Split-type air conditioners are more visually appealing than their window-type counterparts. Not to mention their increased performance and efficiency when it comes to achieving the desired temperature in your room.
However, with so many split system air conditioning brands and models to choose from, how do you select the best one to suit your needs?
As with most home appliances, there is not a one size fits all approach when it comes to choosing an air conditioner. As a result, the best AC for you may not be the best option for the next person.
So, instead of telling you one specific model you should purchase, we will show you how to find the best split-system air conditioner to perfectly suit your needs.
To do this we will look at the best aircon brands in Australia and review their split-system units. Also, we will list the specific things your need to consider in order to choose the best split system for your unique requirements.
The Best Split System Air Conditioner Brands & Models in Australia
There are many different AC brands on the market. Some use high-quality parts and materials, while others do not. Some use strict quality control in their manufacturing facilities, while others take the cheaper route.
As such, some brands produce ACs that are more reliable than others. These brands put their customers first and build a strong reputation over time. This is why you should avoid low-quality brands.
With this in mind, here are some of the best split-system air conditioner brands in Australia:
Daikin Split Systems
Daikin is a trusted name in air conditioning, and its split-system air conditioners are some of the best on the market.
They offer a wide selection of split system models to choose from including those in the ranges of Alira X, Zena, Cora, Lite and more. Within each of these ranges, you can choose the size of your split air conditioner from around 2kW to over 7kW.
Daikin split systems are efficient and reliable, and they come with a number of features that make them easy to use.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is another well-known air conditioner brand in Australia, and its split systems are some of the best on the market. They offer a wide range of models to choose from mainly from the Avanti & Bronte series.
The Avanti series is perfect for smaller rooms as they range from around 2kW – 5kW, whereas the Bronte series is suited for larger homes with their 6.3kW – 10kW models.
Mitsubishi split system air conditioners are efficient and reliable, and some models come with a number of advanced features including eco-mode, whisper-quiet operation, allergen clearing, photocatalytic deodorising filters, and self-cleaning.
Fujitsu Split Systems
If you want to save on running costs without letting go of features, choosing a Fujitsu split system can provide real bang for your buck.
Fujitsu split systems are available in the Lifestyle, Designer & Classic ranges. Across these ranges, you can find options from 2.5kW up to 9.4kW.
The Fujitsu Lifestyle series is packed with features geared towards efficiency. One of those features is the human sensor which automatically switches the air conditioner to energy-saving mode when no person is detected in the room.
Samsung Split System Air Conditioners
Samsung is another trusted name in air conditioning, and their split system air conditioners are top-of-the-line in Australia. They offer a wide range of models to choose from, each with a different selection of features.
Some of the features available on Samsung split system air conditioners include wind-free cooling, energy-efficient operation, digital inverter technology, air purification, AI auto cooling, and more.
How to Choose a Split System Air Conditioner
Split-system air conditioners are a popular choice for cooling and heating homes and businesses. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, making it important to consider your specific needs before making a purchase.
There are a few factors you need to consider before making your decision. Most importantly you should familiarise yourself with the different types of split AC systems available, the size of the room or rooms you want to climate control, the features, and the efficiency of these systems.
The Different Types of Split AC Systems
There are two main types of split AC systems available:
- Wall-mounted split systems: These are the most common type of split system and are mounted on the wall. When people talk about split systems, they are usually talking about the wall-mounted variety. They are perfect for cooling or heating one room or a small area.
Wall-mounted splits are available in single or multi-split system configurations.
Single wall-mounted split systems are designed to cool or heat one room with one indoor unit and one outdoor unit.
Multi-split system ACs have one outdoor unit with two or more indoor units allowing you to adjust the temperature in multiple rooms at once.
- Ducted split systems: These units blow cold or hot air through ducts that run through your home or office, allowing you to climate control multiple rooms at once.
They are better known as ducted air conditioning systems, but as they also have both an indoor and outdoor unit, they are technically a split system.
The Different Sizes of Split System ACs
When choosing a split system air conditioner, you should first consider the size of the area you want to cool or heat.
Australian air conditioners are rated in kilowatts (kW) which is a measure of how much power they consume. A larger rating will use more electricity to run, and as such cost more, but a larger unit will also be needed to cool or heat a larger room.
As mentioned above, Australian split systems are available from around 2kW to 10KW. Going for a more powerful machine is not always the best choice as it will have a higher upfront cost and your electricity bills will be unnecessarily higher too.
Hence it is advisable to get the right-sized system for the area you want to cool or heat. Check out this article on how to choose the right size AC for your needs.
Split System Air Conditioner Features
There are many features that split system air conditioners may come with. The main features to consider are:
Inverter or non-inverter compressors: Inverter compressors are more energy-efficient as they can adjust their speed to match the cooling or heating needs of the space.
Reverse cycle: These units provide cool or warm air to allow both cooling and heating from one device.
The type of controller: Controllers come in various shapes and sizes. Some units have a wired wall controller that needs to be physically connected to the unit, while others have a wireless remote control. The more advanced units also offer WiFi control to allow you to use your mobile device to adjust the AC settings.
The volume of the unit when operating: This is an important consideration if you plan to use your air conditioner in the bedroom while you sleep. A loud AC unit will make it nearly impossible to have a good night’s sleep.
Energy efficiency: All Australian split system air conditioners must have an energy star rating. The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient the unit is. Energy consumption should be a big consideration considering this will impact your power bill each time your use your machine.
Keep in mind that reverse-cycle air conditioners will have different star ratings for both their cooling mode and heating mode.
The warranty offered: Most manufacturers offer a 5-year warranty on parts and labour. Some extended warranties are available for an additional cost.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the perfect air conditioning system depends on many factors. For starters, you need to decide between a portable air conditioner, split system AC or a ducted system. Once you decide on a wall-mounted split system, you want to make sure you choose the best one.
To do this you first need to understand how large the room is, familiarise yourself with the best AC brands and their respective split system models and then look at their features and associated costs.
Large rooms like lounges or common areas typically require a more powerful air conditioner to prevent overworking the unit. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industry Bronte Series is more than able to cool or heat rooms in this size.
The Mitsubishi Avanti and Fujitsu Lifestyle, on the other hand, work best for small rooms like guest rooms or small office spaces. Of course, Daikin and Samsung also produce great air conditioning units too.
Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you can begin to compare models to find the best split-system air conditioner for your needs. Remember costs involve purchase price, installation costs and the energy rating can affect your power usage.
Split systems require professional installation as they need to connect directly to your mains electricity network. For this reason, we suggest talking with a licensed air conditioning installer like us.
We constantly have special rates on all types of conditioners with installation and warranty included.
