March 23, 2022 / RefrigeratorPro Team
Daikin and Hitachi are two of the largest AC brands in the world. Customers are often confused between Daikin and Hitachi when it comes to selecting AC brands for their homes. It is natural because both brands offer some of the best air conditioners in the market.
In this post, we will discuss key differences between Daikin and Hitachi along with the pros and cons of best-rated models of both brands.
We assure you, by the end of this detailed post- Daikin vs Hitachi AC, you will be able to choose the winner yourself.
Table of Contents
About Daikin ACs
Daikin is a Japanese Air Conditioner brand that not is a pioneer in air conditioning space. Since Japan is reputed for its tech skills, its AC industry has significant dominance in this space.
Daikin is one of the most reputed AC brands in the world today. Daikin is one of the fastest-growing brands in the US and Europe and is a market leader in several countries. It is the only AC manufacturer to invest in research and development as well as manufacturing of refrigerants. In fact, it is the inventor of one of the best refrigerants used widely in modern ACs- R32. Unlike some other AC brands, it is laser-focussed in AC industry, which has allowed it to establish operations in more than 150 countries in the world. As far as India is concerned, it is one of the most sought-after AC brands as it offers decent quality at very competitive prices. Also, it manufactures most of the ACs in India in its dedicated factories in Rajasthan. Now it is on a path to even export India-made AC units to different countries.
| Capacities | 1 ton, 1.5 ton & 2 ton |
| Energy Star Ratings | 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Star |
| AC Types | Split, Window, Cassette, Floor Standing, VRV and Ducted |
About Hitachi ACs
Hitachi is another reputed AC brand from Japan. It has several similarities with Daikin. Just like Daikin, it is more than 100 year old AC brand. Also, Hitachi originated in Japan and is one of the reputed AC manufacturers in the world.
However, Hitachi operates as per a joint venture agreement with Johnson Control. This joint entity is JCH- Johnson Control Hitachi. This joint entity is one of the largest AC manufacturers in the world.
As far as India is concerned, it offers less variety than Daikin in terms of ratings and types of ACs.
| Capacities | 1 ton, 1.5 ton & 2 ton |
| Energy Star Ratings | 2, 3 & 5 Star |
| AC Types | Split, Window |
Daikin vs Hitachi: What is the Difference?
| Features | Daikin | Hitachi | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooling Capacity | Daikin ACs usually have lower cooling capacity. (Read below for explanation) | Hitachi ACs are better than Daikin in terms of cooling capacity | Hitachi |
| Energy Consumption | Energy-efficient Daikin ACs consume lower energy as compared to Hitachi. (Read below for details and calculation) | Energy-efficient ACs of Hitachi consume more power than similar Daikin ACs. | Daikin |
| Variety | Daikin offers several different types of ACs to choose from. You will get almost all types of ACs and in price bands. | Hitachi has significantly lower number of AC models than Daikin (split as well as window ACs) | Daikin |
| Noise Level | Some Daikin ACs are specially designed to produce less noise while operating | Hitachi ACs are also quiet, but Daikin’s silent ACs perform better in general | Daikin |
| Refrigerant Used | Mostly uses eco-friendly R32 refrigerant | Some ACs come with R32 while some ACs use R410A refrigerant | No Winner |
| After Sales Service | Daikin’s after-sales service is not the best in the market | Hitachi’s after-sales service is one of the best in the country | Hitachi |
| Price | Daikin offers some of the most affordable ACs | Many Hitachi ACs are costlier than Daikin by a good margin. | Daikin |
| Warranty | 1-year warranty on AC and 4 to 5 years of warranty on compressor is common | 1 to 2-year warranty on AC and 5 years of warranty on compressor is common | No Winner |
Let’s understand the difference between Daikin and Hitachi air conditioners in a bit more detail.
Cooling Capacity: Which AC Cools More?
The cooling capacity of an AC measures the power of AC. It means that more powerful AC will have a higher cooling capacity.
In India, it is measured in tons or watts per hour. In several countries, it is also measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units).
For example, 1.5 ton AC’s cooling capacity is 5275 watts per hour. It is nothing but the output wattage.
However, different brands have different cooling capacity as per their tonnage.
- Cooling capacity of 1.5 ton Daikin AC = 5000 watts
- Cooling capacity of 1.5 ton Hitachi AC = 5275 watts
As you can see, the difference in cooling capacity of Daikin and Hitachi AC is that Hitachi AC has around 5.5% more cooling capacity than Daikin AC.
Energy Consumption: Which Brand Consumes Less Power Daikin or Hitachi?
Energy consumption of ACs depends on capacity (tonnage) and ISEER rating. If you have started searching for ACs, then you must have come across this terms ISEER. This rating measures the energy efficiency of ACs. It means that a higher ISEER rating will result in lower power consumption.
