Class A amplifiers have the highest linearity because the transistor is always conducting. They are the least efficient at 30% due to continuous power loss. Class B amplifiers only conduct for half of the signal cycle, improving efficiency to 50% but introducing crossover distortion. Class AB balances efficiency and distortion by conducting more than half but less than the full cycle. Class C amplifiers have the greatest efficiency of 80% but introduce heavy distortion as they conduct for less than half of the input cycle. They are used for radio frequency amplification rather than audio.