Daikin vs Midea vs Gree – Malaysian Aircond Brand Comparison (2025 Guide)
By JB Cool Care – jbcoolcare.com
Introduction
Choosing the right air conditioner in Malaysia isn’t as simple as picking a brand you’ve heard of before. With our hot, humid weather and long usage hours, Malaysians rely heavily on air conditioning not just for comfort, but for day-to-day survival. Whether it’s a home, office, shop lot, or high-rise apartment, the right aircond can mean the difference between cool comfort and skyrocketing TNB bills. Because of that, three names stand out in Malaysia’s competitive air conditioning market: Daikin, Midea, and Gree.
Each brand has its own strengths, weaknesses, and unique selling points, and the truth is this—what’s best for one home may not necessarily be best for another. Some customers prioritise durability, some want the lowest electricity consumption, while others simply want an affordable unit that cools fast without fuss. As JB Cool Care, a Malaysian air-conditioning service provider, we have installed, repaired, and serviced thousands of units across all three brands. So this review is not written from a distance—it’s based on hands-on experience, real customer feedback, and real-life performance.
In this ultra-detailed comparison, we’ll break down cooling performance, durability, serviceability, energy efficiency, noise levels, price differences, and even which brand fits different types of Malaysian users. We’ll look beyond the marketing hype and focus on what truly matters for long-term use in Malaysia’s tropical environment.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a crystal-clear understanding of which brand—Daikin, Midea, or Gree—gives you the most value for your home or business.
Overview of Malaysia’s Air Conditioning Market
Malaysia’s air conditioning market is one of the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia, and it’s not hard to understand why. With temperatures regularly hitting 30°C–35°C and humidity levels that can make even standing still feel uncomfortable, aircond isn’t just a luxury—it has become a necessity in most Malaysian households. Over the last decade, demand has continued to increase, especially as more people work from home, live in high-rise apartments, and renovate their homes with modern cooling solutions. The trend is clear: Malaysians want airconds that are affordable, energy-efficient, durable, and most importantly—able to cool down a room fast.
Unlike temperate countries where AC units are used for only a few months a year, Malaysians run their airconds daily, sometimes 8–12 hours per day. This continuous usage puts heavy stress on compressors, coils, and sensors, which is why choosing the right brand matters more here than in cooler countries. Customer expectations have also evolved. Malaysians nowadays look for inverter technology, smart features, better air filtration, and quiet operation. At the same time, household budgets remain tight, so the balance between price and performance plays a huge role in the decision-making process.
Another major factor in Malaysia’s aircond market is the growing awareness of electricity consumption. With TNB’s tariff adjustments over the years, many homeowners now prioritise 5-star energy-rated units to reduce their monthly bills. For this reason, comparing brands like Daikin, Midea, and Gree goes beyond “which one is coldest.” Instead, the real question becomes: Which brand gives the best cooling with the lowest long-term cost? These market trends have shaped the way brands position themselves—Daikin focusing on reliability, Midea on affordability, and Gree on delivering strong performance at mid-range prices. As a result, the competition between these three brands has become more intense than ever in Malaysia.
Brand Backgrounds
Understanding each brand’s history and reputation helps you see why they perform the way they do. Every brand enters the Malaysian market with different engineering philosophies, manufacturing strengths, and long-term goals. These factors influence everything—from cooling speed to durability to after-sales service. Here’s a closer look at Daikin, Midea, and Gree so you can understand what drives their differences.
Daikin
Daikin is widely known as the “premium” aircond brand in Malaysia—and for good reason. Originating from Japan, Daikin has built a global reputation over decades for producing air-conditioning systems that are durable, energy-efficient, and engineered for long-term reliability. What many Malaysians don’t know is that Daikin also has a manufacturing plant in Malaysia, located in Shah Alam. This gives them a huge edge in spare parts availability and service response times. Most technicians, including those at JB Cool Care, agree that Daikin units last longer compared to many budget brands, especially when serviced regularly.
Daikin also invests heavily in research and development. Their inverter technology is among the most stable, and their compressors are known for rarely giving major problems. Yes, the price is higher—but many Malaysian households are willing to pay extra for peace of mind. Daikin’s brand philosophy is simple: build air conditioners that last 10–15 years with minimal issues, even when running daily in hot climates like Malaysia.
Midea
Midea is a Chinese brand that has exploded in popularity across Malaysia due to its affordability and fast innovation cycles. While previously seen as a “budget” brand, Midea today offers features that sometimes compete directly with premium brands—yet at a fraction of the price. This is why many Malaysian buyers, especially younger homeowners and those furnishing apartments, choose Midea as their first aircond.
