- 2026 AED Brand Directory · Editorial III
Every FDA-approvedAED manufacturer compared for 2026.
- Zero manufacturer affiliation
- Monthly FDA PMA verification
- Real US distributor pricing
- Direct Answer
- ⭐ Editor's Pick · 2026
Philips HeartStart — the safest first AED brand for any workplace.
⚡ Editorial Methodology · Since 2024
How we verify every AED brand — 4 primary sources.
01 · FDA PMA DATABASE
Active Clearance Status
Every brand's active clearance verified monthly against the FDA PMA database. Non-cleared and gray-market units excluded from all comparisons.
02 · FDA MAUDE
Adverse Event History
Manufacturer + User Facility Device Experience database — every reported incident since first clearance date, weighted against install base.
03 · MANUFACTURER DATASHEET
Specs · Warranty · IP Rating
Published warranty terms, IP ratings, pad/battery life, dimensions. Version-controlled with issue date on file for every model in every brand.
04 · AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR
Current US Pricing
List prices verified within the last 30 days from authorized US distributors only. Gray-market and unauthorized reseller pricing excluded.
- What we do NOT claim
We do not operate a physical shock test lab. We do not receive review units from manufacturers. We do not publish sponsored reviews or paid placements. If a brand disagrees with our editorial verdict, we publish their rebuttal in the Methodology page appendix.
Our value is rigorous cross-verification of the four public sources above — done monthly, done independently, published transparently. Complete methodology at /methodology/.
- The Six Brands
Every FDA-approved AED manufacturer, ranked.
Editor's Pick
Philips Healthcare
Most-deployed AED brand in US public buildings. HeartStart line built around one-hand simplicity for untrained rescuers — pull-handle activation, calm voice prompts, universal pads.
FDA models
FRx · OnSite · FR3
Warranty
8 years
Best for
Untrained staff
Origin
Assembled overseas
CPR Feedback
ZOLL Medical
Only brand with real-time CPR depth and rate feedback across the full AED line. Real CPR Help metronome + touchscreen dashboard on AED 3. EMS-grade Pro model available for trained teams.
FDA models
AED 3 · Plus · Pro
Warranty
7 years
Best for
Trained teams
Origin
Trained teams
EMS Grade
LIFEPAK (Stryker)
The name paramedics trust because it's what they carry in the ambulance. LIFEPAK CR2 uses cprINSIGHT — analyzes rhythm during compressions, no CPR pause required. Single-button pediatric mode.
FDA models
CR2 · 1000
Warranty
8 years
Best for
Schools · offices w/kids
Origin
USA (Redmond, WA)
Budget Pick
HeartSine (Stryker)
Cheapest FDA-approved AED — under $1,000 without cutting FDA-approved function. Combined battery + electrodes in a single Pad-Pak cartridge simplifies maintenance. Compact and light (2.4 lbs).
FDA models
350P · 360P · 450P
Warranty
10 years
Best for
Budget · portable
Origin
Belfast, N. Ireland
Cardiac Science
Rescue Ready® self-test — the AED performs a daily internal check and flashes status on the front panel. G5 is the last model in the line; still FDA-approved with lifetime rescue guarantee if maintained.
FDA models
Powerheart G5
Warranty
8 years
Best for
Low-touch programs
Origin
USA (Wisconsin)
Video Screen
Defibtech
Only FDA-approved AED with a full-color video screen showing rescue steps in real time. Lifeline VIEW is deployed heavily in hotels + multilingual environments — screen guidance beats voice-only in noisy public spaces.
