We don't sell products or rank brands. Some links earn us a commission — how we earn money · how our guides work
Home appliances
Most AC regret comes from two mistakes: buying the wrong for the room, and ignoring the running cost. The sticker price is maybe a third of what the machine costs you over five summers.
Quick answer
Match to room size (1 ton per 100–120 sq ft).
Pick inverter for 8+ hours daily use, fixed-speed for occasional use.
Look for 4.5+ and indoor noise under 40 .
Split type beats window for quiet, efficient cooling.
In the shop
Read these off your phone at the counter. The answer tells you more than the price tag.
1.“What is the ISEER of this exact model number, and what is the cooling capacity in watts?”
A good answer: A number, not a star rating. ISEER 5.0+ and ~5000 W for a 1.5 ton unit. If they only say “5 star”, ask for the BEE label.
2.“Is this a true inverter compressor, and what is the indoor noise at high fan speed?”
A good answer: “Yes, inverter” plus a dB figure at high speed — not the sleep-mode number printed on the brochure.
3.“My room is top-floor and faces west. Should I go one size up?”
A good answer: A good salesperson asks for square feet and floor before answering. If they answer without asking, ignore the answer.
A few questions about your situation, not about the product.
Add one short need not covered above.
Answer all 4 questions to see the spec sheet to shop with.
The sticker price is one part of owning an air conditioner. Adjust the numbers to your own usage and tariff to see the electricity cost a star rating actually translates to.
Units per year
1,440 kWh
Cost per year
₹11,520 (≈$140)
Cost over 5 years
₹57,600 (≈$690)
Often more than the price difference between two models.
A 5-star inverter 1.5 ton AC averages far less than its peak draw once the room cools. Estimates only — actual consumption varies with ambient temperature, settings and unit condition. USD values are approximate.
Most air conditioner purchases are financed. Check the monthly outgo and the interest you actually pay before you decide which spec level you can afford.
Monthly EMI
₹3,591 (≈$43)
Total interest
₹3,098 (≈$37)
Total paid
₹43,098 (≈$520)
A no-cost EMI offer should make this equal the price.
Reducing-balance calculation. Processing fees, GST on interest and insurance are not included, so confirm the final schedule with your lender. USD values are approximate.
The AC unit is only part of the cost. These accessories are often needed at installation or during service.
Protects the compressor from voltage swings that the brand warranty may exclude.
Keeps the outdoor unit off a hot wall and improves airflow.
Filter foam and fin cleaner keep cooling efficiency and indoor air quality up.
These are common add-ons for this category, not recommendations. Prices and availability vary; confirm fit and compatibility on the product page before buying.
AC plans are the ones most often mis-sold. The brand warranty usually already covers the compressor for years — what you're really paying for is gas refill, annual servicing and on-site labour.
Ask these five questions
Usually not covered
Rule of thumb: a plan is rarely worth it if it costs more than ~15% of the product price, if the item is cheap to repair locally, or if the brand's own service network in your city is already strong.
These are comparison links, not recommendations — we don't sell plans and we don't rank providers. Some outbound links on KnowBeforeBuy are affiliate links. Cover, exclusions and pricing change; read the plan document before you pay.
Buy it locally
Sometimes the local dealer beats online on price, installation or the exchange offer — and service visits are faster. Tell us where you are and we'll list nearby stores. We don't rank or take money from any shop; results come from Google Maps.
The area you enter, or coordinates rounded to about 1 km if you use your location, are sent to Google Maps through Lovable to find places. Lookups are temporarily cached for up to 30 minutes.
How much heat the AC can remove per hour — not the weight of the unit.
Why it matters
Undersized units run non-stop and never cool; oversized units cool fast, switch off, and leave the room clammy.
What to check
Roughly 1 ton per 100–120 sq ft, add capacity for top floors, west sun, or 3+ people in the room.
An inverter compressor slows down instead of switching fully off and on.
Why it matters
Steadier temperature, far less noise, and 20–30% lower electricity use for heavy daily runtime.
What to check
If you run the AC under ~600 hours a year, a good fixed-speed 3-star can be the cheaper lifetime choice.
Cooling delivered per unit of electricity across a season.
Why it matters
This is the number that shows up on your bill every month, not once at the shop.
What to check
Compare the figure itself, not just stars — rating thresholds get revised and old stock looks better than it is.
Where the noisy compressor sits: outside (split), in the wall (window), or in the room (portable).
Why it matters
Split is quiet and efficient; window is cheap and easy to service; portable is a last resort for rented or glass-walled rooms.
What to check
Split needs outdoor wall space within ~5 m of the indoor unit, otherwise copper piping costs jump.
The metal in the heat exchanger.
Why it matters
Copper transfers heat better, is repairable, and survives coastal humidity far longer.
What to check
Vague words like 'alloy' or 'copper-coated' usually mean not copper. Ask for the spec sheet line.
How far cold air reaches, and how loud the indoor unit is.
Why it matters
For a long or L-shaped room, weak throw leaves cold pockets; for bedrooms, anything over ~40 is noticeable at night.
What to check
Quoted noise is usually the lowest fan speed — ask for the high-speed figure too.
Extras: fine filters, PM2.5 claims, and a dry mode that pulls humidity without over-cooling.
Why it matters
Dry mode is genuinely useful in monsoon; filter marketing mostly is not.
What to check
Any filter needs washing every 2–3 weeks or your cooling drops and your bill rises.
Typical range: modest 3-star fixed-speed to premium 5-star inverter units.