The biggest selling point of Midea is value for money. You get good cooling, modern features like WiFi control and eco modes, and decent energy efficiency without burning a hole in your wallet. Midea’s manufacturing scale is massive—they are one of the world’s largest appliance producers. Because of this, they can offer technology at lower costs. However, the downside is durability. Based on our field experience, Midea units generally last 5–8 years before major repairs become common, especially if usage is heavy.
Gree
Gree is another major Chinese brand, but unlike Midea, Gree focuses more on technological advancements and compressor design. In fact, Gree is the largest air conditioner manufacturer globally, producing both their own units and OEM parts for other brands. Their inverter technology has improved significantly in the last few years, making them a strong contender in Malaysia’s mid-range market.
Many technicians appreciate Gree because their units provide strong airflow, fast cooling, and surprisingly stable inverter performance for the price. Gree positions itself between Daikin and Midea—offering better durability than budget brands but still much more affordable than Japanese brands. The main challenge with Gree is that spare parts availability can vary depending on location, although this has improved over the last three years.
Cooling Performance Comparison
Cooling performance is usually the first thing Malaysians care about—because let’s be honest, nobody wants to wait 10–15 minutes just to feel a slight change in temperature. In a climate as warm and humid as ours, a good aircond must cool the room quickly, maintain stable temperatures, and distribute cool air evenly without creating “hot spots.” After installing and servicing thousands of units, here’s how Daikin, Midea, and Gree stack up in real-life cooling conditions.
Daikin Cooling Performance
Daikin units are well-known for their smooth, steady cooling rather than aggressive “instant cold” blasts. This is because Daikin focuses on long-term comfort rather than shock cooling. Once the room reaches your desired temperature, Daikin compressors modulate slowly, keeping the environment very consistent. Many customers describe Daikin cooling as “senang tidur,” because the airflow is gentle but effective. In enclosed bedrooms, Daikin performs exceptionally well, keeping temperatures stable through the night with minimal fluctuations.
Where Daikin truly excels is temperature accuracy. Their sensors are more sensitive, meaning when you set your aircond to 24°C, it actually feels like 24°C—not too cold, not too warm. Daikin also has excellent air distribution thanks to well-designed louvres that send cool air further into the room. The only drawback is cooling speed—Daikin tends to cool a bit slower than Gree or Midea in the first few minutes, but once the temperature is reached, it stays remarkably consistent.
Midea Cooling Performance
If you want fast cooling at the lowest possible price, Midea is often the go-to choice. Midea units blow strong airflow right from the start, making the room feel cooler within minutes. This is especially noticeable in living rooms and open areas where stronger airflow helps push cool air across a bigger space. Midea’s Turbo mode is one of the strongest in its price range, which is why many Malaysians say Midea feels “cold fast.”
However, temperature stability is where Midea can sometimes struggle. Once the room is cold, the compressor may fluctuate more noticeably, causing small up-and-down temperature variations. For most users this is not a big issue, but for light sleepers or those sensitive to temperature changes, it can be noticeable. Still, for the price, Midea delivers excellent performance, especially for rental units, offices, and rooms where fast cooling is a priority.
Gree Cooling Performance
Gree may surprise a lot of people—its cooling strength is often on par with, or even stronger than, Midea. Gree units are designed with powerful compressors and large fan motors, which help deliver strong airflow and rapid cooling, even in larger rooms. Many technicians refer to Gree as a “value powerhouse” because its cooling feels closer to a premium brand despite the mid-range price.
Another advantage is Gree’s ability to maintain cooling under heavy usage. Even when running for long hours, Gree tends to keep temperatures stable without losing performance. Their Gold Fin coils also handle humidity well, making the cooling process more efficient in Malaysia’s tropical climate. If you want cooling performance that is strong, stable, and affordable, Gree often hits the sweet spot.
Energy Efficiency & Inverter Technology
Energy efficiency has become one of the biggest priorities for Malaysian homeowners—especially as TNB tariffs slowly increase and aircond usage continues to rise. An air conditioner that saves even RM15–RM30 per month can make a huge difference over the course of 5–10 years. This is where inverter technology plays a critical role. Instead of turning the compressor on and off repeatedly, an inverter unit adjusts its speed smoothly, maintaining temperature using less electricity. But not all inverter systems are created equal. Daikin, Midea, and Gree each approach inverter engineering differently, resulting in different performance levels and long-term electricity cost outcomes. Here’s a breakdown based on real-world usage seen across hundreds of JB Cool Care customers.
