Note: Solar Choice is not affiliated with Kogan or any other air conditioner manufacturer and aims to provide an unbiased review for consumers in Australia.
At a Glance: Kogan Air Conditioners Score 3.0 out of 5
Kogan’s SmarterHome™ split-system air conditioners target the budget end of the market, with aggressive online pricing and built-in Wi-Fi control. On Solar Choice’s Air Conditioner Scorecard, we give Kogan an overall score of 3.0 / 5: they offer sharp upfront prices and some genuinely efficient smaller units, but there are concerns around product compliance history, warranty transparency and the quality of installation and after-sales support.
Solar Choice has developed an independent & transparent Air Conditioning Score Card to evaluate all the air conditioners available on the market:
- Brand Reputation & Reliability – 2.5 / 5
Kogan is a well-known Australian online retailer, but not a specialist air-conditioning manufacturer. A previous 2.6kW model was deregistered after failing GEMS check testing, and independent review platforms highlight some issues with noise, reliability and support for Kogan-branded air conditioners. - Australian Presence & Support Infrastructure – 2.5 / 5
Kogan is headquartered in Australia and offers local customer service, but practical support relies heavily on third-party installers and online ticketing. Their outsourced “standard installation” service is rated only 2.5 / 5 from 16 reviews, which suggests mixed experiences for homeowners. - Warranty Strength & Transparency – 2.0 / 5
The headline 5-year warranty looks competitive, but we could not find a standalone, product-specific warranty document with detailed terms, conditions and claim processes. This lack of transparency is a clear negative compared with major brands that publish full warranty booklets. - Innovation & Smart Technology – 3.5 / 5
All of the current SmarterHome split systems include integrated Wi-Fi, app control and voice-assistant compatibility, plus basic air-purification filters. The smaller 2.6kW model is particularly efficient on paper (5.5-star cooling), suggesting decent engineering for the latest generation. - Customer Satisfaction & Review Consistency – 2.0 / 5
Customer feedback for Kogan air conditioners is limited but quite mixed. Kogan’s own site shows generally good star ratings, but independent review platforms report low scores and issues with support and noise, especially for some earlier models.
At a high level, Kogan suits price-sensitive buyers who are comfortable purchasing online and taking a bit more risk on brand and support in exchange for a cheaper, smart-enabled system.
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Kogan background and Australian presence
Kogan is one of Australia’s best-known online retailers, selling everything from TVs to insurance. Their air conditioners sit under the Kogan Exclusive / SmarterHome™ label – meaning Kogan acts as the brand owner and importer, rather than an OEM manufacturer with its own engineering, service and spares network.
From a consumer perspective:
- The brand itself is Australian-based and has been operating since 2006.
- Service and support are managed centrally through Kogan’s online Help Centre and ticketing system, rather than a network of manufacturer-aligned air-conditioning dealers.
- Installation is often arranged separately through Kogan’s installation products or via local installers you find yourself.
That’s a different model from brands like Daikin, Mitsubishi or LG, which have long-standing HVAC businesses, spare-parts channels and specialist dealer networks in Australia.
Air conditioner range, efficiency and performance
Kogan’s current reverse-cycle split-system offering is relatively simple compared to premium brands. The SmarterHome™ Split System range includes four main capacities:
- 2.6kW – small bedrooms and studies
- 5.2kW – medium living areas
- 7.0kW – large living areas and small open-plan spaces
- 8.2kW – larger open-plan spaces
All models are reverse-cycle (cooling and heating), inverter-driven and come with Wi-Fi and app control, making them broadly comparable on features to many mainstream reverse-cycle systems you’ll see discussed in our Air Conditioning Buyers Guide and Reverse Cycle Air Conditioners article.
Kogan SmarterHome™ Split Systems (2.6–8.2kW)
Below is a summary of the key Kogan SmarterHome wall-split models based on current Australian product listings and manuals.
| Model | Cooling / Heating Power (kW) |
Efficiency Star Rating* (0 to 10) |
Indoor Noise (dB(A)) |
How It Compares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kogan SmarterHome 2.6kW | 2.6 kW Cool 4.05 kW Heat |
5.5 Stars Cool 2.5 Stars Heat |
26–48 | Above-average cooling efficiency for a budget bedroom unit; more efficient than many cheap 2.5–3.5kW systems, but only modest heating performance. |
| Kogan SmarterHome 5.2kW | 5.2 kW Cool 5.2 kW Heat |
≈3.0 Stars Cool ≈2.5 Stars Heat |
* | Typical mid-range efficiency; cheaper upfront than major brands, but with slightly higher running costs and louder indoor noise in many rooms. |
| Kogan SmarterHome 7.0kW | 7.0 kW Cool 7.0 kW Heat |
≈3.0 Stars Cool ≈3.0 Stars Heat |
36–53 | Average efficiency and noise for a large living-area unit; several 7kW systems from major brands are both more efficient and better refined. |
| Kogan SmarterHome 8.2kW | 8.2 kW Cool 8.2 kW Heat |
3.0 Stars Cool 2.5 Stars Heat |
52–55 | Below-average efficiency for an 8kW unit; fine for occasional peak-heat or peak-cooling use, but heavy users may save more with higher-efficiency brands. |
* Star ratings are based on the Australian Government Energy Rating Label and show efficiency under test conditions — higher stars mean lower running costs.
