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Best AC Recharge Kit

By David Wardell | Updated: January 18, 2022

In this article, we will tell you how to choose the best AC recharge kit. All cars manufactured today use the same kind of refrigerant, so there won’t be a whole lot of difference in the active ingredient. However, some kits are much better than others. Let’s look at six of the better products to see how they differ from one another.

When the air conditioner in your car begins blowing hot air, it’s probably time to recharge the refrigerant.

This might sound like a daunting task, but it’s usually pretty easy. In most cases, you just have to locate a valve, hook something to the valve, and release the refrigerant.

The only hard part is choosing the right product for the job.

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Below is a list of the best AC recharge kits for cars that are available in DIY and professional options.

CarInMyDNA’s Top 6 Car AC Recharge Kits (DIY & Professional)

  1. Interdynamics A/C Pro (Two 15 oz. cans) – Best DIY AC Recharge Kit
  2. Chemours National Refrigerant R134a – Best R134a A/C Refrigerant Refill Can
  3. Robinair RG3 Twin-Cylinder – Best Portable Refrigerant Recovery Machine
  4. DuPont Suva (12 Cans) – Most Affordable R-134a Automobile Refrigerant/Freon Pack
  5. Kozyvacu KZTA35011 – Best Auto AC Repair Kit
  6. Robinair (34288) CoolTech R-134A – Professional Premium Pick
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Best AC Recharge Kit

InterDynamics AC Pro Car Air Conditioner R134A Refrigerant, AC Recharge Kit Includes Gas, Gauge and Hose, 15 Oz, Pack of 2, ACP-110-2PK
Best DIY AC Recharge Kit
InterDynamics AC Pro Car Air Conditioner R134A Refrigerant, AC Recharge Kit Includes Gas, Gauge and Hose, 15 Oz, Pack of 2, ACP-110-2PK
  • Replaces lost R-134a refrigerant and oil in automotive A/C system
  • Eliminates moisture buildup and acid from A/C system to help extend A/C system life
  • Includes two 15 oz. A/C recharge
  • Contains R-134a gas which is acceptable for use in motor vehicle A/C (MVAC) systems
  • Complies with Section 612 of the EPA Clean Air Act. EPA Compliant in Self Sealing Cans
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Robinair (RG3 Portable Refrigerant Recovery Machine – 115V, 60Hz, for Both Liquid and Vapor Refrigerant, White
Best Portable Refrigerant Recovery Machine
Robinair (RG3 Portable Refrigerant Recovery Machine – 115V, 60Hz, for Both Liquid and Vapor Refrigerant, White
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Handles almost all refrigerants
  • 1/3 HP, 115V AC, 60 Hz single cylinder
  • High efficiency cross flow design
  • High pressure safety shut-off switch
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Kozyvacu AUTO AC Repair Complete Tool Kit with 1-Stage 3.5 CFM Vacuum Pump, Manifold Gauge Set, Hoses and its Acccessories … (KZTA35011)
Best Auto AC Repair Kit
Kozyvacu AUTO AC Repair Complete Tool Kit with 1-Stage 3.5 CFM Vacuum Pump, Manifold Gauge Set, Hoses and its Acccessories … (KZTA35011)
  • Lightweight cast aluminum construction
  • Direct drive motor
  • Oil viewing windows
  • Oil Drain Valve
  • Oil Fill Port
  • Built-in high volume cooling fan
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Contents

    • CarInMyDNA’s Top 6 Car AC Recharge Kits (DIY & Professional)
  • Best AC Recharge Kit
    • 1. Interdynamics A/C Pro (Two 15 oz. cans) – Best DIY AC Recharge Kit
    • 2. Johnsen’s R-134a-6PK – Best R134a A/C Refrigerant Refill Can
    • 3. Robinair RG3 Twin-Cylinder – Best Portable Refrigerant Recovery Machine
    • 4. DuPont Suva (12 Cans) – Most Affordable R-134a Automobile Refrigerant/Freon Pack
    • 5. Kozyvacu KZTA35011 – Best Auto AC Repair Kit
    • 6. Robinair (34288) CoolTech R-134A – Recovery, Recycling, and Recharging Machine
  • Best AC Recharge Kit – Buyer’s Guide
    • What Is A Refrigerant?
    • Are There Different Types Of Refrigerant?
    • What Separates A Good Kit From A Bad One?
    • How Do I Add Refrigerant To My Vehicle?
  • Conclusion