Daikin Energy Performance
Daikin is the benchmark for energy efficiency, especially in the premium residential category. Their Smart Inverter system is incredibly stable, adjusting compressor speed gradually as the room reaches the set temperature. This avoids sudden spikes in electricity usage. Daikin models often carry 4–5 star energy ratings thanks to their advanced compressor design and DC motor technology. One thing that stands out is that Daikin units maintain low power consumption even after years of use—something that cheaper brands struggle with. In long-term Malaysian usage, Daikin consistently reduces monthly bills, especially in master bedrooms or offices that run the aircond for 8–12 hours daily. Yes, Daikin units cost more upfront, but their inverter technology is engineered for long-term savings.
Midea Energy-Saving Features
Midea has made huge improvements in energy efficiency over the years. While still considered a budget-friendly brand, Midea’s inverter models often come with features like Eco Mode, Gear Mode, and 1W standby, helping reduce unnecessary energy drain. Their compressors are responsive, meaning they cool fast without staying at maximum power longer than needed. However, Midea units may lose efficiency faster over time due to coil material differences and compressor strain under heavy use. Still, for the price, Midea offers excellent energy performance—especially for rooms that don’t run aircond all day. If you’re looking for an affordable inverter unit that still helps control electricity bills, Midea hits the mark well.
Gree’s Inverter Evolution
Gree used to be known mostly for strong cooling, but in recent years, their G10 Inverter technology has become surprisingly efficient. Gree compressors adjust smoothly and maintain stable power consumption even during long operation hours. Many Gree inverter units now carry 4 or 5-star ratings, making them competitive with premium brands. The biggest benefit is consistent efficiency, even in large rooms or long-running environments like offices. Gree’s combination of strong cooling and controlled power usage makes it a very solid mid-range option. For customers who want something more durable than Midea but cheaper than Daikin, Gree provides an excellent balance of performance and savings.
Noise Levels
Noise level is an underrated factor when choosing an air conditioner—yet it heavily affects comfort, especially in bedrooms, baby rooms, and study areas. A noisy indoor unit can disturb sleep, while a loud outdoor compressor can annoy neighbours (and even yourself if placed near a window). Daikin, Midea, and Gree all approach noise control differently, and the differences become clear once you’ve installed as many units as we have at JB Cool Care. Here’s how they compare based on real installation experiences and customer feedback.
Indoor Unit Noise
Daikin has some of the quietest indoor units available in Malaysia. Many of their inverter models operate at noise levels as low as 19–21 dB, which is almost whisper-quiet. What makes Daikin stand out is not just the noise level, but the smoothness of the airflow. Even at higher fan speeds, the noise is low-pitched and soft, making it less noticeable. For light sleepers or people working from home, Daikin is often the most comfortable brand acoustically.
Midea indoor units are slightly louder, especially when Turbo mode is activated. However, at low to medium fan speeds, they perform quite well. The fan noise is more noticeable compared to Daikin, but still acceptable for most users. In fact, many customers prefer the stronger breeze from Midea, even if it means a bit more noise. One thing to note is that some older Midea models develop rattling sounds over time due to casing vibration—but this is usually easy to fix.
Gree indoor units sit between Daikin and Midea. Noise levels are reasonable, and their airflow design reduces “wind noise” compared to many mid-range brands. Gree inverter models generally remain stable and quiet, even after years of usage. This is something many customers appreciate because maintaining low noise levels long-term is not easy.
Outdoor Compressor Noise
Outdoor noise matters a lot, especially for landed homes or condos with strict regulations. A loud compressor not only disturbs you inside the house but can also cause neighbour complaints. Here’s the real-world breakdown:
- Daikin outdoor units are impressively quiet and stable. Their compressors rarely produce sudden noises or vibrations. Even after years of heavy usage, Daikin outdoor units typically remain quieter than most competitors.
- Midea outdoor units can be slightly louder, especially during startup or when the inverter ramps up. The sound isn’t extremely loud, but it is noticeable in quiet environments. Over time, wear and tear may cause the noise to increase if not serviced regularly.
- Gree outdoor units are surprisingly quiet for their price category. Their compressors operate smoothly, with fewer abrupt power surges than Midea. Many technicians agree that Gree units maintain silent operation better than most mid-range brands.
Overall, if noise level is your top priority, Daikin wins, followed by Gree, with Midea being slightly louder but still acceptable for most users.
Durability & Build Quality
Durability is one of the most important factors for Malaysians because our AC systems work harder than in many other countries. Running 6–12 hours daily, dealing with humidity, dust, and inconsistent voltage—all of these put stress on an air conditioner. A brand that looks good on paper may not survive long in Malaysian conditions unless it is built with high-quality materials and strong internal components. After servicing thousands of units at JB Cool Care, we’ve seen firsthand which brands age gracefully and which ones start giving trouble sooner than expected. Here’s the honest, real-world comparison.
