We compare SEER2, HSPF2, cold-climate output, noise and real installed prices — so you can work out what to buy, what it costs and whether a heat pump suits your home.
Eight heat pumps that stand out in 2026, from the cold-climate Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating to value ducted systems and DIY mini-splits, with specs and installed price ranges.
Trane's XV20i TruComfort is built to last, with a 12-year compressor warranty and excellent cooling comfort.…
The AURA claims heating down to -22°F and up to about 22 SEER2 for far less…
The ProTerra reaches up to about 4.07 UEF, roughly a quarter of the electricity a resistance…
Our highest-scoring models, rated on efficiency, heating performance, noise, features, warranty and value.
Best for: Cold climates and homes without complete ductwork
The most dependable cold-climate heat pump platform sold in the U.S., provided you buy it through a Diamond Contractor and accept a…
Best for: Cold-climate homes without ductwork that want heat pump heating without fossil backup
The most credible alternative to Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating, with documented full capacity at 3°F and slim-duct options that hide the hardware.
Best for: Ducted homes wanting maximum efficiency, zoning and humidity control
One of the most efficient and best-controlled ducted heat pumps on the market, priced at the very top and tied to a…
Best for: Replacing an electric tank in a basement, utility room or garage
The most complete heat pump water heater sold in the U.S., and the 120V plug-in versions make gas-to-electric conversions genuinely practical.
Every model scored against the same criteria, with the specs that actually matter.
Bosch's IDS 2.0 delivers up to 20.5 SEER2 and quiet inverter operation for thousands less than a Carrier or Trane…
Daikin's FIT is a side-discharge inverter heat pump that fits where other condensers cannot, backed by a 12-year registered warranty.…
Goodman's GSZV9 puts a Daikin variable-speed compressor in a budget cabinet, reaching up to 22.5 SEER2 for thousands less than…
Lennox's SL25XPV is the quietest full-size ducted heat pump in its class and one of the most efficient, especially on…
Two options, one decision. We line up the specs, the running costs and the trade-offs.
Practical shortlists for the situations homeowners actually ask about — cold winters, small homes, tight budgets, quiet operation.
Eight of the highest-rated heat pumps you can buy in 2026, ranked by published SEER2 and HSPF2, with a spec table and an honest look at where efficiency stops paying…
Seven of the quietest heat pumps you can buy in 2026, with published outdoor and indoor…
Eight value heat pumps for 2026, from $6,500 ducted systems to sub-$1,000 mini-splits, with typical installed…
Six cold-climate heat pumps that keep heating below zero, plus how to use the NEEP list,…
Six heat pumps sized for homes under about 1,200 square feet, from the Mitsubishi MSZ-FS to…
Seven 4–5 ton and multi-zone heat pumps for homes of 2,500 square feet and up, with…
Seven ductless mini-splits ranked across premium, DIY and budget tiers, with guidance on single vs multi-zone…
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Estimate your installed price and yearly running cost from your home size, climate and efficiency tier.
Estimate my costSort our reviewed heat pumps by SEER2, HSPF2, noise, warranty and installed price in one table.
Open the tableA plain-English checklist covering climate, ductwork, insulation, fuel prices and electrical capacity.
Run the checklistNo jargon for its own sake — just what the ratings mean, what installation involves and what it all costs.
A heat pump moves heat instead of making it. Here is how the refrigeration cycle, reversing valve, and…
Seven factors decide whether a heat pump pays off for your house: climate, current fuel, ducts, insulation, electrical…
Installed price ranges for every type of heat pump in 2026, the factors that move the bill, operating…
Tons, BTU, Manual J, and climate zones explained, plus a tonnage-by-square-footage table and why sizing for heating matters…
What SEER2, HSPF2, EER2, and COP actually measure, why ratings dropped in 2023, the federal minimums for 2026,…
The ten steps of a proper heat pump installation, from Manual J to a documented commissioning test, plus…
The seasonal tasks that keep a heat pump efficient and out of trouble: filters, coil rinsing, clearances, winter…
What heat pump decibel ratings mean, how quiet variable-speed units really are, where to put the outdoor unit,…
Refrigerant rules, incentive programs, efficiency standards and new product launches — and what each one means for your buying decision.
With ENERGY STAR moving to DOE, the 2025 Most Efficient criteria remain the reference for heat pumps. Here are the thresholds, the brands on the list, and how to use the label.
Carrier, Bosch and Lennox challenge-derived heat pumps are on sale, with York and Trane next. Here is what…
No federal 25C credit applies to 2026 heat pump installs. State HEAR and HOMES rebates, utility programs and…
New heat pumps now ship with A2L refrigerants. Here is how the 2025 R-454B shortage played out, why…
