Best Air Conditioners in India (November 2021)

Inverter ACs have already acquired the best from rest clout when it comes to the air conditioner market in the country. Due to the high energy efficiency and durability, many people prefer to own an inverter AC despite its high initial price. 

With a truckload of Air Conditioners out there at different capacities and features, finding out the best one is not an easy task. That’s why we have come up with this list of the best eight ACs available in the Indian market. 

So read along, stay informed and make the right decision. Without any further ado, let’s begin!

Best AC’s In India

1. LG MS-Q18YNZAOverall Best Pick
2. Panasonic CS/CU-NU12XKYWRunner-up Pick
3. Voltas 173 EZABudget Non-inverter AC
4. Godrej GIC 12TTC3Feature-rich AC
5. Panasonic CS-NU24WKYWLarge Capacity AC
6. Lloyd GLS18I56WRBPAll-round Performer
7. TCL TAC-18CSDBudget Inverter AC
8. Carrier 24K Ester NXiHonourable 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

LG MS-Q18YNZA

Overall Best Pick

  • 5-star BEE 2020 rating
  • Suited for rooms up to 150 sq. ft
  • Powerful dual inverter compressor
BUY FROM AMAZON

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 a 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 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

Capacity1.5 ton
Condenser TypeCopper
Compressor TypeSmart inverter compressor
RefrigerantR32
Cooling Capacity5000 W
Power Consumption818.81 units
Star Rating5 Star BEE
Model Year2021
Warranty1 + 10 Years Warranty on Compressor

2. Panasonic CS/CU-NU12XKYW

Panasonic CS/CU-NU12XKYW

Runner-up Pick

  • Variable-speed inverter AC
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Silent operation
BUY FROM AMAZON

Pros

Stabilizer free operation

Anti-corrosion coating on the condenser

Air purification

Cons

Expensive

Panasonic, as you all might know is a Japanese multinational consumer electronics company popular for its home appliances and other consumer electronics.

The CS/CU-NU12XKYW is a 1-ton inverter AC from Panasonic with a bunch of exclusive features, retailing for around Rs.36,000 in India. 

Compressor and Performance 

This air-conditioner from Panasonic comes with an inverter compressor onboard which not only saves a lot of money in terms of your electricity bills but also runs maintenance-free for years. 

This variable speed inverter adjusts the cooling according to the load and provides a comfortable indoor living condition for the occupants. 

Since the compressor runs relatively silent, there won’t be any distractions for the occupants inside. 

Energy Consumption and Cooling Capacity

The Panasonic CS/CU-NU12XKYW has a cooling capacity of about 3500W, ideal for a small-sized room/offline with less than 110ft built-up area. 

This air conditioner from Panasonic consumes 588.97 units of electricity annually making it one of the best power efficient ACs currently available in the Indian market. 

The 5-star BEE 2021 certification should give you peace of mind regarding the energy consumption of this AC.

Miscellaneous

The Panasonic CS/CU-NU12XKYW is a smart home appliance with Wi-Fi connectivity onboard. 

Certified to work with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, this air conditioner can be controlled wirelessly with just voice commands. 

The copper condenser coil in this AC features specialized anti-corrosion protection, ideal for the tropical climate we have here in India.

Verdict

The CS/CU-NU12XKYW from Panasonic is an inverter type AC with wireless smart Wi-Fi connectivity features. 

The maintenance-free inverter compressor along with the 5-star BEE rating makes it a product worth checking out.

Specifications

Capacity1 Ton
Condenser TypeCopper
Compressor TypeInverter Compressor
RefrigerantR32
Cooling Capacity3500W
Power Consumption588.97 Units
Star Rating5 Star BEE
Model Year2021
Warranty1 + 10 Year on Compressor

3. Voltas 173 EZA

Voltas 173 EZA

Budget Non-inverter AC

  • 3-star BEE 2020 rating
  • Powerful rotary compressor
  • Stabilizer free operation
BUY FROM AMAZON

Pros

Elegant and appealing design

Multi-stage air filtration

Active dehumidifier

Cons

Non-inverter compressor

Voltas is an Indian company known for its homegrown HVAC systems. 

The Voltas 173 EZA is a split type non-inverter AC with a 100% copper condenser priced just under Rs.30,000.

Design and Build Quality

The Voltas 173 EZA 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 and dark grey dual colour tone 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

As we already said, the Voltas 173 EZA is not an inverter AC. 

The rotary compressor inside, however, does a very good job in cooling the living space with minimal noise and in under 3-4 minutes flat.

This non-inverter split AC from Voltas does indeed have a 100% copper condenser to bridge up that energy efficiency gap resulting from a non-inverter compressor.

The Voltas 173 EZA has a cooling capacity of 5000W with a rated annual consumption of 1101.55 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 173 EZA delivers equally good performance with a lot of added features under a very affordable price tag.

