TCL Air Conditioner Review | Independent Guide

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. 

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’s split-system air conditioners are designed to cover a wide range of home sizes, from small bedrooms through to large living areas. The range focuses on straightforward cooling and heating performance at accessible price points, making it suitable for everyday household use.

TCL models use inverter technology, which helps the system run smoothly and use less power, and R32 refrigerant, a newer cooling gas that is more energy-efficient and better for the environment.

Models include practical smart home features such as:

• Wi-Fi control

• App-based scheduling

• Self-cleaning functions

BreezeIN Eco

The TCL BreezeIN Eco is a 2.8 kW reverse-cycle split-system air conditioner designed for bedrooms and small living spaces, offering efficient cooling and heating with inverter technology and basic smart control

Model	Capacity (Cool / Heat)	Efficiency Star Rating (Average climate)	Indoor Noise	How It Compares
TAC-09CHSD/VEIH	2.8 kW / 2.6 kW	5.0 Stars Cool / 3.5 Stars Heat	32–48 dB	Well suited to bedrooms, offering strong efficiency and relatively quiet operation

BreezeIN Series

The TCL BreezeIN series is a reverse-cycle split-system range designed for everyday home cooling and heating, with inverter technology and practical smart features across multiple room sizes.

Model	Capacity (Cool / Heat)	Efficiency Star Rating (Average climate)	Indoor Noise (High)	How It Compares
TAC-12CHSD/TPH11IT	3.5 kW / 4.5 kW	4.5 Stars Cool / 2.5 Stars Heat	48 dB	Appropriate for medium rooms with balanced performance
TAC-18CHSD/TPH11IT	5.2 kW / 5.2 kW	3.5 Stars Cool / 2.5 Stars Heat	50 dB	Suited to small living areas; typical efficiency for this size
TAC-24CHSD/TPH11IT	7.2 kW / 7.2 kW	3.5 Stars Cool / 2.5 Stars Heat	54 dB	Designed for larger spaces with expected trade-offs in noise and energy use
TAC-28CHSD/TPH11IT	8.2 kW / 8.5 kW	3.5 Stars Cool / 2.5 Stars Heat	52 dB	Intended 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 : $1,099

BreezeIN Series

• 3.5 kW: $999

• 5.2 kW: $1,299

• 7.2 kW: $1,599

• 8.2 kW: $2,199

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.

Warranty for TCL Air Conditioners (Australia)

Product Warranty

TCL split-system air conditioners include a standard 5-year warranty, with an optional 2-year extension available through online registration, providing up to 7 years total coverage when eligibility requirements are met.

What’s Covered

The warranty applies to manufacturing faults in materials or workmanship under normal residential use. Repairs or replacements are carried out by authorised service technicians.

Claims and Exclusions

Coverage excludes damage from incorrect installation, misuse, lack of maintenance, corrosion, power issues, pests, cosmetic damage, or non-residential use. Portable units and non-authorised purchases are excluded from the extended warranty.

Owner Responsibilities

Systems must be installed by a licensed technician, registered correctly for extended coverage, and maintained in line with TCL’s guidelines. Proof of purchase is required for warranty claims.

Summary

TCL split-system air conditioners come with a 5-year standard warranty, with the option to extend coverage to 7 years through online registration. Warranty support applies to manufacturing faults when the system is installed correctly, registered as required, and maintained according to TCL’s guidelines.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Built-in Wi-Fi and app control across most models	Efficiency declines in larger-capacity units
Competitive pricing for bedrooms and small rooms	Less advanced airflow control than specialist brands
Quiet performance in lower-capacity models	Limited 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.