Air conditioners from Japan, South Korea, and China are being actively sold all around the world. All manufacturers of air conditioners can be roughly grouped according to the territorial factor.
1. Leading positions are firmly held by Japanese brands. They offer a wide range of various air conditioners for apartments, houses, offices and industrial premises. Japanese products are characterized by a high quality of assembly and materials, a minimum number of failures, and a well-thought-out self-diagnosis system. However, not all customers are satisfied with the prices they see.
2. Manufacturers from South Korea are not far behind the Japanese companies. Their products are getting closer to the leaders in terms of reliability and durability. To interest customers, some manufacturers have to lower their prices. As a result, the self-diagnosis system becomes more simplified, users get fewer useful functions and more minor flaws.
3. The production of air conditioners in China is developing at a very high pace. Many companies from the Middle Kingdom began to enter the market by copying the products of other famous brands. Today, some Chinese manufacturers have their own research centers that develop the most modern and advanced models.
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Our review lists the best air conditioning companies. We took the following criteria into account when making our rating:
- innovative approach;
- product range;
- price range;
- expert opinion;
- consumer reviews.
| Place | Company | Characteristic |
| Top 10 Asian Air Conditioning Manufacturers |
| 1 | Daikin | World leader in the air conditioning market |
| 2 | Mitsubishi Electric | High reliability, have their own research and development center |
| 3 | Toshiba | The best air conditioners in the middle price category |
| 4 | Hitachi | High reliability, quality, and good performance |
| 5 | Fujitsu General | Reliable power surge protection |
| 6 | LG | A favorable combination of price and quality |
| 7 | HISENSE | The first Chinese manufacturer of inverter air conditioners |
| 8 | Hyundai | Maximum usability |
| 9 | Panasonic | Efficient air purification, safe refrigerant |
| 10 | Midea | The largest production areas with their own scientific center |
10. MIDEA
In recent years, the Chinese company called Midea has seriously increased its production of HVAC equipment. The increase in demand in the global market is explained by several reasons. The company manufactures household, semi-industrial and industrial equipment at affordable prices. Their newly created research center is engaged is now developing new types of products. It brings together experts from all over the world and they already own more than 1000 patents. The use of modern technology and a strict quality control system have increased sales and made Midea climate technology quite popular on the market.
Among the advantages of this Chinese manufacturer are quality, reliability, affordable prices, stylish design. Customers also note its good self-diagnosis system. If any malfunction occurs, the Midea AC error is displayed on the control panel. The main disadvantage that customers name is a noisy operation.
9. PANASONIC
Japanese Panasonic offers a high-quality climatic technique that belongs to the middle price range. Company employees can boast of having half a century of experience in producing air conditioners for apartments, houses and industrial buildings. The product line presents models with low and medium level prices. Experts mention a reliable air purification system and the use of safe freon R410 among the main “strengths” of Panasonic HVAC products.
They also recommend paying attention to the country in which the appliance was manufactured. Good reviews come from users of models from Malaysia. In fact, most of all the complaints come from the owners of air-conditioners made in China. Panasonic split systems have a simplified fault protection system, as well as a higher noise level.
8. HYUNDAI
South Korean Hyundai Company puts its main focus on a self-diagnosis system. This makes the operation of its HVAC equipment as convenient as possible. All Hyundai products have a modern design, and an effective air filtration system. Their air conditioners are quite silent – for instance, models with a nominal power of 2 kW emit only 26 dB of noise. While getting closer to the premium range products in terms of quality, 26 dB split systems remain quite affordable at price.
Based on consumer feedback, we can name several advantages of most Hyundai air conditioners, such as efficiency, convenient operation, stylish design, high-quality assembly. Among the shortcomings, most consumers note a noisy start of operation, which is quite unpleasant at night.
7. HITACHI
This Japanese manufacturer was one of the first to use inverter technology with PAM-control converters. Hitachi air conditioners have good performance at energy saving and comfort. Their model range and technologies used constantly improve. One of Hitachi’s most successful developments is the SetFree refrigerant air conditioning system with variable flow.
6. LG
South Korean LG has keeps the perfect balance between price and quality of their products. Experts highly appreciate the passion of South Korean designers. Stylish air conditioners perfectly fit modern interiors, while LG brand history itself begins in 1947.
Customers highlight such advantages of LG air conditioners as quiet operation, good performance, convenient operation, and reasonable price. As for the shortcomings, in some models, users note the yellowing of the plastic parts of the indoor unit.
5. FUJITSU GENERAL
Air conditioners of the Japanese Fujitsu are in no way inferior to more eminent brands. One of the important advantages of this company’s air conditioners is the reliable protection of their HVAC equipment from voltage surges. In Asian countries, Fujitsu products are sold under the Fujitsu General brand and stand out with their bright colors.
The attitude of customers towards Fujitsu air conditioners is generally positive. The advantages include quiet operation, protection from power surges, and good performance. Some owners are not satisfied with the size of the units and some do not like the lags in the “auto” mode.
4. HISENSE
Chinese HISENSE sells its products in 130 countries. The distinctive feature of their split systems is wide functionality and stylish design. The manufacturer has developed several product lines of air conditioners for apartments and houses, for offices and industrial premises. Users praise such qualities as power, speed of heating or cooling, unique air purification system, and excellent quality. The only negative point is the tightly glued stickers.
3. TOSHIBA
The leader among air conditioning companies in the mid-price range is the Japanese brand Toshiba. This enterprise has 120 years of tireless development behind its back. The first split system was created precisely in Toshiba workshops –the engineers of this company were the first who introduced the inverter control system in air conditioners. Customers are attracted by affordable prices that go well with high quality, functionality, and durability.
SKV series models became especially successful. It combines good functionality, durability and affordable price. Customers emphasize good quality and ease of use.
2. MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC
Most professional servicemen and users associate the Japanese Mitsubishi brand with the highest quality and reliability. Air conditioners made by this manufacturer are being installed in houses and apartments around the world. Strict quality control measures at all stages of production make it possible for Mitsubishi to make really durable products. Each split system is tested at the factory for 20 minutes. All test data is sent to the database and carefully analyzed. The company conducts its own research and actively introduces the developments of creative engineers and designers. Their coordinated work made it possible to introduce the function of the quick restart after a power surge, automatic control system based on fuzzy logic, and much more innovative ideas.
Customers note such advantages of Mitsubishi air conditioners as their silent operation, reliability, and efficient cooling. Only a high price may be considered as a disadvantage.
1. DAIKIN
Japanese HVAC manufacturer Daikin is number one in our ranking. It is worth to mention only one fact: the average service life of their split systems is 105,120 hours of continuous operation, which is almost two times more than what competitors can offer. Their products also hold leading positions n terms of resistance to frost. Daikin air conditioners are able to work even at -50 °C. We should also mention the concern of the Japanese manufacturer about the state of the ozone layer. Daikin was one of the first companies to transfer its technology to safe (for the atmosphere) R410 freon. The company also became famous for moving the assembly of air conditioners from Asian countries to Europe, which had a positive effect on quality.
When experts are asked about the best Japanese air conditioning company, most of them immediately mention Daikin. Customers support the high rates of specialists, noting the efficiency, quiet operation and multifunctionality of Daikin appliances. A high price may be the only disadvantage to think of.
