Here are Some of the Most Recommended Air Conditioner Brands in the Philippines

Buying a new air conditioner may not be as easy as shopping for any other appliance or furniture for your home, especially if you’re on a budget. Although for some, it could be as simple as picking the most expensive brand with the highest rating, or the best known model you've seen across social media.

But it’s not always just about the popularity or how well-recommended it is. You have to consider a lot of other factors, including its efficiency and energy-saving performance; durability (ability to last); and, of course, affordability.

To help you decide which one to get for this extremely hot summer, Esquire Philippines rounds up the aircon brands that stand out across the board, according to this study among users.

ALSO READ

Is Your Electricity Bill Rising, Too? Meralco Says the Heat Is Pushing its Energy Sales Up

Ways to Cool Your House Without Air Conditioning

These are some of the best air conditioner brands in the Philippines:

1| Carrier

Specifically designed to fit the tropical weather in the Philippines, Carrier-made air-conditioning units are considered to be the most energy efficient and have the highest quality. In 2023, the brand was even named the best aircon company for the second consecutive year; and was included in the roster of TIME’s World’s Best Companies. (No wonder it’s the no. 1 choice.)

Carrier Philippines, powered by its parent company Carrier USA, offers a wide selection of unit types good for both home and business use.

Among its popular models is the Carrier Crystal 2 Inverter, a split type aircon that can run on energy as low as 220 watts. It's rated as one of the five most power-saving air-conditioning units in the country, according to solar company SolarNRG Philippines. Plus points that it has a self-cleaning function, which means more savings for you!

2| Condura

Condura, being the most affordable yet reliable option, comes in second in the list of brands recommended by users in the Philippines. (In case you don’t know, Condura is a sister brand of Carrier, so you can already be assured by its quality.)

If you specifically want something that’s built to last, Condura is the answer. The brand, boasting units with smart controls and energy efficiency functions, offers the cheapest inverter split type aircons out there — which is why it’s one of the top choices, even among official appliance sellers. You can choose from Condura’s broad range of sizes, ranging from 1.0 to 2.5 horsepower, without worrying so much about the price.

3| Midea

Midea, although manufactured in China, is best known for one of its latest innovations: the Midea U Inverter Window Air Conditioner. In fact, the model was recognized as the best window aircon by Forbes last year. Even reviews from news outfits all around the world like Business Insider cited its game-changing features, including being able to keep your aircon on during the hottest parts of the day without wasting a lot of energy (and even prompt "Alexa" to turn your Midea on or off).

Aside from aircons, Midea offers a whole lot of durable appliances, such as washing machines, water heaters, and refrigerators; so its expertise in manufacturing products like these are pretty much out of the question.

4| Toshiba

Toshiba is another aircon brand known not only in the Philippines, but across Asia and even the world.

Featuring top-notch Japanese home quality cooling products, the brand provides residential split type as well as commercial units that can help you bear with the heat. Customers who tried and tested Toshiba themselves have been recommending the brand for the "good quality and value for money" of its offerings. (Just one tap on the Reviews section of their page, and you’ll see it for yourself.)

What else sets these brands apart?

5-Star After-Sales Service

Spending so much money on a new aircon could easily go down the drain if you won't have access to after-sales service when you need it.

In most cases, if the aircon is under warranty, customers are directed by the appliance store to the manufacturer’s hotline. But for Carrier, Condura, Midea, and Toshiba units, users can avail of their after-sales services with just a few clicks. Booking may be done through their website, and you can conveniently choose when you want the visit to be scheduled.

Gone are the days when you need to call or pass through different hotlines first just to speak to the right person for assistance, too, as they can immediately direct your request to the service center closest to your location.

Access to Spare Parts

Another thing you may need to consider in shopping for a new aircon is the availability of spare parts. While this may not look like much of a big deal, overlooking this aspect may cost you in the long run.

The good thing about Carrier and Condura—which manufacture their cooling products locally—is that you don’t have to go through the hassle of sourcing replacement parts from abroad when you need them, as these are readily available anytime, and thus, are more reasonably priced.

Even though Midea and Toshiba-made units are imported, given the popularity of their brands, spare parts for their models are easily accessible, too.

Still torn? Try Carrier or Condura

Both household names, Carrier and Condura are highly-rated for the outstanding quality of their cooling products, as well as their services, through the years. In fact, a study conducted by technology firm teko.ph showed the two leading brands had a combined market share of 41.3 percent in the Philippines as of 2023.

So, if you're still undecided, choosing between Carrier and Condura is the way to go.

But if you think none of these is "the one," you might want to consider other brands, like LG, TCL, Samsung, Haier, Kolin, and Everest, which are among the most trusted brands nationwide, too.