Both Hitachi and Daikin offer energy-efficient ACs. 5-star ACs are the most power-efficient ACs that consume lowest power in their category. We did a comparison of Hitachi and Daikin’s ISEER rating and found out interesting numbers.
- Most 5-star Daikin ACs have ISEER of 4.7 to 5.2.
- Most 5-star Hitachi ACs have an ISEER of 4.55 to 4.7
On top of this, as discussed earlier, Daikin ACs come with lower wattage as compared to Hitachi. Hence, premium Daikin ACs are more power-efficient than Hitachi ACs.
The formula for power consumption is
Energy Consumption = Cooling capacity / ISEER
Daikin AC energy Consumption with 4.7 ISEER = 5000 / 4.7 = 1064 watts per hour
This is equal to 1.06 units
Hitachi AC energy Consumption with 4.55 ISEER = 5275 / 4.55 = 1160 watts per hour
This is equal to 1.16 units.
This means that Daikin AC is 8.2% more power-efficient than Hitachi AC.
Hence it is safe to say that a 5-star Hitachi AC consumes around 9 percent more power than a 5-star Daikin AC. This difference between Hitachi and Daikin AC in energy consumption is quite big and should be a deciding factor when planning to buy AC for longer duration.
Variety: Does Daikin Offer More Variety
Hitachi’s offering is quite limited when it comes to the Indian market. First of all, Hitachi only offers ACs for residential customers. It means that it only offers split and window ACs. On top of this, the variety and types of ACs is these segments are quite limited.
This is not good for you if you want to purchase an AC as per your preferences.
On the other hand, Daikin offers ACs for residential as well as commercial customers. Moreover, the variety it offers in split and window AC category is huge. Earlier Daikin did not offer window ACs, but off-late it has started offering good quality window ACs in India.
Noise Level: Which Brand Offers More Silent ACs
Noise level of ACs is measured in decibels or dB. Even though both the brands offer ACs that produce less noise, some Daikin ACs come with better noise specifications than Hitachi.
While most Hitachi and Daikin ACs produce around 35 dB noise, some Daikin ACs in India come with less than 30 dB noise levels.
Refrigerant Used: Is It Important?
As discussed, Daikin is the pioneer of R32 refrigerant since it was the inventor of this refrigerant. Now almost every AC that Daikin offers comes with this refrigerant. R32 is better than R410A refrigerant in terms of cooling (only slightly better) and in terms of eco-friendliness. Also, R32 is more modern refrigerant. This means that chances of this refrigerant going obsolete in near future are low.
Hence, if you buy a Daikin AC, you need not worry about repair/maintenance in future and you will be contributing to the environment as well.
On the other hand, Hitachi offers ACs with R32 as well as R410A refrigerant. There is no significant advantage of R410A over R32. However, R410A refrigerant will phase out in the next few decades considering its planned phase-out in the US in the year 2024.
However, it gives more choice to you in terms of which refrigerant might be your preferred choice.
Hence, there is no clear winner here.
After Sales Service: Which One is Better?
Even though Daikin, as well as Hitachi both, offer decent customer service, Hitachi’s after-sales service is better than Daikin in general.
Price: Price Difference Between Daikin and Hitachi
Daikin offers some of the most affordable ACs in India. On the other hand, finding a cost-effective AC from Hitachi can be a little difficult. Hence, Daikin is better than Hitachi in terms of affordability.
Warranty
Warranty periods of Daikin and Hitachi are quite similar. The usual warranty period is 1 year on product and 5 years on motor.
Daikin vs Hitachi: Split AC
We have chosen the best split ACs from both brands for your convenience.
Daikin 1.5 Ton 5-Star Split AC
Daikin 1.5 ton 5-star split AC is one of the best-selling ACs from Daikin. Let us understand its key features.
This Daikin AC comes with a 5-star energy rating to ensure low energy consumption. The ISEER value of this AC is 4.7, which is quite good. This ensures annual energy consumption of 824 units. This means that at Rs 5 per unit, it will cost you only Rs 4120 on electricity bills per year.
Also, it comes with the latest inverter technology- Neo Swing inverter. This inverter compressor is specially designed for preventing refrigerant leakage during compression. This not only makes the AC more efficient but also increases the lifespan of the AC.
This 1.5 ton AC can cool a room of 150–180 sq. ft. size (standard for a 1.5 ton AC). Also, it takes only 15 minutes to cool a room that has no direct sunlight.
Its Coanda Airflow technology distributes the air equally in all the corners of the room. This helps in cooling the entire room quickly and evenly. This also ensures that the air doesn’t fall directly on top of you, which can be quite inconvenient.
AC’s condenser is quite important for efficient cooling and its long life. The condenser of this AC is made up of a 100% copper coil. This directly increases the lifespan of the AC, and it is better than aluminum coils used in some ACs.
This AC is equipped with an inbuilt stabilizer and therefore will not have to purchase an external stabilizer.
