Best cold climate heat pumps in 2025: Which one should you choose?

Your furnace costs a lot to run—and if it burns fossil fuels, it’s not doing your carbon footprint any favors. Cold climate heat pumps offer a cleaner, more efficient alternative to home heating systems, even in extremely cold conditions. The best models maintain their full heating power at 0°F and continue to operate all the way down to –23°F, providing reliable warmth through the deep winter. They’re also far more efficient than electric resistance heat or oil furnaces and double as your home’s cooling system in summer. 

But some cold climate heat pumps perform better than others. To determine which ones truly live up to the hype, we examined the models quoted most frequently on the EnergySage Marketplace and identified the standouts for 2025.

Five brands stood out in our review: Carrier, Daikin, Bosch, Mitsubishi, and Trane. Each scored well overall, but one of the five may be the best option for you, depending on your home's specific needs and budget.

1. Carrier Infinity variable-speed with Greenspeed Intelligence

• Cost: $3,177 per ton

• Efficiency: Up to 12.5 HSPF2

• Warranty: 10 years

• Minimum operating temperature: -23°F

The Carrier Infinity variable-speed heat pump delivers an impressive performance at the lowest temperatures on this list, maintaining 100% heating capacity down to 0°F and continuing to operate all the way down to -23°F. With a 12.5 HSPF2 rating, it's one of the most efficient options available.

At $3,177 per ton, it's the most affordable option in our top five, offering exceptional value and performance. Its 10-year parts warranty provides solid coverage, although it's not as long as Daikin’s.

2. Daikin Fit Aurora

• Cost: $6,187 per ton

• Efficiency: Up to 10.0 HSPF2

• Warranty: 12 years

• Minimum operating temperature: -13°F

The Daikin Fit Aurora takes second place largely due to its industry-leading 12-year warranty, which covers both parts and unit replacement. Its HSPF2 rating of 10 and minimum operating temperature of -13°F keep this model’s spec sheet competitive with the best of the best. 

Its biggest drawback is price. At $6,187 per ton, it’s the second most expensive option in our ranking. However, the longer warranty and reliable performance may justify the investment if you plan to stay in your home for a while.

3. Bosch IDS Ultra

• Cost: $5,501 per ton

• Efficiency: Up to 10 HSPF2

• Warranty: 10 years

• Minimum operating temperature: -13°F

The Bosch IDS Ultra is a strong cold-climate performer. With a 10 HSPF2 rating and a minimum operating temperature of –13°F, it delivers reliable efficiency in moderate to severe winter conditions, though it doesn’t reach the extreme low-temperature performance of Carrier’s Infinity system. It’s also the second most affordably priced option on our list. 

While a solid cold climate heat pump option, the IDS Ultra doesn’t stand out in any category: Carrier is cheaper and has a better HSPF2 rating, Daikin’s warranty is longer, and its minimum operating temperature is the same as most of the other products on our list. Still, for homeowners seeking a seamless retrofit with dependable cold-weather performance, the IDS Ultra is a compelling, relatively affordable choice.

4. Mitsubishi M-Series SUZ-NLHZ with Hyper-Heating H2i

• Cost: $8,564 per ton

• Efficiency: Up to 9.9 HSPF2

• Warranty: 10 years

• Minimum operating temperature: -13°F

The M-Series SUZ Universal Hyper-Heating Outdoor Unit is a long-standing staple in cold climate heat pump solutions. Mitsubishi has a strong reputation for reliability in cold climates, and this model delivers on that legacy with consistent performance even in subfreezing temperatures.

However, Mitsubishi comes with the highest price tag on our list at $8,564 per ton, and its HSPF2 rating is ever-so-slightly lower than the models above it (Mitsubishi mini-split units are more efficient—more on that below). While the brand's reputation for quality is strong, the pairing of the highest cost with less-than-top performance positions it in fourth place.

5. Trane 19 Multi-Speed Low Profile Cold Climate Heat Pump

• Cost: $5,352 per ton

• Efficiency: Up to 9.2 HSPF2

• Warranty: 10 years

• Minimum operating temperature: -13°F

The Trane 19 Multi-Speed rounds out our top five. At $5,352 per ton, it's more affordable than the Daikin and Mitsubishi models, though still pricier than Carrier and Bosch. It comes with a solid 10-year warranty, and the minimum operating temperature of -13°F matches that of many other top cold climate models.

Where Trane falls short is efficiency. With a 9.2 HSPF2 rating, it's the least efficient model on our list. For homeowners in moderate cold climates or those on a tighter budget, it's a workable option. But if you regularly experience extreme cold or want to maximize long-term savings, you're better off with one of the higher-efficiency models.

If you don’t have ductwork or want to heat a specific room independently, a ductless mini-split may be a better fit than a central system. Mini-splits are especially popular in cold climates because they’re typically more efficient than ducted systems and offer flexible installation options.

Mitsubishi is the longtime leader in cold climate mini-splits and consistently one of the most quoted brands on the EnergySage Marketplace.

Mitsubishi FX Deluxe Single-Zone Hyper-Heating (MUZ-FX)

• Cost: $11,222 per ton

• Efficiency: Up to 13.3 HSPF2 

• Warranty: 10 years

• Minimum operating temperature: -13°F

The Mitsubishi FX Deluxe Single-Zone Hyper-Heating (MUZ-FX) uses the same Hyper-Heating (H2i) technology as its ducted units to maintain reliable output in subfreezing conditions and continue operating down to -13°F—on par with the best central cold-climate heat pumps on our list. With a higher HSPF2 rating than any of our top central ducted picks and Mitsubishi’s long-standing reputation for reliability, the FX Deluxe excels in both performance and durability. 

Mini-splits tend to be more expensive to install than central ducted heat pump systems, and Mitsubishi is one of the pricier brands quoted on EnergySage. Still, when it comes to cold climate ductless mini-splits, Mitsubishi is hard to beat.

Our team evaluated dozens of cold climate heat pump models from various manufacturers quoted through the EnergySage Marketplace. Here's how we compared them:

Performance

Cold climate heat pumps are rated based on two key performance metrics:

Warranty

A strong warranty protects your investment, especially for a system operating in harsh conditions. Product warranties typically cover parts for 10 years, though some brands offer extended coverage. Labor warranties vary significantly by manufacturer and installer, so be sure to check what's included before making a purchase.

Price

Prices vary widely among cold climate models, ranging from approximately $3,000 to over $11,000 per ton of capacity in our rankings. While higher prices can sometimes correlate with better performance and longer warranties, the most expensive model isn't always the best value—our top pick is the most efficient and the cheapest option. Consider both upfront costs and long-term operating expenses when comparing options.

*Prices reflect the average quoted price for each heat pump brand based on EnergySage Marketplace data. Data availability and sample size vary by brand, and prices may differ for the specific model listed.

Choosing the right cold climate heat pump means matching the system to your local temperatures and sizing it correctly for your home. Models like the Carrier Infinity can operate in extreme cold down to –23°F, while more affordable options, such as the Trane, can reliably handle milder winters. 

It’s just as important to make sure your heat pump is sized correctly for your home: An oversized or undersized system wastes energy or struggles to keep you warm. The best way to ensure your system matches your home is to work with a qualified installer to get the right fit. Comparing quotes from multiple top models can help you find the system that balances performance, efficiency, and cost, ensuring your home stays comfortable all winter long.