offers a one-year comprehensive warranty on the AC and an additional 4 years on the compressor.
Verdict
If you don’t mind the lack of an inverter compressor inside, the Voltas 173V ADJ delivers equally good performance with a lot of added features under a very affordable price tag.
Specifications
| Capacity | 1.4 ton |
| Condenser Type | Copper |
| Compressor Type | Rotary inverter |
| Refrigerant | R32 |
| Cooling Capacity | 4750 W |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 1048.94 units |
| Star Rating | 3 Star BEE |
| Model year | 2021 |
| Warranty | 1 + 4 Year on Compressor |
5. TCL TAC-18CSD
Pros
Environment-friendly R32 refrigerant
Silver ion filter for healthy air
100% copper condenser
Cons
Clunky remote
TCL is a Chinese company primarily famous for its budget LED TVs with excellent display quality.
TCL has now started to test the waters in the smartphone as well as other white goods markets across the globe.
The TAC 18CSD is a Wi-Fi enabled 1.5-Ton split type inverter AC priced just under Rs.31,000.
Design and Build Quality
The TCL TAC 18CSD has a very minimal chassis design with nothing much in the front, except a TCL logo.
The plastic fibre finish of the body is nothing much to write about but feels adequately decent for the price.
There is a hidden LED temperature display in the centre of the chassis which can be turned off when not required.
The overall width of the interior unit of this AC is 1010mm and the height is 31.5mm, which is slightly bigger in comparison to some of the ACs we’ve listed in this article.
If you’re tight on real estate, these measurements will help you decide if the indoor unit will fit inside the room comfortably.
The outdoor unit of this AC is relatively compact and has the same plastic construction for protecting the hardware inside from rain and sunlight.
Compressor and Performance
The TCL TAC 18CSD is an inverter AC. This means that the compressor will be very efficient in cooling and power consumption compared to a non-inverter air conditioner.
This inverter compressor will operate with variable speed depending upon the cooling load saving you a great deal of money on electricity bills.
The company claims that this AC can easily cool indoor spaces even when the ambient temperature outside is upwards of 55 degrees.
The 100% copper condenser inside improves the overall efficiency of this AC significantly.
The actual cooling capacity of this 1.5-ton AC is 5100W with a rated annual energy consumption of 1064.66 units.
Features
This is a Wi-Fi enabled air conditioner. You can control this device through your smartphone from the TCL home app from anywhere.
It also comes with Google voice assistant integration.
Instead of dealing with a remote to control the AC, now you can connect this AC with the Google Home device to use voice commands from anywhere within the home.
Miscellaneous
The TCL TAC 18CSD has an extra silver ion filter inside which restricts the growth of bacteria and fungi inside the vents of the air conditioning unit, ensuring healthy air circulation within the room.
Speaking of warranty, the TCL offers one year warranty on the AC, one year on the condenser, 10 years on the compressor.
Verdict
The TCL TAC 18CSD is a smart Wi-Fi enabled inverter type air conditioner with Google voice assistant integration for easy controls.
This 5-star BEE 2020 AC is one of the most energy-efficient air conditioners available in the Indian market at present.
Specifications
| Capacity | 1.5 Ton |
| Condenser Type | Copper |
| Compressor Type | Rotary inverter |
| Refrigerant | R32 |
| Cooling Capacity | 5100 W |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 1064.66 units |
| Star Rating | 3 Star BEE |
| Model year | 2021 |
| Warranty | 1 +10 year on compressor |
6. Daikin FTKG50TV
Pros
Excellent build quality
High-quality compressor
Environment-friendly refrigerant
Cons
Bulky form factor
Daikin is a Japanese brand famous for its wide range of air conditioners and other related equipment.
The FTKG50TV is an inverter type Split AC that Daikin has introduced in the Indian market.
Design and Build Quality
Even though Daikin ACs won’t win any awards in the best aesthetic appeal category, it is a very well made AC using high-quality polycarbonate plastics.
The design might look a bit bland when compared with the newer generation split ACs, however not downright ugly.
The indoor unit and outdoor unit of this refrigerator are a bit bulky. Apart from the design standpoint, the Daikin FTKG50TV works and performs excellently when it comes to air conditioning.
Reciprocatory Inverter Compressor
It’s uncommon to see a reciprocatory type inverter compressor inside an AC for home uses.
Usually, this type of compressor is used in large capacity installations such as factories and industrial setups.
Daikin manufactures one of the most robust compressors in the market with excellent performance coupled with silent operation characteristics.
This AC comes with a 100% copper condenser and ensures excellent heat transfer characteristics and durability.
Performance
The maximum cooling capacity of this air conditioner is rated at 5000W at an annual energy consumption rate of 824 units.
The cooling process is quite quick, thanks to the industrial-grade powerful reciprocatory compressor inside this AC.
This AC comes with a 5-star BEE rating ensuring significant savings on your monthly electricity bills.
Miscellaneous
Daikin uses R-32 refrigerant in this air conditioner which has zero ozone depletion potential.
This air conditioner with its multi-axis swing feature will throw the air up to a great distance ensuring all the corners of the room will be uniformly cooled without any exception.
Titanium Apatite Photocatalytic Air-purifying offers quality air output without any microscopic particles that might escape normally sized dust filters.
