Midea Air Conditioners – Independent Review

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Important Note: Solar Choice is not affiliated with Midea or any other Air Con manufacturer. These reviews represent our opinion only and we encourage readers to do their own research.

At a Glance: Midea – Score: 1.8 out of 5

Midea air conditioners are among the lowest-priced split systems available in Australia and are commonly selected where upfront cost and fast installation are the primary decision drivers. While the brand meets minimum regulatory requirements and offers a wide range of models, its Australian residential air conditioners generally underperform market expectations for long-term reliability, acoustic comfort and ownership confidence.

Brand Reputation & Reliability (1.5/5): Midea systems are widely viewed by installers as short-to-medium term solutions rather than products chosen for durability or long ownership cycles.
Australian Presence & Support Infrastructure (2/5): Midea is a global Chinese brand dating back to 1968, but the Midea products in Australia are supplied and supported by a local importer with 4-years trading history.
Warranty Strength & Transparency (2/5): Midea split system products come with a 5 year warranty which is below the industry standard. The feedback from customers going through Midea’s warranty process have reported unexpected out of pocket costs and slow processing.
Innovation & Smart Technology (2/5): Smart features are present but largely reflect baseline market functionality rather than genuine innovation.
Customer Satisfaction & Review Consistency (1.5/5): Feedback across independent review platforms is mixed, with inconsistent long-term performance outcomes reported. Many Air Con installers identify issues with longevity and quality.

Solar Choice has developed a transparent scorecard to evaluate every major air conditioner brand sold in Australia.

Overview of Midea – Company Background

Midea was established in 1968 and has grown into one of the world’s largest manufacturers of household appliances, supplying products across air conditioning, refrigeration, cooking and laundry categories. In Australia, Midea air conditioners are supplied and supported through MD Appliances Pty Ltd which was established in 2022, with a focus on residential split systems and selected higher-specification models.

Despite its global manufacturing scale, Midea’s Australian air conditioning strategy is firmly price-led. Installer feedback consistently indicates that Midea systems are most often specified for budget-constrained projects, rental properties, or situations where installation speed and upfront price take precedence over long-term performance or refinement.

Midea Air Conditioner Range, Efficiency and Performance

Midea offers a broad selection of split systems in Australia, ranging from basic entry-level units through to feature-heavy models with air purification and smart controls. While specifications vary between ranges, real-world performance differences are typically incremental rather than transformative, with most models prioritising acceptable cooling output at low cost.

Apollo Series

The Apollo series is Midea’s core entry-level range, designed to meet minimum efficiency standards while keeping manufacturing and installation costs low.

Model Power Capacity Efficiency Star Rating* Indoor Noise (dB) How It Compares
Apollo 2.5kW 2.5 kW Cool
3.2 kW Heat
~4.5 Stars Cool
~3 Stars Heat
~22 dB Cooling efficiency is slightly below average for this size, with typical noise levels.
Apollo 5.0kW 5.0 kW Cool
6.0 kW Heat
~4 Stars Cool
~2.5 Stars Heat
~28 dB Delivers adequate airflow, but both efficiency and acoustic performance trail most mid-tier competitors.

* Star ratings from the Australian Government Energy Rating Register and show efficiency under test conditions — higher stars mean lower running costs.

Venus Series

The Venus series adds stronger airflow and modest efficiency gains, but remains positioned as a cost-optimised product rather than a refined residential system.

Model Power Capacity Efficiency Star Rating* Indoor Noise (dB) How It Compares
Venus 3.5kW 3.5 kW Cool
4.0 kW Heat
~5 Stars Cool
~3 Stars Heat
~23 dB Cooling efficiency sits around market average, but heating performance is below most premium and mid-range alternatives.

* Star ratings from the Australian Government Energy Rating Register and show efficiency under test conditions — higher stars mean lower running costs.

Athena Series

The Athena series sits above Midea’s entry-level models and introduces higher claimed efficiency ratings alongside additional durability and smart control features. While it appears more competitive on paper, real-world performance and long-term refinement still place it behind most mid-tier residential brands in Australia.

Model Power Capacity Efficiency Star Rating* Indoor Noise (dB) How It Compares
MFEZ35VA (3.5kW) 3.5 kW Cool
3.5 kW Heat
5.5 Stars Cool
3.5 Stars Heat
Above-average cooling stars for this size (Mixed Zone), but heating efficiency is only mid-pack versus leading brands.
MFEZ60VA (6.0kW) 6.0 kW Cool
6.0 kW Heat
5.0 Stars Cool
3.0 Stars Heat
Competitive cooling rating for a 6kW class unit, while heating efficiency is typical-to-below-average for this category.
MFEZ70VA (7.0kW) 7.0 kW Cool
7.0 kW Heat
3.5 Stars Cool
2.5 Stars Heat
For larger living areas, Mixed Zone efficiency drops to below-average versus most major brands’ 7kW offerings.

* Star ratings from the Australian Government Energy Rating Register and show efficiency under test conditions — higher stars mean lower running costs.

