The sticker price of an AED is roughly half the truth. A facility manager who quotes “$1,495 for one Philips HeartStart” in a budget proposal is going to be off by 60 to 80% over the device’s deployed lifetime. The rest of the money goes to pads, batteries, the cabinet, signage, training, registration, occasional replacement, and the small administrative line items that quietly accumulate over a decade.
This is the complete 10-year total cost of ownership (TCO) breakdown for an AED program, the number that should sit in every multi-year capital budget. We model a single-device program first, then scale to a 10-AED fleet, then compare brand-by-brand TCO so you can see exactly where each manufacturer’s economics fall on the curve.
Key numbers (prices verified 25 September 2026)
- Cheapest AED to own for ten years: a recertified ZOLL AED Plus at $1,205 (device $875 plus $330 in pads and batteries).
- Cheapest new AED over ten years: the HeartSine samaritan PAD 350P at $1,883.
- Most expensive new AED over ten years: the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 at $3,499.
- Pads and batteries alone range from $330 (ZOLL AED Plus) to $1,342 (Cardiac Science Powerheart G5) over ten years, which is why the sticker price is a poor guide.
Full table, method and sources below. Cabinet, signage and training add about $730 per device on our model.
The full TCO cost stack
Every AED program has nine distinct cost categories. Most buyers budget for the first three and forget the rest.
| Cost category | Typical range (per AED) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 1. AED device | $875 to $2,399 | One-time |
| 2. Replacement pads | $75 to $236 per set | Every 2 to 5 years |
| 3. Replacement battery | $100 to $495 | Every 4 to 7 years |
| 4. Wall cabinet + signage | $120 to $900 | One-time (or every 8 to 10 yrs) |
| 5. Initial training (2 staff × $80/person) | $160 | One-time |
| 6. Recertification training (every 2 yrs) | $160 | Every 2 years |
| 7. EMS/state registration | $0 to $50 | One-time (some states require renewal) |
| 8. Device replacement at end of life | $1,411 to $2,399 | Year 8 to 10 |
| 9. Pediatric pads (if applicable) | $127 to $279 per set | Every 2 to 5 years |
Single-device 10-year cost, every model (verified 25 September 2026)
Device and consumable prices read from the AED Leader store on 30 September 2026. Lowest configuration of each model. Sorted by ten-year cost of a new unit.
| Model | New device | Pads: replacements in 10 years | Battery: replacements in 10 years | 10-year cost, new | Recertified device | 10-year cost, recertified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HeartSine samaritan PAD 350P | $1,411 AED Leader | Pad-Pak (pads and battery in one): 2 x $236 = $472 life 4 years (HeartSine) | Included in the Pad-Pak | $1,883 | $875 AED Leader | $1,347 |
| Defibtech Lifeline | $1,478.80 AED Leader | DDP-100 pads: 4 x $75.15 = $300.60 life 2 years (reseller-stated) | DBP-1400 battery: 1 x $229.10 = $229.10 life 5 years (AED Leader listing) | $2,008.50 | Not sold recertified at AED Leader | n/a |
| HeartSine samaritan PAD 360P | $1,651 AED Leader | Pad-Pak (pads and battery in one): 2 x $236 = $472 life 4 years (HeartSine) | Included in the Pad-Pak | $2,123 | $875 AED Leader | $1,347 |
| HeartSine samaritan PAD 450P | $1,761 AED Leader | Pad-Pak (pads and battery in one): 2 x $236 = $472 life 4 years (HeartSine) | Included in the Pad-Pak | $2,233 | $875 AED Leader | $1,347 |
| ZOLL AED Plus | $2,082 AED Leader | CPR-D-padz: 1 x $230 = $230 life 5 years (ZOLL) | 10 x 123A lithium batteries: 1 x $100 = $100 life 5 years (ZOLL) | $2,412 | $875 AED Leader | $1,205 |
| Philips HeartStart OnSite | $1,589 AED Leader | M5071A pads: 4 x $99 = $396 life 2 years (AED Leader listing) | M5070A battery: 2 x $249 = $498 life 4 years (Philips) | $2,483 | $875 AED Leader | $1,769 |
| LIFEPAK CR2 (USB) | $1,411 AED Leader | QUIK-STEP pads: 2 x $196 = $392 life 4 years (Stryker) | CR2 lithium battery: 2 x $341 = $682 life 4 years (reseller-stated) | $2,485 | Not sold recertified at AED Leader | n/a |
| ZOLL AED 3 | $2,399 AED Leader | CPR Uni-padz: 1 x $234 = $234 life 5 years (ZOLL) | 8000-000696 battery: 1 x $201 = $201 life 5 years (ZOLL) | $2,834 | $1,150 AED Leader | $1,585 |
| Philips HeartStart FRx | $2,099 AED Leader | SMART Pads II: 4 x $89 = $356 life 2 years (reseller-stated) | M5070A battery: 2 x $249 = $498 life 4 years (Philips) | $2,953 | $875 AED Leader | $1,729 |
| LIFEPAK CR2 (Wi-Fi) | $2,256 AED Leader | QUIK-STEP pads: 2 x $196 = $392 life 4 years (Stryker) | CR2 lithium battery: 2 x $341 = $682 life 4 years (reseller-stated) | $3,330 | Not sold recertified at AED Leader | n/a |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 | $2,157 AED Leader | Intellisense adult pads: 4 x $88 = $352 life 2 years (reseller-stated) | Intellisense battery: 2 x $495 = $990 life 4 years (ZOLL (4-year replacement program)) | $3,499 | $1,225 AED Leader | $2,567 |
Method. Every new and recertified unit ships with pads and a battery installed, so the table counts only the replacements bought during years 1 to 10: a part with a two-year life is replaced four times, a four-year part twice, a five-year part once. Pads used in a rescue must also be replaced, which the table does not include. For a full program add a cabinet and signage (about $250) and staff training (about $480 over ten years), roughly $730 per device. Recertified units carry a shorter warranty than new ones (three years at AED Leader on seven of the eight recertified models); confirm the term on the listing before you buy.
