Panasonic Etherea vs TZ Super-Compact Which Air Conditioning Unit Is Right for You?
Choosing an air conditioning unit isn't just about cooling power. It's about fit, noise, and how the system suits your home. The Panasonic Etherea and the TZ Super-Compact are two of the wall-mounted units we're asked to compare most, so here's a straight look at how they differ, using Panasonic's own figures for the current ranges, and which one makes sense for your room.
Choose the Etherea if you want the quietest running, the strongest nanoe X air purification and the best efficiency ratings. Choose the TZ Super-Compact if wall space is tight or you want a capable, simpler unit for a bedroom, office or spare room. The Etherea runs as low as 19 dB(A) in its smaller sizes, uses nanoe X Generator Mark 3, heats down to -20°C outside and is rated up to A+++. The TZ is just 765mm wide in sizes up to 5.0kW, runs as low as 20 dB(A), uses nanoe X Generator Mark 2 and heats down to -15°C. Both have Wi-Fi built in and both run on R32.
Etherea vs TZ Super-Compact at a Glance
These figures come from Panasonic's UK datasheets for the current Etherea (CKE) and TZ Super-Compact (CKE) single split kits. Noise is the indoor unit at its quietest setting in cooling.
| Feature | Panasonic Etherea | Panasonic TZ Super-Compact |
|---|---|---|
| Sizes | 2.0, 2.5, 3.5, 4.2, 5.0 and 7.1kW | 2.0, 2.5, 3.5, 4.2, 5.0, 6.0 and 7.1kW |
| Indoor unit width | 870mm (2.0kW to 4.2kW), 1,040mm (5.0kW and 7.1kW) | 765mm on current models (779mm on earlier TZ units) from 2.0kW to 5.0kW, 1,060mm for 6.0kW and 7.1kW |
| Indoor unit (H x W x D) | 295 x 870 x 229mm in the smaller sizes | 290 x 765 x 214mm in the smaller sizes |
| Quietest indoor noise | 19 dB(A) on 2.0kW, 2.5kW and 3.5kW | 20 dB(A) on 2.0kW, 2.5kW and 3.5kW |
| nanoe X | Generator Mark 3 (48 trillion hydroxyl radicals per second) | Generator Mark 2 (9.6 trillion hydroxyl radicals per second) |
| Airflow | Aerowings 2.0 | Aerowings |
| Wi-Fi | Built in, Comfort Cloud app | Built in, Comfort Cloud app |
| AI ECO mode | Yes, up to 20% additional savings in cooling (Panasonic test, 4.2kW model) | Not listed by Panasonic |
| Heating down to | -20°C outdoor temperature | -15°C outdoor temperature |
| Energy rating (cooling / heating) | Up to A+++ / A+++ (2.5kW and 3.5kW) | A++ / A++ (2.0kW to 3.5kW) |
| Finishes | Matt white, silver or graphite grey | No colour options listed by Panasonic |
| Refrigerant | R32 | R32 |
| Multi-split | Yes, Free Multi indoor units available | Yes, Free Multi indoor units available |
Energy ratings vary by size on both ranges, so check the exact model at survey. Not sure which capacity your room needs? Our guide on what size air conditioner you need walks through it.
Panasonic Etherea: The Premium Choice
The Etherea sits above the TZ in Panasonic's home wall-mounted range, and it carries more of Panasonic's latest technology. Every current Etherea has the nanoe X Generator Mark 3 built in. Panasonic states it produces 48 trillion hydroxyl radicals per second, the highest output of any nanoe X generation, and five times the Mark 2 fitted to the TZ. According to Panasonic, these help inhibit certain bacteria, viruses, mould and odours, and the generator can run with heating and cooling switched off.
It also has AI ECO mode. Panasonic states up to 20% additional energy savings in cooling compared with standard operation, based on its own testing of a 4.2kW model. In the 2.0kW, 2.5kW and 3.5kW sizes the indoor unit runs as low as 19 dB(A) on its quietest setting, and every size is rated to keep heating down to -20°C outside.
For a full breakdown of the range, size by size, read our Panasonic Etherea review.
