ARTICLE
Guide to the best Split System Air Conditioners
Published Feb 3, 2026 • Updated Sep 10, 2026 - 6 min read
A split system air conditioner is one appliance in two parts: an indoor head on the wall and an outdoor unit housing the compressor. Sizing is the decision worth getting right, roughly 0.15kW per square metre, and this guide covers capacity bands, brand strengths and how to read the energy label.
Key takeaways from this article
Size first: allow around 0.15kW per square metre, so 2.5kW suits a bedroom.
A 5.0kW to 7.1kW reverse cycle unit suits most family living areas.
Compare star ratings within one capacity band, and for your own climate zone.
Oversized units cycle on and off, leaving the room temperature less steady.
Installation needs a licensed technician, so renters need landlord approval first.
When it comes to heating and cooling your home, it can be challenging to find the right system for your needs. There are a lot of air conditioners on the market to choose from and they all offer different features and benefits. One of the most popular to install is a split system air conditioner. We’ve put together this handy guide to get you started and help you choose the best split system air conditioner for your home and lifestyle.
What is a Split System Air Conditioner?
A split system air conditioner is one appliance in two parts: an indoor head mounted on the wall inside the room, and an outdoor unit housing the compressor. Refrigerant piping and cabling run between them through the wall.
Keeping the compressor outside is the whole point of the design. It is the noisiest component, so putting it out there is what lets the indoor head run quietly enough to sleep beside.
Most split systems sold in Australia are reverse cycle, which means the same unit cools in summer and heats in winter by reversing the direction the refrigerant flows. One appliance, both seasons.
Worth knowing before you buy: a split system is installed by a qualified technician and involves a hole through an external wall, so renters will want landlord approval first. For the wider category, start with our air conditioner buying guide, or weigh a split system against the alternatives in best home cooling systems.
How to choose the right size Split System for your home
Match cooling capacity, measured in kilowatts, to the floor area of the room. A useful starting point is around 0.15kW per square metre in a well-insulated room with standard 2.4 metre ceilings.
Room size | Typical capacity | Rooms it suits |
|---|---|---|
Up to 20 m² | 2.5 kW | Bedroom, study, small lounge |
20 to 30 m² | 3.5 kW | Large bedroom, medium living room |
30 to 45 m² | 5.0 to 6.0 kW | Family living room |
45 to 65 m² | 7.1 to 8.0 kW | Open-plan living and dining |
65 to 85 m² | 9.5 kW | Large open-plan living areas |
Treat that table as a starting point rather than a final answer. Several things push you up a size: raked or high ceilings, large west-facing windows, thin insulation, and living in a hot climate zone. Good shade, double glazing and a mild climate can pull you back down.
Sizing is the decision most worth getting right. An undersized unit works at full capacity on the days you need it most. An oversized one hits temperature fast, switches off, and cycles more often, which makes the room temperature less steady. If your space is unusual, book an on-site consultation through The Good Guys Home Services and a technician will calculate the capacity and advise on placement before you buy.
Once it is in, the setting you choose matters as much as the unit. Our guide to the perfect air conditioner temperature for your home covers where to land the dial.
Top split system brands compared
The Good Guys range covers Fujitsu, Panasonic, Samsung, Hisense, Westinghouse and Rinnai, with capacities from 2.5kW up to 9.5kW. Each brand leans a slightly different way.
Brand | Known for | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
Fujitsu | One of the broadest capacity ranges in the category, from 2.5kW single rooms to 9.5kW open-plan, plus a long-established Australian service network | Households wanting a proven all-rounder |
Panasonic | Reverse cycle models that pair climate control with built-in air purification in the indoor head | Living areas where air quality matters |
Samsung | GEO WindFree technology, which disperses cooled air through thousands of micro air holes, plus Wi-Fi control and app scheduling | Smart-home households and anyone who dislikes a direct draught |
Hisense | The Air Q series, covering the core capacities at accessible price points | First-time buyers and single-room cooling |
Westinghouse | A wide capacity spread with straightforward, uncomplicated feature sets | Value-focused buyers fitting out a home room by room |
Rinnai | Long-standing Australian heating and cooling heritage | Buyers already running Rinnai elsewhere in the home |
Best split system for a family home
Look at 5.0kW to 7.1kW reverse cycle models for a main living area. Wi-Fi control earns its keep here, letting you start the system on the way home from school pick-up so the room is comfortable when everyone walks in.
