The invention discloses an adaptive control method of a power factor. The adaptive control method comprises the following steps of: generating three voltage reference values by calculating, multiplying the three voltage reference values, taking a product of the three voltage reference values as a current reference value, comparing the current reference value with a direct current bus current, and outputting a calculation result after carrying out current error compensation processing; determining a duty ratio by virtue of the calculation result to form a pulse signal, controlling the make-break operation of a chopper to carry out chopping processing on a direct current voltage rectified and output by a rectifier bridge, generating a smooth direct current bus current and an alternating current input current in a same phase with an alternating current input voltage, improving the power factor, and reducing the current harmonic distortion ratio. A power factor correction method, provided by the invention, can be used for realizing the adaptive control on alternating current power supplies in different frequencies. The adaptive control method of the power factor is applied into variable frequency air conditioner products, and can be suitable for air conditioners based on inputs of 50-Hz and 60-Hz alternating current power supplies; and according to the adaptive control method of the power factor, a design purpose that a development is suitable for multiple types of machines is really achieved, the development period is shortened, and the research and development costs are lowered.