- nanoe X Generator Mark 3. Panasonic's highest-output generation, at 48 trillion hydroxyl radicals per second.
- AI ECO mode. Up to 20% additional energy savings in cooling, based on Panasonic's test of a 4.2kW model.
- As quiet as 19 dB(A). On the 2.0kW, 2.5kW and 3.5kW sizes, at the lowest fan setting.
- Heating down to -20°C. Panasonic's stated outdoor operating limit for heating.
- Up to A+++. The 2.5kW and 3.5kW sizes are rated A+++ for both cooling and heating.
- Three finishes. Matt white, silver or graphite grey.
Panasonic TZ Super-Compact: Built for Tight Spaces
The TZ Super-Compact is built for rooms where wall space is limited. In sizes from 2.0kW to 5.0kW the indoor unit is just 765mm wide and 214mm deep, which Panasonic highlights as suiting tight spots such as above a door. That's around 10cm narrower than the smaller Etherea units, and at 5.0kW the gap is much bigger, because the 5.0kW Etherea is 1,040mm wide while the 5.0kW TZ is still 765mm.
It isn't a stripped-back unit. The TZ has nanoe X Generator Mark 2 built in, Aerowings to direct the airflow, Wi-Fi built in for the Comfort Cloud app, and compatibility with Google Home and Alexa. The 2.0kW to 3.5kW sizes run as low as 20 dB(A) on the quietest setting, are rated A++ for both cooling and heating, and the whole range keeps heating down to -15°C outside.
- 765mm wide. From 2.0kW up to 5.0kW. The 6.0kW and 7.1kW units are 1,060mm wide.
- nanoe X Generator Mark 2. Runs with heating and cooling off, with no filters or cartridges to replace.
- As quiet as 20 dB(A). On the 2.0kW, 2.5kW and 3.5kW sizes, at the lowest fan setting.
- Built-in Wi-Fi. Control from your phone through the Comfort Cloud app, with no adaptor to fit.
- Heating down to -15°C. Panasonic's stated outdoor operating limit for heating.
- Seven sizes. Including a 6.0kW size that the Etherea range doesn't offer.
View Panasonic TZ Super-Compact
Noise Compared, Size by Size
Both units are quiet in the smaller sizes, and both get louder as capacity goes up. This is the indoor unit at its quietest setting in cooling, from Panasonic's datasheets:
| Size | Etherea (Quietest) | TZ Super-Compact (Quietest) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0kW | 19 dB(A) | 20 dB(A) |
| 2.5kW | 19 dB(A) | 20 dB(A) |
| 3.5kW | 19 dB(A) | 20 dB(A) |
| 4.2kW | 25 dB(A) | 25 dB(A) |
| 5.0kW | 30 dB(A) | 33 dB(A) |
| 6.0kW | Not available | 34 dB(A) |
| 7.1kW | 30 dB(A) | 35 dB(A) |
In a bedroom, the 1 dB(A) difference at the small sizes is hard to notice. The bigger gap is at 5.0kW and 7.1kW, where the Etherea is the quieter unit. Either way, a correctly sized unit spends most of its time at low fan speed once the room is at temperature, which matters more than the headline figure.
Etherea or TZ: Which One Is Right for You?
Choose the Etherea If
- You want the quietest possible unit for a main bedroom or nursery
- Air quality matters to you, with pets, odours or allergies in the house
- You plan to heat with it through the winter and want the -20°C rating
- You want the highest efficiency ratings and AI ECO mode
- A silver or graphite finish would suit the room better than white
- You need a quiet 5.0kW or 7.1kW unit for a larger living space
Choose the TZ Super-Compact If
- The only good spot is a narrow strip of wall or above a door
- It's for a home office, spare room or smaller bedroom
- You want built-in Wi-Fi and nanoe X without paying for every extra
- You need a 5.0kW unit but only have a narrow stretch of wall
- A 6.0kW size fits your room better than 5.0kW or 7.1kW
- Cooling is the main job and winter heating is a bonus
If you're doing several rooms, you don't have to pick one range for the whole house. Both are available as Free Multi indoor units, so an Etherea in the main bedroom and a TZ in the office can run from the same outdoor unit. See single split vs multi split for how that works.
