TCL Air Conditioner Review | Independent Guide

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TCL Air Conditioner Review

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Solar Choice is not affiliated with TCL or any other manufacturer and provides independent, unbiased guidance for Australian consumers.

At a Glance: TCL Air Conditioners

TCL scores 3.4 out of 5 on the Solar Choice Air Conditioner Brand Scorecard. As a long-established global electronics manufacturer, TCL has maintained a presence in Australia’s consumer appliance market for over 20 years, including residential air conditioning. While the brand is not a specialist HVAC manufacturer, it offers a range of inverter split systems widely sold through major retailers.

Brand Reputation & Reliability – 3 / 5 TCL has operated in Australia for over 20 years as a global electronics brand. While it is well established locally, its air-conditioning division does not yet have the same long-term HVAC track record as specialist manufacturers

Australian Presence & Support Infrastructure – 4 / 5 TCL products are widely available through national retailers, with parts and service accessible through its Australian distribution and support channels.

Warranty Strength & Transparency – 3.5 / 5 TCL offers a 5-year parts and labour warranty, with optional extended warranty coverage depending on retailer. Conditions are clearly documented.

Innovation & Technology – 3.5 / 5 Built‑in Wi‑Fi, voice assistant compatibility, 3D airflow, fresh‑drying modes, and air‑filtration features are available across the range. Features remain consumer‑grade rather than premium HVAC technology.

Customer Satisfaction & Review Consistency – 2.5 / 5 Publicly available customer reviews specific to the TCL BreezeIN series are limited. Most feedback appears on retailer listings and provides only short-term impressions, with few detailed or long-term performance reports available

Overall

TCL’s split‑system air conditioners offer a combination of affordability and modern smart features. They provide suitable performance for typical household use but sit below dedicated HVAC brands in long-term durability, advanced climate‑control capability and product reliability reviews. 

Table of contents

Company Background

TCL is a global electronics manufacturer with operations in Australia for more than 20 years, best known locally for televisions and home appliances. The company later expanded into residential air conditioning, offering inverter-based split systems aimed at everyday household use rather than specialist HVAC applications.

In Australia, TCL air conditioners are distributed mainly through major retail chains and supported via authorised service partners. While TCL’s air-conditioning range does not have the same long history as its consumer electronics division, its split systems are positioned as affordable, feature-rich options within the entry- to mid-market category, particularly for bedrooms and small living areas.

Air Conditioner Range, Efficiency & Performance

TCL currently sells two main inverter split‑system series in Australia:

  1. BreezeIN Eco Series (VEIH) – Wi‑Fi enabled mid‑range models with eco‑focused performance.
  2. BreezeIN Series (TAC‑xxCHSD/TPH11IT) – Broad‑capacity range with built‑in Wi‑Fi, voice‑assistant compatibility, and standard inverter comfort features.

Both ranges use R32 refrigerant, a more efficient and environment-friendly cooling gas and offer cooling and heating operation.

BreezeIN Eco Series (VEIH)

Key features

  • Built-in Wi-Fi app control
  • Eco, Sleep and Turbo modes
  • 3D airflow with multi-stage filtration (horizontal and vertical airflow)

Model comparison

ModelCapacity (Cool / Heat)Star Rating (Cool / Heat)Indoor NoiseHow It Compares
TAC-09CHSD/VEIH2.8 kW / 2.6 kW6.0★ / 4.0★32–48 dBWell suited to bedrooms, offering strong efficiency and relatively quiet operation

BreezeIN Series (TPH11IT)

Key features

  • Wi-Fi control with Google Assistant / Alexa
  • “I Feel” remote temperature sensing (uses the temperature near the remote to control the air conditioner)
  • 3D airflow and standard inverter comfort modes

Model comparison

ModelCapacity (Cool / Heat)Star Rating (Cool / Heat)Indoor NoiseHow It Compares
TAC-09CHSD/TPH11IT2.6 kW / 4.0 kW9.5★ / 3.5★48 dBSuitable for small bedrooms with strong cooling efficiency
TAC-12CHSD/TPH11IT3.5 kW / 4.5 kW5.5★ / 3.0★48 dBAppropriate for medium rooms with balanced performance
TAC-18CHSD/TPH11IT5.2 kW / 5.2 kW4.0★ / 3.0★50 dBSuited to small living areas; typical efficiency for this size
TAC-24CHSD/TPH11IT7.2 kW / 7.2 kW3.5★ / 3.0★54 dBDesigned for larger spaces with expected trade-offs in noise and energy use
TAC-28CHSD/TPH11IT8.2 kW / 8.5 kW3.5★ / 3.5★52 dBIntended for very large rooms; higher output aligns with higher running costs

How Much Do TCL Air Conditioners Cost?

Below are the current RRP prices listed on TCL Australia’s website for the BreezeIN and BreezeIN Eco split‑system models. These prices do not include installation costs, which typically add $600–$1,200 depending on home layout and installation complexity.

BreezeIN Eco Series

  • 2.8 kW (TAC-09CHSD/VEIH): $1,099

BreezeIN Series

  • 2.6 kW: $799
  • 3.5 kW: $999
  • 5.2 kW: $1,299
  • 7.2 kW: $1,599
  • 8.2 kW: $2,199

Estimated installed pricing

CapacityEstimated Installed Cost
2.6 – 3.5 kW$1,900–$2,900
5.2 kW$2,800–$3,900
7.2 kW$3,500–$4,800
8.2 kW$3,800–$5,200

Overall value depends on whether buyers prioritise upfront affordability and smart features over long-term performance refinement. This excludes rebates you may be eligible for through state schemes like the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, VIC Energy Upgrade Discount and the SA RePS Scheme.

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Warranty for TCL Air Conditioners (Australia)

TCL provides a 5-year parts and labour warranty on residential split-system air conditioners when installed by a licensed technician. This level of coverage is standard for budget-to-mid-range brands in Australia.

Coverage includes

  • Compressor
  • Indoor and outdoor unit components
  • Electrical parts, including PCBs and sensors
  • Labour for authorised warranty repairs

Key conditions

  • Installation by a licensed installer
  • Installation in line with TCL guidelines
  • Residential use only
  • Proof of purchase required
  • Routine maintenance carried out

Warranty summary
TCL’s warranty is clear and competitive for its category, offering reliable baseline protection without the extended guarantees seen in premium HVAC brands.

Pros & Cons

ProsCons
Built-in Wi-Fi and app control across most modelsEfficiency declines in larger-capacity units
Competitive pricing for bedrooms and small roomsLess advanced airflow control than specialist brands
Quiet performance in lower-capacity modelsLimited long-term reliability data

Final Verdict

TCL split-system air conditioners offer a combination of built-in smart features and standard inverter performance for residential heating and cooling. The BreezeIN Eco range tends to show stronger efficiency in smaller capacities, while the BreezeIN TPH11IT series covers a wider range of room sizes with commonly expected comfort functions.

However, feature depth, airflow control, and noise performance are generally more basic than those found in specialist HVAC brands, particularly in larger models. Long-term durability and consistency are also harder to assess due to limited model-specific review data. Overall, TCL systems are best considered where straightforward operation and smart connectivity are priorities, rather than advanced airflow design, premium noise control, or extended performance refinement.

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Ciaran Ryan
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