The Most Efficient Heat Pumps of 2026, Ranked by SEER2 and HSPF2
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 for itself.
Our picks at a glance
Fujitsu Halcyon XLTH / LZBS single-zone
Up to ~33 SEER2 (9k) · HSPF2 above 11 · heats to -15°F
The smallest single-zone Fujitsu wall units carry the highest published SEER2 ratings on the U.S. market and still heat to -15°F.
Full reviewUp to ~26–32 SEER2 by size · 10.7–11.9 HSPF2 · 100% heat at 5°F
High SEER2 plus full rated heating capacity at 5°F, which is the efficiency number that matters in a northern winter.
Full reviewCarrier Infinity 24 with Greenspeed
Manufacturer-rated up to 24 SEER2 · ~9.5–11 HSPF2
The highest manufacturer efficiency claim among whole-house ducted heat pumps, with modulation down to about 25 percent capacity.
Full reviewUp to 24 SEER / 11.8 HSPF (older test) · S40 control
Variable-capacity precision and one of the strongest published ratings for a ducted heat pump, on the older test procedure.
Full reviewUp to ~20–21 SEER2 · modulates to ~25% capacity
A little short of the efficiency ceiling but backed by a strong reliability record and deep modulation.
Full reviewUp to ~18–19.5 SEER2 · R-32 · compact side-discharge cabinet
A side-discharge inverter system for tight lots, with solid rather than class-leading efficiency and R-32 refrigerant.
Full review19.2 SEER2 nominal, up to 22.5 matched · variable-speed
Within a few points of the flagships for thousands less installed, which makes it the value play on efficiency.
Full review21 SEER2 / 13.5 HSPF2 (24k) · up to 25 SEER2 dual-zone · rated to -22°F
ENERGY STAR cold-climate ratings at less than half the equipment cost of premium ductless brands.
Full reviewThe most efficient heat pumps sold in the U.S. in 2026 are small single-zone ductless units: manufacturer and retailer listings put the top Fujitsu and Mitsubishi wall-mounted systems above 30 SEER2, with HSPF2 ratings in the 11 to 14 range. Ducted systems top out lower, at roughly 20 to 24 SEER2 for flagships such as the Carrier Infinity 24, Lennox SL25XPV and Trane XV20i. The catch is that the highest number on the spec sheet is rarely the best purchase, and the sections below explain both the rankings and the reasons to stop short of the top. Our picks come from manufacturer specifications, AHRI and ENERGY STAR listings, NEEP cold-climate performance data, and owner feedback rather than hands-on testing.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Key spec | Typical installed price (2026, before incentives) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujitsu Halcyon XLTH / LZBS single-zone | Highest efficiency overall | Listings show up to roughly 33 SEER2 on the 9,000 BTU/h wall unit; HSPF2 above 11 | $5,000–$9,000 single zone |
| Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating H2i | Most efficient cold-climate system | Up to roughly 26–32 SEER2 by size; 100% rated heat at 5°F; operates to -13°F | $5,500–$9,500 single zone; $12,000–$25,000 multi-zone |
| Carrier Infinity 24 with Greenspeed | Most efficient ducted system | Manufacturer-rated up to 24 SEER2; roughly 9.5–11 HSPF2 depending on the match | $14,000–$25,000 |
| Lennox SL25XPV | Most efficient premium ducted alternative | Up to 24 SEER / 11.8 HSPF on the older test; SEER2 varies by matched coil | $15,000–$26,000 |
| Trane XV20i | Efficient ducted with a durable cabinet | Manufacturer-rated up to about 20–21 SEER2; variable-speed to roughly 25% capacity | $13,000–$22,000 |
| Daikin FIT | Efficient ducted in a small footprint | Listings show up to about 18–19.5 SEER2; R-32 refrigerant | $10,000–$18,000 |
| Goodman GSZV9 | Best efficiency per dollar | Nominal 19.2 SEER2, up to 22.5 SEER2 in a matched system | $9,000–$15,000 |
| Senville AURA | Most efficient budget mini-split | 21 SEER2 / 13.5 HSPF2 on the 24,000 BTU/h single zone; rated to -22°F | $1,300–$2,300 equipment; $3,000–$6,000 installed |
Efficiency ratings side by side
The table below sorts our picks by the highest published SEER2 we could find for each line. Ratings are always for a specific outdoor and indoor combination, so a system’s real rating depends on the coil or air handler your contractor pairs with it. Ask for the AHRI certificate for your exact match before you sign.