Specifications

Capacity1.4 Ton
Condenser TypeCopper
Compressor TypeRotary Compressor
RefrigerantR32
Cooling Capacity5000 W
Power Consumption1101.55 units
Star Rating3 Star BEE
Model Year2021
Warranty1 + 4 Year on Compressor

4. Godrej GIC 12TTC3

Godrej GIC 12TTC3

Feature-rich AC

  • Suited for rooms < 110ft
  • Tri-filter air purification system
  • Anti-corrosion condenser
BUY FROM AMAZON

Pros

Low noise operation

Anti-corrosive chassis

Maintenance-free compressor

Cons

Bulky outdoor unit

The Godrej GIC 12 TTC3 is a 1 Ton inverter AC that comes certified as one of the best home appliances with the latest Government approved BEE ratings.

This small and compact 1 Ton AC might be the perfect companion for a small-sized room with a maximum of two occupants. 

Compressor and Performance

The Godrej GIC 12 TTC3 has a high EER inverter rotary compressor on board assisted with a copper condenser to ensure optimal performance with power efficiency and durability.

This air conditioning unit comes equipped with 3 Brushless DC motors, controlled by smart logic resulting in higher efficiency.

The intelligent air throw mechanism senses the room temperature and adjusts accordingly to give you the best cooling experience.

The compressor inside this AC has a maximum cooling capacity of 3500W at a rated annual electricity consumption of 752.51 units, which is excellent for a small-sized room/office space with one or two occupants.

The specially arranged twin array copper coil allows for quick cooling of the interiors even when it’s scorching hot outside.

Eco-friendly Refrigerant

The refrigerant used in this air-conditioner is R32 which has a minimal global warming potential as well as zero ozone depletion potential. 

The going green motto from OEM’s can’t get any better than this, we bet.

Features

The anti-dust filter on this device is removable and cleaned manually. This feature will come in handy in Indian conditions where dust is like a daily guest and you will be forced to clean the filter unless you want to inhale it all. 

The silver ion filter inside the conditioning unit ensures microbe-free, uncontaminated air to be exhausted out of the vent. 

The Godrej GIC 12 TTC3 is one of the most silent 1-ton air conditioners available in the Indian market at present. The silent operation of an air conditioner equates to minimal distractions which is always a welcome addition.

Miscellaneous

The Godrej GIC 12 TTC3 comes with a top of the line 3-star BEE 2021 energy efficiency rating which will save you a lot of money in terms of your electricity bills.

Godrej India offers a 1-year warranty on this 1-ton inverter AC and an additional 10-year warranty on the compressor that will let you sleep with even more calmness and peace of mind.

Verdict

If you have a small room/ office space to be cooled quite quickly without going high on electricity consumption, this air conditioner is a worthy choice.

The silent operation of the power-efficient compressor inside and the 3-star BEE 2021 rating is worthy of making this AC one of the best in the business.

Specifications

Capacity1 Ton
Condenser TypeCopper
Compressor TypeRotary inverter
RefrigerantR32
Cooling Capacity3550 W
Power Consumption752.51 Units
Star Rating3-Star BEE
Model Year2021
Warranty1 + 10 Year on Compressor

5. Panasonic CS-NU24WKYW

Panasonic CS-NU24WKYW

 Large Capacity AC

  • Powerful inverter compressor
  • Energy-efficient operation
  • Wi-Fi enabled AC
BUY FROM AMAZON

Pros

Stabilizer free operation

Eco-friendly R32 refrigerant

Pure copper condenser

Cons

Heavy outdoor unit

Panasonic is a no-nonsense player in the air conditioning market in India. We don’t see many commercials of these products on TV and the Internet but they do sell rather well with word of mouth. 

Consistent top-notch performance is one of the key features of Panasonic ACs.

The Panasonic CS-RU24WKYW is a 2-ton inverter type split AC aimed at large homes and office spaces.

Design and Build Quality

The Panasonic CS-RU24WKYW has an elegantly designed indoor unit with minimal curves and lines.

The use of a pearl white colour scheme makes this AC compatible with any type of home decor you’ve.

The quality of construction is top-notch and high-quality materials have been used for ensuring durability.

The outdoor unit is made using a mix of zinc, aluminium and magnesium alloy for better weather and corrosion resistance.

Rotary Inverter Compressor

This 2-ton AC comes equipped with a rotary inverter compressor which offers impressive cooling performance at all loads.

Even when the ambient outside temperature is high enough, this AC manages to cool the interiors significantly faster than other competitors in this segment.

Being a rotary compressor, the operation is very silent. 

Performance Metrics

The 2-ton Panasonic CS-RU24WKYW has a maximum cooling capacity of 6100 W at the rated annual energy consumption of 1013.01 units.

This AC comes with an ECO mode for mild cooling and a power mode for quick cooling, thanks to the inverter compressor supporting variable load inside.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has certified this appliance with a 5-star 2020 rating, ensuring that this AC is highly energy efficient.

