- Free Tool · 2, 5 & 10 Year View · No Email
True 5-year AED ownership cost.
HeartSine 350P · 2026 MSRP
5-year: pads + battery + cabinet
ZOLL CPR-D-padz
Good Samaritan · all 50 states
Quick Answer · The 30-Second Rule
The simple rule:
- Lowest 5-year total: HeartSine 350P at ~$1,215 (one Pad-Pak swap over 5 years)
- Best long-term active program: ZOLL AED Plus with 5-year CPR-D-padz (near-zero consumables)
- Best pediatric value: Philips FRx at ~$2,400 5-year
- Premium fleet: LIFEPAK CR2 at ~$3,000–4,500 5-year
True 5-year AED ownership cost
Sticker price is only 50–65% of the total. Model pads, battery, and cabinet across 10 FDA-cleared AEDs.
Pick an AED model, time period, and cabinet — the result calculates instantly.
- Cost Breakdown · 8 Line Items
Why sticker price is 50–65% of the real number.
01 · One-time
AED Device
02 · Every 2–5 yrs
Electrode Pads
03 · Every 2–5 yrs
Battery
04 · One-time
AED Cabinet
05 · Annual
Annual Inspection
06 · Every 2 yrs
CPR + AED Training
07 · Annual
Medical Direction
08 · One-time or annual
EMS Registration
- 💡 The Math That Trips Most Buyers
- 📊 Brand-by-Brand · Real 5-Year Totals
The 6 most-deployed brands compared on 5-year cost.
Lowest 5-Year Total
HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P
5-yr total: ~$1,215 – $1,600
Philips HeartStart OnSite (HS1)
5-yr total: ~$1,900 – $2,400
Best Long-Term Value
ZOLL AED Plus
5-yr total: ~$2,300 – $2,700
Cardiac Science Powerheart G5
5-yr total: ~$2,400 – $3,100
Best Pediatric
Philips HeartStart FRx
5-yr total: ~$2,400 – $3,000
Premium / Clinical
LIFEPAK CR2 (Stryker)
5-yr total: ~$3,100 – $4,500
- 💡 Best 5-Year Value Winner
- 📉 Strategy
Cut your AED budget without cutting readiness.
| Strategy | Saving | How |
|---|---|---|
| Long-life consumables | $100 – $400 / 5 yrs | HeartSine 4-yr Pad-Pak or ZOLL 5-yr CPR-D-padz vs 2-yr standard pads |
| Bundle pricing | 10 – 20% off | AED Leader and Response Ready bundle pricing on 2+ units |
| Self-managed inspections | $75 – $150 / yr / AED | Monthly visual + annual functional check DIY vs paid service contract |
| AED grants | Up to 100% of device | Federal AED Access for Heart Health Act + state-level school/nonprofit grants |
| HSA / FSA funds | 20 – 37% tax savings | Personal AED purchases qualify per IRS Pub 502 |
| Business tax deduction | Full device cost year 1 | Section 179 equipment expensing per IRS Pub 946 |
| Fleet management | Avoids missed expirations | AEDTS automates expiry tracking — prevents emergency last-minute orders at premium pricing |
⚡ Budget Locked · Now Pick The Model
Cost is step three. Model + placement are steps one and two.
Step 1
Find Your Perfect AED
60-second quiz. 4 questions. Matched against 9 FDA-cleared models — no email required.
Step 2
AED Quantity Calculator
Building type, sq ft, floor count. Returns AHA 3-minute coverage count.
Optional
Compare All 9 AEDs
Filter by price, IP rating, pediatric, CPR feedback, warranty. Head-to-head comparison.
- Common Questions
Frequently asked questions.
How much does an AED cost in 2026?
Device only: $995 – $2,450 across the 9 FDA-cleared models.
Cheapest: HeartSine 350P at $995. Most premium: LIFEPAK CR2 at $2,450. Add 40-80% over 5 years for pads, battery, cabinet, inspection.
Run the cost calculator above for your specific model and quantity.
How much do AED pads cost?
$25 – $150 per set depending on model.
Cheapest: Philips OnSite ($50). Most expensive: LIFEPAK CR2 ($150+). HeartSine Pad-Pak ($120) combines pads + battery in one cartridge — often the lowest total consumables cost.
How much does AED battery replacement cost?
$90 – $350 per battery, replaced every 2–5 years.
HeartSine 350P and 450P use the Pad-Pak system (pads + battery in one $120 cartridge) — no separate battery purchase. Replaced every 4 years.
Which AED has the lowest total cost of ownership?
The HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P — 5-year total ~$1,215 to $1,600.
Lowest device price ($995) + 4-year Pad-Pak (one replacement in 5 years) = fewest replacements + lowest consumables cost. For active programs where pads are used: ZOLL AED Plus with 5-year CPR-D-padz.
Are AEDs covered by insurance?
Rarely by primary health insurance. Some workers comp policies cover workplace AEDs.
Personal purchases qualify for HSA/FSA under IRS Pub 502 (20-37% tax savings). Business purchases qualify under Section 179 equipment expensing.
Are AEDs covered by Medicare?
Not for consumer use. Medicare does not cover consumer AED purchases.
Medicare Part B may cover AEDs in medical facility settings but not personal use.
Are there AED grants available?
Yes — federal + state + nonprofit programs.
Federal: AED Access for Heart Health Act (schools). State: many states offer school + nonprofit AED grants. Check with your state health department. Non-profit grants often cover 100% of device cost.
Do I need a service contract for my AED?
No. DIY inspection (monthly visual + annual functional) is free and sufficient for most facilities.
Paid service contracts ($75-150/yr per AED) make sense for 5+ AED programs or regulated healthcare/fitness facilities. See AEDTS for fleet management alternatives.
How much does an AED cabinet cost?
$50 – $500 depending on type.
Basic wall-mount: $50-100. Alarmed indoor cabinet: $150-300. Outdoor heated cabinet (required for IP56 outdoor deployment): $350-500.
How many AEDs do I need for my facility?
Run the AED Quantity Calculator for your specific building.
Rough baseline: 1 AED per 22,000 sq ft office, 1 per 20,000 sq ft school (× 1.15 K-12 factor), 1 per 10,000 sq ft gym (× 1.5 SCA risk factor). Add 1 per floor.
Can I write off an AED on taxes?
Yes, in several ways.
Business: Section 179 equipment expensing (full device cost in year 1 per IRS Pub 946). Personal HSA/FSA: qualifies per IRS Pub 502. Non-profits: often qualify for donation deductions.
Is an AED worth it for home use?
Yes if a high-risk family member is present.
CDC data shows ~70% of SCAs happen at home or work. The HeartSine 350P at $995 is FDA-cleared for lay use, requires no prescription, and qualifies for HSA/FSA.
- Methodology & Sources
Every price traces to aprimary source.
AED Leader
Current US retail pricing reference (2026)
OSHA §1910.151
Workplace AED program guidance
FDA
AED regulatory classification (Class III)
FDA 510(k) Database
Verify AED model clearance
IRS Pub 502
HSA / FSA eligible medical expenses
IRS Pub 946
Section 179 equipment expensing
American Heart Association
AED placement + resuscitation guidelines
CDC
Sudden cardiac arrest annual mortality