Daikin Durability
Daikin is the gold standard when it comes to long-term lifespan. Their units are known to last 10–15 years or more with proper maintenance. The reason is simple: Daikin invests heavily in build quality. Their compressors are engineered to run efficiently even under high heat and humidity. The indoor units have strong casing materials, well-designed fan motors, and reliable PCBs that rarely fail prematurely.
One of Daikin’s biggest advantages is its use of copper coils, which are far more durable and repairable than aluminium coils used by some budget brands. Copper coils handle corrosion better, especially in humid Malaysian environments. They also conduct heat more efficiently, reducing strain on the compressor. Over the years, we’ve noticed that Daikin units tend to develop fewer leaks, fewer PCB failures, and fewer coil breakdowns. While Daikin costs more upfront, the long lifespan and lower repair rate make it a favourite among homeowners who want a long-lasting system.
Midea Durability
Midea offers good value, but durability is where their budget nature shows. On average, Midea units last 5–8 years before major parts like PCB or compressor start needing attention. This doesn’t mean Midea is “bad”—it simply reflects their positioning as an affordable brand. Their build materials, while decent, are not as thick or strong as Daikin’s. Some Midea units use aluminium coils or thinner copper coils, which are more prone to corrosion and leakage over time.
Another issue we frequently encounter is PCB sensitivity. Midea PCBs can be more prone to damage from voltage fluctuations or humidity. This is especially common in older condos or houses with unstable electrical wiring. However, it’s worth noting that Midea spare parts are very affordable, which helps keep repair costs low. If your goal is to save money in the short term, Midea is excellent. But for long-term durability and fewer breakdowns, Daikin and Gree have the upper hand.
Gree Durability
Gree strikes a good balance between affordability and long-term reliability. Their units generally last 7–10 years, and their build quality has improved significantly over the last decade. Gree compressors are strong and often comparable to mid-range Japanese models. They use copper coils with anti-corrosion coatings, making them more resilient to Malaysia’s humidity.
Technicians often praise Gree units for their internal design—they’re easier to clean, less prone to dust buildup, and more resistant to coil leaks than many budget brands. Gree PCBs are also relatively stable, handling Malaysia’s voltage fluctuations better than expected. However, the durability still doesn’t quite reach Daikin’s level of engineering perfection. But for the price, Gree delivers excellent longevity, making it a smart pick for homeowners who want value without sacrificing reliability.
Price Comparison in Malaysia
Price is always one of the biggest deciding factors when choosing an air conditioner. Malaysians want something that cools well, saves electricity, and lasts long—but also fits the budget. Daikin, Midea, and Gree each target different price segments, which is why comparing them side-by-side gives you a clearer picture of what you’re truly paying for. Below is a realistic breakdown of average market prices in Malaysia (installation not included), based on common 1.0HP, 1.5HP, and 2.0HP inverter models.
Entry-Level Price Comparison
For basic inverter models, here’s what you can expect:
| Brand | 1.0HP (RM) | 1.5HP (RM) | 2.0HP (RM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daikin | RM1,400–RM1,900 | RM1,900–RM2,600 | RM2,600–RM3,300 |
| Midea | RM950–RM1,300 | RM1,200–RM1,650 | RM1,600–RM2,200 |
| Gree | RM1,100–RM1,500 | RM1,500–RM2,100 | RM2,000–RM2,800 |
You can see that Midea is clearly the most affordable, making it popular for rental properties, smaller rooms, and cost-conscious buyers. Gree sits comfortably in the middle, offering a balance of performance and price. Meanwhile, Daikin leads in pricing, but you’re paying for long-term reliability and premium engineering.
Mid-Range & Feature-Rich Models
For airconds with advanced features like WiFi control, better filters, and high-grade inverter systems:
| Brand | Price Range (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Daikin | RM2,200–RM4,000+ |
| Midea | RM1,400–RM2,700 |
| Gree | RM1,600–RM3,200 |
Daikin’s mid-range models tend to be quite pricey, but they come with superior build quality and stable PCBs. Midea and Gree offer strong competition here, providing smart features at much lower prices.
Premium Units (High-End Inverter / Powerful Cooling Models)
If you’re looking for top-of-the-line cooling performance:
| Brand | Price Range (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Daikin | RM4,000–RM7,000+ |
| Midea | RM2,500–RM4,500 |
| Gree | RM2,800–RM5,000 |
Daikin dominates the premium market with models designed for energy efficiency and comfort. Gree and Midea do offer premium options, but they focus more on mid-range buyers.
Overall Price Verdict
- Lowest Price: Midea
- Best Value Mid-Range: Gree
- Best Long-Term Investment: Daikin
Your budget will decide which brand makes the most sense—but remember, the cheapest aircond today can become the most expensive over time if it breaks down frequently or consumes more electricity.
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