1. Interdynamics A/C Pro (Two 15 oz. cans) – Best DIY AC Recharge Kit

Interdynamics A/C Pro Kit (Two 15 oz. cans) Review
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This is perhaps the simplest and easiest-to-use product on our list.

You just fit the adapter to the low-pressure AC valve, hit the trigger, and watch the gauge.

This simplicity is the biggest strength of this product. It gets good reviews and seems to have a low rate of defects.

Although these kinds of charging systems can burst and explode if used incorrectly, they are very good when used correctly.

This product gives you a way to get the job done with minimal money and effort.

Pros
  • Good value
  • Easy to use
  • Two for the price of one
  • Includes everything needed
  • Includes a sealer
Cons
  • Sometimes known to burst

2. Johnsen’s R-134a-6PK – Best R134a A/C Refrigerant Refill Can

Johnsen's R-134a-6PK Review
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This is just a plain and simple can of the refrigerant at a good price. What we have here is a 6-pack for about $40, which comes out to a little less than $7 per can.

Small cans like this are not regulated as harshly as larger cans or older refrigerants. EPA regulations are a little looser when it comes to small cans like this.

There is nothing fancy here; No sealers, cleaners, or anything else. It’s just the can and nothing else. It doesn’t even come with a tap or an adapter piece. Thus, it is not a complete kit. Also, these things are cheap because they don’t actually contain all that much refrigerant.

Pros
  • Certified 100% pure
  • Comes in a convenient value pack
  • Subject to fewer regulations
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • Just a can- no tap, adapter or anything else

3. Robinair RG3 Twin-Cylinder – Best Portable Refrigerant Recovery Machine

Robinair RG3 Review
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This one is a lot more expensive, but it’s meant to be an all-in-one solution.

Not only can it be used to add refrigerant to your vehicle, but it can also be used to recycle the old refrigerant.

It should be noted here that use of this device requires an EPA certification, so that makes it unusable for the average person.

This thing is lightweight, built for safety, and has all the features that it should have. If you actually need something this serious, it’s a good choice.

Pros
  • Not that heavy
  • Can handle any type of refrigerant
  • Allows for re-use of old refrigerant
  • Automatic shut-off
Cons
  • Requires certification
  • Not necessary for most people

4. DuPont Suva (12 Cans) – Most Affordable R-134a Automobile Refrigerant/Freon Pack

DuPont 12 Cans R-134a Review
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This is another value pack that offers just a can and nothing else.

Still, this is another pure refrigerant with no gimmicks that offers the buyer a way to stock up at a reasonable price.

Please note that this is not a complete kit and you will need to additionally purchase an R134a hose.

This will add a little to the final cost but the hose is reusable and will serve you for many years.

Pros
  • Can be used to retrofit R12 systems
  • Meets or exceeds all regulations
  • No weird additives
  • Pretty cheap
Cons
  • Just a can

5. Kozyvacu KZTA35011 – Best Auto AC Repair Kit

Kozyvacu KZTA35011 AUTO AC Repair Complete Tool Kit Review
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This one is more like what we want.

It contains everything you need for a complete flush and recharge. All the hoses and even a vacuum pump.

We like the fact that this pump is so powerful. It’s probably stronger than it really needs to be, but a little extra power doesn’t hurt.

The whole thing is also meant to resist heat for extended use.

The only problem here is that the company cut a few corners on the small pieces, like hoses and adaptors. A few of them are weak and cheap-looking. Still, this is an excellent value overall.

