A new automated external defibrillator (AED) typically costs between $1,400 and $2,500, though professional-grade models can run over $3,400. The total cost of owning one goes beyond the sticker price: batteries, electrode pads, storage cabinets, and optional program management add ongoing expenses that are worth factoring in before you buy.
New AED Prices by Brand
Most consumer and workplace AEDs fall in the $1,400 to $2,500 range. Here’s what popular models cost from major manufacturers:
- Cardiac Science Powerheart G3: $1,445
- Philips HeartStart OnSite: $1,529
- Philips HeartStart FRx: $2,010
- Zoll AED Plus: $2,082
- Cardiac Science Powerheart G5: $2,157
- Zoll AED 3: $2,307
Professional-grade units designed for clinical settings cost more. The Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 Pro runs about $2,549, and the Zoll AED Pro costs $3,466. These models offer features like ECG displays and manual override options that most offices, gyms, and schools don’t need. For a standard workplace or public-access AED, you’re looking at roughly $1,500 to $2,300.
Refurbished AEDs Save Hundreds
If the price of a new unit is a barrier, refurbished AEDs are a legitimate option. Recertified devices typically cost between $500 and $800, saving you $600 to $1,300 compared to buying new. These units are inspected, tested, and restored to working condition before resale. They come with fresh batteries and new electrode pads in most cases.
The tradeoff is a shorter remaining lifespan on the device itself and potentially less warranty coverage. But for organizations on tight budgets, a refurbished AED is far better than no AED at all. Sudden cardiac arrest has a survival rate below 10% without defibrillation, so access to any functioning device matters more than whether it’s brand new.
Leasing Instead of Buying
Leasing spreads the cost into monthly payments and typically bundles in maintenance, monitoring, and supply replacements. If you already own an AED but want management services, plans start around $60 per month. If you need the device itself included, expect to pay around $100 per month. Plans that add CPR/AED training through the American Heart Association start at about $140 per month.
These subscription-style plans usually include wireless monitoring (so you know the device is functional), automatic pad and battery resupply before they expire, annual inspections, and post-use support if the AED is ever deployed. For businesses that don’t want to track expiration dates and compliance requirements themselves, leasing can simplify the process considerably. Over five years, though, a $100/month lease totals $6,000, well above the cost of purchasing outright and managing supplies yourself.
Ongoing Costs: Batteries and Pads
An AED isn’t a one-time purchase. Batteries and electrode pads both expire and need periodic replacement, even if the device is never used.
Replacement batteries range from $40 to $430 depending on the model. Standard batteries last two to four years and cost $40 to $120. Long-life batteries last four to five years and run $150 to $280. Some specific replacements are pricier: a Philips FRx/OnSite four-year battery costs about $205, while Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 batteries run close to $495. Zoll AED Plus batteries are on the lower end at around $100.
Electrode pads generally need replacing every two years, as the adhesive gel dries out over time. Some pads last up to five years, but two years is the standard recommendation. A set of adult pads typically costs $30 to $80, and pediatric pads fall in a similar range. If the AED is actually used on someone, you’ll need a fresh set of pads immediately afterward regardless of their expiration date.
Over a ten-year span, budget roughly $400 to $1,000 in battery and pad replacements for most models. That puts the true decade-long cost of AED ownership at $1,800 to $3,500 for a new mid-range unit.
Cabinets, Signage, and Installation
Wall-mounted storage cabinets with built-in alarms cost around $168 to $235. The alarm sounds when the cabinet door opens, which alerts nearby people that a cardiac emergency is happening and someone has grabbed the AED. Indoor cabinets are on the lower end of that range. Outdoor cabinets with weather protection and heating elements to prevent freezing cost more, sometimes $300 to $500.
Many states require AED signage that identifies the device’s location, similar to how fire extinguishers are marked. Basic signs cost just a few dollars, but illuminated or photoluminescent signs can run $20 to $50.
Program Management and Compliance
Most states require some level of AED program oversight if you place a device in a public or workplace setting. This often includes registering the AED with local EMS, having a licensed physician provide medical direction, and maintaining training records for staff. You can manage these requirements yourself at no cost beyond your time, or pay a service to handle it.
Third-party medical oversight programs typically charge around $85 per year (often sold in three-year blocks for about $255). These services cover device registration, physician oversight, battery and pad expiration tracking, training record management, and post-event data retrieval if the AED is ever used. For a single device in a small office, self-management is straightforward. For organizations with multiple AEDs across several locations, a management service can prevent the kind of oversight gaps that leave a device sitting on the wall with expired pads.
Total Cost at a Glance
Here’s what a typical AED setup costs in the first year, assuming you buy new and handle compliance yourself:
- AED unit: $1,400 to $2,500
- Wall cabinet with alarm: $168 to $235
- Medical oversight (optional): $85 per year
- First battery and pads: included with most new purchases
Your upfront cost for a fully installed, ready-to-use AED runs roughly $1,600 to $2,800. Annual maintenance after that first year averages $100 to $250, depending on when batteries and pads come due. A refurbished setup can cut that initial cost to under $1,000, making it realistic even for small businesses, community centers, and houses of worship where budget constraints are real.