| System | Type | Peak listed SEER2 | HSPF2 | Cold-weather note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujitsu Halcyon XLTH / LZBS | Ductless mini-split | Up to ~33 (9k single zone) | ~11 to 14 on the smallest sizes | Heats to -15°F; base-pan heater standard |
| Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating H2i | Ductless and ducted | Up to ~32 (smallest single zone) | ~10.7–11.9 | 100% of rated heat at 5°F; runs to -13°F |
| Carrier Infinity 24 | Central (ducted) | Up to 24 (manufacturer claim) | ~9.5–11 | No full-capacity-at-5°F claim; plan backup heat in the North |
| Lennox SL25XPV | Central (ducted) | Up to 24 SEER on the older test | 11.8 HSPF (older test) | Variable capacity holds output well in mild cold |
| Goodman GSZV9 | Central (ducted) | Up to 22.5 in a matched system | From about 8.2 | No published cold-climate capacity claim |
| Senville AURA | Ductless mini-split | 21 (24k); up to 25 on dual-zone kits | 13.5 (Region IV) | Rated to -22°F, but not at full capacity |
| Trane XV20i | Central (ducted) | Up to ~20–21 | Roughly 8.5–10 by match | Two-stage-like modulation down to about 25% |
| Daikin FIT | Central (ducted) | Up to ~18–19.5 | Roughly 8–9 | R-32 refrigerant; compact side-discharge cabinet |
Highest efficiency overall: Fujitsu Halcyon XLTH and LZBS single-zone
Why we picked it
Fujitsu’s smallest single-zone wall units are the efficiency leaders on paper. Listings and aggregator databases we reviewed put the 9,000 BTU/h model at roughly 33 SEER2, with HSPF2 figures for the smallest sizes reported above 11 and, in some listings, into the 13 to 14 range. The XLTH outdoor units keep heating to -15°F and include a base-pan heater as standard, so the efficiency is not bought at the expense of winter capability. Our Fujitsu Halcyon XLTH review covers size-by-size numbers.
Keep in mind
Those ceiling ratings belong to the smallest units serving a single room. Move up to an 18,000 or 24,000 BTU/h head and the rating falls toward 20 SEER2; add zones to a multi-zone outdoor unit and it falls further. Fujitsu’s dealer network is also thinner than Mitsubishi’s in parts of the country.
Most efficient cold-climate system: Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating H2i
Why we picked it
Efficiency in a heating-dominated climate is not a SEER2 story, it is a question of how much heat a unit still delivers when it is 5°F outside and at what coefficient of performance. Mitsubishi rates H2i outdoor units to deliver 100 percent of their nominal heating capacity at 5°F and to keep running to -13°F, and single-zone MSZ wall units are listed from about 21 SEER2 on larger sizes to over 30 on the smallest, with HSPF2 roughly 10.7 to 11.9. See the Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating review for the full picture.
Keep in mind
Mitsubishi is contractor-only and rarely the cheapest quote. Multi-zone configurations give up meaningful efficiency compared with matched single-zone pairs, so if efficiency is the goal, one outdoor unit per indoor head beats one big outdoor unit feeding four.
Most efficient ducted system: Carrier Infinity 24 with Greenspeed
Why we picked it
Among whole-house ducted systems, Carrier’s flagship holds the highest manufacturer efficiency claim at up to 24 SEER2. Greenspeed modulation lets the compressor run down to roughly 25 percent of capacity, which is where a variable-speed system earns its rating: long, low-speed runs at high part-load efficiency instead of repeated full-power starts. Distributor listings for individual sizes typically show 20 to 23 SEER2 and 9.5 to 11 HSPF2. Our Carrier Infinity 24 review has the details.
Keep in mind
The 24 SEER2 figure applies to a best-case matched system with a Carrier air handler and the Infinity control. It is also a communicating system, which limits your thermostat choices, and it sits at the top of the price range.
Not sure which model fits your home? Start with our ranked picks for 2026.
Compare This ModelMost efficient premium alternative: Lennox SL25XPV
Why we picked it
Lennox rates the SL25XPV at up to 24 SEER and 11.8 HSPF under the older test procedure, which remains one of the strongest published claims for a ducted heat pump. The variable-capacity compressor spends the great majority of its hours at low speed, and the S40 control adds precise humidity management that reduces the cooling load in humid regions. Read the Lennox SL25XPV review before you compare quotes.
Keep in mind
Because Lennox has historically published SEER and HSPF rather than SEER2 and HSPF2 for this line in marketing materials, treat the headline as a legacy figure and ask for the SEER2 rating on your specific match. Parts and controls are proprietary, which can raise repair costs.
Efficient ducted with a durable cabinet: Trane XV20i
Why we picked it
The XV20i is Trane’s variable-speed heat pump, rated by the manufacturer at up to roughly 20 to 21 SEER2 depending on the match. It modulates down to about a quarter of full capacity, uses a composite base pan and an all-aluminum Spine Fin coil, and has a long record of reliability in owner surveys. Our Trane XV20i review compares it with the Carrier flagship.
