Best Top 10 Central Air Conditioner in 2023

 Best Top 10 Central Air Conditioner in 2023

If you’re shopping for the best central air conditioner you’ll need to pay attention to BTUs, energy efficiency, single- vs. double-speed, and programmability. When choosing a central air conditioner, you always need to find a unit with a BTU rating that’s compatible with the square footage of your home. Next, you’ll want to think about the energy efficiency rating which is usually listed in SEER or EER — although an Energy Star certified appliance is always a smart choice. Single and double-speed can also impact how effectively your unit can use the power which translates to potentially lower energy bills. And finally, programmability such as WiFi support can give you the controls to manage your home’s indoor climate even when you’re not home.

After conducting countless research through thousands of customer reviews, we selected the Carrier Infinity 21 central air conditioner as our Top Pick. Keep reading to learn more about our top picks, shop from our recommendations, and understand our selection criteria for identifying the best air conditioners for you.

Top 10 Best Central Air Conditioners

 👉1 Carrier Infinity 21 Central Air Conditioner

WHY WE LIKE IT: The best central air conditioner with a high energy efficiency rating of up to 26 SEER, with a quiet operation and a dehumidification mode.

Carrier is one of the best air conditioner brands in the world and for good reason, they make heating and cooling appliances that work. Their Infinity 21 central air conditioner is our Top Pick and we believe the best central air conditioner from our research. And, that includes details on the air exchanger on an air conditioner. It has one of the highest energy ratings we’ve seen at 26 SEER when the scale for central AC units is from 13 to 27. We also like that this Carrier AC unit is available in variable speed rotary, variable speed, two-stage, and single-stage scroll compressors which improves the efficiency of your unit based on the total square footage to be cooled and where in the country you live.

The Carrier air conditioner is also one of the quietest options we’ve seen with a low 51-decibel sound output in the lowest setting. You’ll also get an intuitive Greenspeed intelligence system that automatically adjusts the temperature or fan settings based on room conditions for improved efficiency. While this model is made with a galvanized steel cabinet with baked-on powder paint, people who live in coastal regions may need to purchase an upgraded model with a more durable exterior. Other nice features include a humidity management system and compatibility with Carrier’s WiFi-enabled thermostat that can be integrated into smart assistants for truly remote management even when you’re not home. Also, don’t forget to check out the best through-the-wall air conditioner for more versatility in your home.

 👉2 Amana ASX14 Central Air Conditioner

WHY WE LIKE IT: The best air conditioner with a single-speed condenser that can perform self-diagnostics and sound dampening for quieter performance.

The key to ensuring that your air conditioning system lasts is to perform routine maintenance. But with so many other things that you need to focus on, it’s understandable that you might forget to think about calling your HVAC contractor for scheduled maintenance. We like the Amana ASX14 AC because it has self-diagnostic capabilities, known as CoreSense, which makes it one of the best air conditioners. This means that it can alert you when maintenance is needed and even proactively shut down the system if it detects potential risks that could damage the compressor.

This model is a single-speed condenser, which means that it runs at full power whenever it’s turned on. Still, we like that this model also offers durable construction thanks to the heavy-gauge galvanized steel enclosure and quiet operation thanks to sound dampening. Also, note that the Amana ASX14 unit has a lower SEER at just 15. While this is still considered efficient, people who plan to run their air conditioners frequently or who live in hotter climates might want to look elsewhere. In which case, any one of the best portable air conditioners and heaters may be suitable. Although, if it’s too loud, you’ll need to know how to make a portable air conditioner quieter.

Related: Consider the best dual hose portable air conditioner with a high CFM rating.

 👉3 Goodman GSXC18 Split Central Air Conditioner

WHY WE LIKE IT: An energy-efficient split two-stage compressor air conditioner that can cool homes up to 1,500 square feet and that supports remote management thanks to WiFi connectivity.

People often ask which brand of air conditioner is the best for their home. And while there are obvious answers like Carrier or a Trane central air conditioner, there are a lot of factors to consider such as BTU capacity, ease of installation, and additional features like programmability or dehumidification. The Goodman GSXC18 is a split central air conditioner with a commendable energy efficiency rating at 19 SEER. It’s a great HVAC solution that relies on ComfortBridge Technology to create a more intuitive climate control solution.

We like that this model has a two-stage scroll compressor and a two-speed ECM condenser. Because it relies on ComfortBridge Technology, the intuitive system can engage in self-diagnostics and is also designed with WiFi support so that you can remotely manage your heating or cooling settings from anywhere. You’ll also like that this pick comes with filter driers to remove moisture and improve air quality. Plus there’s a high-density foam compressor blanket to help reduce noise. You may also want to integrate your AC unit into a smart home system with the best ductless mini-split air conditioner.

 👉4 Goodman GSX13 Central Air Conditioner

WHY WE LIKE IT: A split central air conditioner with a filter-drier for better air quality and 19,000 BTUs makes it one of the best HVAC systems for smaller homes.