FDA models
Lifeline · VIEW · ECG
Warranty
8 years
Best for
Hotels · multilingual
Origin
USA (Guilford, CT)
- Head-to-Head
Every brand's flagship model compared.
| Brand · Flagship | CPR Feedback | Pediatric | Warranty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips FRx | No feedback | Infant/Child Key | 8 yr | K-12 schools · sports |
| ZOLL AED 3 | Real-time depth+rate | Uni-padz | 7 yr | Gyms · trained ERTs |
| LIFEPAK CR2 | cprINSIGHT · no pause | Single-button mode | 8 yr | Offices with children |
| HeartSine 350P | No feedback | Separate Pad-Pak | 10 yr | Budget · portable |
| Powerheart G5 | Rescue Ready self-test | Intellisense pads | 8 yr | Low-maintenance |
| Defibtech VIEW | Voice only | Separate pads | 8 yr | Hotels · public spaces |
Sources
Prices from authorized US distributor list rates[5] verified within the last 30 days. Warranty terms from manufacturer datasheets. CPR feedback capability from FDA PMA classifications. Bystander AED intervention within the 3-minute window remains the strongest modifiable variable in out-of-hospital SCA survival — AHA Circulation 2020 Guidelines[1]. Full sourcing at /methodology/.
- ⚡ Free Tool · 60 seconds · Personalised match
Not sure which brand fits your workplace? Take the quiz.
- FAQ
Questions we hear most from buyers.
Which AED brand is best?
No single brand wins every use case. Philips leads for untrained-staff simplicity, ZOLL leads for trained-team CPR feedback, LIFEPAK CR2 leads for EMS-grade performance in pediatric-heavy environments. Match the brand to the environment — use the 60-second quiz for a specific match.
Are all these brands FDA-approved?
Yes. Every brand listed has active FDA FDA PMA approval for the US market. We re-verify approval status monthly against the FDA PMA database. Non-cleared and gray-market units are excluded. See our full verification methodology.
Can I save money on an FDA-approved AED?
Yes. Recertified units from authorized distributors save $500–$700 versus new and carry the same manufacturer warranty and FDA FDA PMA approval. The recertified Philips HeartStart OnSite is the network’s most-purchased AED at $1,349 (vs $1,529 new).
Which brands are made in the USA?
Physio-Control / LIFEPAK is US-manufactured (Redmond, WA). Defibtech is US-manufactured (Guilford, CT). Philips, ZOLL, and HeartSine devices are assembled internationally with US-based service and support networks.
How long is the typical AED warranty?
Standard is 8 years across most FDA-approved brands. HeartSine 350P offers a 10-year warranty. Powerheart G5 offers a lifetime rescue guarantee if maintained per manufacturer schedule. Model your true 5-year spend with the Cost Calculator.
- Why You Can Trust This Comparison
Independent. Verified monthly. Zero manufacturer money.
~350K
US SCA Deaths / Year
CDC · Out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest
~70%
Survival With AED <3 Min
AHA · Circulation 2020 Guidelines
7–10%
Survival Drop / Minute of Delay
AHA · Chain of Survival
6
FDA-Approved US Manufacturers
FDA PMA database · verified monthly
- Independent editorial
- FDA-cleared only
- Monthly recall checks
- Cited to primary sources
References
- GuidelineAmerican Heart Association. “2020 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.” Circulation, October 2020. Bystander AED intervention within 3 minutes of collapse remains the strongest modifiable variable in out-of-hospital SCA survival.
- StatisticsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. “Heart Disease Facts.” Out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest kills approximately 350,000 people in the United States annually. Updated 2024.
- DatabaseU.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Premarket Approval (PMA) Database.” AED systems require FDA PMA approval effective 2016; accessories effective February 2022.
- GuidelineAmerican Heart Association. “Adult Chain of Survival.” Survival from out-of-hospital SCA decreases 7–10 percent for every minute of delay in defibrillation.
- Data sourceAuthorized US distributor list prices verified within 30 days of publication. AED Best Brands editorial pricing methodology at /methodology/. Prices exclude gray-market and unauthorized resellers.
- Spec sheetManufacturer Instructions for Use (IFU) and product datasheets on file. Warranty terms, IP ratings, pad and battery life sourced from primary manufacturer documentation with version and issue date.