BEST A/C CHARGING STATION FOR YOUR WORKSHOP: TEXA, BOSCH, OR MARELLI?

How to choose the right brand for R134a, R1234yf, and the future of CO₂

If you're considering purchasing an A/C charging station for your workshop, the question is always the same: which brand is best? In this article, we provide a technical and honest comparison of the three most popular brands in the automotive industry— TEXA, Bosch, and Marelli —and explain why, for many workshops, TEXA is now the most comprehensive choice .

Read Also: CAR AIR CONDITIONING RECHARGE: HOW TO OBTAIN AN F-GAS CERTIFICATE (WORKSHOP GUIDE)

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WHY CHOOSING AN AIR CONDITIONING STATION IS STRATEGIC IN THE WORKSHOP

Air conditioning recharging is no longer "just a gas refill." Today you have to manage:

• vehicles with R134a (huge fleet),
• new vehicles with low GWP R1234yf ,
• hybrid and electric with more delicate systems,
• and in the future also CO₂ (R744) systems.

The A/C unit therefore becomes a key piece of equipment for revenue, image, and regulatory compliance (F-GAS, environmental, etc.). Choosing the right brand means:

• reduce intervention times,
• avoid errors and contamination between gases,
• be ready for future evolutions of the vehicle fleet.

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CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING THE BEST BRAND OF CLIMATE CHARGING STATION

Before talking about brands, let's look at the technical criteria that really matter:

• Supported refrigerants : R134a only? R1234yf only? Bi-gas? CO₂ too?
• Automation : How automated is the process? How much does it guide the operator?
• Precision in recovery, emptying, recycling and recharging.
• Advanced features : vehicle database, refrigerant identifier, A/C efficiency test.
• Reliability and safety : components, patents, integrated controls.
• Support and training : assistance, courses, integration with diagnoses.

Based on these parameters, let's see how TEXA, Bosch and Marelli position themselves.

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OVERVIEW: TEXA, BOSCH AND MARELLI COMPARISON

🔵 TEXA – KONFORT range (700 / TOUCH series)

• KONFORT 700 range with approximately 12 models between standard and TOUCH (touchscreen) versions.
• Coverage of R134a , R1234yf and dedicated models also for R744 (CO₂) .
• Top model KONFORT 780 TOUCH BI-GAS with double tank and double separate circuits for R134a and R1234yf.
• Many automated functions, vehicle database, efficiency test and, on top models, integrated refrigerant identifier.
• Up to 10 international patents on safety components and solutions.

⚫ BOSCH – ACS Series (661 / 663 / 763…)

• Automatic A/C stations for R134a and R1234yf .
• Strong focus on precision , automatic cycles and connectivity (network, apps, integration with Bosch systems).
• Large display, automatic management of vacuum phases, leak test, recovery and recharging.
• Less oriented towards the CO₂ aftermarket segment than TEXA.

🟡 MARELLI – ALASKA Range (Prime / Evo)

• ALASKA PRIME / EVO line for R134a and HFO1234yf .
• Also compatible with hybrids and electrics .
• Good automation of the main functions; some accessories (printer, identifier) ​​are optional depending on the model.
• Shorter and less specialized range than TEXA.

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TEXA KONFORT: THE MOST COMPLETE PLATFORM FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

When comparing brands, the TEXA KONFORT range is the one that, to date, offers the widest coverage and a “platform” approach designed specifically for the automotive sector.

1️⃣ Wide and future-proof range (R134a, R1234yf, CO₂)

• Dedicated models for R134a only or R1234yf only for basic workshops.
• BI-GAS models (such as the 780 TOUCH) that work with R134a and R1234yf on the same machine, with separate circuits .
• Specific models for R744 (CO₂) , designed for those who want to be ready for the latest platforms.

For a workshop looking to the medium to long term, this means being able to grow without completely overhauling equipment every time the coolant changes.

2️⃣ “True” Bi-gas and separate management of the circuits

The strong point of the top of the TEXA range (e.g. 780 TOUCH BI-GAS ) is the "true" bi-gas management:

• double tank ,
• double recovery/recycling/recharging line ,
• separate procedures for the two gases.

In practice, you can alternate interventions on R134a and R1234yf without risking contamination and without having two different stations in the workshop.

3️⃣ Automation, software and error reduction

The TOUCH versions offer:

• smartphone-like interface, with fully automatic procedures;
• integrated vehicle database , to easily set gas and oil quantities;
• automatic checks on weight and quantity of refrigerant , self-diagnosis and reports;
• On higher models, functions such as refrigerant identifier and A/C efficiency test .

