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Buying Guide Air conditioners

Air conditioners buying guide (2026): what to check before you buy

Quick answer

Capacity: 1 ton for up to 120 sq ft, 1.5 ton for 120 to 180 sq ft, 2 ton for larger rooms or top floors. Efficiency: a 5-star inverter AC costs more upfront but saves significantly in long summers.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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The checklist

  • Capacity: 1 ton for up to 120 sq ft, 1.5 ton for 120 to 180 sq ft, 2 ton for larger rooms or top floors.
  • Efficiency: a 5-star inverter AC costs more upfront but saves significantly in long summers.
  • Build: a copper condenser and anti-corrosion coating last longer in coastal cities.

Set your budget

The air conditioners we researched sell for ₹27,999 to ₹56,000. Decide how you will use it first; the priciest model is often a skip for everyday needs.

India-specific tip

Check the BEE star label and ISEER figure, ask whether installation and the copper pipe are included, and use a stabiliser only if the AC does not have a wide built-in voltage range.

Ready to buy?

Jump to our buy-or-skip list of air conditioners.

Frequently asked questions

What should I check before buying an AC?

Capacity: 1 ton for up to 120 sq ft, 1.5 ton for 120 to 180 sq ft, 2 ton for larger rooms or top floors. Efficiency: a 5-star inverter AC costs more upfront but saves significantly in long summers.

How much does a 1.5 ton AC cost to run?

A 5-star inverter model uses about 1 to 1.2 units an hour on average, roughly ₹8 to ₹10 an hour at typical tariffs.

3-star or 5-star?

If you run the AC more than 6 hours a day for several months, a 5-star model usually pays back the difference within 3 years.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Before you buy an AC: the essentials

Buying an AC is easier once you know which three or four specs actually change your experience and which are just marketing. This guide covers exactly that for air conditioners sold in India, plus the budget to plan for, the local quirks to watch and the models we would buy today.

The checklist

Capacity: 1 ton for up to 120 sq ft, 1.5 ton for 120 to 180 sq ft, 2 ton for larger rooms or top floors. Efficiency: a 5-star inverter AC costs more upfront but saves significantly in long summers. Build: a copper condenser and anti-corrosion coating last longer in coastal cities.

What to spend

The air conditioners we checked sell for ₹27,999 to ₹56,000. Below that range you usually lose durability or a key feature; above it, make sure you will really use the extras. Today the Daikin 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC is the safest buy, and the Lloyd 1 Ton 3 Star Inverter is the cheapest one we would still recommend.

India-specific tip

Check the BEE star label and ISEER figure, ask whether installation and the copper pipe are included, and use a stabiliser only if the AC does not have a wide built-in voltage range.

Quick answers

How much does a 1.5 ton AC cost to run? A 5-star inverter model uses about 1 to 1.2 units an hour on average, roughly ₹8 to ₹10 an hour at typical tariffs. 3-star or 5-star? If you run the AC more than 6 hours a day for several months, a 5-star model usually pays back the difference within 3 years.

Our calls at a glance

Daikin 1.5 Ton 5 Star Inverter Split AC (₹45,000–₹56,000): buy, hot cities and heavy use.

LG 1.5 Ton 5 Star AI Dual Inverter Split AC (₹42,000–₹52,000): buy, most bedrooms and living rooms.

Panasonic 1.5 Ton 5 Star Wi-Fi Inverter Split AC (₹40,000–₹50,000): consider, app and voice control.

Voltas 1.5 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split AC (₹31,000–₹38,000): consider, budget buyers.

Blue Star 1.5 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split AC (₹32,000–₹40,000): consider, very hot rooms.

Lloyd 1 Ton 3 Star Inverter (₹27,999–₹32,999): consider, small rooms.

Lloyd 1.5 Ton 3 Star Inverter Split AC (₹29,000–₹36,000): consider, tight budgets.

Prices on Amazon.in move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land in the Great Indian Festival (around Navratri and Diwali), Prime Day in July and the Republic Day sale in January, usually with extra bank-card discounts and no-cost EMI. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the MRP.