Pros
  • Complete kit
  • Vacuum pump exceeds most requirements
  • Thermally shielded
  • Very clear instructions
Cons
  • Some components are cheap and weak

6. Robinair (34288) CoolTech R-134A – Recovery, Recycling, and Recharging Machine

Robinair (34288) CoolTech R-134A Review
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Here’s another all-in-one machine unit, and this one is the big dog.

At a price of over $4000, our expectations for this one are quite high. However, it performs its job quickly and efficiently.

Of course, very few people will need to spend this kind of money, and even fewer will have the licensing or the need for a large and dedicated machine like this.

Still, if you truly need the biggest recovery/recharging machine that money can buy, this is a good one.

Pros
  • Capable of heavy-duty work
  • Very good warranty
  • Very portable
  • Cycles quickly
Cons
  • Extremely expensive
  • Not necessary for most people

Best AC Recharge Kit – Buyer’s Guide

Best AC recharge kitLet’s look at some more essential information that you need to know before buying a product of this type.

What Is A Refrigerant?

Have you ever used an instant cold pack? If so, you can easily understand how a refrigerant works. There is no need to get into the exact science behind it, but here’s what you need to know: A refrigerant is a chemical substance that produces energy in the form of cold. Just as your engine produces energy in the form of heat derived from the combustion of fuel, your air conditioner works by blowing hot air over cold coils. These coils contain the refrigerant, and their temperature is easily transmitted to the copper coils.

Most cold-producing devices (air conditioners, refrigerators, etc.) make use of a specialized refrigerant called freon. Because freon works by means of a chemical reaction within the refrigerant, it makes sense that this reaction could not possibly last forever. Sooner or later, the old refrigerant will be used up and require replacement.

Are There Different Types Of Refrigerant?

Yes, there are two types of refrigerant on which your car might be running. If your car was made prior to 1994, it was made to use R12 refrigerant. Cars made during or after 1994 will require R134a refrigerant. This sounds simple, but it’s not.

R12 refrigerant is no longer manufactured anywhere. It was banned for reasons of environmental protection, as it represented a major source of air pollution. If you’re lucky, you might be able to find an old can of R12 refrigerant for sale, though it will probably cost $10-$30 a can. If not, you will have to get an entirely new AC system installed.

What Separates A Good Kit From A Bad One?

You already know that the refrigerant will not vary much. Regardless of its source, R134a refrigerant has to meet certain standards. These standards are set by the government and are more or less non-negotiable.

As the title of this article implies, we aren’t just looking for a can of refrigerant. We want a kit. We want something that contains all the materials we will need in order to get the job done. Not only that, but we want something that isn’t difficult to use or needlessly complicated.

You can get a good idea about this part by looking at the instructions on the package. The simpler the process, the better. Any product that requires you to go through a whole lot of steps might be compensating for lack of quality. They might also be trying to cut corners in the manufacturing department by not including everything you need.

Some products also contain a sealer, which is meant to fix any minor leaks that may exist in the system. This is also a nice bonus, as some leaks are too small to detect. Often, these products will cause shrunken seals to re-expand, plugging any gaps that may have been created.

Read also: Best Battery Maintainer

How Do I Add Refrigerant To My Vehicle?

Every product will have slightly different instructions, but most of them fall within certain parameters. Your air conditioning system has two valves. One of them is a high-pressure valve, and the other is a low-pressure valve. Often, the caps of these valves will be marked with an “H” or an “L.”

With most products, you just hook the can up to the low-pressure valve and release it. A gauge is used to determine how much is needed, and thus prevent overfilling. Make sure you wear gloves and eye protection when doing this, as the refrigerant can be pretty hard on the skin and even harder on the eyes.

Conclusion

We hope that we have given you all the knowledge you need to choose the best AC recharging kit for you. We thank you for reading all the way to the end, and we hope to see you again.

Check Out The Best AC Recharge Kit

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About David Wardell

I am a technical specialist with over 14 years of experience in the automotive industry. I am well versed in the field of computer diagnostics and car repairs of various brands and models, so I can solve complex issues while providing quality service. Read More.

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