Keep in mind
It does not chase the very top of the efficiency table, and the proprietary Spine Fin coil is harder to repair in the field than a conventional copper-and-aluminum coil. Like most ducted flagships, it requires a matched indoor unit to hit its rating.
Efficient ducted in a small footprint: Daikin FIT
Why we picked it
The FIT is a side-discharge inverter system that fits where a conventional top-discharge cabinet will not, which matters on tight lots and in townhouses. Listings show it up to about 18 to 19.5 SEER2, which is not class-leading but is well above the federal minimum, and it uses R-32 refrigerant rather than R-454B. Details are in our Daikin FIT review.
Keep in mind
Its efficiency ceiling is lower than the Carrier and Lennox flagships, so choose it for the footprint and the price rather than for a headline rating. Warranty terms depend on registration and on using a Daikin-matched air handler.
Best efficiency per dollar: Goodman GSZV9
Why we picked it
Goodman lists the GSZV9 at a nominal 19.2 SEER2 and up to 22.5 SEER2 in the right matched system. That puts it within a few points of the premium flagships at an installed price that is often $4,000 to $8,000 lower, which is why it wins on efficiency per dollar rather than on efficiency alone. It uses a variable-speed compressor and a DC outdoor fan and works with a conventional thermostat. See the Goodman GSZV9 review.
Keep in mind
Some listings still show the GSZV9 with R-410A while Goodman’s R-454B successors carry new model prefixes, so confirm which generation you are quoted. Goodman publishes no cold-climate capacity claim comparable to Mitsubishi’s.
Most efficient budget mini-split: Senville AURA
Why we picked it
The AURA 24,000 BTU/h single-zone is listed at 21 SEER2, 13 EER2 and 13.5 HSPF2 for Region IV, with heating rated to -22°F and ENERGY STAR certification. Dual-zone AURA kits are listed as high as 25 SEER2. For equipment that often costs less than half of a comparable Mitsubishi, that is a genuinely high rating. Our Senville AURA review explains the trade-offs.
Keep in mind
The -22°F figure is a minimum operating temperature, not a promise of full capacity there. Support runs through Senville rather than a local dealer, and many contractors decline to install owner-supplied equipment, which narrows your labor options.
Why the highest SEER2 is not always the best buy
Three things get in the way of the spec sheet.
Diminishing returns. Efficiency ratings are inverse measures: energy use is proportional to 1 divided by SEER2. Moving from a federal-minimum 14.3 SEER2 unit to an 18 SEER2 unit cuts cooling energy by about 21 percent. Moving from 18 to 22 saves another 18 percent, and from 22 to 26 only about 15 percent more, each step costing progressively more money. In a mild or heating-dominated climate where the air conditioning runs a few hundred hours a year, the dollars behind those last few points are small.
Installation quality. Field studies of residential systems have consistently found that incorrect refrigerant charge, low airflow, and leaky ducts are common, and that each can cost double-digit percentages of rated efficiency. A 22 SEER2 system installed with a 20 percent duct leakage rate can easily use more energy than a 17 SEER2 system installed correctly. This is why we rank installer quality above brand.
Climate mismatch. SEER2 is a cooling metric weighted to a national average cooling season. If you live in Minnesota, your bills are driven by HSPF2 and by how much capacity the unit holds at 5°F, and a high-SEER2 unit that loses half its output in the cold will run on expensive electric resistance backup. If you live in Phoenix, EER2 at 95°F tells you more than SEER2 does. Our SEER2, HSPF2 and COP explainer shows how the three metrics relate.
A practical rule: buy the efficiency tier where the rating curve starts to flatten for your climate, then spend the remaining budget on duct sealing, a proper Manual J load calculation, and a contractor who will commission the system. That combination beats four extra SEER2 points almost every time.
What ENERGY STAR Most Efficient actually requires
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient is an annual recognition layered on top of ordinary ENERGY STAR certification, not a separate rating. For split heat pumps, the current criteria require 16.0 SEER2, 11.0 EER2 and 8.0 HSPF2, with a cold-climate tier at 16.0 SEER2, 9.8 EER2 and 8.5 HSPF2. Every recognized model must also post a coefficient of performance of at least 1.75 at 5°F and retain at least 45 percent of its 47°F heating capacity at that temperature, or 70 percent for cold-climate models.
That low-temperature requirement is what makes the label worth checking: it screens out systems with impressive cooling numbers and weak winter output. But the 16.0 SEER2 floor is modest, and the recognition list runs to thousands of indoor and outdoor combinations. Use it as a filter, then compare the actual ratings, as our report on the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient list explains.
