- Brand Deep-Dive · Editor's Pick for Pediatric
HeartSine Samaritan PAD — the cheapest FDA-approved AED made.
- FDA PMA (350P) · Active
- 8-year manufacturer warranty
- Lightest FDA-approved AED · 2.4 lbs
- Direct Answer
- ⭐ Editor's Pick · Budget
HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P — the cheapest FDA-approved AED on the market.
- Company Facts
Who is HeartSine Technologies?
Founded
1998
Belfast · Ulster Univ. spin-out
Headquarters
Belfast, N. Ireland
Manufactured on-site
Founder
Prof. John Anderson
Ulster University
Parent Company
Stryker
via Physio-Control · Since 2016
Employees
~200
HeartSine · Belfast
Weight (350P)
2.4 lbs
Lightest FDA-approved
AED Warranty
8 Years
350P + 360P + 450P
Industry
Med Devices
Portable defibrillation
Sources
Corporate facts verified from Stryker Annual Report FY2024 and the Physio-Control 2015 HeartSine acquisition announcement. FDA approval status verified monthly at accessdata.fda.gov/PMA — HeartSine 350P FDA PMA, 360P FDA PMA, 450P FDA PMA.
⚡ Editorial Methodology · Since 2024
How we verify every HeartSine claim — 4 primary sources.
01 · FDA PMA DATABASE
Active Clearance
HeartSine 350P (FDA PMA), 360P (FDA PMA), and 450P (FDA PMA) approval status verified monthly against the FDA PMA database.
02 · FDA MAUDE
Adverse Event History
Manufacturer + User Facility Device Experience database reviewed for every reported incident since first clearance, weighted against install base.
03 · HEARTSINE DATASHEET
Specs · Pad-Pak · SCOPE Biphasic
SCOPE biphasic waveform, Pad-Pak specifications, IP56 rating, and warranty terms sourced from HeartSine product datasheets with issue dates on file.
04 · AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR
Current US Pricing
List prices verified within the last 30 days from authorized US distributors only. Non-authorized reseller pricing excluded.
- The Lineup
Every FDA-approved HeartSine Samaritan for 2026.
Editor's Pick
Samaritan PAD 350P
Operation
Semi-automatic
Consumable
Pad-Pak · 4 yr
Warranty
8 years
IP Rating
IP56
The cheapest FDA-approved AED. Semi-automatic shock delivery (rescuer confirms with button press). Same 2.4-lb chassis and Pad-Pak as the higher-tier models. Ideal for volunteer programs and first-time AED buyers.
Fully-Auto
Samaritan PAD 360P
Operation
Fully-automatic
Consumable
Pad-Pak · 4 yr
Warranty
8 years
Shock control
Automatic
Fully-automatic shock delivery — no button press required. Reduces hesitation risk in untrained rescuer scenarios. Same Pad-Pak cycle as 350P, same 8-year warranty. Adds $200 for automatic shock.
Samaritan PAD 450P
Operation
Semi-auto + CPR advice
Feedback
Rate Advisor · ICG
Warranty
8 years
Sensor
Built-in accelerometer
Top-tier HeartSine. Built-in ICG accelerometer measures compression rate — voice prompts coach rescuer if too slow. No separate sensor pads required. Falls short of ZOLL Real CPR Help (rate only, no depth).
Sources
Prices from authorized US distributor list rates[5] verified within the last 30 days. FDA approval status re-verified monthly. HeartSine 350P holds the lowest FDA-approved AED price in the US retail market — cross-verified against aedsuperstore.com, aed.com, aedleader.com, and cardiaclife.net in the last 30 days.
HeartSine Pad-Pak Consumables
HeartSine Accessories
- 💰 Cheapest FDA-Approved · Verified 2026
HeartSine 350P = $995. — the price floor for a legal, warrantied AED.
- Why HeartSine Wins
The simplest consumable cycle the FDA-approved category.
