The Best New AC Unit – A Complete Guide. 2025 Resource for Phoenix Homeowners
The Best New AC Unit – Complete Guide was Updated July 2025
Originally published by Rich Morgan, President of Magic Touch Mechanical
Why This Guide Matters
Buying a new air conditioner isn’t just a big decision—it’s one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your home. Here in the Phoenix area, it’s a decision that impacts your comfort, your electric bill, and even your property value.
With over 35 years in the HVAC industry—and nearly three decades running Magic Touch Mechanical—I’ve helped thousands of homeowners choose the best new AC unit for their home. This guide shares everything I’ve learned along the way.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by brands, models, and conflicting advice, don’t worry. I’ll walk you through what really matters—without the sales pitch.
Let’s Clear Something Up First
When I say “best new AC unit,” I’m talking about a complete heating & cooling system:
- Outdoor condenser
- Indoor evaporator coil
- Furnace or air handler
- Matched components and accessories
Gone are the days of swapping just one part. Modern systems are designed to work together—and regulations require them to meet efficiency standards as a matched set. The good news is it’s the ‘matched set’ that makes up the best new AC unit you can get.
Who Am I and Why Should You Trust This?
My name is Rich Morgan. I started Magic Touch Mechanical in Mesa, AZ back in 1997. Before that, I was a service and installation tech. I’ve installed, repaired, and replaced more systems than I can count.
I don’t own stock in any manufacturer. I own stock in Magic Touch.
We install multiple brands and use a flat pricing model (more on that in a minute), so I have no financial reason to steer you toward one brand or another. What I do have is experience, honesty, and a whole lot of reviews to back it up.
How HVAC Companies Price AC Installations
There are two main pricing formulas contractors use:
1. Margin-Based Pricing
With this model, the contractor makes a higher profit on more expensive equipment. That means basic units are cheaper—but higher-tier systems get heavily marked up.
2. GPMD – Gross Profit Per Man Day (What We Use)
At Magic Touch, we charge the same labor profit on every installation, no matter what brand or model you choose. That means you pay less for high-end systems and avoid inflated pricing based on what’s “in the box.”
It also means we’re incentivized to do a great install—no matter what you choose.
What You’re Really Paying For
Contrary to popular belief, most HVAC companies aren’t making huge margins. Here’s a general breakdown:
- 50% = Equipment, labor, materials
- 40% = Company overhead (trucks, insurance, staff, training, software, etc.)
- 10% = Profit—if everything goes perfectly
Running a reputable, licensed HVAC business in Phoenix isn’t cheap. We reinvest heavily in training and tools so that your system gets installed right the first time—and we’re here to back up your warranty long after. It’s businesses like ours that reinvest in our company that help people like you get the best new AC unit money can buy!
Why Profitability Matters (To You)
If your contractor isn’t profitable, they may not be around when you need warranty work. They might cut corners to survive. Or they may disappear entirely.
So yes, price matters—but value matters more. And nothing is more valuable than peace of mind.
The Two Golden Rules of AC Shopping
- You’re better off buying a budget system from a great contractor than a premium system from a bad one.
- Choose your contractor first. Then choose the equipment.
Don’t Shop on Price Alone
If I had a dollar for every homeowner who called me with buyer’s remorse after hiring the cheapest contractor… well, I wouldn’t need to sell AC units anymore.
Cheaper bids usually mean cut corners. And you’ll pay more over time in repairs, discomfort, and energy bills. If I’ve learned anything in the 28 years I’ve owned Magic Touch it’s I’ve never heard someone who took the cheapest bid utter the words, best new AC unit!
How to Vet a Phoenix HVAC Contractor
Here’s what to look for:
- ROC license (AZ Registrar of Contractors): Check license status, complaints, and qualifications.
- BBB Accreditation: They’ve agreed to mediate disputes if needed.
- Google Reviews: Look for recent, local, and HVAC-specific reviews (not just plumbing or solar).
- Time in Business: Don’t rely on how long their website says they’ve been in business. See when they got their contractors license.
- Privately Owned vs Private Equity: Many Phoenix AC Companies are no longer run by the original owners – they’re owned by out-of-state, or sometimes foreign private equity firms. PE firms typically sell those companies within 5 years meaning your warranties could be at risk.
- Specialists or Jack of All Trades: Do their technicians work on HVAC equipment day in and day out, or are they sometimes changing faucets, and clearing clogged toilets?
Pro tip: Be skeptical of perfect 5-star profiles or reviews with generic wording. That said, be skeptical of overly negative reviews too. Look at what the majority of reviewers have to say, click on some of their profiles and see other reviews they’ve given to get a sense for their trustworthiness .
Warranty Breakdown: Know What You’re Getting
Manufacturer Parts Warranty
- Box Warranty: Follows the equipment, even if you sell your home.
- Original Purchaser Warranty: Only covers you, not the next owner.
Rule of thumb: Higher-tier models tend to include better transferability. Ask your contractor to explain this clearly.
Workmanship Warranty
This covers the quality of the installation—not parts. We offer a Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee, and we put it in writing.