Installer Notes: Placement and Outdoor Units
Spec sheets only tell half the story. These are the things we check at survey that decide which unit actually works in your room.
- Wall width. Measure the clear wall, not just the gap. The smaller Etherea needs 870mm plus clearance at each side, the TZ 765mm. Panasonic also notes 70mm should be added for the piping port.
- Above doors. The TZ's narrow body makes it the easier fit above a door or in an alcove. We still need room above the unit for air intake and enough height for the airflow to clear the room.
- Larger sizes. At 6.0kW and 7.1kW the TZ is 1,060mm wide, so the space advantage only applies up to 5.0kW.
- Outdoor unit position. Both systems need an outdoor unit with clear airflow and a sensible pipe run. Where it sits in relation to bedroom windows, yours and your neighbour's, is part of a good survey.
- Wi-Fi signal. Both units have Wi-Fi built in, so check signal strength at the indoor unit in loft rooms and garden offices before installation day.
- Condensate and pipework. The route for drainage and pipework often decides the wall, and the wall decides the unit.
Our Verdict
The Etherea is the stronger unit on paper. It's quieter, has the more powerful nanoe X generator, carries higher efficiency ratings in most sizes, heats to a lower outdoor temperature and comes in three finishes. For a main bedroom or a living room you'll heat all winter, it's the one we usually recommend.
The TZ Super-Compact earns its place where space is the limit. It keeps the features most people use every day, including built-in Wi-Fi, nanoe X and quiet running, in a much narrower body. For a home office, a smaller bedroom or an awkward spot above a door, it's often the better fit. Every job starts with a free, no-obligation survey, so our F-Gas certified engineers can assess the space and recommend the right model rather than guessing from a spec sheet.
Both ranges are part of Panasonic's current UK domestic lineup. You can see the full official range, including technical datasheets, on Panasonic's air conditioning site.
Common Questions
What is the difference between the Panasonic Etherea and the TZ Super-Compact?
The Etherea is Panasonic's premium wall unit, with nanoe X Generator Mark 3, AI ECO mode, heating down to -20°C, ratings up to A+++ and three finishes. The TZ Super-Compact is narrower, at 765mm wide up to 5.0kW, with nanoe X Generator Mark 2 and heating down to -15°C. Both have built-in Wi-Fi and run on R32.
Is the Etherea quieter than the TZ Super-Compact?
Slightly. In the 2.0kW, 2.5kW and 3.5kW sizes Panasonic lists the Etherea at 19 dB(A) and the TZ at 20 dB(A) on the quietest setting. At 5.0kW and 7.1kW the Etherea is the quieter unit by a wider margin.
How wide is the Panasonic TZ Super-Compact?
The indoor unit is 765mm wide, 290mm high and 214mm deep in the 2.0kW to 5.0kW sizes. The 6.0kW and 7.1kW units are 1,060mm wide.
Do both units have Wi-Fi built in?
Yes. The current Etherea and TZ Super-Compact both have Wi-Fi built in and connect to Panasonic's Comfort Cloud app, so there's no separate adaptor to fit. Panasonic also lists both as compatible with Google Home and Alexa.
Can the Etherea and TZ Super-Compact heat my home?
Yes. Both are heat pumps that cool in summer and heat in winter. Panasonic rates the Etherea to keep heating down to -20°C outside and the TZ down to -15°C. There's more in our guide to heating your home with air conditioning.
Can I mix Etherea and TZ units in one house?
Yes. Both ranges are available as Free Multi indoor units, so one Panasonic outdoor unit can run an Etherea in one room and a TZ in another, each with its own controller and temperature setting.
Get a Free Survey
We're a Panasonic Pro Partner, and our F-Gas certified engineers install both Panasonic Etherea and TZ Super-Compact systems across Dartford, Kent, Essex, Sussex and London. We'll look at the room, tell you honestly which unit suits it, and size it properly. Call us on 01322 474 990 or read about our air conditioning installation process.
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