All Kogan SmarterHome split systems include:
- Wi-Fi connectivity and app control via the Kogan SmarterHome app;
- Voice-assistant compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa;
- 4-in-1 functionality (cooling, heating, fan, dehumidification); and
- Basic air-purifying filters (anti-PM2.5 and carbon filters on higher-capacity units).
Noise levels for the 2.6kW indoor unit are quoted at 26–48dB, which is reasonable for a bedroom-sized split. However:
- Independent reviews for some Kogan air conditioners (including portable and window models) mention unpleasant noise levels and vibration, especially at higher fan speeds.
- Because Kogan doesn’t publish the same level of acoustic engineering detail as premium HVAC brands, we’d treat the quoted noise figures as indicative rather than a guarantee of “whisper quiet” performance.
In short: feature-rich for the price, but real reported experiences seem to vary.
How much do Kogan Air Conditioners cost including install?
Kogan’s core proposition is price, and the current SmarterHome split-system range is aggressively positioned:
- 2.6kW split – typically around $449 on sale, with a “standard retail price” of ~$900.
- 5.2kW split – around $779–829 on sale, SRP ~$1,400.
- 7.0kW split – around $979 on sale, SRP ~$1,800.
- 8.2kW split – around $1,099–1,399 on sale, SRP ~$2,300.
These headline prices are significantly cheaper than many mainstream brands at full RRP. However, there are important caveats:
Installing a Kogan Air Conditoner
- Kogan’s own “standard install” product is currently $1,100 and only covers a basic back-to-back single-storey install – extra charges apply for non-standard layouts, circuits and materials.
- When you add installation and potential extras, the all-in installed cost may start to overlap with better-known brands sold through local air-conditioning specialists.
- The installation service product for their larger air con system has an average rating of 2.5 / 5 from 16 reviews on their own website, indicating patchy customer experiences.
The installation service itself only has a 1-month warranty on workmanship, which is short compared to many independent HVAC installers that back their work for several years. When something goes wrong, there can be confusion about who is responsible – Kogan, the contractor, or the installer’s own business – which complicates warranty claims and fault resolution.
From a Solar Choice perspective, we’d generally recommend:
- Using a reputable local installer (ideally one you find through an independent comparison or referral), and
- Clarifying before purchase whether they are comfortable installing and supporting a Kogan unit – otherwise the cheaper hardware may not translate into a smooth long-term experience.
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Kogan Air Conditioners Warranty Offer
Product warranty
Kogan advertises a “5 Year Warranty” on the SmarterHome split systems, and the product pages clearly state “Manufacturer Warranty 5 Year”. On paper, this matches or slightly exceeds the 5-year parts and labour product warranties offered by many mainstream brands in Australia.
After searching Kogan’s website and their user manuals, we were unable to find the warranty terms and details. This is a very concerning aspect as often we find these terms can differ significantly between brands and materially affect the value of the warranty.
Installation Warranty
If you purchase a ‘Kogan Installation’ through their website then you will get a 1-month warranty from the installing company (not Kogan). This is very short compared to most air con installers who will offer several years for workmanship warranty.
There is also no transparency on who their installers are so consumers are unable to do their research on whether the installer has the right experience, qualifications and reputation.
Compared with leading HVAC brands that publish detailed warranty PDFs and clear claim processes, this lack of transparency is a significant downside for consumers.
Pros and cons on Kogan Air Conditioners
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Very sharp upfront pricing for Wi-Fi enabled split systems | ✗ Limited warranty transparency – only a headline “5-year warranty” |
| ✓ Strong efficiency on the 2.6 kW model (above average for the size) | ✗ Past GEMS compliance issues for a previous 2.6 kW model |
| ✓ Integrated smart features (app + voice control) across all models | ✗ Mixed independent reviews on reliability, noise and support |
| ✓ Simple, easy-to-understand range covering common room sizes | ✗ Outsourced installation with average reviews (2.5/5) and only 1-month workmanship warranty |
| ✗ Moderate efficiency on 5.2–8.2 kW models compared with major brands |
Conclusion: Our verdict on Kogan air conditioners
Kogan’s SmarterHome split-system air conditioners deliver compelling sticker prices and modern smart features, with the 2.6kW model in particular offering surprisingly strong cooling efficiency for a budget unit. For some households, especially those upgrading a single bedroom or small office on a tight budget, that combination can make sense.
However, when we look at the full picture – GEMS compliance history, vague warranty terms, outsourced installation with mixed reviews, and inconsistent customer satisfaction – Kogan does not reach the same level of confidence as the major air-conditioning brands available in Australia.
On balance, we see Kogan as a value-focused but higher-risk choice. If you’re considering one of their systems, we’d strongly recommend:
- Comparing installed quotes with more established brands through independent tools like Solar Choice’s air conditioning quote comparison
- Checking the Energy Rating Label and model registration in the official Energy Rating Calculator before you buy, and
- Confirming, in writing, who will support you if something goes wrong – Kogan, the installer, or both.
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