How long does an AED last? Lifespan by model, 2026
An AED has no printed expiry date. Warranties run 5 to 8 years, batteries 4 to 5 years and pads 2 to 5 years. Plan on 8 to 10 years of service, and replace the unit sooner if the maker stops selling its pads and batteries. Keeping one running costs $236 to $759 in parts over 8 years (27 Oct 2026 prices).
Recertified OnSite, $875 Lifespan by model
01How long does an AED last? The 2026 numbers by model
An AED has no printed expiry date. What runs out is the warranty (5 to 8 years on the models below), the battery (4 to 5 years) and the pads (2 to 5 years)[1][2][3]. Sellers quote 8 to 10 years of service for the device itself; treat that as a planning range, not a rule. The real end comes when the maker stops supporting the model.
| AED | Price (27 Oct 2026) | Warranty | Battery life | Pad life | Parts due in 8 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips HeartStart OnSite | $1,589 | 8 yr | 4 yr (M5070A, $249) | 2 yr (M5071A, $99) | $546 |
| Philips HeartStart FRx | $2,099 | 8 yr | 4 yr (M5070A, $249) | 2 yr (SMART Pads II, $89) | $516 |
| ZOLL AED Plus | $2,082 | 5 yr + 2 with registration | 5 yr (10 x CR123A, $100) | 5 yr (CPR-D-padz, $230) | $330 |
| ZOLL AED 3 | $2,399 | 6 yr + 2 with registration | 5 yr (lithium pack, $201) | 5 yr (CPR Uni-padz, $234) | $435 |
| LIFEPAK CR2 | $2,256 | 8 yr | 4 yr (lithium battery, $341) | 4 yr (QUIK-STEP pads, $196) | $537 |
| Powerheart G5 | $2,157 | 8 yr | 4 yr (G5 battery, $495) | 2 yr (Intellisense pads, $88) | $759 |
| HeartSine samaritan 350P | $1,411 | 8 yr | 4 yr (Pad-Pak 01 (pads and battery in one), $236) | In the Pad-Pak | $236 |
| Defibtech Lifeline | $1,478.80 | 8 yr | 5 yr (DBP-1400, $229.10) | 2 yr (DDP-100, $75.15) | $454.55 |
Replacements inside 8 years = (8 - 1) / part life, rounded down. Philips OnSite: pads every 2 years = 3 sets x $99 = $297; battery every 4 years = 1 x $249. Total $546[1][7]
Cheapest to keep running: HeartSine samaritan 350P, $236. Most expensive: Powerheart G5, $759, because its battery is $495[7].
Battery and pad life assume no rescues. Every shock and every daily self-test drains the battery, and pads are single use, so a unit that gets used needs new pads the same day. Model-by-model battery detail is in our AED battery life guide; pads are in AED pads explained.
02What actually ends an AED's life?
Three things retire an AED. Age on its own is not one of them.
Support ends
- The maker stops selling pads and batteries
- No parts means the AED cannot be kept rescue-ready
- This is what ended the Philips FR2 and LIFEPAK 500[5]
Self-test fails
- A red light, a chirp or an error code that new parts do not clear
- See why an AED beeps
- Take it out of service and call the maker
Recall or upgrade
- A field action on your serial range
- Or a newer model with CPR feedback for a training-heavy site
03Why the FDA's 2015 order retired older AEDs
On 29 January 2015 the FDA moved AEDs into the premarket approval (PMA) track, its strictest review. Makers had to file a PMA for every AED and for the pads and batteries that run it[4]. Models without an approval lost support; for accessories the cut-off was 3 February 2022[5].
| No longer supported (since 3 Feb 2022) | What to do |
|---|---|
| Philips FR2 and Forerunner | Replace: pads and batteries are no longer sold for them |
| Physio-Control LIFEPAK 500 | Replace |
| HeartSine samaritan 300 and 300P | Replace; the current 350P, 360P and 450P are FDA-approved |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart 9300 series and FirstSave 9300C and 9300D | Replace |
| Welch Allyn AED 10 and AED 20 | Replace |
Until the new unit arrives, keep the old one on the wall. FDA guidance quoted by sellers is to keep an existing AED available until an FDA-approved replacement is in place[6]. Every model in the price table above holds a current FDA PMA.
Replacing an old AED? Recertified starts at $875
Recertified Philips OnSite: $875 with a 3-year warranty and new pads and battery. New Philips OnSite: $1,589 with an 8-year warranty. Prices checked 27 Oct 2026.
Recertified OnSite, $875 See it at Response Ready04Replace, recertified or keep: which is right for you?
