The best heat pumps in comparison

Heat pumps are supposed to bring about the heating transition. However, they are still quite expensive to purchase. Before investing, it’s worth checking: Which are the best heat pumps in comparison?

Heat pumps are considered the heating technology of the future. They use the natural energy of the external environment and can even be used as air conditioning in summer. However, if you want to buy a heat pump, you still have to expect costs in the five-figure range.

Some of the money is given back through government funding. Nevertheless, an investment needs to be carefully considered – and the market is growing. Stiftung Warentest has therefore tested various heat pumps.

Stiftung Warentest examines devices for energy efficiency and sustainability

Air-water heat pumps from various manufacturers were tested. The good news: All pumps tested can heat an existing single-family home. However, the devices differ in terms of their power consumption and handling. The experts also examined which refrigerants are used and what greenhouse effect they would have if they escaped.

In order to compare the energy efficiency of the pumps, the testers also put the outdoor units in a cold chamber and exposed them to different temperatures – from plus 12 to minus 15 degrees Celsius. The maximum noise level of the pumps was also examined. Since smart heat pumps also collect the data of their users, Stiftung Warentest also checked the corresponding data protection.

These are the best heat pumps in 2023

The Stiftung Warentest database shows the results for six air-water heat pumps. “Under the same test conditions, the models differ significantly in terms of their energy efficiency,” says Stiftung Warentest. When it comes to electricity costs, there would be a difference of several hundred euros per year between the test winner and the bottom of the table.

These six devices are the winners in the Stiftung Warentest heat pump test 2023:

• Daikin Altherma 3 H MT + indoor unit for 14,900 euros
• Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-WM85YAA & ERPX-YM9D for 9,050 euros
• Stiebel Eltron WPL-A 07 HK 230 Premium for 19,700 euros
• Vaillant Arotherm plus VWL 105/6 A S2 for 16,900 euros
• Viessmann Vitocal 250-A ABO-E-AC 251.A10 for 18,700 euros
• Wolf CHA-10/400V for 19,400 euros

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