Daikin India provides a 1-year comprehensive warranty on this 1.5 Ton inverter AC.
Specifications
| Capacity | 1.5 Ton |
| Condenser Type | Copper |
| Compressor Type | Neo swing inverter |
| Refrigerant | R32 |
| Cooling Capacity | 5000 W |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 824 units |
| Star Rating | 5-star BEE |
| Model year | 2019 |
| Warranty | 1 +10 year on compressor |
ALSO READ: Best 2 Ton Air Conditioners In India
7. Midea 18K Santis Pro
Pros
Remote mounted temperature sensor
3-star BEE 2019 rating
100% copper condenser coil
Cons
Brand recognition
Midea is a Chinese electrical equipment manufacturer specializing in HVAC products around the globe.
The Midea 18K Santis Pro is a cheap 1.5-ton capacity split AC suitable for a small room/office space with floor volume ranging from 110-200sq.ft.
Hardware Features
As a novelty, this AC comes with a sensor mounted remote that detects the temperature around the remote rather than the indoor unit, which is far less accurate.
This feature allows the unit to cool the interior much more precisely.
The leakage detector in this air-conditioner in case of a leakage detection of the refrigerant will automatically shut down the operation, preventing further damage to the system.
Auto-restart and in-built louvre memory will remember the position of the swing blades and the temperature in case of a power outage.
The AC will resume from this point when the power comes back on and saves time and energy consumption.
Inverter Compressor
The Midea 18K Santis Pro is one of the cheapest split AC you can purchase in the Indian market.
The rotary compressor inside is powerful enough to provide you with faster cooling performance no matter what the ambient temperature is.
This AC has a decent air throw distance of 36 ft. which is enough to cool down a small room uniformly.
Power Consumption and Cooling Capacity
This air-conditioner has a respectable cooling capacity of 5100 W at the expense of 1436 W of energy consumption.
This device comes with a 3-star BEE 2019 energy efficiency rating if in case you want a rough estimate of the energy consumption.
The company offers a 1-year warranty on the entire unit supplemented by a 5-year warranty cover on the compressor.
Verdict
If you have a tight budget and requires a feature-rich inverter type AC, the Midea 18K Santis Pro is the best choice for you.
The affordable price tag along with cutting edge features such as an improved dust filter and a pure copper condenser makes this AC worth your hard-earned money.
Specifications
| Capacity | 1.5 Ton |
| Condenser Type | Copper |
| Compressor Type | Rotary Compressor |
| Refrigerant | R32 |
| Cooling Capacity | 5276 W |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 1128.65 units |
| Star Rating | 3-Star BEE |
| Model year | 2020 |
| Warranty | 1 + 5 year on compressor |
8. Lloyd GLS18I56WRBP
Honourable Mention
- 5-star BEE 2020 certified
- Powerful inverter compressor
- High ambient temperature cooling
Pros
Minimal yet elegant design
Auto-restart function
Self-cleaning feature
Cons
Bulky interior unit
Lloyd is a home appliance brand that is a subsidiary of Havells India Pvt. Limited.
Lloyd branded ACs are known for their quick cooling performance and maintenance-free ownership experience.
The Lloyd GLS18I56WRBP is a 1.5-ton split type inverter AC with a 5-star BEE 2021 rating suitable to cool down rooms and office spaces with an area ranging from 110 – 150 sq. ft.
Design and Build Quality
The Lloyd GLS18I56WRBP has a minimalistic design that seamlessly blends with all types of interiors back home or at the office.
The full-body plastic construction is quite okay for the price. The gentle curves and lines on the chassis add to the aesthetic appeal of this air conditioner.
The indoor unit looks a bit bulkier than some of the other products in the segment, but that’s not in any way a deal-breaker considering the excellent cooling performance.
Compressor and Performance
The Lloyd GLS18I56WRBP is powered by a rotary inverter compressor inside. This variable speed compress is capable of quick cooling the interiors in a couple of minutes.
Even though this variable compressor never switches off during the operation, the noise is very less and almost comparable to a non-inverter AC.
Since this is a 5-star BEE 2021 rated air conditioner the energy consumption is very minimal and will save your money on monthly electricity bills significantly.
This air conditioner has a 100% copper condenser for efficient heat transfer rate and durability.
The cooling capacity of the Lloyd GLS18I56WRBP is 5000W and the AC consumes around 865.9 units of electricity annually.
Features
This AC from Lloyd has an auto-restart feature that can keep the last active settings in memory and restore that after a power failure.
This is very useful in India where frequent power cuts are unfortunately still a widespread issue.
Warranty
Lloyd offers a one-year comprehensive warranty on this air conditioner and a 10 years warranty on the compressor.
Specifications
| Capacity | 1.5 Ton |
| Condenser Type | Copper |
| Compressor Type | Inverter compressor |
| Refrigerant | R32 |
| Cooling Capacity | 5000 W |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 865.9 units |
| Star Rating | 5-Star BEE |
| Model year | 2021 |
| Warranty | 1 + 10 Year on Compressor |
Here concludes our list for the best eight split ACs under 1.5-ton capacity in the Indian market. We hope you will find this article helpful in making your purchase decision.
If you have any suggestions or queries regarding this article, let us know in the comments section below.
Thanks for your time on our site and have a great day ahead!