Midea vs Fairland Pool Heat Pump: Which Should You Buy?
We sell both, we get asked this every week, and the answer depends on one thing most people do not think about: the air temperature when you actually heat the pool.
In the Midea vs Fairland pool heat pump question, buy the Midea M Series 20kW at $3,799 if your pool is covered and you heat it from spring to autumn in a warm climate. Buy the Fairland Aqua X Essential 21.2kW at $5,242 if you want to swim in cooler months, live south of Sydney, or want lower running costs on cold mornings. The Midea wins on price. The Fairland wins on cold air efficiency.
Want your exact size? Our pool heat pump sizing calculator works out the kW your pool needs from its volume, your city and whether you use a cover.
Short on time? See the Midea 20kW, see the Fairland 21.2kW, or browse every pool heat pump.
Midea vs Fairland side by side
The Midea M Series 20kW and the Fairland Aqua X Essential 21.2kW are the closest like for like pair, both around 21 kW, single phase and Wi-Fi controlled, and the table compares them on the published specs.
| Spec | Midea M Series 20kW | Fairland Aqua X Essential 21.2kW |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3,799 | $5,242 |
| Heating output (warm air) | 21.8 kW at COP 5.2 | 21.2 kW at 26°C air, COP 14.8 to 6.3 |
| Heating output (cooler air) | 17.0 kW at COP 3.6 (lower ambient) | 14.6 kW at 15°C air, COP 7.6 to 4.5 |
| Seasonal COP | Not published | 7.3 |
| Sound at 1 metre | 54 dB(A), 40 dB(A) in silence mode | 45.1 to 57.0 dB(A) |
| Electrical | 220 to 240V, 23A max, 25A circuit | 230V single phase, hardwired |
| Water connection | 50mm | 48mm |
| Refrigerant | R32 | R32 |
| Heating and cooling | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 yr compressor and heat exchanger (residential) | 5 yr heat exchanger, compressor and parts |
| Rated pool size | Up to 70,000L depending on climate | Climate dependent, see sizing below |
Prices current as of October 2026, AUD including GST. Figures from each manufacturer's spec sheet on the product page. Midea quotes its cooler air figure as a lower ambient rating without stating the air temperature, so it is close to, but not exactly, a like for like comparison with Fairland's 15°C figure.
Which is cheaper to buy: Midea or Fairland
The Midea is cheaper to buy, at $3,799 against $5,242 for the Fairland Aqua X Essential 21.2kW, a gap of $1,443.
That gap is real money, and it is why the Midea 20kW is our top selling pool heat pump in the country. For a lot of pools it is all the heat pump they will ever need. More on that unit specifically in our 20kW pool heat pump guide.
Which is cheaper to run: Midea or Fairland
The Fairland is cheaper to run in cool air, because its published COP at 15°C air is 4.5 to 7.6 against the Midea's 3.6 at its lower ambient rating.
Here is what that means in dollars. Say a cool spring day needs 100 kWh of heat to keep the pool up to temperature. At a COP of 3.6 the Midea uses about 28 kWh of electricity. At a COP of 4.5 to 7.6 the Fairland uses about 13 to 22 kWh. At 35 cents a kWh that is about $9.70 a day for the Midea against roughly $4.60 to $7.80 for the Fairland.
| Cool day, 100 kWh of heat | Electricity used | Cost at 35c/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Midea 20kW (COP 3.6) | About 28 kWh | About $9.70 |
| Fairland 21.2kW (COP 4.5 to 7.6) | About 13 to 22 kWh | About $4.60 to $7.80 |
Illustration only, using published COPs. Real costs depend on your tariff, weather, pool cover and target temperature.
In warm air the gap closes, because both units are efficient when it is 25°C outside. So the more of your heating that happens in cool weather, the faster the Fairland earns back its extra $1,443. In Brisbane, with a cover, it may never. In Melbourne, heating from September, it can within a few seasons. Our pool heat pump running costs guide has the full method.
Which is quieter: Midea or Fairland
The quieter unit depends on the mode: the Midea drops to 40 dB(A) at 1 metre in silence mode at about 60% capacity, while the Fairland runs from 45.1 dB(A) at low load up to 57.0 dB(A) at full output.
