The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has revised star rating criteria effective January 1, 2026. Air conditioners manufactured before 2026 may now carry a lower star rating under the new standards: a 5-star AC from 2023-2025 may become a 4-star, a 4-star may become a 3-star, and a 3-star may become a 2-star.
What this means for you: These ACs have not changed — they deliver the same cooling performance and consume the same electricity as before. The rating change only reflects updated BEE benchmarks. A current 4-star AC will still outperform a genuine 3-star model from previous years.
Full Transparency: Among the five models reviewed here, only the Samsung Bespoke AI (2026) holds a true 4-star rating under 2026 norms. The remaining four models — Panasonic, LG, Blue Star, and Carrier — are reclassified as 3-star under 2026 benchmarks, though their actual efficiency is unchanged. Understand ISEER & star ratings to compare models yourself.