Where the part lives come from. Manufacturer pages: Philips (M5070A battery, four years typical standby), ZOLL (AED Plus CPR-D-padz and batteries, five years; CPR Uni-padz, five years; AED 3 battery, up to five years), HeartSine (Pad-Pak, four years), Stryker (QUIK-STEP pads, four years), ZOLL (G5 battery, four-year replacement program). AED Leader listings: M5071A pads, two years; Defibtech DBP-1400 battery, five years. Reseller listings: FRx SMART Pads II, Defibtech DDP-100 and G5 Intellisense pads, two years; LIFEPAK CR2 battery, four years. Check the expiry date printed on each part; it overrides any schedule.
10-AED fleet over ten years
| Model | 10 new units, device and consumables | 10 new units, full program | 10 recertified units, device and consumables |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeartSine samaritan PAD 350P | $18,830 | $26,130 | $13,470 |
| Defibtech Lifeline | $20,085 | $27,385 | n/a |
| HeartSine samaritan PAD 360P | $21,230 | $28,530 | $13,470 |
| HeartSine samaritan PAD 450P | $22,330 | $29,630 | $13,470 |
| ZOLL AED Plus | $24,120 | $31,420 | $12,050 |
| Philips HeartStart OnSite | $24,830 | $32,130 | $17,690 |
| LIFEPAK CR2 (USB) | $24,850 | $32,150 | n/a |
| ZOLL AED 3 | $28,340 | $35,640 | $15,850 |
| Philips HeartStart FRx | $29,530 | $36,830 | $17,290 |
| LIFEPAK CR2 (Wi-Fi) | $33,300 | $40,600 | n/a |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 | $34,990 | $42,290 | $25,670 |
List prices without a volume discount. For five or more units, ask the store for a quote.
The five “hidden” costs nobody quotes you
1. Annual visual inspection labor
Roughly 15 minutes per AED per quarter, multiplied across a fleet. At a fully-loaded labor rate of $45/hour, that’s $45/year per AED in inspection labor. Across a 10-AED fleet, ~$4,500 over 10 years.
2. State registration renewal
A handful of states require annual or biennial AED registration renewal with local EMS. Most are free, but some (Pennsylvania, Florida) charge nominal renewal fees. Budget $0 to $25 per year per AED in states that charge.
3. Signage replacement
ISO 7010 photoluminescent signage degrades under UV exposure and fluorescent lighting. Replace every 5 to 7 years at $15 to $35 per sign.
4. Cabinet alarm battery
Alarmed cabinets typically use a 9V battery for the door alarm. Replace annually at $5/year, trivial in cost but a common point of failure if missed.
5. Post-deployment replacement consumables
If the AED is ever used in an event (deployed on a patient), the pads must be replaced regardless of their expiration date. Account for one statistical event over a 10-year deployment for high-risk environments (gyms, athletic facilities).