Miscellaneous Features

The Panasonic CS-RU24WKYW has a two-stage particulate filter to ensure the quality of breathable air coming out of the indoor unit. 

The first stage traps harmful bacterias and the second PM 2.5 filter resists dust and other particulate matter from getting into the air stream.

The twin flaps on this AC which moves horizontally as well as vertically results in delivering a 4-way airflow allowing the air to reach every nook and corner of the room uniformly.

This is a Wi-Fi enabled air conditioner that can be controlled right from your smartphone. This device supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for effortless operation via voice commands. 

Verdict

The Panasonic CS-RU24WKYW is a BEE 5-star 2020 rated inverter type split AC suitable for large homes and office spaces. 

This air conditioner delivers superior performance while not going overboard when it comes to electricity consumption.

Specifications

Capacity2 Ton
Condenser TypeCopper
Compressor TypeRotary inverter
RefrigerantR32
Cooling Capacity6100 W
Power Consumption1013.01 units
Star Rating5-Star BEE
Model Year2020
Warranty1 + 10 Year on Compressor

6. Lloyd GLS18I56WRBP

Lloyd GLS18I56WRBP

All-round Performer

  • 5-star BEE 2021 certified
  • Powerful inverter compressor
  • High ambient temperature cooling
BUY FROM AMAZON

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

Capacity1.5 Ton
Condenser TypeCopper
Compressor TypeInverter compressor
RefrigerantR32
Cooling Capacity5000 W
Power Consumption865.9 units
Star Rating5-Star BEE
Model Year2021
Warranty1 + 10 Year on Compressor

7. TCL TAC 18CSD

TCL TAC-18CSD

Budget Inverter AC

  • 5-star BEE 2020 certified
  • Inverter compressor
  • Wi-Fi enabled AC
BUY FROM AMAZON

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

Capacity1.5 Ton
Condenser TypeCopper
Compressor TypeRotary inverter
RefrigerantR32
Cooling Capacity5100 W
Power Consumption1064.66 units
Star Rating3-Star BEE
Model Year2021
Warranty1 +10 Year on Compressor

8. Carrier 24K Ester NXi

Carrier 24K Ester NXi

Honourable Mention

  • 5-star BEE 2021 certified AC
  • Powerful inverter compressor
  • 100% pure copper condenser
BUY FROM FLIPKART

Pros

Robust build quality

Hidden LED temperature display

PM2.5 micron air filter

Cons

Noisy outdoor unit

Carrier is a Chinese HVAC manufacturer popular for its maintenance-free heavy-duty air conditioning units for both home and office uses.

The 24K Ester NXi from Carrier is one such 2-ton split AC suited for use in rooms ranging from 110-220 sq. ft in floor space.

Design and Build Quality

Air conditioners from Carrier are one of the most durable in the business. The build quality is very robust with no noticeable weak spots to point out.

The indoor unit although bulky looks and feels elegant – thanks to the minimal design.

There is a hidden LED temperature display on this AC which can be turned off when not required.

Featuring a 100% copper condenser inside, the heat transfer is very efficient resulting in quicker cooling times.

Compressor and Performance

The Carrier 24K Ester NXi features an inverter rotary compressor that can handle ambient temperatures up to 55 degrees.

If you live on the top floor of your apartment or flat building and are looking for an AC to cope with the unbearable summers, the Carrier 24K Ester NXi is the best pick for your needs. Period.

This is a 5-star BEE 2021 rated air conditioner and thanks to the variable speed compressor, is very energy efficient as well.

The total cooling capacity of this 2-ton AC is 6250W with an annual energy consumption of around 1048.16 units.

Features

The indoor unit of this split AC features various filters inside for keeping bacterias, fungi and pollutants such as dust and other allergens away from personal breathing space.

This air conditioner features an inbuilt stabilizer for coping with the voltage fluctuations without damaging the sensitive electrical components inside.

As we have already mentioned above, this AC is capable of cooling ambient temperatures that are as high as 55 degrees, which is a feature very important for Indian users.

Warranty

Carrier provides one year warranty on the AC and an additional ten years with the compressor if anything unfortunate happens in between.

Verdict

The Carrier Ester 24K NXi is a very powerful split AC that is apt for those places where the ambient temperatures become as high as 55 degrees in the summer.

Specifications

Capacity2 Ton
Condenser TypeCopper
Compressor TypeRotary inverter
RefrigerantR32
Cooling Capacity6250 W
Power Consumption1048.16 units
Star Rating5-Star BEE
Model Year2021
Warranty1+10 Years

This concludes our comprehensive list of the eight best AC’s in the Indian market right now. We hope this article will help you with a rewarding purchase experience.

If you have any queries/suggestions regarding this article, let us know in the comment section below. 

Once again, thanks for sticking around!

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