Labor Warranty
Covers the cost of labor to replace parts. Most Phoenix AC companies include 1 year, others more. It’s separate from workmanship and parts.
Extended Labor Warranties
Optional. Think of it like insurance. It’s not mandatory, but it offers peace of mind—especially for variable-speed systems working hard in Phoenix’s heat.
The 3 Types of Air Conditioners Available Today
1. Single-Stage
- One speed: full blast or off.
- Cheapest upfront.
- Least comfortable and efficient.
- Lowest satisfaction rates.
2. Two-Stage (Dual-Stage)
- Low and high speeds.
- Better comfort, lower noise.
- More efficient than single-stage.
- Moderate satisfaction.
3. Variable-Speed (Inverter-Driven)
- Adjusts in real-time based on demand.
- Most efficient and quiet.
- Best humidity control.
- Highest satisfaction by far.
My advice: Buy the best system your budget allows. A variable-speed system—even a budget-friendly one—delivers the best comfort and long-term value. Having owned all three compressor technologies personally I can say without question, my first variable speed system was the best new AC unit I ever owned. In fact, now all three of my home systems are variable speed – and I’ll never buy anything less.
So… What’s the Best New AC Unit Brand in 2025?
Here’s the short version: It depends who installs it.
A bad install ruins even the best equipment. A great install makes a good system perform like a great one.
That said, based on personal use and decades of install data, these are the brands I personally own and recommend most often in recent years:
- Lennox – Usually a safe bet in the ultra-premium class – but you will pay for the name. A comparable variable speed unit from Bosch for example is typically thousands of dollars less. I own two Lennox systems on my own home and one Gree – if I had to replace the Lennox systems today I would choose Bosch.
- Mitsubishi & Gree – When it comes to mini split heat pumps aka ductless air conditioners, these are my two most often recommended brands. I installed a Gree mini split heat pump in my own home and a Mitsubishi multi-zone heat pump for both our offices and our fireplace showroom / design center in Mesa, AZ.
- Bosch – Bosch variable speed packaged heat pumps and split heat pumps have been our most popular systems for 5 years running. We’ve been installing Bosch for 8 years and they took the ‘best selling’ title from both Lennox and Trane / American Standard 3 years later. Today people are choosing Bosch 5 to 1 over Lennox and Trane.
- Goodman – Installed properly, Goodman units stand the test of time. Unfortunately as the largest brand in the US selling so many units they often get installed by less than great companies which hurts the brand’s reputation (in my opinion). That said, if you’re looking for a single-stage, no frills unit for a great price, Goodman is typically what I recommend.
- AirTemp – Most often a competitor to Goodman’s single stage heat pumps and air conditioners, AirTemp is made for/by the largest privately-held HVAC supplier in the country, RE Michel. What I like about this brand is the level of service and customer service they provide when it’s needed – it’s second to none.
AC Brands To Avoid in 2025 – Phoenix, AZ Specific
- Brands I seldom recommend in 2025: If you follow my blog, you know I’m completely transparent about every brand and model. There are brands that we sell, but advise people to avoid specific models, and brands that we don’t sell that I’ve praised specific models. Typically if we once sold a brand and no longer recommend it is for one of three reasons: Customer support is lacking, parts availability issues, or reliability issues (sometimes all of these issues combined).
Sometimes it has nothing to do with the brand itself but their local distribution. A good example of that scenario is Gree – we recommend their mini splits regularly and I own one personally. The Gree Flexx model however I had to stop recommending which I cover in this article. The difference has mostly to do with their local distribution as Gree Mini Splits come from one supplier and the Flexx is sold through a different supplier.
Other brands we once sold hundreds of each year that I can’t recommend in 2025 include: Trane, Rheem, and York.
I own or have owned systems from all of these brands in my own home and buildings. We also service and install others—but if we don’t offer it, there’s usually a reason (quality issues, lack of support, high failure rates, etc.).
A Word on Extended Warranties & Support
Parts warranties vary by model and brand. Some revert when the home is sold. Others stay with the system.
We’ve seen support from manufacturers and their local suppliers improve (or decline) depending on the year, the distributor, and support staff. That’s why local support matters more than national reputation.
At Magic Touch, we only install brands that support you—the homeowner—and us—your contractor.
Final Thoughts for Choosing The Best New AC Unit
If you follow this guide, you stand a very good chance of choosing the best new AC unit for you and your home! I’m sure you noticed I spent much less time on brands I recommend in 2025 than I did on all the other things you should concentrate on. All those other things matter more than brand and those facts don’t change year to year.
Did this article help you? Let me know!
If you don’t live in the Phoenix metro area but found this helpful, would you mind leaving a Google review for Magic Touch Mechanical? It helps more people find honest advice when making a big decision.
If you do live in Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, or nearby—we’d love to earn your business.
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We’ll walk you through your options with no pressure, no gimmicks—just the information you need to make the right decision.
Because at the end of the day, we’re not just installing AC units. We’re delivering comfort, reliability, and a great night’s sleep.