Recertified prices across all seven models
Recertified units are the same models under the same FDA premarket approvals, restored, tested and sold with a warranty, three years at AED Leader on most models; confirm the term on the listing.
| Model | New | Recertified | You keep | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips HeartStart OnSite | $1,589 | $875 | $714 (45%) | AED Leader or Response Ready |
| Philips HeartStart FRx | $2,099 | $875 | $1,224 (58%) | AED Leader or Response Ready |
| ZOLL AED Plus | $2,082 | $875 | $1,207 (58%) | AED Leader or Response Ready |
| ZOLL AED 3 | $2,399 | $1,150 | $1,249 (52%) | AED Leader or Response Ready |
| HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P | $1,411 | $875 | $536 (38%) | AED Leader or Response Ready |
| HeartSine Samaritan PAD 450P | $1,761 | $875 | $886 (50%) | AED Leader or Response Ready |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 | $2,157 | $1,225 | $932 (43%) | AED Leader or Response Ready |
Prices verified 30 September 2026 against the public product data of both stores. Both list identical recertified prices, so buy from whichever fits your order size: AED Leader for one to four units, Response Ready for five or more and for compliance and fleet programmes. New prices are the AED Leader list price on the same date.
The honest risk. A recertified AED is a used device. The warranty is what makes the saving worth taking. Read recertified versus new and how to choose a refurbished AED before you decide.
How insurance discounts offset TCO
Some commercial property and workers’ compensation insurers may offer a premium discount for a documented AED program. For a small business paying $8,000/year in general liability premium, a 2% discount = $1,600 over 10 years, which would cover part of the cost of one AED. Always ask your broker.
Refurbished AED impact on TCO
Recertified AEDs from FDA-registered refurbishers cost 38 to 58% below new at AED Leader and Response Ready on 30 September 2026 (every model at $875 except the ZOLL AED 3 at $1,150 and the Powerheart G5 at $1,225). A recertified ZOLL AED Plus at $875 instead of $2,082 drops the 10-year program cost from $3,142 to $1,935, a 38% saving, with the trade-off being a shorter warranty. See our refurbished AED guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the true 10-year cost of an AED?
About $1,883 to $3,499 for a new device plus ten years of pads and batteries at AED Leader prices verified 30 September 2026, or about $2,613 to $4,229 with a cabinet, signage and training. The cheapest new model over ten years is the HeartSine samaritan PAD 350P ($1,883); the cheapest overall is a recertified ZOLL AED Plus ($1,205).
What’s the biggest hidden AED cost?
Recurring pad replacement, together with battery replacement, is the largest recurring cost: $330 to $1,342 per device over ten years at AED Leader prices. ZOLL’s 5-year pads and HeartSine’s PAD-PAK combo system significantly reduce this expense.
How can I lower my AED program cost?
Three highest-impact moves: (1) choose long-cycle consumables (ZOLL 5-yr pads or HeartSine PAD-PAK), (2) request bulk pricing for 10+ unit orders, (3) ask your insurance broker about premium discounts for documented AED programs.
Are refurbished AEDs cheaper over 10 years?
Yes, a refurbished AED from an FDA-registered refurbisher cuts the 10-year device and consumables cost by about 27 to 50% versus a new equivalent at AED Leader prices (for example $1,205 against $2,412 for a ZOLL AED Plus). Warranty is typically shorter, but consumables and training costs are identical.
How often does an AED itself need to be replaced?
Most FDA-approved AEDs have a deployed lifecycle of 8 to 10 years. After that, manufacturers often discontinue parts and software support, making replacement preferable to repair. Budget device replacement at year 8 to 10.
Does my insurance cover any AED program costs?
Some U.S. property and workers’ compensation insurers may offer a premium discount for a documented AED program; ask your broker. Health insurance generally does not cover business-purchased AEDs. HSA/FSA may cover home AED purchases.
How much does a 10-AED fleet cost over 10 years?
Between $26,130 (HeartSine 350P fleet, full program at list price) and $40,600 (LIFEPAK CR2 Wi-Fi fleet), with the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 highest at $42,290. The brand decision matters significantly at fleet scale.
The models in this cost model, priced today
Prices checked 30 September 2026 at AED Leader. Each link opens our full review with the buy path.
- Recertified Philips HeartStart OnSite review and price$875Save 45%Recertified, 3-year warrantyBuy at AED Leader
- ZOLL AED 3 review and price$2,399New, 6-year warranty (8 with ZOLL registration)
- LIFEPAK CR2 review and price$2,256 to $2,681New, 8-year manufacturer warranty
- HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P review and price$1,411New, 8-year manufacturer warranty
Get hands-on AED training in under 3 hours.
Sources & References
- American Heart Association, Public Access Defibrillation Resources
- FDA, AED Regulation
- OSHA, AEDs in the Workplace Best Practices Guide
- Manufacturer documentation: Philips, ZOLL, Defibtech, HeartSine, Cardiac Science, Physio-Control
- AED Leader, Retail Pricing Reference
Disclaimer: TCO modeling is for budgetary planning. Actual costs vary by region, vendor, and use. Insurance and tax claims should be verified with a licensed broker or CPA.
