Best Central AC For Your Space
Central air conditioning (AC) is one component of the ever-popular central air system. The central air system fully encompasses the three elements of HVAC: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Central AC units, also referred to as compressors, handle one of those three components for an entire home. By simply pressing a few buttons on a home’s thermostat, you can cool (or heat) your entire living space down to a specific degree.
To be clear, central AC units only offer cooling potential and need to be installed professionally alongside an indoor component to work effectively in a central air system configuration. Still, if your home is already equipped with a central air system or offers ductwork, you can replace or purchase a central AC unit to keep your home cool for years to come.
This article reviews the best central AC units for homeowners, discussing cooling potential, BTU ratings, categories, and more. We’ll also be explaining our terminology and going over exactly what you need to know before committing to a Central AC unit in our Buyer’s Guide before crowning the best central AC unit overall.
- Quiet operation at 65 decibels
- Non-ozone depleting refrigerant
- 60,000 BTU
- Energy Star Rated
- Warranty: 10-year Parts & Compressor
- Brass liquid & suction line valves
- Factory-installed liquid line filter drier
- Single stage compressor
- 16 SEER
- Warranty: 10-year Parts & Compressor
- All-aluminum coil
- Integrated fan system
- Up to 23 SEER
- Simple two-wire connection
- Warranty: 12-year Compressor, 10-year Parts
Carrier’s Infinity 21 Central AC unit the only two-stage unit on our list that manages to balance productive SEER efficiency with the highest BTU rating. Coming in a small package and boasting quiet operation and a two-stage compressor, this unit is effective for most homes across North America.
The Infinity 21 Central Air Conditioner 24ANB1 is Carrier’s starter offering, but with premium features like quiet operation and a high BTU rating built right into the unit this unit outperforms others on this list to offer the most cooling potential.
However, the big selling point—quiet operation—is only somewhat accurate. Because the two stages are set to relatively low and full blast, you’ll hear your compressor kick into full power again and again if your environment is especially variable. Generally speaking, and much like the Goodman unit, you’ll want to consider this unit only in particular climate zones.
Unlike the Goodman unit, however, you’re going to get more consistent air conditioning and an overall more efficient package. Just be prepared to register your central AC unit before the grace period ends if you’re looking to avoid a hassle with customer service.
Pros
- Effective cooling at introductory price
- Energy-saving in low-stage mode
- Quiet compressor
- High BTU rating
Cons
- Can struggle in varied weather conditions
- Limited warranty with short grace period
- Quiet only in low-stage mode
Goodman’s R410A line of central AC units maintains a high BTU rating considering the cost and single stage operation. For homes in temperate climates and budget hunters, it’s hard to get below the cost of this Goodman product without losing serious quality.
Goodman works to produce the most affordable end unit possible, which is why they are one of the most popular brands on the market.
The Goodman R410A GSZ140361 central AC unit won’t win any awards in efficiency. While the 16 SEER rating is relatively good, this unit can only work with a single stage, meaning it operates at 100% capacity or not at all. Still, the single stage operation was clearly chosen in the interest of cost. This Goodman unit is more affordable, by itself or with installation than other central AC units on our list. Rated at 54,000 BTU, this unit is also mighty and can hold its own against other units even in the two-stage and variable speed categories.
We recommend the Goodman unit for temperate climates and those who need a replacement AC unit that won’t break the bank.
Pros
- Affordable
- Great BTU rating given the category
- High-efficiency scroll compressors
- Sturdy build quality
Cons
- Single stage operation is limited
- Won’t work for high-demand locations
- Not very precise
Trane’s TruComfort offers effective variable speed operation and high efficiency to tackle any of North America’s climate zones. The cost is less than desirable, but better energy efficiency and premium build quality on the unit itself prove its worth.
The Trane XV20i TruComfort is a large, monolithic unit that can be an impressive but intimidating presence in any backyard or garden. You’ll pay more to own the unit and install it, but once it’s active, the variable speed motor and great efficiency promise to pay for themselves.
We do like the included extra features, like the ComfortLink communication capacity and WeatherGuard features to keep fins clean, but it’s hard to get over the brash nature of the unit and manufacturer. Trane products tend to require special attention and use proprietary materials, so repairs and maintenance can be more of a hassle than with other products. Still, a well-reviewed warranty and powerful cooling capacity make this product worth considering.
Pros
- Highly efficient and very powerful
- Premium build quality
- Provides great savings in energy
Cons
- Expensive
- Larger unit is more of an eyesore
- More costly installation fees
Comparison Chart
| Carrier Infinity 21 Central Air Conditioner 24ANB1 | Goodman GSX16 0601F | Trane XV20i TruComfort 4TTV0060A | |
| BTU | 60,000 max | 54,000 | 60,000 max |
| SEERS | 21 max | 16 | 23 max |
| Category | Two-stage | Single stage | Variable speed |
| Energy star | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CFC free | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Capacity | 2.5-ton | 5 tons max | 5 tons max |
| Decibels | 65dB | 73 dB max | 61 dB |
| Dimensions | 35 x 47 x 28 | 35 x 35 x 38 | 54 x 37 x 34 |
| Warranty | 10-year parts and compressor | 10-year parts and compressor | 12-year compressor + 10-year parts |
Buyer’s Guide:
Central AC
There is a lot of terminology and special considerations to make before committing to a specific central AC unit, so if you’re struggling to make a choice, consider the following:
Final Thoughts
While simple metrics like SEER and BTU help homeowners limit their choices down to only the best products for the job, the minute details like warranty information and unit aesthetics may push homeowners from one brand to another. The lack of a distinct variation between AC units both helps and hurts brands; however, we can see a few distinctions in our chosen AC units here.
If you’re looking for the most efficient unit with a great warranty and plenty of power, then the Trane VX20i TruComfort is a great choice. It gives homeowners the efficiency of a variable speed motor with 5-ton capacity and a 61 dB level.
If your climate doesn’t require variable speed, then the Carrier Infinity 21 Central Air Conditioner brings a lot to the table with a quiet low-stage operation. Likewise, the Goodman GSX16 unit is cost-effective and outperforms most AC units in its price point.
In any case, choosing the right central AC unit may not seem valuable in the short term, but if you pick correctly, the right central AC unit can last for several years to decades.
