- Free Tool · 2, 5 & 10 Year View · No Email
True 5-year AED ownership cost.
- Updated · September 2026
HeartSine 350P · 2026 list
40-80%
5-yr consumables · labeled estimate
5 yr
ZOLL CPR-D-padz · mfr IFU
$0
Good Samaritan · all 50 states
Pick an AED model, time period, and cabinet. The result calculates instantly.
- Quick answer · The 30-second rule
A $1,400 AED is not a $1,400 program. Over 5 years, pads, battery, cabinet, and inspection routinely add 40 to 80 percent on top of sticker. The real budget for most facilities runs $1,650 to $4,500 per AED over 5 years (labeled estimate).
- Lowest 5-year total → HeartSine 350P: ~$1,647 to $1,900 (one Pad-Pak swap; sourced calculation)
- Best long-term active program → ZOLL AED Plus with 5-year CPR-D-padz (near-zero consumables)
- Best pediatric value → Philips FRx: ~$2,550 over 5 years
- Premium fleet → LIFEPAK CR2: ~$2,800 to $3,400 over 5 years
- •Price is not the real cost: pads and battery replacements over the unit’s life add up, so compare total cost of ownership, not the sticker.
- •Recertified lowers the upfront cost: a recertified AED can cost well below new. See refurbished and recertified options.
- •Match the model to your setting first: not sure which model fits? Find your perfect AED.
- Brand-by-brand · real 5-year totals
Which AED costs least to own over 5 years?
| Model | Consumables cycle | 5-yr total (est.) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeartSine 350P | 4-yr Pad-Pak ($236), one swap in 5 yrs | ~$1,650 - $1,950 | Lowest 5-yr total |
| Philips OnSite | 2-yr pads ($99), 4-yr battery ($249) | ~$2,050 - $2,350 | Untrained offices |
| ZOLL AED Plus | 5-yr CPR-D-padz ($230), 5-yr battery | ~$2,400 - $2,750 | Best long-term value |
| Powerheart G5 | 2-yr pads ($88), 4-yr battery ($495) | ~$2,850 - $3,150 | Daily self-test |
| Philips FRx | 2-yr SMART Pads II ($89), 4-yr battery ($249) | ~$2,550 - $2,850 | Best pediatric |
| LIFEPAK CR2 | 4-yr electrodes ($196), 4-yr battery ($341) | ~$2,800 - $3,400 | Premium / clinical |
- Cost breakdown · 8 line items
Why sticker price is only half the real number.
02 · Every 2-5 yrs
Electrode pads
03 · Every 2-5 yrs
Battery
04 · One-time
Cabinet
05 · Annual
Inspection
06 · Every 2 yrs
CPR + AED training
07 · Annual
Medical direction
08 · One-time or annual
EMS registration
- The math that trips most buyers
- Strategy
How do you cut AED budget without cutting readiness?
| Strategy | Saving | How |
|---|---|---|
| Long-life consumables | $100 - $400 / 5 yrs | HeartSine 4-yr Pad-Pak or ZOLL 5-yr CPR-D-padz vs 2-yr standard pads |
| Bundle pricing | 10 - 20% off | Authorized distributors bundle 2+ unit orders (labeled estimate across published offers) |
| Self-managed inspections | $75 - $150 / yr / AED | Monthly visual + annual functional check DIY vs service contract |
| AED grants | Up to 100% of device | Federal and state school/nonprofit programs; availability varies by year |
| HSA / FSA funds | 20 - 37% tax savings | Personal purchases qualify per IRS Pub 502[4] |
| Section 179 expensing | Full device cost, year 1 | Business equipment expensing per IRS Pub 946[5] |
| Fleet expiry tracking | Avoids premium rush orders | Program management automates pad/battery expiry across sites |
Budget locked · now pick the model
Cost is step three. Model and placement are steps one and two.
Step 1
Find Your Perfect AED
60-second quiz, 4 questions, one personalized pick plus an alternate from FDA-approved models.
Step 2
AED Quantity Calculator
Building type, square footage, floors: a planning estimate aligned to the AHA 3-minute target.
Deep dive
Buyer's Guide
Brands, features, budgeting, compliance, and maintenance in one long-form guide.
- Common questions
Frequently asked questions.
What is the average cost of an AED?
$1,411 to $2,256 for the device at 2026 US list.[1] Over 5 years, consumables and cabinet typically add 40 to 80 percent, landing most programs at $1,800 to $4,500 per AED (labeled estimate).
Can I buy an AED for my house?
Yes. The Philips OnSite carries FDA over-the-counter labeling for home purchase, and personal purchases qualify for HSA/FSA funds per IRS Pub 502.[4] See the home AED guide.
Why are AEDs so expensive?
They are FDA Class III devices approved through Premarket Approval, the most demanding regulatory pathway: clinical evidence, manufacturing controls, post-market surveillance.[3] Add rhythm-analysis hardware, daily self-testing, and decade-long support obligations, and the price reflects a regulated life-safety instrument.
How much does a public AED cost?
Device ($1,411 to $2,256) plus an alarmed or outdoor cabinet ($50 to $500), signage, and consumable cycles: roughly $1,800 to $4,500 per unit over 5 years (labeled estimate).
How much do AED pads cost?
$25 to $150 per set on 2 to 5 year shelf lives, plus immediate replacement after any rescue use. Cycle details in pads explained.
How much does AED battery replacement cost?
$100 to $495 on 2 to 5 year cycles; the HeartSine Pad-Pak merges battery and pads into one 4-year cartridge. See batteries explained.
Which AED has the lowest total cost of ownership?
The HeartSine 350P: ~$1,647 to $1,900 over 5 years. For active programs, the ZOLL AED Plus with 5-year pads reaches near-zero consumables if never deployed.
Are there AED grants available?
Yes: federal plus state school/nonprofit programs can cover up to the full device cost; availability changes yearly. Pair grant research with your state’s rules on the law tracker.
Do I need a service contract for my AED?
Not necessarily: modern units self-test daily, and a monthly visual plus annual functional check can be self-managed at $0. Contracts earn their keep on multi-site fleets.
How much does an AED cabinet cost?
$50 to $500: wall mounts at the low end, alarmed indoor mid-range, heated outdoor at the top.
How many AEDs do I need for my facility?
Enough that every collapse point sits inside the AHA 3-minute target, proven with a timed walking drill.[6] Get a planning estimate from the Quantity Calculator.
- Methodology and sources
Every price traces to a primary source.
- AED Leader: current US retail pricing reference, 2026.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151: workplace medical readiness context for AED programs.
- FDA Premarket Approval (PMA) database: Class III approval status for every model referenced.
- IRS Publication 502: HSA/FSA-eligible medical expenses, including AEDs.
- IRS Publication 946: Section 179 equipment expensing.
- American Heart Association: AED placement guidance and the 3-minute collapse-to-shock target.
- Manufacturer IFU documentation (Philips, ZOLL, Stryker/HeartSine, Cardiac Science, Defibtech): pad and battery shelf-life cycles used in all calculations.