Every AED brand can shock a heart. What separates HeartSine is what happens in the four years between the sticker and the next major expense. Every other brand has two separate consumable cycles — pads expire every 2 years, batteries expire every 4 to 5 years. Program managers have to track two calendars. Under real-world conditions, one always slips.
The Pad-Pak collapses those two cycles into one. Every 4 years, you replace the single cartridge — the battery and electrodes refresh together in one step. For a facility manager running a fleet of AEDs across multiple buildings, the maintenance calendar simplifies by half.
The second bet is size. At 2.4 lbs, HeartSine Samaritan is the lightest FDA-approved AED in the US market — Philips FRx is 3.5 lbs, ZOLL AED Plus is 6.7 lbs. For portable rescue programs (event medical teams, mobile facilities, outdoor recreation), the weight difference matters. Combined with the IP56 rating that beats Philips OnSite‘s IP21, HeartSine wins the “portable, outdoor, low-touch” niche outright.
- Editorial Verdict
Where HeartSine wins and where it loses.
- ✓ Wins
Where HeartSine leads
- Cheapest FDA-approved AED. 350P at $995 — no brand undercuts.
- Lightest FDA-approved unit. 2.4 lbs vs 3.5+ for competitors.
- Pad-Pak simplifies consumables. One cartridge, one 4-year cycle vs two separate schedules elsewhere.
- IP56 rating. Handles dust and outdoor humidity — beats Philips OnSite (IP21).
- Fully-automatic option (360P). Removes shock hesitation for untrained rescuers.
- 8-year warranty. Matches Philips + LIFEPAK standard.
- ✗ Loses
Where HeartSine falls short
- No real-time CPR depth feedback. Choose ZOLL AED 3 — depth + rate coaching.
- No cprINSIGHT no-pause analysis. Choose LIFEPAK CR2 for that tech.
- No touchscreen. Voice + visual prompts only.
- Pad-Pak replacement cost. ~$175 every 4 years is higher per-year than ZOLL CPR-D-padz ($179 / 5 years).
- Pediatric requires separate Pad-Pak. Different cartridge — not a key or single-button mode.
- Not US-manufactured. Made in Belfast — matters for buy-American procurement policies.
- Decision Framework
Should you buy HeartSine? Straight answer.
- ✓ Buy HeartSine If
These sound like your situation
- Budget is the primary constraint. $995 is the price floor for a legal, warrantied FDA-approved AED.
- You need portable / lightweight. 2.4 lbs beats every FDA-approved alternative.
- You want simple consumables. One 4-year Pad-Pak beats separate pad + battery cycles.
- You need outdoor / humid rating. IP56 handles more environmental stress than Philips OnSite.
- Your rescuers may hesitate on shock. Choose the 360P for fully-automatic delivery.
- You’re running a church, small nonprofit, or volunteer program. 350P is the correct default.
- ✗ Skip HeartSine If
Better options exist for these needs
- You need real-time CPR depth+rate feedback. Choose ZOLL AED 3.
- You need cprINSIGHT no-pause analysis. Choose LIFEPAK CR2.
- You need US-manufactured (buy-American). Choose LIFEPAK (Redmond WA) or Defibtech (Guilford CT).
- You want single-button pediatric mode. Choose LIFEPAK CR2.
- You want video-screen rescue coaching. Choose Defibtech VIEW.
- Budget above $1,500 with no pediatric need. Consider recertified Philips OnSite at $1,349 for OTC clearance.
- True 5-Year Cost
What HeartSine actually costs across 5 years.
| Line item | Cost | Frequency | 5-Yr Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeartSine 350P device | $995 | One-time | $995 |
| Adult Pad-Pak (battery + electrodes) | $175 | Every 4 yr (2 cycles) | $350 |
| Wall cabinet + alarm | $249 | One-time | $249 |
| CPR + AED training (4 staff) | $95/head | Every 2 yr (3 rounds) | $1,140 |
| TRUE 5-YEAR TOTAL | $2,734 | ||
Reality check
The $995 sticker becomes ~$2,734 across 5 years — about $1,265 less than Philips FRx at $3,999. HeartSine wins the total-cost-of-ownership race by a wide margin. Model your specific spend with the Cost Calculator.
