Carrier, Trane, and Lennox consistently lead the gas furnace market in 2026, offering the highest efficiency ratings (up to 98.5% AFUE), the longest warranties, and the most advanced comfort features — but they also cost 30–50% more than value brands like Goodman and Rheem. The best brand for you depends on whether you prioritize premium comfort technology, rock-bottom installed price, or the longest warranty coverage.
We compared 10 major gas furnace brands across efficiency, reliability, warranty, installed cost, and feature set. Below is the complete breakdown with real pricing data, model-by-model comparisons, and our recommendations for different budgets and climates.
2026 Gas Furnace Brand Rankings at a Glance
Understanding brand families: Many "different" brands are actually made by the same parent company on identical or near-identical platforms. Carrier and Bryant share components. Trane and American Standard are nearly identical units with different nameplates. Goodman and Amana are both Daikin products. Lennox owns Heil and Tempstar through Allied Air. The main differences are often the dealer network, warranty terms, and pricing tiers.
Detailed Brand Reviews
1. Carrier — Best Overall Technology
Carrier invented the modern air conditioning system in 1902 and remains an industry leader. Their furnace lineup spans entry-level to ultra-premium, with the Infinity series representing the top tier.
Top Model: Carrier Infinity 59MN7
- AFUE: 98.5% (highest available tied with Lennox)
- Type: Modulating gas valve, variable-speed ECM blower
- Sound: As low as 40 dB (whisper-quiet)
- Smart connectivity: Infinity System control with Wi-Fi, zoning compatible
- Warranty: Lifetime limited heat exchanger, 10-year parts (when registered)
Budget Model: Carrier Comfort 59SC2
- AFUE: 80%
- Type: Single-stage, multi-speed blower
- Warranty: 20-year heat exchanger, 5-year parts
Pros: Industry-leading modulating technology, excellent smart home integration, strong dealer network. Cons: Premium pricing, some parts are proprietary, Infinity system controls add cost.
2. Trane — Best Reliability and Durability
Trane has built its reputation on ruggedness. Their furnaces are tested under extreme conditions, and the brand consistently ranks at or near the top in contractor reliability surveys. Trane's manufacturing is primarily U.S.-based.
Top Model: Trane XV95/S9V2
- AFUE: 97.3%
- Type: Modulating (variable-speed fan and burner)
- Sound: Extremely quiet operation with insulated cabinet
- Smart connectivity: ComfortLink II communicating system
- Warranty: Lifetime limited heat exchanger, 10-year functional parts (registered)
Pros: Exceptional build quality, excellent contractor reputation, strong resale value impact. Cons: Highest prices in the industry, limited dealer network (Trane Comfort Specialists), fewer model options than Carrier.
3. Lennox — Best Efficiency and Quietest Operation
Lennox pushes the boundaries of efficiency and noise reduction. Their SLP98V is one of only two residential furnaces to achieve 98.5% AFUE, and their sound-insulated cabinets are among the quietest in the industry.
Top Model: Lennox SLP98V
- AFUE: 98.5%
- Type: Modulating, variable-speed
- Sound: As low as 43.5 dB with SilentComfort technology
- Smart connectivity: iComfort S30 thermostat integration
- Warranty: Lifetime limited heat exchanger, 10-year parts (registered)
Pros: Tied for highest efficiency, extremely quiet, excellent smart thermostat ecosystem. Cons: Highest prices overall, dealer-exclusive distribution can limit service options, some proprietary parts.
4. Bryant — Premium Features at a Slightly Lower Price
Bryant is Carrier's sister brand, sharing the same parent company and many of the same components. The key difference: Bryant is typically 10–15% less expensive than equivalent Carrier models because of the dealer network positioning.
Top Model: Bryant Evolution 987M
- AFUE: 98.5%
- Type: Modulating, variable-speed
- Warranty: Lifetime limited heat exchanger, 10-year parts (registered)
Bryant is an excellent choice if you want Carrier-level technology without the Carrier price tag. The main trade-off is a somewhat smaller dealer network in some areas.
5. Rheem/Ruud — Best Mid-Range Value
Rheem (and its sister brand Ruud, which is identical hardware with different branding) offers strong performance at prices 15–25% below premium brands. Their Prestige series is competitive with mid-range Carrier and Trane models.
Top Model: Rheem Prestige R98MV
- AFUE: 97%
- Type: Modulating, variable-speed ECM
- Warranty: Lifetime limited heat exchanger, 10-year parts (registered)
Pros: Strong value proposition, widely available, good contractor reputation. Cons: Not quite at the technology level of Carrier/Trane/Lennox top-tier models, customer service ratings are mixed.
