TOP 5: premium air conditioners

Daikin FTXN25L/RXN25L 25 m²

Manufacturer: Daikin Industries Limited, Japan

Daikin has earned a reputation as an innovative and progressive manufacturer of equipment for air conditioning, heating and ventilation. Since its foundation in 1924, the company has patented more than 1,500 inventions. It was Daikin engineers who first guessed to equip the air conditioner with the possibility of air heating. Also, this company was the first to produce air conditioners with the function of cleaning and humidifying the air. Our review presents the FTXN 25 wall split system (FTXN-M). Here are its main characteristics:

• air-conditioned area of 25 m2 (with a ceiling height of up to 3 m);
• air cooling/heating power 2.5/2.8 kW/h;
• the minimum temperature for cooling/heating is 10/-15°C;
• noise level indoor unit max/min 40/22 dB;
• the dimensions of the indoor unit are 800x288x212 mm.

First of all, let's deal with the name of the model, namely the last letter. Until 2013, the FTXN model was produced at a factory in China, but now – in Malaysia. If there is a letter "L" or "M" at the end of the model name, this is a Malaysian assembly. If you are offered exactly the same air conditioner with the letter "K" at the end – this is the Chinese version of the assembly.

Externally, the difference between the assembly of China and Malaysia is not visible. But judging by user reviews, the plastic of the indoor unit and the details of the exterior are significantly different.

When installed, the panel of the indoor unit bends and sags unsightly. Functionally, it's not scary, but aesthetically unpleasant. Also, plastic models assembled in China "suffer from jaundice." After a year and a half, a maximum of two years, the plastic gradually turns yellow and loses its external attractiveness. FTXN 25 L (M) air conditioners do not have such disadvantages.

As for the features of this split system, all users note almost silent operation. In the "silence" mode, the sound pressure does not exceed 21 dB – this is especially important at night. However, if you turn on the air conditioner to the maximum, then the noise level of about 40 dB can no longer be overlooked.

Daikin FTXN25L has a good air exchange rate – 636 m3 / hour, thanks to which cooling or heating of indoor air occurs very quickly. Another advantage is the minimum temperature at which the external unit can operate normally. Feel free to turn on the air conditioner for heating when the air temperature outside the window is about -15 °C.

Mitsubishi Heavy SRK28HG-S/SRC28HG-S 26 m²

Manufacturer "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd", Japan

The first wall-mounted air conditioner with a separate indoor and outdoor unit was released in Japan. In 1970, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries launched a new type of air conditioner (SR1AW) into mass production. Since then, Mitsubishi Heavy began to develop the idea of producing high-quality, and at the same time low-cost, equipment. One of the brightest representatives of reliable air conditioners of the middle class is Mitsubishi Heavy SRK28GH-S, its technical characteristics:

• air-conditioned area of 30 m2 (with a ceiling height of up to 3 m);
• air cooling/heating power 2.6/2.8 kW/h;
• the minimum temperature for cooling/heating is 10/-5°C;
• noise level indoor unit max/min 40/29 dB;
• the dimensions of the indoor unit are 790x268x199 mm.

On the territory of Japan, the Mitsubishi Heavy climate control equipment is well known and has long been sold under the name "Beaver" (Beaver). By the manufacturer (Mitsubishi Heavy), this TM is positioned as an affordable and, at the same time, high-quality equipment. But when entering the east european market, the company considered that the loud name "Mitsubishi Heavy" would cause more consumer confidence than the unknown "Beaver". That's how we got a second Mitsubishi, with the same logo as "Mitsubishi Electric", which only added to the confusion.

But if you look into it, it immediately becomes clear that "Mitsubishi Heavy" is seriously different from "Mitsubishi Electric" both in design and in the class of manufactured equipment.

The main difference and the main competitive advantage of Mitsubishi Heavy is the price/quality ratio. More balanced and justified than Mitsubishi Electric.

In addition to the attractive cost, the Mitsubishi Heavy SRK28GH-S air conditioner has several other interesting things. The multilevel filter, in addition to mechanical cleaning of the air from dust, has two additional degrees of cleaning. The first is an enzyme–based filter that prevents the appearance of mold and destroys bacteria, the second is a photocatalytic filter that fights unpleasant odours. There is also a self-cleaning function, but the filter does not replace manual cleaning.

Of the disadvantages, only the relative noise of the indoor unit can be distinguished, although this indicator is not critical compared to more expensive analogues. But the fact that the external unit may not start for heating at an outdoor temperature of -6 °C is very upsetting. After all, the air conditioner works for cooling at a minimum positive air temperature outside the room.

Cooper&Hunter Nordic CH-S09FTXN 25 m²

Manufacturer "Cooper&Hunter International Corporation", USA

High-quality climate control equipment is produced not only in the land of the rising sun. In 1930, the company "C&H" was already engaged in the production of air conditioners with a remote condenser, which became the progenitors of modern split-systems. Since 2003 and to the present day, Cooper & Hunter confidently occupies one of the leading positions in the global market of equipment that provides indoor microclimate. The model included in our review, the Cooper&Hunter CH-S09FTXN air conditioner, has the following characteristics:

• air-conditioned area of 25 m2 (with a ceiling height of up to 3 m);
• cooling/heating power of 2.7/3.6 kW/h;
• the minimum temperature for cooling/heating is 10/-20°C;
• noise level indoor unit max/min 34/24 dB;
• dimensions of the indoor unit 770x283x201 mm.