- 💰 Editor's Pick · Money Move
HeartSine 350P — the legal price floor for an FDA-approved AED. $995.
- HeartSine FAQ
Questions buyers ask most about HeartSine.
Who makes HeartSine AED?
HeartSine AEDs are manufactured by HeartSine Technologies in Belfast, Northern Ireland. HeartSine has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stryker Corporation since 2016, held through Stryker’s Physio-Control division. HeartSine was originally founded in 1998 as a spin-out from Ulster University cardiology research by Professor John Anderson.
How to use a HeartSine AED?
HeartSine Samaritan AEDs use a single-button design. Open the lid to activate — voice prompts start immediately. Attach the Pad-Pak (combined battery + electrodes cartridge) to the exposed chest per the diagram on the pads. The AED analyzes rhythm automatically and instructs the rescuer to press the shock button if needed (or delivers automatically on the 360P). Continuous voice coaching runs throughout the rescue.
What is HeartSine AED?
HeartSine AED is a line of automated external defibrillators manufactured by HeartSine Technologies (Belfast, Northern Ireland), a Stryker company. The current US lineup includes three FDA-approved models — Samaritan PAD 350P, 360P, and 450P. HeartSine AEDs are the cheapest FDA-approved units on the US market ($995 starting price) and the lightest at 2.4 lbs.
How long does a HeartSine AED last?
The HeartSine Samaritan AED carries an 8-year manufacturer warranty. The Pad-Pak cartridge (combined battery + electrodes) has a 4-year usable life. When you replace the Pad-Pak every 4 years, both battery and pads refresh in a single step — the simplest consumable cycle in the FDA-approved category.
Which HeartSine AED is best?
HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P for tight-budget buyers — cheapest FDA-approved AED at $995. HeartSine 360P for fully-automatic shock delivery (no button press). HeartSine 450P for trained teams wanting CPR Rate Advisor feedback via built-in ICG accelerometer. See the full 350P review or take the 60-second quiz.
How much does a HeartSine AED cost?
Authorized US distributor list prices: HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P $995, 360P $1,195, 450P $1,535. Replacement Pad-Pak cartridges cost approximately $175 every 4 years, making HeartSine the lowest total cost of ownership FDA-approved brand at ~$2,734 over 5 years.
How much does a HeartSine AED cost?
Authorized US distributor list prices: HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P $995, 360P $1,195, 450P $1,535. Replacement Pad-Pak cartridges cost approximately $175 every 4 years, making HeartSine the lowest total cost of ownership FDA-approved brand at ~$2,734 over 5 years.
What is a Pad-Pak?
Pad-Pak is HeartSine’s proprietary single cartridge that combines the AED battery and defibrillation electrodes into one component. Replacing consumables becomes a single step every 4 years — no separate pad and battery cycles. Adult and pediatric Pad-Paks are available; the pediatric version uses reduced energy for children under 8 or under 55 lbs.
Is HeartSine still owned by Stryker?
Yes. HeartSine remains a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK) as of 2026, operated through Stryker’s Physio-Control division. Stryker acquired Physio-Control (which included HeartSine) in 2016 for $1.28 billion. HeartSine continues manufacturing in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
- Why You Can Trust This Review
Independent. Verified monthly. Zero Stryker money.
$995
Cheapest FDA-Approved
HeartSine 350P · 2026
2.4 lbs
Lightest FDA-Approved
HeartSine Samaritan · datasheet
FDA PMA
HeartSine 350P FDA PMA
Active · monthly verified
8 yr
Manufacturer Warranty
HeartSine · Stryker · 2026
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.