Harvest’s Top 10 AC Units of 2025

A/C is having a moment. As summers get hotter (thanks, climate change), cooling isn’t just about comfort—it’s about resilience. But “A/C” can mean a lot of things, from hand fans to high-efficiency heat pumps.

Let’s be clear: there is no perfect A/C unit for everyone. Climate, home size, window access, and whether or not you live in a 1906 Victorian with mystery ductwork all matter. But we've rounded up the most interesting, innovative, and effective cooling solutions out there.

We made two lists in one: five entries that are a little silly (but totally real) and five that are seriously worth your consideration, especially if you’re thinking about clean, quiet, whole-home cooling.

Whether you’re shopping for a new system or just enjoy a good HVAC ranking, welcome to the coolest list on the internet: Harvest’s Top 10 A/C Units of 2025.

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#10: The Hand Fan
Before there were compressors, there were wrists. And in many places around the world, there still are.

The hand fan is undefeated in portability, zero emissions, and dramatic effect. Downsides include: mild carpal tunnel, low BTUs, and limited zoning control.Still, no batteries, no refrigerants, and no utility bills. Not bad for a few strips of paper and bamboo. Bonus points if you’re in a period drama.

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#9 An ice delivery truck in 1910

Let’s take a moment for the original off-grid A/C unit: a block of ice. In the early 20th century, before compressors and coils took over, households literally bought cold in the form of ice, delivered by horse-drawn wagon. That massive block would sit in your icebox (proto-fridge), slowly melting and keeping things cool.

Ridiculous, but  also sort of genius. No electricity required, no peak demand problems, just frozen thermodynamics doing its thing. Ice delivery was the carbon-free cooling infrastructure of its day. Honestly, if climate change weren’t such a thing, we’d bring back the ice man for the novelty alone.

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#8: The Classic Window Unit
You know the one. It weighs 70 pounds, makes a noise like a distant lawnmower, and is responsible for half the midnight drama in San Francisco apartments.

It’s not efficient. It’s not sleek. It leaks, rattles, and sometimes smells weird. But it does one job—pull hot air out, push cold air in—and it’s done it faithfully for decades. Also: it doubles as a white noise machine if you’re into sleeping in a sound bath of mechanical whirring. Hust don’t try to install it without backup.

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#7 The A/C in your Rivian

Let’s just say this: if you’ve ever cooled down from a desert hike by cranking the A/C in a Rivian, you know this thing is not playing around. Rivian’s are designed to traverse backcountry trails and keep you climate-controlled while doing it. 

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The real fun, though, is in Camp Mode: a setting where your truck levels itself and maintains a comfortable temperature inside while you sleep in it. It optimizes the vehicles’ energy use while parked  – a reminder that the best cooling can be mobile, clean, and quietly brilliant.

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#6 A-Series Heat Pump Condenser 

Not every home needs a high-tech climate system—and that’s where the AC Pro A-Series comes in. This 1.5-ton, single-stage workhorse delivers solid performance at 16 SEER2 with R-454B refrigerant, offering better efficiency and a lower global warming potential than older models. At 74 dB, it’s not whisper-quiet, but it’s dependable, affordable, and built for everyday residential cooling without the bells and whistles. For homes that just need to stay comfortable, this one gets the job done.

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#5 Carrier Infinity® Variable-Speed Ultimate Cold Climate Heat Pump

Carrier didn’t just make a heat pump—they built a climate-controlling machine that feels straight out of the future. The Infinity Ultimate Cold Climate Heat Pump features a variable-speed compressor that adjusts in tiny increments from 30% to 100%, ensuring the exact amount of cooling is delivered—no more, no less. It delivers up to 21.2 SEER2, runs whisper-quiet at just 54 dB(A), and uses the low-GWP Puron Advance™ refrigerant. With over-the-air software updates, advanced humidity control, and a built-in quiet mode, this system doesn’t just cool your home. It does it smarter, cleaner, and quieter than almost anything else on the market

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#4 Mitsubishi Smart Multi Heat Pump

Mitsubishi’s Smart Multi lives up to its name—smart design, smart performance, and a surprisingly small footprint. With all-electric efficiency up to 490%, this heat pump delivers 2–4x more heating and cooling energy than it consumes. It runs as quietly as a casual conversation (just 49 dB) and is ideal for larger homes.

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#3 Gree X-PAC

Don’t let its name fool you—the Gree X-PAC isn’t some mysterious rapper from the future, it’s a compact, versatile, and seriously capable heat pump A/C unit. With inverter-driven ultra heat compressor tech, this system holds its own in just about any climate zone. At 17.8 SEER2 with sound levels down to 65 dB(A), the X-PAC is efficient, quiet-ish, and ready to perform.

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#2 DAIKIN FIT Aurora Heat Pump - DH9VS

Daikin has been in the residential heat pump game longer than almost anyone, so it's no surprise our top spot goes to this sprightly and might stacked-suitcase model.  Boasting up to 21 SEER2, with whisper-quiet operation as low as 47dBA, the Daikin FIT - and all its myriad iterations - will be a solid choice for your heat pump air conditioner needs, no matter how cold - or how hot - it gets where you live.

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#1: Harvest

 Of course. You saw this coming.

Harvest isn’t just an A/C unit—it uses a smart thermal battery to keep your home cool in summer, warm in winter, and brimming with hot water year-round. And, it does it all while being kinder to your wallet and the grid. With Harvest you don’t just get A/C you also get your heating and hot water solved as well - something else crossed off your to-do list.

For cooling, Harvest uses a separate high-performance air-conditioning heat pump and also offers Whole Home Outside Air Ventilation. That means it can pull in cool air from outside, filter it, and distribute it quietly and evenly through your home using the same ducts as your heating. A/C without the bills! It’s especially useful on hot summer evenings and crisp mornings—acting like a whole house fan, but smarter, cleaner, and quieter.

At the heart of the system is the Harvest Pod, coordinating a SANCO2 heat pump, an air handler, and a thermal tank to deliver consistent comfort and energy efficiency. That means you get crisp, filtered air in the summer, reliable heat in the winter, and a steady supply of hot water—plus energy bills that can be up to 30% lower.

We work with ducted systems and radiant floors so hit Get Harvest to see if we are in your zip code! 

Are we a little biased? Sure. But can you blame us? Harvest is the only system that stores energy when it’s cheap and clean, slashes your emissions, lowers your bills, and makes your home part of a stronger electric grid. It’s not just A/C—it’s the future of clean comfort.