It seems like Panasonic and Mitsubishi have their hands in almost every industry. From cars to TVs to generators, these brands from across the pond apparently do it all. But how do they stack up against one another when it comes to air conditioners?
Both of these renowned manufacturers present consumers with a few different options in terms of residential cooling. If you have been looking at AC’s from Mitsubishi and Panasonic but still can’t quite figure out which brand would be better for your home, we can help. We have broken down these two brands and their AC products to give you a better insight.
Panasonic vs. Mitsubishi Price Comparison
Money talks, right? So one of the first things we want to take a look at is how these two brands compare in terms of price. For this comparison we took 2 comparable ductless mini-split air conditioners from both brands: The Exterios XE High SEER Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner from Panasonic and the MZ-GL15NA AC from Mitsubishi.
Both of these models can be operated via remote, have a 15,000 BTU capacity, and also operate as heat pumps. Both also have 24-hour timers, restart memory and are Energy Star certified. They are identical in almost every way. So how much do they cost? The Mitsubishi MZ-GL15NA goes for about $2,200 while the Panasonic Exterios will cost about $2,115. The price is negligible so it really boils down to performance.
We were lucky enough to test these two models by putting them each in a 1,000 square foot room. The Mitsubishi MZ-GL15NA was able to cool the room down faster and more thoroughly. The Panasonic took more time to ramp up and even when it did, some parts of the room didn’t feel comfortable.
Panasonic vs. Mitsubishi AC Ranges
The next thing you have to look at when shopping AC brands is what they have to offer. Both of these brands offer heating and cooling solutions for commercial and residential use. However, Panasonic actually offers more options for commercial properties such as VRF (variable refrigerant flow) systems.
That being said, if you are looking for more complete home cooling Mitsubishi would probably be the brand to go with. While both companies specialize in ductless mini-split systems, Mitsubishi makes a nice tri-zone system that comes with one outdoor heat pump (for heating and cooling) and 3 indoor air handlers that can be used in 3 separate rooms or areas of your house.
The system can be controlled with 3 remotes and the pump has a capacity of 27,000 BTUs. For the most part, Panasonic only makes models for single rooms.
Panasonic vs. Mitsubishi Cooling Power
This one really depends on whether you’re looking for a commercial or residential unit but for the sake of this comparison, we’re going to stick to residential units. We really liked the 2-ton version of the Exterios mini-split system from Panasonic because even while it has a capacity of 24,000 BTUs; it operates very quietly.
The comparable Mitsubishi 27,000 Btu 20 Seer Tri Zone Ductless Mini Split system is great because it can be used in 3 different rooms. The only problem is that it is a bit loud. By and large, though, you’re going to find that Mitsubishi makes larger capacity home cooling systems so if you have a big house, you might want to start your shopping with Mitsubishi.
Panasonic vs. Mitsubishi Usability
In terms of usability, we found that the Mitsubishi 27,000 Btu 20 Seer Tri Zone Ductless Mini Split system and the Panasonic Exterior systems were very similar. Both are operated via remote and lack some of the quality of life features like Wi-Fi and smartphone control.
The Panasonic model did offer more acute control with timer setting options, eco-mode options, fan speed options, and temperature presented all on the remote. The Mitsubishi remote was way more basic but all-in-all, easier to get the hang of. If you don’t mind a bit of a learning curve with your AC operation and value more precise control then Panasonic would be a good choice.
If you don’t mind the lack of options and prefer a simpler interface, Mitsubishi would be a solid choice. In fact, most modern Mitsubishi mini-split systems have almost identical remotes with a digital readout and just 3 buttons for power, temperature up, and temperature down.
Panasonic Warranty vs. Mitsubishi Warranty
Panasonic leaves Mitsubishi in the dust in this department. You can get a Panasonic AC system that is covered under warranty for up to 7 years. Mitsubishi offers a warranty on parts for 1 year. Replacement parts (if needed) do not get renewed for one year. They fall within the original 1-year timeframe.
Final Thoughts
The price difference is almost negligible. We liked the multi-room cooling power of the Mitsubishi model we tested and the great thing about that is that it operated as efficiently as comparable, single-zone Panasonic models.
Panasonic tends to have more generous warranties and better usability. In the end though, the cooling performance just wasn’t on the level of Mitsubishi. For a little bit more money, you get better cooling and better efficiency – even at the cost of a generous warranty.
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Frank is the chief editor and director at Specialty Air, where he oversees testing, research, and editing for all air quality-related articles. Frank is an expert in the air quality space with extensive experience testing, researching, and reviewing air purifiers, air conditioners, air filters, air fresheners, fans, and more. He also has over 4 years of experience with issues surrounding mold remediation, radon mitigation, moisture management, air duct systems, HVAC, and insulation.