Best air conditioner for cooling
Published
Choosing the right air conditioner for summer cooling isn't a simple task, since there are several top-tier options on the market. Defining "best" can involve several criteria.
- Energy efficiency
- Quietness
- Features, such as WiFi support and indoor air purification
- Style
- Price installed
In this article, we compare 6 cooling-only air conditioners in the 2.5 kW power class.
- Panasonic TZ25
- Toshiba Seiya+ 10
- Mitsubishi Electric HR 25
- Bosch Climate Class 3000i (3.5 kW)
- Toshiba Haori Design E10
- Daikin Perfera Cool 25
Coolflat pick
A reliable base model at an affordable price
Mitsubishi Electric HR 25
- Great value for money
- Quiet operation
- Good airflow
Installed in an apartment building from 1,804 €
What's our pick based on?
The Panasonic TZ 25 topped its price class in 2025, but this year it falls behind the Mitsubishi Electric. Feature-wise, the Panasonic is arguably more versatile, but its setup is limited by the fact that it draws power through the indoor unit. Many other models draw power through the outdoor unit instead. That means the Panasonic TZ often needs to be wired from an indoor outlet. These days, most apartment balconies have a handy outlet for power. So if you live somewhere without a balcony outlet, and running a cable from, say, a living-room outlet isn't a problem, we'd definitely recommend the Panasonic TZ.
Energy efficiency: savings over the long run
Energy efficiency is one of the most important criteria when choosing an air conditioner, since it directly affects running costs and environmental impact. The SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures a unit's seasonal cooling efficiency: the higher the number, the more efficiently it produces cool air relative to the energy it uses.
The highest SEER ratings in this comparison go to the Daikin Perfera Cool and Toshiba Haori Design E10 (8.7 and 8.6). That means they use noticeably less electricity than the other models to reach the same cooling output. Close behind are the Panasonic TZ25 and Toshiba Seiya+ 10, both with a SEER rating of 7.0, which is also a solidly good level of efficiency.
Most energy-efficient pick
A high-performance, stylish air conditioner
Daikin Perfera Cool
- Excellent airflow
- Quiet operation
- Built-in WiFi
- Top-tier indoor air purification
Installed in an apartment building from 2,700 €
Quietness: comfort without disruption
Quiet operation matters a lot, especially in apartment buildings and bedrooms. Indoor unit noise level directly affects everyday comfort. The quietest indoor units in this comparison are the Toshiba Seiya+ 10 and Haori Design E10, both at just 19 dB on their lowest setting. That noise level is roughly the sound of rustling leaves or a whisper.
For outdoor units, the Toshiba Haori Design E10 is again the quietest, at just 44 dB at maximum. That's a particularly meaningful advantage, since outdoor unit noise can disturb neighbors or time spent outdoors. Most other models in this comparison run 47–55 dB outdoors, so the Toshiba Haori has a clear edge here.
Airflow: coverage and cooling power
Airflow determines how effectively a unit circulates cooled air through a space. The highest indoor airflow in this comparison belongs to the Daikin Perfera Cool, with a maximum of 12.7 m³/min. That makes it an excellent choice for larger spaces needing fast, even air distribution. The Panasonic TZ 25 (11 m³/min) and Toshiba Haori E10 also deliver strong airflow performance.
WiFi: convenience and remote control
WiFi support adds real convenience, letting you control the unit remotely from a phone or tablet. That's handy if you want a comfortable temperature ready before you get home. WiFi is built in on almost every model in this comparison; on the Toshiba Seiya+ 10 and Mitsubishi Electric HR 25, it's available as an accessory.
Indoor air purification: a healthier home
Indoor air quality is an increasingly important factor when choosing an air conditioner, especially for allergy sufferers and city dwellers. PM 2.5 particulates are among the most harmful to human health, since they can travel deep into the lungs, and even the bloodstream, through breathing. Every model in this comparison offers PM 2.5 filtration, either as standard or as an accessory.
The Daikin Perfera Cool and Toshiba Haori Design E10 stand out by combining PM 2.5 filtration with an innovative plasma ionizer, which together remove allergens, bacteria, and other contaminants from the air. The Panasonic TZ25 and Bosch Climate Class 3000i also offer PM 2.5 filtration as standard, but without ionizer technology, which limits their purification capacity.
Style: a design that fits your home
How an air conditioner looks matters a lot, especially indoors, where it's visible every day. Many models lean toward a minimalist, unobtrusive design.
The Toshiba Haori Design E10 takes style to another level with a swappable fabric cover that can be matched to your interior. The Daikin Perfera Cool's slim, minimalist indoor unit blends unobtrusively into modern homes, in our view. The Panasonic TZ25 and Toshiba Seiya+ 10 have a similarly understated, rounded indoor unit design. The Bosch Climate Class 3000i's outdoor unit is easily the most stylish in this comparison, thanks to its clean white shell and black fan grille.
Without a doubt the best pick
Excellent features in the most stylish package
Toshiba Haori Design E10
- Swappable fabric cover
- Excellent energy efficiency
- The quietest option
- Built-in WiFi
- Strong airflow
- Top-tier indoor air purification
Installed in an apartment building from 2,466 €
Price installed: an investment in cooling
An air conditioner's price usually includes installation on top of the unit itself, and it can vary quite a bit by model. The Bosch Climate Class 3000i is the most affordable option, offering good value especially for smaller spaces. Higher-end options like the Toshiba Haori Design E10 and Daikin Perfera Cool cost more, but their extra features, like energy efficiency and indoor air purification, can make them a worthwhile investment long-term. In our view, the Panasonic TZ 25 offers the most well-rounded package, combining an affordable price with strong performance. Close behind it, at a slightly lower price, is the Mitsubishi Electric HR 25. The Bosch Climate Class 3000i is also worth considering for its affordability, though its relatively loud outdoor unit could be a dealbreaker for some housing companies.
Technical specifications comparison table
| Model | SEER rating | Indoor unit noise (min) (dB) | Outdoor unit noise (max) (dB) | Indoor unit size (H x W x D) (cm) | Airflow (max) (m³/min) | WiFi | Indoor air purification | Price installed in an apartment (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic TZ25 | 7 | 20 | 47 | 29 x 79 x 21 | 11 | Standard | PM 2.5 particulates | 1,765 |
| Toshiba Seiya 10+ | 7 | 19 | 47 | 29 x 77 x 23 | 8.5 | Optional | PM 2.5 particulates | 1,895 |
| Mitsubishi Electric HR | 6.2 | 21 | 50 | 28 x 84 x 23 | 9.7 | Standard | Optional | 1,804 |
| Bosch Climate Class 3000i (3.5 kW) | 7 | 21 | 55 | 30 x 80 x 20 | 8.6 | Standard | PM 2.5 particulates | 1,640 |
| Toshiba Haori Design E10 | 8.6 | 19 | 44 | 30 x 99 x 21 | 10.2 | Standard | PM 2.5 + plasma ionizer | 2,466 |
| Daikin Perfera Cool 25 | 8.7 | 19 | 46 | 30 x 80 x 19 | 12.7 | Standard | PM 2.5 + plasma ionizer | 2,700 |
