[ $CO_2$ ] and propane mixtures were chosen as promising alternative refrigerants and their performance potentials were evaluated experimentally in an air-conditioning system. Pure $CO_2$ and 85/15, 75/25 and 60/40 binary blends by the charged mass percentage of $CO_2/propane$ were selected as working fluids. The effect of the inlet temperature of the secondary fluids and degree of superheat on the cooling performance was tested and discussed. The charging amounts of refrigerants were adjusted to make the system show the maximum COP. Comparisons among different refrigerants were carried out on the same compressor speed basis for a given operating condition. In addition, the temperature gliding effect of zeotropic mixtures on the system performance were analyzed based on the drop-in test results.