- 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 Approval Status
Every brand's active approval verified in dated passes 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 approval 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 We do not publish sponsored reviews or paid placements.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 $875 (vs $1,589 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 in dated passes
- Independent editorial
- FDA-approved 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.