How to choose
- Pick the metric that matches your climate. HSPF2 and capacity at 5°F in the North, EER2 and SEER2 in the South. In a cold region, start from the NEEP cold-climate list rather than the SEER2 leaderboard.
- Insist on a Manual J load calculation. An oversized inverter cannot reach its rated part-load efficiency because it never gets to run long and slow.
- Ask for the AHRI certificate. Efficiency is certified for a matched pair, not for an outdoor unit alone. A high-rated condenser on a mismatched coil can lose several points.
- Fix the ducts before you buy the rating. Sealing and insulating ducts usually costs less than the jump from one efficiency tier to the next and delivers more.
- Check what your utility will pay for. Many rebate programs pay by tier, and the rebate can make a higher tier cheaper than a lower one.
What it costs
Typical installed prices in 2026, before incentives, run roughly $9,000 to $15,000 for a value inverter ducted system in the 19 to 22 SEER2 range and $14,000 to $26,000 for a premium communicating system at 20 to 24 SEER2. Single-zone ductless systems in the 20 to 30 SEER2 range cost about $5,000 to $9,500 professionally installed, and budget retail mini-splits cost $1,300 to $3,500 for equipment plus electrical work and labor. Each step up the efficiency ladder in ducted equipment typically adds $1,500 to $4,000.
The federal 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement credit, worth 30 percent up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pumps, was terminated for property placed in service after December 31, 2025, so do not build it into a 2026 budget. State and utility programs are where the money is now: Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates where your state has launched them, Mass Save, NYSERDA, TECH Clean California, and local utility incentives. Verify current status before you sign, and model the payback on a higher efficiency tier before you pay for it.
Not sure which model fits your home? Start with our ranked picks for 2026.
Estimate Your Installed CostOur recommendation
If raw efficiency is the goal and you have no ductwork, a single-zone Fujitsu or Mitsubishi wall unit is the highest-rated equipment you can install, and in a cold climate the Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating H2i is the one we would choose because its winter capacity holds up where the SEER2 number stops mattering. For a ducted house, the Carrier Infinity 24 sets the efficiency ceiling, but the Goodman GSZV9 captures most of the benefit for thousands less, and for the majority of homeowners that is the better transaction. Whatever tier you land on, spend the marginal dollar on load calculation, duct sealing and commissioning before you spend it on another two points of SEER2, because those are the things that decide whether the rating on the box shows up on your bill.
Frequently asked questions
The highest published SEER2 ratings belong to small single-zone ductless units. Listings we reviewed put the Fujitsu 9,000 BTU/h wall unit at roughly 33 SEER2, with the smallest Mitsubishi Hyper-Heating heads in the high 20s to low 30s. Ratings vary by matched indoor unit, so confirm the AHRI certificate for your specific pairing.
No. Energy use falls as one divided by SEER2, so savings shrink with each step up. Moving from 14.3 to 18 SEER2 cuts cooling energy about 21 percent, while moving from 22 to 26 saves only about 15 percent more for a much larger price increase. In mild or heating-dominated climates the payback on the top tier is often longer than the equipment's life.
The federal minimum for split systems is 7.5 HSPF2 and ENERGY STAR requires 7.8. Anything at 9.0 or above is genuinely efficient for a ducted system, and the best ductless units are listed above 11. In cold climates, pair the HSPF2 figure with the unit's published heating capacity and COP at 5°F, because a high seasonal average can hide weak output on the coldest nights.
For split heat pumps the criteria require 16.0 SEER2, 11.0 EER2 and 8.0 HSPF2, with a cold-climate tier at 16.0 SEER2, 9.8 EER2 and 8.5 HSPF2. Every recognized model must also post a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F and hold at least 45 percent of its 47°F heating capacity at 5°F, or 70 percent for cold-climate models.
On paper, yes, by a wide margin. Ductless systems avoid duct losses entirely and serve a single small zone, which lets them run at very low compressor speeds where efficiency peaks. A whole-house ducted system loses energy through the ductwork and has to move air through it, which is why ducted flagships top out around 24 SEER2 while single-zone ductless units exceed 30.
Yes, and it commonly does. Incorrect refrigerant charge, low airflow across the coil, and leaky or undersized ducts each cost double-digit percentages of rated efficiency. A correctly installed 17 SEER2 system can easily use less energy than a poorly installed 22 SEER2 system, which is why load calculation and commissioning matter more than the last few rating points.
Sources
Heat Pump Reviews Editorial Team
Our editors research heat pumps full time: manufacturer specifications, AHRI and ENERGY STAR listings, published cold-climate performance data, warranty terms, installer feedback and owner reviews. We do not accept payment for placement, and every rating follows our published methodology.