This reduces operator errors and allows you to standardize air conditioning service , even if several people work in the workshop.

4️⃣ Innovation, patents and workshop support

TEXA has registered numerous international patents on KONFORT stations (hermetic oil bottles, weight control systems, self-cleaning, safety), as well as offering:

• a unique ecosystem (diagnosis, A/C, ADAS, etc.),
• dedicated technical training,
• very widespread assistance network, especially in Italy.

For those who work in the automotive sector on a daily basis, the feeling is that they are working with a product that was created for the workshop and not as an “adaptation” from other sectors.

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BOSCH ACS: PRECISION AND CONNECTIVITY

The Bosch ACS range (661, 663, 763, etc.) is very strong on:

• precision in recovery, empty and recharge cycles;
• fully automatic processes for R134a and R1234yf;
• integration with Bosch systems (e.g. Connected Repair , workshop networks, dedicated apps).

For workshops already integrated into Bosch ecosystems, it may be a logical choice, especially if the primary focus is connectivity and management integration.

The limitations compared to TEXA emerge on:

• less extensive range for CO₂ in the pure aftermarket;
• less specialization in A/C only compared to a platform like KONFORT, designed from scratch for this.

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MARELLI ALASKA: THE COMPROMISE FOR GENERALIST WORKSHOPS

Marelli ALASKA (Prime / Evo) stations are a good solution for workshops that want to:

• an automatic machine for R134a or R1234yf ,
• compatibility with hybrids and electrics ,
• a good quality/price compromise.

However, the range is shorter (four main models) and some advanced features (such as an integrated printer or gas identifier ) ​​may be optional and not always available as standard. This makes it a sensible choice for general workshops that provide "standard" air conditioning services but don't want to go beyond that.

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SUMMARY TABLE: WHO WINS AT WHAT

Criterion	TEXA	Bosch	Marelli
Model range	Very large (standard + TOUCH)	Wide	More limited
Refrigerants	R134a, R1234yf, CO₂	R134a, R1234yf	R134a, R1234yf
“True” Bi-gas	Yes (780 TOUCH BI-GAS)	Limited/indirect	Generally no
Advanced A/C functions	Many (efficiency tests, identifier, database)	Many, with a focus on connectivity	Good, sometimes optional
Innovation & Patents	High (dedicated KONFORT patents)	High, but more generic	Average
Best for…	Specialized automotive workshops and advanced climate control	Bosch Networked Workshops: Focus on Connectivity	Generalist workshops with controlled budgets

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HOW TO CHOOSE IN PRACTICE FOR YOUR WORKSHOP

To summarize in a very concrete way:

• If your workshop specializes in automotive , you work a lot with air conditioning , you want to be ready for R1234yf and CO₂ , and you are interested in a tool that reduces operator errors to a minimum → TEXA KONFORT is today the most complete choice .
• If you are already deeply integrated into the Bosch world (diagnosis, databases, networks) and you are mainly interested in connectivity and software integration → the Bosch ACS range makes a lot of sense.
• If you do “standard” air conditioning service on R134a/R1234yf, without wanting to push towards CO₂ or very advanced functions, and you want a good price/performance compromise → a Marelli ALASKA station can be a balanced solution.

The choice, therefore, is not "which brand is absolutely better", but which brand is best suited to your type of workshop . In a technical comparison based on range, future-proof coverage and functions dedicated solely to A/C, TEXA comes out on top in most cases .

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CONCLUSIONS: THE BEST BRAND FOR AIR CONDITIONING CHARGING STATIONS IN THE WORKSHOP

To the question “what is the best brand for the air conditioning charging station in your workshop?” , the honest answer is:

• for a workshop that wants a complete A/C platform , ready for R134a, R1234yf and CO₂, with true bi-gas, strong automation and many functions designed only for the automotive sector, TEXA is today the most complete and forward-thinking choice ;
• Bosch and Marelli remain valid alternatives in specific contexts (Bosch network, generalist workshop, budget), but they do not offer the same combination of range breadth + dedicated A/C innovation .

If you're planning your next equipment investment, my advice is to start with an analysis of your customer base (old/new, hybrids, EVs, fleets) and from there evaluate the most suitable KONFORT range, without forgetting the F-GAS aspects and the training of those who will use the machine.