If you have a smaller home, a large air conditioner with a high BTU rating is unnecessary. The Goodman GSX13 is a great solution for homes that are up to 1,100 square feet. We think it’s one of the best HVAC systems for smaller homes. It features an energy-efficient compressor with a single-speed permanent split capacitor condenser meaning that it can be used to effectively manage heating and cooling needs.

As is customary with Goodman air conditioners, this model includes a filter-drier that helps to remove excess humidity from the air and remove contaminants for better air quality. However, we did note that while this is billed as an energy-efficient unit, it has a lower 14 SEER rating. For a unit with a better energy efficiency score, have a look at the best LG air conditioners.

👉5 Amana ASXC18 Central Air Conditioner

WHY WE LIKE IT: A smartly designed two-stage compressor split air conditioner that is designed to intuitively adjust settings based on ambient room conditions to improve energy efficiency.

For people with larger homes in the 2,000 to 2,800 square feet range, the Amana ASXC18 split air conditioner is a great choice. With a range from 24,000 to 60,000 BTUs depending on the specific sub-model you select, there’s plenty of power to keep you cool in the summer. This is a high-efficiency Energy Star two-stage compressor air conditioner for true energy efficiency.

We like that you’ll get a 19 SEER rating. While that’s not the highest rating this appliance could have, that puts this pick in the median range for energy efficiency. Thanks to the ComfortBridge Technology integration, this Amana pick can also self-regulate and perform diagnostics. Self-regulation ensures that your unit isn’t wasting energy by blowing air too forcefully based on ambient temperatures. You’ll also get WiFi connectivity so that you can remotely manage your home’s indoor climate either through smart assistant integration or with their proprietary CoolCloud phone and tablet app. It could be a contender for our leading WiFi smart air conditioner list. And in case you’re planning a camping trip, you should take a peek at the best portable AC for camping that will keep you cool in your tent or cabin.

 👉6 Bryant Preferred 2-Stage Central Air Conditioner

WHY WE LIKE IT: A two-stage compressor central air conditioner with a 17 SEER that’s WiFi compatible and can provide automatic maintenance reminders makes this one of the most efficient central air conditioners.

If you have a smart home and you love the idea of integrating all of your critical appliances through a smart assistant, then the Bryant Preferred 2-Stage central air conditioner is a good pick. We think it’s one of the most efficient central air conditioners that we’ve found through our research. However, it’s important to note that while this is billed as an energy-efficient AC unit, it’s not eligible for installation in the Southwest or Southeastern United States.

You’ll get a 17 SEER which is in the median range for energy efficiency. This is a two-stage unit that helps to conserve power consumption. There’s also summer dehumidification and a filter-drier for improved air quality. Best of all, we like that this is an intuitive model that alerts you when maintenance is needed or when service is required. And thanks to the WiFi-enabled thermostat, you can control your home’s climate from anywhere in the world. Compare this to the best evaporative air conditioner for indoor, outdoor, and covered outdoor use.

 👉7 Goodman GSX160361 Central Air Conditioner

WHY WE LIKE IT: A two-stage split air conditioner that’s perfect for medium-sized homes that supports WiFi connectivity and provides a self-diagnostic feature for increased energy efficiency.

Owners of medium-sized homes will appreciate that the GSX160361 from Goodman is a budget-friendly solution to keep their homes comfortable in warmer weather. This 23,400 BTU-rated unit is ideal for homes ranging from 1,350 to 1,650 square feet. The efficient two-stage compressor helps to reduce energy consumption by running at either 65 or 100% capacity depending on the heating or cooling demand.

While this is an Energy Star-approved appliance, it does have a lower rating at just 16 SEER. still, you’ll get the ControlBridge Technology integration which means that your unit can manage self-diagnostics and can be connected via WiFi for remote climate management. This model, as is common with Goodman air conditioners, also has a high-density foam compressor sound blanket to help reduce noise when the unit is on. Sound output and white noise function are worth thinking about especially when installing the best tower air conditioner in your bedroom.

 👉8 Bryant Legacy Line Central Air Conditioner

WHY WE LIKE IT: A single-stage compressor, Wi-Fi-compatible air conditioner that is designed to automatically notify you when maintenance is needed and is ideal for homeowners in the north.

The Bryant Legacy Line air conditioner is a single-stage unit. While it’s an Energy Star appliance, the single-stage compressor, along with a lower 16 SEER energy rating means that this model isn’t ideal for people in the Southeast or Southwest and most likely wouldn’t be approved for installation by a professional contractor. But for people in the Northeast, Midwest, or Northwest, this is a great solution since prolonged use during extremely hot weather is less likely.

Still, we like that this top brand model comes with features that are fairly standard for Bryant air conditioners. This includes a smart appliance that can send you automatic maintenance reminders and service alerts. You can also choose to rely on WiFi for remote control of your home’s indoor climate. However, if you’re looking for a quiet appliance, the lowest output for this Bryant unit is 72 decibels which put it in the louder range when compared with other units. And if you’re looking for a unit that prioritizes the BTUs and energy efficiency rating, then have a look at the best window air conditioner.