Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric are both excellent choices for home air conditioning, and the gap between their equivalent wall units is small. On published data for comparable 3.5 kW models, Mitsubishi Electric's MSZ-LN has the higher cooling rating, both are A+++, and both quote 19 dB(A) at their quietest. The bigger differences are the warranty your installer can offer and the quality of the installation.
That last point matters more than the badge. A well-sized, well-installed system from either brand will outperform a badly fitted one from the other. Here is how they compare on the things you can check.
Daikin vs Mitsubishi Electric at a glance
| Daikin | Mitsubishi Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Comparable 3.5 kW wall unit | Perfera FTXM35R with RXM35R | MSZ-LN35VG with MUZ-LN35VG3 |
| Cooling efficiency (SEER) | 8.65 (A+++) | 9.5 (A+++) |
| Heating efficiency (SCOP) | See the model data sheet | 5.1 (A+++) |
| Quietest indoor setting | 19 dB(A) on the smaller Perfera units | 19 dB(A) on the LN25 and LN35 |
| Refrigerant | R32 | R32 |
| Standard warranty | Two years for residential customers | Depends on the installer's partner tier, up to 10 years |
| Air-to-water heat pump range | Altherma | Ecodan |
Figures are from each manufacturer's published data sheets for these ranges. Check the sheet for the exact model and size you are quoted, because both brands update their ranges regularly.
Efficiency: what the data sheets say
Daikin's Perfera FTXM-R flyer gives the FTXM35R pairing a cooling design load of 3.40 kW, a SEER of 8.65 and an annual cooling consumption of 137 kWh on the energy label. The larger models in the range step down to a SEER of 6.20 at 7.1 kW.
Mitsubishi Electric's MSZ-LN R32 data sheet lists the LN35 at a SEER of 9.5 and a SCOP of 5.1, A+++ for both cooling and heating, with the LN25 at 10.5 and 5.2. The LN50 drops to A++ for heating.
In practice, both sit comfortably in the A+++ cooling class, which starts at a SEER of 8.50. The difference between 8.65 and 9.5 on a 3.5 kW unit amounts to a few pounds a year at today's electricity prices, which our guide to air conditioning running costs shows how to work out. It is real, but it is not the deciding factor for most homes.
Noise
For bedrooms, noise usually matters more than efficiency. Both manufacturers publish indoor sound pressure figures. Mitsubishi Electric lists the LN25 and LN35 at 19 dB(A) on their lowest cooling setting, and Daikin lists 19 dB(A) on silent operation for the smaller Perfera indoor units. At that level, the difference between the two is not something most people would hear.
The outdoor unit is the one your neighbours will notice. Mitsubishi Electric's data sheet gives the MUZ-LN35VG3 outdoor unit a sound pressure of 50 dB(A) heating and 49 dB(A) cooling. Whatever the brand, the outdoor unit has to pass the MCS 020 a) noise calculation to be permitted development in England, so its position matters as much as its specification.
Warranty: it depends on who installs it
This is where the two brands differ most, and it is decided as much by your installer as by the manufacturer.
- Daikin. Daikin UK's warranty page says residential customers receive a two-year guarantee as standard, with free and paid extensions described for its air-to-water heat pumps when they are registered by the installer. It also states that the warranty is only valid if annual maintenance is carried out.
- Mitsubishi Electric. The warranty length is tied to the installer's partner programme tier, with levels offering up to 5, 7 or 10 years. Its Diamond Quality Partners are supported by a 10-year warranty on all air conditioning systems.
So ask every installer the same two questions: what is the manufacturer warranty on this exact system, and what do I have to do to keep it valid? With both brands, regular servicing is part of the answer. Our air conditioning maintenance service covers that side.
Range and design
Both make wall-mounted, floor-standing, ceiling cassette and ducted indoor units, multi-split outdoor units that serve several rooms, and VRF systems for larger buildings. In a typical home, either brand will have a unit that fits the room.
The choice often comes down to appearance and the specific room. Mitsubishi Electric offers the LN range in several colours, including Ruby Red, Onyx Black and Pearl White, according to its data sheet. Daikin has a broad range of wall designs as well. If the look of the indoor unit matters, ask to see the actual model rather than a brochure photo.
Daikin or Mitsubishi for a heat pump
If you are replacing a boiler rather than cooling a room, you are comparing Daikin's Altherma range with Mitsubishi Electric's Ecodan range of air-to-water heat pumps. Both are established in the UK, and both can be installed under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme by an MCS certified installer. For a heat pump, the design of the system around your house matters more than the brand. Our guide to heat pumps and air conditioning explains how air-to-air and air-to-water compare.
How to choose between them
- Compare the exact models quoted, not the brands. Ask for the data sheet and check SEER, SCOP and the indoor sound levels.
- Ask about the warranty on that system, through that installer, and what servicing keeps it valid.
- Check the indoor unit suits the room, including where it goes and how it looks.
- Judge the installer as much as the equipment. Sizing, pipework, drainage and the outdoor unit position decide how the system performs for years.
Questions people ask about Daikin and Mitsubishi Electric
Is Daikin or Mitsubishi better for air conditioning?
Neither is clearly better overall. On their published data, Mitsubishi Electric's MSZ-LN35VG has a higher cooling SEER than Daikin's Perfera FTXM35R, 9.5 against 8.65, but both are A+++ and equally quiet at their lowest setting. Warranty, range and installation quality usually matter more.
Is Daikin or Mitsubishi quieter?
At their quietest settings they are the same on paper: Mitsubishi Electric lists 19 dB(A) for the LN25 and LN35, and Daikin lists 19 dB(A) on silent operation for its smaller Perfera indoor units. Compare the exact model and fan speed you will use most.
Which has the better warranty, Daikin or Mitsubishi Electric?
It depends on the installer. Daikin UK gives residential customers two years as standard, with extensions described for its heat pumps. Mitsubishi Electric's warranty depends on the installer's partner tier, up to 10 years for Diamond Quality Partners. Both expect regular maintenance.
Do Daikin and Mitsubishi air conditioners use the same refrigerant?
Yes, both the Daikin Perfera and Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-LN ranges covered here use R32, which has a global warming potential of 675. R410A can no longer be used in new single split systems in Great Britain.
Daikin or Mitsubishi for a heat pump?
Both make well-established air-to-water heat pumps, Daikin Altherma and Mitsubishi Electric Ecodan, and both can be installed under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The design and installation of the system for your home matter more than the brand.
A straight comparison for your rooms
If you are deciding between the two for a London home, the useful comparison is the specific models for your rooms, side by side, with the warranty and servicing written down. You can ask us for a quote, or read more about our home air conditioning installation in London.
Last updated: 4 November 2026
Written by
Ali Elm
Ali is the Head of Operations at Be Cool Refrigeration with over a decade of hands-on experience in HVAC and commercial refrigeration. He oversees every installation, repair, and maintenance project, making sure the work meets the highest standards. Ali holds full F-Gas certification and has worked across residential, commercial, and industrial refrigeration systems throughout London and the South East. When he is not on site, he writes these guides to help business owners and homeowners understand their cooling systems better.