The decision turns on support, not age. If pads and batteries are still sold for your model and the self-test passes, keep it and replace the parts on schedule. If the model is on the unsupported list, replace it.
| Situation | Best move | Cost (27 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Model supported, self-test passes | Keep it, replace pads and battery on schedule | From $75.15 (Lifeline pads) to $495 (G5 battery) |
| Model unsupported, tight budget | Recertified Philips OnSite Recommended | $875, 3-year warranty |
| Model unsupported, want the longest warranty | New Philips OnSite | $1,589, 8-year warranty |
| Replacing and need a cabinet too | OnSite Value Package | $1,581.80, cabinet included |
| Training-heavy site, wants CPR feedback | New ZOLL AED Plus | $2,082 |
Recertified OnSite: $875 / 3 years = $291.67 a year
New OnSite: $1,589 / 8 years = $198.63 a year[1][7]
New wins on cost per warranted year; recertified wins on cash today. Full comparison: refurbished vs new AED.
05How to check your AED's age and status today
- Find the model and serial number on the device label and write down the manufacture date shown there.
- Check the status indicator: a green light or "OK" symbol, no chirping.
- Read the pad and battery expiry dates printed on each package.
- Compare the model with the unsupported list above.
- Log it monthly with our AED maintenance checklist.
Speed is why this matters. Survival from cardiac arrest drops by about 7 to 10 percent for every minute without CPR or a shock[8], so an AED with expired pads costs time when time matters most.
06AED lifespan questions
How long does an AED last?
There is no expiry date on the device. Warranties run 5 to 8 years, batteries 4 to 5 years and pads 2 to 5 years. Sellers quote 8 to 10 years of service; the practical end is when the maker stops supporting the model.
Do AEDs expire?
The device does not, but its pads and battery do. Pads last 2 to 5 years and batteries 4 to 5 years depending on the model, and both must be replaced by their printed dates.
When should an AED be replaced?
When the maker stops selling its pads and batteries, when it fails a self-test that new parts do not fix, or when a recall covers it. Older models such as the Philips FR2 and LIFEPAK 500 lost support in February 2022.
How long is an AED warranty?
8 years on the Philips OnSite and FRx, LIFEPAK CR2, Powerheart G5, HeartSine and Defibtech Lifeline; ZOLL gives 5 years on the AED Plus and 6 years on the AED 3, plus 2 more with registration. Recertified units at AED Leader carry 3 years.
How much does it cost to keep an AED running?
Over 8 years, parts cost $236 for a HeartSine 350P up to $759 for a Powerheart G5 at 27 Oct 2026 AED Leader prices, before any rescue.
Can you still use an old AED?
Yes, if the self-test passes and the pads and battery are in date. Keep it available until an FDA-approved replacement is installed.
Related guides
AED battery life by model · AED pads explained · AED maintenance checklist · Refurbished vs new AED · Best refurbished AEDs · Cheapest AED 2026
How we check: prices are read from the live AED Leader and Response Ready listings on the date shown; warranty and parts life come from published comparison grids and manufacturer pages listed under Sources. See our editorial standards and methodology. AED Best Brands is independent of AED manufacturers.
Sources
- Allina Health, AED comparison grid (last updated February 2025): warranty, battery life and pad life for Philips OnSite and FRx, ZOLL AED Plus and AED 3, Powerheart G5, LIFEPAK CR2 and HeartSine 450P.
- San Diego Project Heart Beat, Feature comparison matrix, AEDs: device warranty and typical battery life by model, including HeartSine 350P and 360P.
- Defibtech, Do AEDs expire? What to know about AED maintenance, and Defibtech Lifeline specification and warranty documents (8-year AED warranty, DBP-1400 5-year battery, DDP-100 pads).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Effective date of requirement for premarket approval for automated external defibrillator systems, 80 FR 4783, docket FDA-2013-N-0234, effective 29 January 2015.
- AED.us, FDA Pre-Market Approval (PMA): models no longer supported as of 3 February 2022.
- AED.com, My AED is old but still works, why should I replace it?, 8 March 2021: FDA advice to keep an old AED in service until an FDA-approved replacement arrives.
- AED Leader listings checked 27 Oct 2026 (Response Ready shows the same prices): Philips OnSite $1,589, Philips FRx $2,099, ZOLL AED Plus $2,082, ZOLL AED 3 $2,399, LIFEPAK CR2 $2,256, Powerheart G5 $2,157, HeartSine 350P $1,411, Defibtech Lifeline $1,478.80, M5071A pads $99, M5070A battery $249, SMART Pads II $89, CPR-D-padz $230, AED Plus batteries $100, Uni-padz $234, AED 3 battery $201, CR2 pads $196, CR2 battery $341, G5 pads $88, G5 battery $495, Pad-Pak 01 $236, DBP-1400 $229.10, Lifeline pads $75.15. Recertified OnSite, FRx and ZOLL AED Plus: $875 each with a 3-year warranty.
- American Heart Association, CPR Facts and Stats.
Updated 27 October 2026.