Samsung vs Daikin: Which Heat Pump Is Better?
Samsung’s EHS Mono R290 and Daikin’s Altherma 4 H are both R290 heat pumps that can run radiators at up to 75°C. Daikin leads on published efficiency and noise; Samsung’s case rests on its integrated indoor unit, SmartThings and a larger 16kW size.
- Manufacturer datasheets checked 25 October 2026
- Published data, not paid placement
- Independent UK research
Quick verdict
See the specificationsOn published data, Daikin’s Altherma 4 H is ahead: higher SCOP at both 35°C and 55°C, and its 8kW unit is rated 14 dB(A) quieter than Samsung’s 8kW. Samsung can still make sense if an installer you trust fits it, you want SmartThings, or your home needs 16kW.
Choose Samsung EHS Mono R290 if…
- You use SmartThings and want your heating in the same app
- You want the ClimateHub integrated indoor unit
- Your home needs 16kW
- A local installer you trust specialises in Samsung
Choose Daikin Altherma 4 H if…
- You want the higher published efficiency, especially at 55°C
- Noise is a concern: 45 dB(A) sound power at 8kW
- You want a clear warranty of 5 years free through Stand By Me
- You need a small size: Daikin now offers 4, 6 and 7kW
Samsung EHS Mono R290 vs Daikin Altherma 4 H side by side
Both are monobloc-style heat pumps: the R290 refrigerant stays sealed in the outdoor unit and water pipes run into the house.
Samsung
Samsung EHS Mono R290
- 5, 8, 12 and 16kW models
- Up to 75°C flow temperature
- Rated to run down to -25°C
- Pairs with Samsung’s ClimateHub indoor unit (200 or 260-litre cylinder built in)
Best suited to: homes with space for an integrated indoor unit, SmartThings users, and larger homes needing up to 16kW.
Daikin
Daikin Altherma 4 H (R290)
- 8, 10, 12 and 14kW, plus 4, 6 and 7kW versions added in 2026
- 70–75°C leaving water down to -15°C outside
- Runs down to -28°C
- Wall-mounted unit, integrated cylinder or ECH2O tank options
Best suited to: older homes keeping their radiators, tight plots near neighbours, and smaller homes needing under 8kW.
Product photos are for illustration and may not show the exact model compared.
Specifications compared
We compared the closest sizes each brand makes: Samsung’s 8kW (AE080CXYDEK) and Daikin’s 8kW (EPSK08). Samsung’s efficiency and sound power figures are from its Heat Pump Keymark certificate data; Daikin’s are from its EPSK08 technical data. Checked 25 October 2026. We have not tested these heat pumps ourselves.
| Specification | Samsung EHS Mono R290 | Daikin Altherma 4 H |
|---|---|---|
| Model compared | 8kW (AE080CXYDEK) | 8kW (EPSK08) |
| Refrigerant | R290 (propane) | R290 (propane) |
| Range of sizes | 5, 8, 12 and 16kW | 4kW to 14kW |
| SCOP at 35°C (underfloor) | 4.85 (A+++) | 5.14 (A+++) |
| SCOP at 55°C (radiators) | 3.55 (A++) | 3.94 (A+++) |
| Maximum flow temperature | 75°C | 70–75°C (down to -15°C outside) |
| Lowest outdoor temperature | -25°C | -28°C |
| Sound power (heating) | 59 dB(A) | 45 dB(A) |
| App | SmartThings | Onecta |
| Longest manufacturer warranty | Samsung’s UK homeowner warranty terms were not published where we could check them; ask your installer | 5 years free through Stand By Me; up to 7 with a Sustainable Home Expert, last 2 paid; 2 as standard (details) |
Ask installers which of these brands they fit, and get both quoted if you can. A good installer will size the heat pump from a room-by-room heat loss calculation, not from the size of your old boiler.
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Efficiency and winter performance
Daikin’s 8kW Altherma 4 H is rated at a SCOP of 3.94 at 55°C, against 3.55 for Samsung’s 8kW EHS Mono R290. That is roughly an 11% difference in published seasonal efficiency at the temperature most radiator systems need in cold weather.
At 35°C the gap is smaller: 5.14 for Daikin against 4.85 for Samsung. Daikin is rated to run down to -28°C and Samsung to -25°C, so both cover UK winters comfortably.
These are lab ratings for an average European climate, on slightly different sizes. In a real home, good design matters far more: a heat pump running at a low flow temperature with weather compensation will beat a better-rated one that is set up badly. Our guide to heat pumps in winter explains what happens on the coldest days.
Noise
This is the biggest difference: Daikin’s 8kW unit is rated at 45 dB(A) sound power, against 59 dB(A) for Samsung’s 8kW. A 14 dB difference is large, and can decide whether the outdoor unit passes the noise assessment in a tight spot.
Samsung’s datasheet lists a quiet mode that cuts sound pressure from 45 to 35 dB(A), which helps at night. Daikin’s larger 12 and 14kW units are rated at 52 dB(A), so the gap narrows at bigger sizes.