EOS Series

The EOS range is positioned as a more feature-rich option within Midea’s lineup, combining higher cooling star ratings with installer-friendly design and app control. Despite these additions, the series remains primarily focused on cost efficiency rather than delivering consistently strong performance or acoustic comfort over long ownership periods.

Model Power Capacity Efficiency Star Rating* Indoor Noise (dB) How It Compares
MFEP26VB (2.6kW) 2.6 kW Cool
2.7 kW Heat
6.5 Stars Cool
3.5 Stars Heat
Strong Mixed Zone cooling stars for a small-room unit; heating is around average for this size.
MFEP35VB (3.5kW) 3.5 kW Cool
3.65 kW Heat
6.0 Stars Cool
3.5 Stars Heat
Above-average cooling efficiency compared to many 3.5kW splits; heating remains mid-range.
MFEP50VB (5.0kW) 5.0 kW Cool
5.3 kW Heat
5.0 Stars Cool
3.0 Stars Heat
Cooling is typical for the 5kW category; heating efficiency is a little behind higher-end peers.
MFEP70VB (7.0kW) 7.0 kW Cool
8.8 kW Heat
4.0 Stars Cool
3.0 Stars Heat
For larger spaces, efficiency looks more “typical budget brand” than market-leading in the 7kW class.

* Star ratings from the Australian Government Energy Rating Register and show efficiency under test conditions — higher stars mean lower running costs.

GAIA Series

GAIA represents Midea’s highest-spec residential split system range, adding air purification features and premium-style airflow controls. While it offers better comfort features than lower Midea ranges, overall efficiency stability, noise refinement and long-term reliability still lag behind established premium competitors.

Model Power Capacity Efficiency Star Rating* Indoor Noise (dB) How It Compares
MFCA26VA (2.6kW) 2.6 kW Cool
2.65 kW Heat
5.5 Stars Cool
3.5 Stars Heat
Decent Mixed Zone cooling efficiency for a small-room unit; heating performance is typical for this size.
MFCA50VA (5.0kW) 5.0 kW Cool
5.0 kW Heat
4.0 Stars Cool
3.0 Stars Heat
Cooling efficiency is around average in the 5kW class; heating is slightly below many mid-tier competitors.
MFCA70VA (7.0kW) 7.0 kW Cool
7.0 kW Heat
3.5 Stars Cool
2.5 Stars Heat
In larger capacities, Mixed Zone stars trend below average compared with other major brands’ 7kW splits.

* Star ratings from the Australian Government Energy Rating Register and show efficiency under test conditions — higher stars mean lower running costs.

How Much Does a Midea Air Conditioner Cost?

Midea systems are typically priced below most major brands, reflecting their budget-first positioning:

  • Small rooms (2–3 kW): $1,400–$1,900 installed
  • Medium rooms (3.5–5 kW): $1,700–$2,300 installed
  • Large rooms (7 kW+): $2,400–$3,200 installed

Actual pricing depends heavily on installer quality and installation shortcuts. This excludes rebates you might be available for through state schemes like the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, VIC Energy Upgrade discount and SA Reps Scheme.

Compare quotes from local, reputable Air Con installers

Midea Warranty for Australian Customer

Midea split systems in Australia generally include 5 years parts and labour warranty on split wall mounted air conditioning systems, subject to registration and usage conditions. In terms of length a 7-year warranty is now becoming the industry standard..

What’s Covered and Excluded

Warranty coverage includes manufacturing defects in compressors, indoor and outdoor units, and electronic control boards. Labour is included for approved repairs within the warranty period.

Warranty claims rely heavily on correct installation, appropriate sizing, and ongoing maintenance. Failures linked to airflow restrictions, electrical issues, environmental exposure or installer workmanship are commonly excluded, placing a higher onus on consumers.

Customer Feedback on Warranty Process

Across customer reviews, Midea’s warranty experience is generally described as functional but procedural, with outcomes closely tied to documentation, installer involvement, and strict interpretation of terms. While many claims are ultimately resolved, the process is often perceived as slower, more complex, and less consumer-friendly than that of established mid-tier and premium brands.

Many of the failed warranty claims fall back to the issues with the installation, which highlights the need to select a trustworthy and reliable installation company.

Read Midea’s full warranty here.

Pros and Cons of Midea Air Conditioners

ProsCons
✔ Very low upfront purchase and installation cost✘ Below-average long-term reliability perception
✔ Broad range of capacities available✘ Efficiency and noise performance often lag competitors
✔ Basic smart controls included on many models✘ Midea products are supplied and supported by a local importer with a 4-year trading history

Conclusion: Our Verdict on Midea Air Conditioners

Midea air conditioners clearly serve a role in the Australian market as minimum-compliance, price-driven split systems. They provide acceptable short-term heating and cooling performance, but consistently fall short of Solar Choice’s expectations for long-term residential ownership.

For homeowners prioritising the lowest possible upfront cost, Midea may be a pragmatic option where expectations are modest. However, for owner-occupiers seeking durability, quieter operation, stable efficiency and stronger warranty confidence, Midea’s Australian air conditioning range is generally outperformed by both mid-tier and premium alternatives.

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Jeff Sykes