6. Goodman/Amana — Best Budget Option
Goodman (and its premium sibling Amana) are manufactured by Daikin, the world's largest HVAC company. Goodman is consistently the lowest-priced brand for equivalent specs, and Amana stands out with the best warranty in the industry: a lifetime unit replacement warranty on the heat exchanger and compressor.
Top Model: Goodman GMVM97
- AFUE: 98%
- Type: Modulating, variable-speed
- Installed cost: $4,500–$6,000 (significantly less than equivalent Carrier/Trane)
Amana AMVM97 (Amana version):
- Same specs, plus lifetime unit replacement warranty (not just repair — complete replacement)
Pros: Lowest prices, Amana's unbeatable lifetime warranty, strong Daikin backing, widely available. Cons: Perceived lower quality (though reliability has improved significantly), build quality/cabinet feel not as premium, some contractors report more warranty claims.
7–10. Other Notable Brands
York/Luxaire (Johnson Controls): Solid mid-range options with up to 98% AFUE. The YP9C modulating furnace competes well with Rheem's Prestige line. Prices typically fall between Goodman and Carrier. York is particularly strong in the Northeast.
American Standard (Trane Technologies): Essentially Trane furnaces with a different nameplate and a broader dealer network. If you can't find a Trane dealer nearby, American Standard is the closest equivalent. The Platinum S9V2 matches the Trane XV95 spec-for-spec.
Heil/Tempstar (Allied Air/Lennox): These budget-to-mid-range brands share some Lennox DNA and offer competitive pricing. The ion 98 modulating furnace is a strong performer at a lower price point than the Lennox SLP98V.
Daikin: Increasingly selling under its own brand name (rather than through Goodman/Amana), Daikin offers strong products backed by the world's largest HVAC manufacturer. Watch for this brand to grow significantly in the U.S. market over the next few years.
How We Ranked the Brands
Our rankings weigh five factors:
Best Furnace by Budget
Best Furnace by Climate
Real-World Brand Comparison Examples
Example 1: Side-by-Side Quotes in Columbus, OH A homeowner replacing a 20-year-old furnace in a 1,800 sq ft home got three quotes for 96% AFUE two-stage units:
- Carrier Performance 59TP6: $5,800 installed
- Trane XR95 (S9X2): $6,200 installed
- Goodman GMVC96: $4,400 installed
The Goodman was $1,400 less than the Carrier and $1,800 less than the Trane. All three include lifetime heat exchanger warranties and 10-year parts warranties. The homeowner chose the Carrier for the variable-speed blower and dealer reputation, but acknowledged the Goodman was a strong value.
Example 2: Premium Modulating Showdown in Minneapolis, MN A homeowner in a 2,600 sq ft home with $1,800/year gas bills wanted the best possible efficiency. Quotes for top-tier modulating units:
- Carrier Infinity 59MN7 (98.5%): $8,200 installed
- Lennox SLP98V (98.5%): $9,100 installed
- Goodman GMVM97 (98%): $5,800 installed
The Goodman modulating unit offered 98% AFUE — just 0.5% below the Carrier and Lennox — for $2,400–$3,300 less. On a $1,800 annual gas bill, the 0.5% efficiency difference saves only about $9/year. The homeowner chose the Goodman and invested the savings in a smart thermostat and duct sealing.
Example 3: Warranty-Focused Decision in Detroit, MI A homeowner who planned to stay in their home for 25+ years prioritized warranty. They compared:
- Amana AMVM97: Lifetime unit replacement warranty + $5,500 installed
- Trane XV95 (S9V2): Lifetime heat exchanger, 10-year parts + $8,500 installed
The Amana lifetime unit replacement warranty means if the heat exchanger fails at year 18, Amana replaces the entire furnace, not just the exchanger. The homeowner chose Amana, pocketing $3,000 in savings with arguably better warranty coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Best overall technology: Carrier Infinity and Lennox SLP98V (both 98.5% AFUE modulating) — but expect to pay $7,000–$10,000+ installed.
- Best reliability: Trane — consistently tops contractor reliability surveys, but carries the highest prices.
- Best value: Goodman GMVC96 (96% AFUE, two-stage) — delivers 90% of the performance at 60% of the premium brand price.
- Best warranty: Amana AMVM97 — the only lifetime unit replacement warranty in the industry.
- Don't overpay for the brand name. In the 96% AFUE two-stage category, a Goodman performs virtually identically to a Carrier at $1,500–$2,000 less. The premium brands justify their cost primarily at the top-tier modulating level.
- The installer matters as much as the brand. A top-brand furnace poorly installed will underperform a budget brand properly installed. Always get at least 3 quotes and check contractor reviews, licenses, and references.
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