Best budget split system
A 2.5kW or 3.5kW reverse cycle unit covers a bedroom or small lounge and sits at the accessible end of the range. Compare the star rating within that capacity band rather than across the whole category.
Best split system for a renovation
Check two numbers: the sound level in decibels on the indoor unit, and whether app control is built in or needs an adaptor. Slimline indoor heads sit more discreetly on a feature wall. Our guide to the best features in a reverse cycle air conditioner goes deeper on what to prioritise.
Energy efficiency ratings and running costs explained
Single-phase split systems up to 30kW must display a Zoned Energy Rating Label in store. It gives separate star ratings for three Australian climate zones, hot, average and cold, so you can compare on the zone you actually live in rather than a national average. The Energy Rating website shows which zone applies to your postcode.
More stars means more efficient, but only when you compare models of similar capacity. A five-star 2.5kW unit and a five-star 7.1kW unit are not equivalent. Choose the size first, then compare stars within that size.
The label also lists estimated annual energy use in kilowatt hours for both heating and cooling. That is the number to work with: multiply it by the rate on your electricity bill for a rough annual running cost, or use the government Energy Rating Calculator, which does it by postcode.
Inverter compressors are standard across the current range. Instead of switching between full power and off, an inverter varies compressor speed to hold the temperature you set, which means fewer hard starts and a steadier room. For more on trimming household running costs, see our guide to the best appliances to save on energy bills.
Shop the best split system air conditioners at The Good Guys
Ready to choose? Start with the room. Measure it, pick the capacity band, then compare star ratings for your climate zone within that band. From there it comes down to the features you will actually use day to day: Wi-Fi control, quiet operation, built-in air purification.
Browse the full split system air conditioner range, check the current air conditioner deals, or pop in store and talk it through with a team member who can help size it with you.
Looking for the right split system air conditioner for your home, you’ll find it at The Good Guys.
Frequently asked questions
The best split system for an Australian home is a reverse cycle model sized to the room and rated well for your climate zone. Fujitsu, Panasonic, Samsung, Hisense, Westinghouse and Rinnai all build to Australian conditions and carry the Zoned Energy Rating Label, so compare the star rating for your zone among models of the same capacity rather than comparing brands in the abstract.
Allow roughly 0.15kW of cooling capacity per square metre in a well-insulated room with 2.4 metre ceilings. That puts a bedroom of up to 20 m² at around 2.5kW, a medium living room of 20 to 30 m² at 3.5kW, a family living area of 30 to 45 m² at 5.0 to 6.0kW, and open-plan living of 45 to 65 m² at 7.1 to 8.0kW. High ceilings, large west-facing windows and light insulation all push you to the next size up.
Yes, in several states. Victoria runs the Victorian Energy Upgrades program, New South Wales the Energy Savings Scheme, and South Australia the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme. Each discounts an approved high-efficiency reverse cycle system, usually applied upfront by an accredited provider rather than claimed back later. Eligibility commonly depends on the system being replaced, and the rules are updated regularly, so check the scheme in your state before purchasing.
Efficiency varies more by model than by brand, which is why the Zoned Energy Rating Label compares like with like. Look up the star rating for your climate zone on models of the capacity you need, then check the estimated annual kilowatt hour figure on the label. Multiplying that figure by your electricity rate gives you a running cost you can compare directly across brands.
Well-maintained split systems commonly run for 10 to 15 years, and how they are treated makes a real difference. Clean the indoor filters every few months through the seasons you use it, keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves and garden growth, and book a service if airflow drops or the system starts running longer to reach the set temperature.
A split system is permanently installed, with the compressor mounted outside and only the quiet indoor head in the room. A portable unit keeps every component in one box inside the room and vents hot air out a window through a hose. Portables suit renters and short-term needs because they need no installation. A split system delivers quieter, more efficient cooling for a room you use every day.