At normal output the Midea is rated at 54 dB(A). In practice, both sit comfortably in a typical backyard. If the unit has to go under a bedroom window or right on a boundary, look at the quietest Fairland instead, the Fairland AquaX 21.5kW AX20-75C ($7,166), rated at 36.6 dB(A) on low speed at 1 metre. Our quietest pool heat pumps list covers the rest.
Which has the better warranty: Midea or Fairland
The Fairland Aqua X Essential has the slightly broader warranty, covering heat exchanger, compressor and parts for 5 years, while the Midea covers the compressor and heat exchanger for 5 years on residential installs and 2 years commercial.
If warranty is the deciding factor, the Fairland Aqua X20 range steps up to 15 years on the heat exchanger and compressor and 7 years on parts, but it costs more again.
Which size Midea or Fairland do I need
A 20 to 21 kW pool heat pump from either brand suits most covered pools up to about 40,000 to 50,000 litres in a mild climate, and smaller pools in cold climates.
The Midea only comes in one size, 20kW. The Fairland Aqua X Essential range runs from the 7.5kW ($2,645) up to the 34.5kW ($8,246), so it fits plunge pools and large uncovered pools the Midea cannot. Midea is the simple choice if 20 kW is right for you. Fairland is the choice when it is not. The pool heat pump size chart gives the kW by pool volume and city.
Our verdict: Midea or Fairland
Buy the Midea M Series 20kW if you want the most heat pump for the least money, your pool is covered, and you heat from spring to autumn in Queensland, northern NSW, Perth or Sydney.
Buy the Fairland Aqua X Essential if you heat in cooler weather, live in Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra or Tasmania, want a published seasonal COP to plan running costs around, or need a size other than 20 kW. Buy the Fairland Aqua X20 if you want the quietest unit and the longest warranty and are happy to pay for it.
Want to see how Midea stacks up against Guardian and SensaHeat too? Read our Guardian vs Midea vs SensaHeat comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is Midea or Fairland better for a pool heat pump in Australia?
Midea is better value at $3,799 for a 20kW unit, and Fairland is better in cool air, with the Aqua X Essential 21.2kW rated at a COP of 4.5 to 7.6 at 15°C air against the Midea's 3.6 at its lower ambient rating. Pick Midea for a covered pool in a warm climate and Fairland for cooler climates or longer swim seasons (prices as of October 2026).
Is the Midea pool heat pump any good?
The Midea M Series 20kW is a good pool heat pump for the price, delivering 21.8 kW at a COP of 5.2 with Wi-Fi, heating and cooling, R32 refrigerant, a 40 dB(A) silence mode and a 5 year residential warranty for $3,799. Its weaker point is efficiency in cool air.
Are Fairland pool heat pumps any good?
Fairland pool heat pumps are well regarded full inverter units, with the Aqua X Essential range offering seasonal COPs around 7.3 to 7.8 and a 5 year warranty, and the Aqua X20 range offering 15 year compressor and heat exchanger warranties. The range runs from 7.5 kW to 34.5 kW.
How much more does a Fairland cost than a Midea?
A Fairland Aqua X Essential 21.2kW costs $5,242, which is $1,443 more than the Midea M Series 20kW at $3,799, as of October 2026. The Fairland can recover part or all of that difference through lower running costs if most of your heating happens in cool weather.
Do Midea and Fairland heat pumps need a dedicated circuit?
Yes, both the Midea M Series 20kW and the Fairland Aqua X Essential 21.2kW should be hardwired on a dedicated circuit by a licensed electrician. The Midea draws up to 23A and needs a 25A minimum circuit breaker.
Still deciding? Tell us about your pool
Send us your pool volume, suburb, whether you use a cover and which months you want to swim. We will tell you straight whether the Midea will do the job or the Fairland is worth the extra.
Or see the full Midea 20kW pool heat pump page, or contact us with any question.
This guide is general information for Australian pool owners and is not a substitute for advice on your specific pool and site. Sizing and running cost figures are rules of thumb and illustrations. Pool heat pumps are electrical appliances and must be installed by a licensed electrician on a suitably rated circuit. Confirm final sizing with us before you buy.