One interesting of this AC is its Auto error detector. In case of any issue with the AC, the error-code will be displayed on your remote screen. This makes it quite easy to detect issues with your AC.
One feature that helps in lower energy consumption is its Econo mode. As the name suggests, you can use this mode for effective cooling while saving on power consumption. However, do keep in mind that the speed of cooling will be slower when you use this mode.
This AC comes with a 1-year warranty on the product, 1-year warranty on the condenser, 5 years of warranty on PCB, and 10 years of warranty on the compressor.
It comes with eco-friendly R32 refrigerant, which is ecofriendly.
Some of its other good-to-have features are smell-proof operation, sleep timer and power chill mode.
Hitachi 1.5 Ton 5 Star Split AC
We have chosen similar best-selling AC from Hitachi so that you can get a better idea about the differences and similarities between split AC of Daikin as well as Hitachi.
The AC is ideal for a 150 -180 sq. ft. sized room. It is a 5-star rated AC just like Daikin. However, its annual energy consumption is 897 units, which is around 9% more than Daikin. Its ISEER value is 4.55, which is lesser than Daikin.
It is an inverter AC that comes with ‘expandable’ feature. This means that it can work with 110% capacity when run at peak capacity. This AC is more powerful than Daikin AC.
Another interesting feature of this AC is that it can cool your room on extremely hot days, even if the temperature rises to 52 degrees Celsius. This makes it ideal for people living in hot regions.
This AC has got wide angle deflectors. This helps in the flow of air in all the directions of your room so that the room cools uniformly. On top of this, its soft dry technology keeps the room free from any kind of odor.
The coils are made up of copper which is good for efficient cooling and long life. These copper coils come with inner grooves for better durability of the copper condenser coils and prevention from corrosion & rust.
The AC comes with an inbuilt stabilizer. This will protect your AC from voltage fluctuation ranging from 160v to 225v. This is a decent range.
Its filter clean indicator will remind you when it is the right time to clean your filter. The refrigerant that this AC uses is R410A which is not as good as R32, but it offers decent cooling efficiency. However, it is not as eco-friendly as R32.
This Air Conditioner comes with 2-year warranty on the product, 5 years of warranty on the PCB and 10 years of warranty on the compressor.
One downside of this AC is that it does not have a temperature display on top of the AC panel.
Its noise level of 35 dB is similar to Daikin AC.
Daikin vs Hitachi: Window AC
Let’s take a look at the best window ACs from both brands.
Daikin 1.5 Ton 5 Star Window AC
This 1.5 Ton Window AC is a non-inverter AC with an annual power consumption of 1195 units
It is a 5-star rated AC with ISEER value of 2.19. This is quite low as compared to Hitachi window AC discussed above.
It comes with a rotary compressor.
This AC is equipped with a dust filter for filtering out large pollutants. It also has swings for proper flow of air in all directions. These swings ensure proper cooling of the room uniformly.
It comes with a power chill mode that can be used when you need faster cooling. The noise level of this AC is at 49 dB. This is similar to Hitachi AC. Also, its wattage is 1468 watts, which is almost the same as Hitachi AC.
This AC has 100% grooved copper coils which ensure efficient cooling and lower maintenance. Its R32 refrigerant gas ensures cooling efficiency is environment friendly.
There is no inbuilt stabilizer in this AC so you will have to buy a decent AC stabilizer along with this AC. The AC comes with 1-year warranty while the compressor comes with a 4-year warranty. Clearly, the warranty specs of Hitachi AC are way better than Daikin window AC.
Hitachi 1.5 Ton 5 Star Window AC
Most window ACs are non-inverter ACs. This means that they come with a regular compressor instead of an inverter compressor. Even this AC is a non-inverter AC. Its ideal room size is 180 square feet. This is better than some of the other ACs in the market.
The annual power consumption of this AC is 1134 units while the ISEER value of this product is 3.6. This is almost similar to other 1.5 ton 5-star window ACs in the market.
This AC is equipped with a rotary compressor. The condenser is made up of 100% copper, which is quite good. The coil has inner grooves for faster cooling.
This AC is designed to work efficiently even if the temperature reaches a high 52° C. This makes it perfect for hot regions.
On top of this, it is equipped with precoated aluminum fins.
It comes with 1-year warranty on the product and 5-year warranty on compressor.
Its special feature is SuperFine Mesh filter that captures micro dust particle effectively. The LCD remote comes with backlight and nightglow buttons for better visibility during night time.
R32 refrigerant ensures decent cooling and protects the environment. It also comes with an auto fan speed that changes the speed of the fan as per the load.
The noise level of the AC is 50 dB, which is slightly higher, while its airflow rate of 450 cubic meters per hour is decent. The installation price is also less at around Rs 700.
The only downside of this AC is that it makes slightly more noise than some other window ACs in the market, rest this product is highly recommended if you are looking for a 5-star window AC.
Reading Suggestions