Sound power is measured at the unit itself. What you and your neighbours hear depends on distance, walls, fences and how hard the heat pump is working. Your installer must check the position against the MCS noise assessment for permitted development, so ask to see that calculation.
Hot water and indoor units
Both offer an indoor unit with the cylinder built in. Samsung’s ClimateHub comes with a 200 or 260-litre cylinder. Daikin’s integrated version has a 180 or 230-litre stainless steel cylinder on a 595 × 625mm footprint.
Daikin also offers a wall-mounted unit with a separate cylinder, and ECH2O tanks of 300 or 500 litres that can link to solar thermal panels. Samsung can connect to another manufacturer’s cylinder through its control kit.
Either way you will normally need a hot water cylinder. If you are coming from a combi boiler, our combi to heat pump guide explains how to find the space. Your installer will also set a regular legionella cycle.
Controls and apps
Samsung uses SmartThings; Daikin uses Onecta, with voice control through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
SmartThings suits homes already using it for other devices. Daikin’s indoor unit has a 5-inch colour touchscreen with block-based scheduling. Both apps let you change temperatures and schedules remotely.
We compare the apps in more depth in our best heat pump apps guide.
Warranty and installer network
Daikin gives 2 years as standard, 5 years free through its Stand By Me scheme, and up to 7 years with a Daikin Sustainable Home Expert, with the last 2 years paid.
We could not find Samsung’s UK homeowner warranty terms published online when we checked, so ask any installer quoting Samsung to confirm the length of cover, and who registers it, in writing.
Registration deadlines and servicing conditions apply. Our heat pump warranties guide sets them out brand by brand. In practice, the cover you get depends on the installer, so ask about their accreditation before comparing quotes.
Cost: what changes the price
Neither brand publishes UK installed prices, and the brand is rarely the biggest factor in what you pay. The Energy Saving Trust puts a typical air source heat pump installation at around £12,000 before grants, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme takes £7,500 off for most eligible homes in England and Wales.
What actually moves the quote is the heat pump size your heat loss survey calls for, the cylinder, how many radiators need upgrading, pipework and electrical work. Installers also get different trade prices from different brands, so the same home can be quoted very differently for Samsung and Daikin. The only reliable way to compare is to get quotes for both from MCS-certified installers, using the same heat loss figures. Our air source heat pump cost guide and grants guide cover the detail.
Which suits your home?
Older home keeping radiators
Daikin has the higher published SCOP at 55°C, which matters most for radiator systems.
Terrace or tight plot
Daikin’s 8kW unit is much quieter on paper. Check the noise assessment for your exact spot.
Large home needing 16kW
Samsung offers a 16kW unit; Daikin’s Altherma 4 H range tops out at 14kW.
Read what size heat pump do I need and get a proper heat loss survey. An oversized heat pump costs more and can short-cycle, which hurts efficiency.
Questions to ask installers
- Which of these two brands do you fit, and are you accredited with either one?
- What output does my heat loss calculation call for, and which model size would you fit?
- What is the SCOP at the flow temperature you are designing for, not just at 35°C?
- Where will the outdoor unit go, and does it pass the MCS noise assessment for that spot?
- Which cylinder or indoor unit would you use, and how much floor space does it need?
- How many years of manufacturer warranty will I actually get, and who registers it?
- Will you set up weather compensation and show me how to use the app before you leave?
Frequently asked questions
Is Daikin better than Samsung?
On published data for the sizes we compared, Daikin’s Altherma 4 H is more efficient and much quieter. Samsung offers SmartThings integration, the ClimateHub indoor unit and a 16kW size. Which is better depends on your home and installer.
Which is quieter, Samsung or Daikin?
Daikin’s 8kW Altherma 4 H is rated at 45 dB(A) sound power, against 59 dB(A) for Samsung’s 8kW EHS Mono R290. Samsung’s quiet mode helps at night but can reduce output.
How long is Samsung’s heat pump warranty?
We could not find Samsung’s UK homeowner warranty terms published online. Ask your installer to confirm the cover and registration before you sign.
Do both work with existing radiators?
Yes. Both can reach 70–75°C, though they are more efficient at lower temperatures, so your installer may suggest upgrading a few radiators.
Can I get the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant with either brand?
Yes, as long as an MCS-certified installer fits it and your home meets the scheme rules. The grant does not depend on the brand. See our grants guide for eligibility.
Sources and further reading
All sources checked on 25 October 2026. Specifications can change between model updates, so ask your installer for the datasheet of the exact model they quote.
- Samsung Climate Solutions: EHS Mono R290 8kW product information sheet
- Heat Pump Keymark: Samsung EHS R290 Mono 8kW certificate data (September 2023)
- Daikin: Daikin Altherma 4 H product page
- Daikin: EPSK08-10AW1 technical data
- Daikin: Daikin Altherma 4 EPSKS smaller models (January 2026)
- Daikin UK: Warranty
- Energy Saving Trust: Air source heat pumps
- GOV.UK: Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme