- Brand Deep-Dive · Editor's Pick for Pediatric
LIFEPAK AED— the paramedic-grade unit with no-pause CPR analysis.
- FDA PMA (CR2) · Active
- 8-year manufacturer warranty
- Made in Redmond, WA
- Direct Answer
- ⭐ Editor's Pick · Pediatric
LIFEPAK CR2 Recertified — the paramedic AED at a $300 discount.
- Company Facts
Who is Physio-Control?
Founded
1955
Redmond, WA · U-Dub spin-out
Headquarters
Redmond, WA
USA · Manufactured on-site
Founder
Dr. Karl Edmark
DC defibrillation pioneer
Parent Company
Stryker
NYSE: SYK · Since 2016
Employees
~2,300
Physio-Control division
Acquisition Price
$1.28B
Stryker · from Bain Capital 2016
AED Warranty
8 Years
CR2 + 1000 default
Industry
Med Devices
Emergency response
Sources
Corporate facts verified from Stryker Annual Report FY2024 and the 2016 Physio-Control acquisition SEC 10-K filing. FDA approval status verified monthly at accessdata.fda.gov/PMA — LIFEPAK CR2 FDA PMA, LIFEPAK 1000 FDA PMA. Manufacturing origin confirmed at the Physio-Control Redmond, WA facility.
⚡ Editorial Methodology · Since 2024
How we verify every LIFEPAK claim — 4 primary sources.
01 · FDA PMA + FDA PMA
Active Clearance
LIFEPAK CR2 and 1000 approval status verified monthly against the FDA PMA database. Both confirmed active with indications for lay-rescuer use.
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 · PHYSIO-CONTROL DATASHEET
Specs · cprINSIGHT · Waveform
cprINSIGHT algorithm, rectilinear biphasic waveform, pad specifications, and warranty terms sourced from Physio-Control 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. Recertified prices from certified US refurbishers. Gray-market pricing excluded.
- The Lineup
Every FDA-approved LIFEPAK AED for 2026.
Editor's Pick
LIFEPAK CR2
CPR Feedback
cprINSIGHT
Pediatric
Single-button mode
Warranty
8 years
Connectivity
Wi-Fi / USB
The modern retail LIFEPAK. cprINSIGHT analyzes rhythm during compressions (no CPR pause). Single-button pediatric mode — no key, no cartridge swap. Bilingual English/Spanish voice prompts. Wi-Fi readiness reporting to a central dashboard.
Rugged Pick
LIFEPAK 1000
CPR Feedback
Voice prompts
Pediatric
Reduced-energy pads
Warranty
8 years
IP Rating
IP55 · rugged shell
Semi-automatic professional responder unit. Trained operators prefer the manual shock control. Rugged IP55 shell handles industrial, fire, police, and outdoor deployment. Bright monochrome ECG display for post-analysis.
Sources
Prices from authorized US distributor list rates[5] verified within the last 30 days. FDA approval status re-verified monthly. cprINSIGHT algorithm technology described in the Physio-Control CR2 Operating Instructions manual (Doc 3327335-000) and clinically validated against AHA compression quality standards.
LIFEPAK Replacement Pads
Pediatric
Physio-Control Infant/Child Reduced Energy Electrodes
LIFEPAK Batteries
LIFEPAK Accessories
- 💰 Money Move · Verified 2026
Recertified LIFEPAK CR2 = same 8-year warranty, $300 less.
- Why LIFEPAK Wins
Ambulance-grade tech in a retail box.
Every AED brand can shock a heart. What separates LIFEPAK is who built it and what they built it for. Physio-Control has been in defibrillation since 1955 — Dr. Karl Edmark developed the first practical DC defibrillator at the University of Washington. Sixty-plus years of pre-hospital defibrillation research went into the CR2.
The differentiator is cprINSIGHT — Physio-Control’s algorithm that analyzes heart rhythm during compressions. Every second of CPR pause drops coronary perfusion pressure. Traditional AEDs require the rescuer to stop CPR while the device analyzes; cprINSIGHT eliminates that pause entirely. In observational EMS data, no-pause analysis correlates with higher return-of-spontaneous-circulation rates — the metric that matters.
Second differentiator: single-button pediatric mode. LIFEPAK CR2 has one button on the front labeled “child mode.” Press it, use the same adult pads, energy dose adjusts automatically. No key to lose (like Philips FRx), no separate pediatric cartridge to swap (like Philips OnSite), no separate pediatric pad set (like ZOLL AED Plus or Defibtech VIEW). Under stress with a collapsing child, one button beats every alternative.
- Editorial Verdict
Where LIFEPAK wins and where it loses.
- ✓ Wins
Where LIFEPAK leads
- cprINSIGHT no-pause analysis. Only FDA-approved AED that analyzes rhythm during compressions.
- Single-button pediatric mode (CR2). Simplest pediatric switch on the market — no key, no cartridge, no separate pads.
- Made in USA. Manufactured at Physio-Control’s Redmond, WA facility.
- EMS pedigree. Same core technology as LIFEPAK 15 (used by 70%+ of US EMS agencies).
- Bilingual voice prompts. English + Spanish switchable — matters for public accommodations under ADA.
- Wi-Fi readiness reporting (CR2). Central dashboard shows unit status across large deployments.
- ✗ Loses
Where LIFEPAK falls short
- Price. $2,450 sticker on CR2 is $500+ more than Philips OnSite.
- No touchscreen. Fixed display + voice prompts — no dynamic dashboard like ZOLL AED 3.
- No real-time CPR depth+rate feedback. cprINSIGHT is different tech — analyzes rhythm, not compression quality. ZOLL has depth+rate coaching.
- 2-year pad shelf. Half the 5-year shelf of ZOLL CPR-D-padz. Higher 5-year consumable cost.
- Not OTC. Prescription required for direct consumer sale (unlike Philips OnSite).
- Overkill for lay-rescuer. The EMS pedigree adds cost that untrained-staff offices may not need.
- Decision Framework
Should you buy LIFEPAK? Straight answer.
- ✓ Buy LIFEPAK If
These sound like your situation
- Children may be present. Single-button pediatric mode is the simplest child-mode switch on the market.
- You want no-pause CPR analysis. cprINSIGHT is Physio-Control-exclusive — nobody else has it.
- You need US-manufactured. LIFEPAK is one of only two FDA-approved AED brands made in the USA (the other is Defibtech).
- You need bilingual voice prompts. English/Spanish switchable — matters for ADA public-accommodation compliance.
- You want Wi-Fi fleet management. CR2 reports readiness to a central dashboard.
- You want EMS pedigree. Same core tech as LIFEPAK 15 used by 70%+ of US ambulance services.
- ✗ Skip LIFEPAK If
Better options exist for these needs
- You need real-time depth+rate CPR feedback. Choose ZOLL AED 3 — Real CPR Help metronome.
- You want the simplest UX for untrained staff. Choose Philips HeartStart FRx — pull-handle activation.
- You’re on a tight sub-$1,500 budget. Choose HeartSine 350P ($995) or recertified Philips OnSite ($1,349).
- You want a video-screen rescue coach. Choose Defibtech VIEW.
- You want a touchscreen dashboard. Choose ZOLL AED 3.
- You need OTC home purchase. Only Philips OnSite is FDA-approved for direct consumer sale.
- True 5-Year Cost
What LIFEPAK actually costs across 5 years.
| Line item | Cost | Frequency | 5-Yr Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIFEPAK CR2 device | $2,450 | One-time | $2,450 |
| QUIK-STEP electrodes | $99 | Every 2 yr (3 sets) | $297 |
| Infant/Child reduced-energy electrodes | $179 | Every 2 yr (3 sets) | $537 |
| Charge-Pak battery | $199 | Every 4 yr (1 set) | $199 |
| 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 | $4,872 | ||
Reality check
The $2,450 sticker becomes ~$4,872 across 5 years — about $900 more than Philips FRx. If your environment requires the pediatric mode, that spread narrows because pediatric consumables cost less than Philips separate cartridge system. Model your specific spend with the Cost Calculator.
- 💰 Editor's Pick · Money Move
Recertified LIFEPAK CR2 = paramedic tech, $300 saved. $2,150.
- LIFEPAK FAQ
Questions buyers ask most about LIFEPAK.
What is LIFEPAK AED?
LIFEPAK AED is a line of automated external defibrillators manufactured by Physio-Control (Redmond, Washington), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stryker Corporation since 2016. The current US lay-rescuer lineup includes the LIFEPAK CR2 and LIFEPAK 1000. LIFEPAK is the same brand paramedics carry in ambulances — the retail AED line shares core technology with EMS-grade LIFEPAK 15.
How long does a LIFEPAK AED last?
The LIFEPAK AED device carries an 8-year manufacturer warranty. Consumables have shorter cycles: QUIK-STEP electrodes last 2 years, the lithium Charge-Pak battery lasts approximately 4 years in standby. Physio-Control also offers a device performance guarantee — LIFEPAK CR2 will operate correctly during a rescue or Physio-Control replaces the unit.
Which LIFEPAK AED is best?
LIFEPAK CR2 for offices, schools, and any environment where children may be present — the single-button pediatric mode is the simplest child-mode switch on the market. LIFEPAK 1000 for professional first responders and rugged deployment (police, fire, industrial) where semi-automatic operation is preferred. See the full CR2 review or take the 60-second quiz.
What is cprINSIGHT?
cprINSIGHT is a Physio-Control proprietary technology that analyzes heart rhythm during CPR compressions — no pause required. Every second of CPR pause reduces coronary perfusion pressure and lowers survival odds. cprINSIGHT lets the rescuer keep compressing while the AED decides whether to shock, dramatically shortening the hands-off interval.
How much does a LIFEPAK AED cost?
Authorized US distributor list prices: LIFEPAK CR2 $2,450 new / approximately $2,150 recertified. LIFEPAK 1000 $2,195. Add ~$250 per year for QUIK-STEP electrodes and battery replacement to model true 5-year cost. Use the Cost Calculator.
Is LIFEPAK made in the USA?
Yes. Physio-Control manufactures LIFEPAK AEDs at its Redmond, Washington facility — the same plant that produces the EMS-grade LIFEPAK 15 used in ambulances. This is one of only two FDA-approved AED brands manufactured in the US (the other is Defibtech in Guilford, CT).
Who owns LIFEPAK?
Physio-Control (the manufacturer of LIFEPAK) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK) since 2016. Stryker acquired Physio-Control from Bain Capital for $1.28 billion. Physio-Control was originally founded in 1955 as a spin-out of University of Washington cardiology research.
Are recertified LIFEPAK AEDs safe?
Yes. Recertified LIFEPAK units from authorized distributors carry the same FDA FDA PMA approval and Physio-Control manufacturer warranty as new. They undergo full internal diagnostics, capacitor test, battery replacement, and cosmetic refurbishment before resale. See our full recertified CR2 review.
- Why You Can Trust This Review
Independent. Verified monthly. Zero Physio-Control money.
~350K
US SCA Deaths / Year
CDC · Out-of-hospital SCA
~70%
Survival With AED <3 Min
AHA · Circulation 2020
FDA PMA
LIFEPAK CR2 FDA PMA
Active · monthly verified
8 yr
Manufacturer Warranty
Physio-Control · 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.