Most AED buyers spend hours researching across multiple brand websites before purchasing (typical pattern reported by authorized distributors). That research ends roughly where it could have ended in 60 seconds: with the right brand for the buyer’s profile. This article exists to end the loop. Seven brands ship FDA-approved AEDs in the US, and they split four ways by buyer profile.
The framework: identify your buyer profile, match it to one brand, verify with the brand-specific deep-dive review.
60-second answer
Single-unit home or office: HeartSine 350P ($1,411). Gym, healthcare, CPR-trained staff: ZOLL AED Plus ($1,799). K-12 school or daycare: Philips FRx ($1,599). 5+ AED fleet across locations: LIFEPAK CR2 Connected ($2,499). Tight indoor budget: Defibtech Lifeline ($1,095). Workplace without inspection routine: Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 ($1,799). Legacy Physio-Control owners: migrate to LIFEPAK CR2 by 2027.
All 7 brands side by side
| Brand | Entry model | Entry price | Battery / Pad cycle | Max IP | CPR feedback | Best buyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips | HeartStart FRx | ~$2,099 | 4 yr / 2 yr | IP55 | Voice only | K-12 / daycare |
| ZOLL | AED Plus | ~$1,799 | 5 yr / 5 yr | IP55 | Depth + rate | Gym/healthcare |
| LIFEPAK | CR2 Essential | ~$2,099 | 4 yr / 2 yr | IP55 | cprINSIGHT | Multi-location fleet |
| HeartSine | PAD 350P | ~$1,411 | 4 yr Pad-Pak combined | IP56 | None (350P) | Home / single-unit |
| Cardiac Science | Powerheart G5 | ~$1,799 | 4 yr / 2 yr | IP55 | Rate metronome | Workplace no routine |
| Defibtech | Lifeline | ~$1,095 | 4 yr / 2 yr | IPX4 | Voice/video | Budget indoor |
| Physio-Control | Legacy only | EOL | – | – | Now under LIFEPAK | Migrate to CR2 |
5-year total cost ranked low to high
| Rank | Brand + entry model | 5-yr total (single unit) | Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, Best Value | HeartSine PAD 350P | ~$1,415 | Pad-Pak combined cycle |
| 2 | Defibtech Lifeline | ~$1,439 | Lowest upfront, IPX4 limits use |
| 3 | ZOLL AED Plus | ~$2,134 | 5-yr cycle saves consumables |
| 4 | Philips HeartStart FRx | ~$2,253 | Standard 4-yr/2-yr cycle |
| 5 | Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 | ~$2,368 | Premium daily diagnostic |
| 6 | LIFEPAK CR2 Connected | ~$4,218 | Includes LIFENET subscription |
4-question decision tree to end the brand-comparison loop
Question 1, How many AEDs are you buying?
1 unit → continue to Q2. 2–4 units → continue to Q2 (volume math is the same as for a single unit). 5+ units across separate locations → LIFEPAK CR2 Connected (cellular fleet management math wins). Run the AED Quantity Calculator to verify the unit count.
Question 2, Indoor or outdoor primary deployment?
Indoor only → continue to Q3. Outdoor/sustained weather/pool deck → HeartSine 450P (IP56 only mainstream option). See IP Ratings Explained.
Question 3, Will rescuers be CPR-certified?
Yes, certified staff → ZOLL AED Plus (depth feedback ROI clear). No, untrained bystanders → continue to Q4. CPR training resources: CPR + AED Together.
Question 4, What’s your budget cap?
Under $1,400 (5-yr total) → HeartSine 350P or Defibtech Lifeline. $1,400–$2,500 (5-yr total) → Philips FRx for K-12 / daycare, Cardiac Science G5 for workplace without inspection routine. Over $2,500 (5-yr total) → reassess unit count (cellular only worth it at 5+).
Where to buy any of these brands safely
Always purchase through authorized US distributors – AED Leader, Response Ready, or directly through manufacturer-authorized channels. Gray-market AEDs sourced from third-party marketplaces or international wholesalers may void the warranty, miss FDA recall notifications (see Recall Tracker), and complicate Good Samaritan owner protection (see Good Samaritan AED Laws).
Frequently asked questions
Which AED brand is best overall in 2026?
Buyer-profile dependent. ZOLL AED Plus wins for facilities with CPR-trained staff. HeartSine 350P wins for home + lowest cost. Philips FRx wins for K-12 + daycares. LIFEPAK CR2 Connected wins for 5+ unit fleets.
Which AED brand has the lowest total 5-year cost?
HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P at ~$1,415 over 5 years. Driven by the Pad-Pak combined battery + pad cartridge, replacing two separate consumables cycles.
Which AED brand dominates US schools?
Philips HeartStart, particularly the FRx, is the most common K-12 athletic procurement default across major state contracts (verified across CA, TX, FL, NY publicly disclosed approved vendor lists, 2023–2025).
Are all 7 brands FDA-approved?
All actively sold models from Philips, ZOLL, LIFEPAK, HeartSine, Cardiac Science, and Defibtech hold current FDA premarket approval (PMA). Physio-Control is no longer an active brand, its products are now under Stryker / LIFEPAK.
Which AED brand has the longest pad shelf life?
ZOLL CPR-D-padz and Uni-padz at 5 years. HeartSine Pad-Pak at 4 years (combined). All others on a 2-year cycle.
Which AED brand has the highest IP rating?
HeartSine at IP56 across 350P, 360P, and 450P lineup. Most other brands top out at IP55. Defibtech is IPX4.
Run the math for your specific facility
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Sources
- Manufacturer specifications, Philips, ZOLL, LIFEPAK, HeartSine, Cardiac Science, Defibtech (2024 datasheets)
- FDA Premarket Approval (PMA) database, current AED clearances
- AHA, CPR + AED guidance and 2020 Resuscitation Guidelines
- State DOE publicly disclosed approved vendor lists, CA, TX, FL, NY (2023–2025 verified)
- IEC 60529, IP rating definitions
- Stryker 2016 SEC 8-K, Physio-Control acquisition
Pricing reflects 2026 authorized distributor reference points. 5-year cost calculations exclude cabinet, training, labor, and rescue replacement consumables unless otherwise noted. Run the Cost Calculator for facility-specific math.
- •All six brands are FDA-approved via PMA, so the real choice is features and fit, not safety.
- •Pick by what the rescuer needs: real-time CPR feedback (ZOLL), simplest use (Philips OnSite), one-cartridge upkeep (HeartSine), or a video screen (Defibtech VIEW).
- •Not sure after comparing? Use our Find your perfect AED quiz or see best refurbished AEDs.
Skip the spreadsheet, get matched
You have seen how the brands stack up. Answer five quick questions and we will point you to the exact model that fits your setting and budget.
