You can buy an AED (automated external defibrillator) from online medical supply retailers, directly from manufacturers, or through specialty dealers. Most new units cost between $1,200 and $3,000, and the process is straightforward, though you may need a prescription depending on the model. Here’s what to know before you buy.
You May Need a Prescription
The FDA classifies AEDs as medical devices, and most models require a physician’s prescription before purchase. This doesn’t mean you need a specific medical condition. Your doctor simply writes a prescription authorizing you to own the device. Some retailers handle this step for you by connecting you with a physician during checkout, while others require you to upload a prescription before they ship.
The prescription requirement applies whether you’re buying for your home, your office, or a public space like a community center. Plan to contact your doctor before you start shopping so the prescription is ready when you find the right unit.
What an AED Costs
A new AED for home use averages around $1,475. Units designed for business or office settings run closer to $1,715, largely because they include features like louder voice prompts, wall-mount cabinets, or signage. Professional EMS-grade models jump to roughly $3,200.
Beyond the sticker price, budget for ongoing supplies. Electrode pads expire every 18 to 30 months and need replacing even if you never use them. Batteries last about four to five years. A replacement pad and battery kit typically runs $50 to $150 depending on the brand. These recurring costs are modest but easy to forget, and an AED with expired pads or a dead battery is useless in an emergency.
Refurbished AEDs are available at lower price points. They come with shorter warranties (usually one year, with options to extend to two or four years), but can be a reasonable choice if budget is tight.
Fully Automatic vs. Semi-Automatic
This is the biggest choice you’ll make, and it comes down to how the shock gets delivered. A semi-automatic AED analyzes the heart rhythm, tells you a shock is needed, and waits for you to press a button. A fully automatic AED skips that step entirely: it analyzes the rhythm, gives a verbal countdown so bystanders can step back, and delivers the shock on its own.
Fully automatic models are often better for settings where the person responding might freeze under pressure or has no training. The tradeoff is a slight delay while the countdown runs. With a semi-automatic unit, an experienced user can press the button the moment they’re clear, potentially shaving a few seconds off the process. For most home and office buyers, the difference is small. Either type walks you through every step with voice prompts.
FDA-Approved Brands and Models
Only buy an AED that appears on the FDA’s approved list. The major manufacturers with current FDA approval are:
- ZOLL Medical: AED Plus, AED 3 (multiple configurations including automatic and semi-automatic versions)
- Philips Medical Systems: HeartStart OnSite, HeartStart Home, HeartStart FRx, HeartStart FR3
- Physio-Control (Stryker): LIFEPAK CR Plus, LIFEPAK EXPRESS, LIFEPAK 1000
- HeartSine Technologies: samaritan PAD 300P, 350P, 360P, 450P
- Defibtech: Lifeline DDU-100, Lifeline AUTO, Lifeline VIEW series
- Cardiac Science: Powerheart G3, G3 Plus, G5
- Avive Solutions: Avive AED System (approved 2022)
Avoid off-brand or imported devices that aren’t on the FDA’s list. You can verify any model at the FDA’s medical devices database.
Pediatric Capability
If children under eight will be in the environment where your AED is placed, look for a model that can deliver a reduced shock dose using pediatric pads. Most major brands sell child electrode pads as a separate accessory. The American Heart Association recommends using these pediatric pads for any child under eight. If your AED doesn’t have a pediatric mode and a child is in cardiac arrest, adult pads and an adult shock dose are still better than no treatment at all.
Warranties Vary Significantly
Most new AEDs come with manufacturer warranties between five and eight years. Many popular models, including the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5, Defibtech Lifeline series, HeartSine samaritan PADs, Philips HeartStart OnSite, and Physio-Control LIFEPAK CR Plus, carry eight-year warranties. ZOLL’s AED Plus and AED 3 start with five-year warranties but extend to seven years if you register the device.
An eight-year warranty matters because it typically covers the useful life of the unit before battery technology and pad compatibility start becoming harder to source. When comparing prices between models, factor warranty length into the total cost of ownership.
Register Your AED After Purchase
Once your AED arrives, register it in two places. First, register with the manufacturer. This ensures you receive recall notices and firmware updates. Second, check whether your state or local jurisdiction requires you to register the device with your local EMS system. Laws vary by state, county, and even city. Some states require you to formally apply to create an AED program before placing a device, while others have no registration requirements at all.
Registration with local EMS has a practical benefit beyond legal compliance: when someone calls 911 from your location, dispatchers may be able to tell the caller that an AED is on site, which speeds up the response.
Where to Actually Buy
You have several options. Online specialty retailers like AED Superstore, AED.us, and AED Market carry all major brands and often bundle the device with a carrying case, extra pads, signage, and a wall cabinet. Buying direct from a manufacturer’s website is also an option, though prices are usually the same or higher than third-party retailers. Amazon and similar general marketplaces carry some models, but you’ll want to verify the seller is an authorized dealer so your warranty is valid.
When comparing retailers, look for what’s included in the box. Some listings include a spare set of pads and a wall cabinet at no extra charge, while others sell the bare unit. A good starter bundle should include the AED, one set of adult pads, a battery, and a carrying case or cabinet at minimum.
Maintenance After Purchase
AEDs are designed to be low-maintenance, but they aren’t zero-maintenance. Most units run a daily or weekly self-check and display a status indicator (usually a green checkmark or blinking light) to confirm they’re ready. Get in the habit of glancing at this indicator regularly.
Track your pad and battery expiration dates. Set calendar reminders for replacement. Pads that have dried out or a battery that has drained below its threshold will cause the device to fail its self-check, but by then you’ve already been without a working AED for some period. Staying ahead of expiration dates is the single most important thing you can do after buying the device. Most manufacturers and retailers offer subscription programs that automatically ship replacement supplies before the old ones expire.