The Cooper&Hunter CH-S09FTXN indoor unit is one of the most compact among such split systems. Small dimensions allow you to accurately fit this air conditioner into any interior. And thanks to the insignificant sound pressure (at a maximum load of less than 34 dB), the air conditioner becomes completely invisible in the room.

In automatic mode or from the control panel, the air flow can be adjusted by changing the position of the flap. You can adjust the flow directions not only up or down, but also left and right. To do this, you will have to manually redirect the special flaps, and if you need to change the direction again, put the flaps in a different position, again manually. If the indoor unit is hanging from the ceiling, then it is very difficult to make a simple adjustment operation. According to users, the influence of the left/right dampers on the air flow is minimal, the direction changes only conditionally.

On the model CH-S09FTXN, an air ionizer and a filter for mechanical dust removal are installed in the basic configuration. In addition to the standard equipment, you can optionally install several more useful filters: "anti-odour", "antibacterial suppressor", "anti-chemical catalyst" and "electret dust collector".

The scoreboard on the indoor unit can show not only the set temperature, but also the current temperature in the room, a trifle, but nice. It is possible to control the microclimate in the room with an accuracy of 0.5 °C, the benefits of this are doubtful, but there is a possibility.

Panasonic Deluxe Inverter CS/CU-E9NKDW 25 m²

Manufacturer "Panasonic Corporation", Japan

The world-famous manufacturer of household electrical equipment Panasonic Corporation has not ignored the market of climate equipment. The key feature of Panasonic technology is considered to be the combination of a pleasant appearance with practical functionality. The traditional Japanese scrupulous attitude to small details and the general culture of assembly – that's what makes Panasonic CS/CU-E9NKDW a full participant in our review. The main technical characteristics of the model:

• air-conditioned area of 25 m2 (with a ceiling height of up to 3 m);
• air cooling/heating power 2.5/3.4 kW/h;
• the minimum temperature for cooling/heating is 16/-5°C;
• noise level indoor unit max/min 40/24 dB;
• the dimensions of the indoor unit are 870x290x214 mm.

Already when installing the air conditioner, it becomes clear that it will serve for a long time. Very high-quality plastic, reliable fixation of all small parts. There are no gaps and cracks on the inner block. Indeed, a solid assembly in the best traditions of Japanese quality.

Panasonic CS/CU users leave positive feedback on the network regarding filters and, especially, the elimination of unpleasant odours. Even in an apartment after renovation and with new furniture, the air conditioner handles with odours, and the "nanoe-g" system fights bacteria and viruses. For ease of maintenance and keeping the indoor unit clean, the front panel is easily removable. It can be washed directly under the tap, from the inside, where the dust accumulates the most.

Panasonic demonstrates impressive air circulation at maximum power – it is about 700 liters/hour. In 15 minutes in a room of 25 m2 with ceilings 3 m high, the entire volume of air will pass through the air conditioner twice. The CS/CU-E9NKDW split system is one of the most effective among analogues of the same class. The only drawback is the lack of the ability to direct the air flow parallel to the wall or ceiling.

This model can be easily installed even in a large private house. Standard 15-metre communications are extended to an impressive 25 metres, without loss in the performance of the air conditioner.

An unusual feature in the CS/CU-E9NKDW model was the "Econavi" system. When it is activated, the air conditioner automatically detects the presence of a person in the room and adjusts its operation. Theoretically, this function should significantly save energy consumption, in fact, no one has checked the actual savings yet.

Mitsubishi Electric Classic MSZ-HJ25VA/MUZ-HJ25VA 25 m²

Manufacturer "Mitsubishi Electric Corporation", Japan

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is rightfully considered to be the world's leading manufacturer of climate equipment. The vast production experience and scientific potential of the corporation allows us to develop new technologies and immediately introduce them into production. And the constant modernization of old models provides them with a longer life in the global market of air conditioning equipment. The popular and well-proven Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-HJ25VA air conditioner model has become the last participant in our TOP 5. Here are the main technical characteristics of a Japanese air conditioner:

• air-conditioned area of 25 m2 (with a ceiling height of up to 3 m);
• air cooling/heating power 2.5/3.15 kW/h;
• the minimum temperature for cooling/heating is 15/-10°C;
• noise level indoor unit max/min 43/22 dB;
• the dimensions of the indoor unit are 799x290x232 mm.

The Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-HJ25VA wall–mounted air conditioner is the owner of a record indicator in terms of quiet operation. During continuous operation in cooling mode, the sound effect generated by the indoor unit does not exceed 22 dB. For most analogues today, such an indicator is unattainable.

Many users of this model note that the power of the air conditioner is enough to cool rooms with an area much larger than 25 m2. There are reviews on the network about the uninterrupted operation of the MSZ-HJ25VA for three or even five years in rooms with a volume of about 90 m3 (30 m2 with a ceiling height of 3 metres). Sufficient power reserve is a good guarantee of a long service life.

The manufacturer refers this model to the "M-series" line of air conditioners, a common feature in the production of which is increased reliability requirements. Translated into simple language, this means that you will only occasionally change the batteries in the remote control and that's it. Unless, of course, you are not going to do maintenance yourself, but entrust the "dirty" work to specialists.

One of the very useful little things in this model was the switching power supply of the indoor unit. It is he who ensures operation "without freezing" even in conditions of voltage fluctuations in the network, which often happens in our country. And in case of a complete power outage, the parameters of the air conditioner are stored in memory, and when the power is restored, the split-system will automatically restart, continuing to work in the same mode. If the lights go out for a few minutes at night, you won't even notice it, because the automatic restart of the air conditioner will allow you to continue sleeping in a comfortable microclimate.