⚡ Free Tool · 4 Questions · No Email Required
Find your Perfect
AED in 60 Seconds
- 🏢 All Major Environments
- 👤 Adult + Pediatric Coverage
- 💰 Budget-Aware Results
- 🆓 Free — No Signup
9
FDA-cleared AED models reviewed
Source: AED Brand Review
4
Questions to your recommendation
Source: AED Brand Review
60s
Average quiz completion time
Source: AED Brand Review
350K
US cardiac arrests per year
Source: CDC
🧭 Interactive Tool
How many AEDs do you need?
Not sure how many AEDs your facility needs? Calculate how many AEDs your building needs with our free coverage planner — it returns the exact AHA-aligned count for your building type and square footage.
Before you buy, model the 5-year cost of this AED — sticker price is only ~70% of the real ownership cost once pads, batteries, and cabinets are factored in.
Want to see how this recommendation stacks up? Compare it side-by-side against 8 other FDA-cleared models by price, IP rating, pediatric capability, and CPR feedback.
✅
🔢 Methodology
How the AED Recommendation Logic Works
The quiz maps your situation to the factors that actually matter when choosing an AED — not just price, but environment, SCA risk, who will use it, and whether children may be involved.
Our recommendations align with the American Heart Association drop-to-shock standard, which calls for defibrillation within 3 minutes of collapse to maximize survival outcomes.
1
Your Environment
Office, gym, school, outdoor, home — your setting determines which durability rating, form factor, and placement features matter most.
2
Who Will Use It
Untrained lay responders need maximum simplicity. Trained staff can benefit from advanced features like CPR feedback and ECG display.
3
Adults Only or Pediatric Too?
If children may be present, the quiz filters for AEDs with built-in pediatric mode, a pediatric key, or universal pads — so you're covered for any victim age. The American Red Cross pediatric AED guidance recommends devices with built-in pediatric capability for any facility serving children under 8 years or 55 pounds.
4
Training Level
Untrained lay responders need maximum simplicity (pull-handle activation, clear voice prompts). Trained staff can benefit from CPR feedback and ECG display.
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📊 AED Comparison
AED Recommendations by Facility Type
| AED Model | Best For | Pediatric | CPR Feedback | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips HeartStart OnSite (HS1) | Offices, retail, low-training environments | Separate cartridge | No | ~$1,350 |
| Philips HeartStart FRx | Schools, mixed adult/child environments | ✓ Child Key | No | ~$1,944 |
| ZOLL AED 3 | Gyms, sports, trained responders | ✓ Universal pads | ✓ Real CPR Help® | ~$2,199 |
| ZOLL AED Plus | Workplaces, fleet programs | Pedi-padz II required | ✓ Real CPR Help® | ~$1,799 |
| HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P | Budget buyers, outdoor, lightweight portability | Separate Pad-Pak | No | ~$995 |
| HeartSine Samaritan PAD 360P | Outdoor, sports, IP56 rated environments | ✓ Auto-detect | No | ~$1,195 |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 | Gyms, trained ERTs, CPR coaching environments | ✓ Built-in child mode | ✓ ICPR pads option | ~$1,799 |
| LIFEPAK CR2 | Hospitals, clinics, professional environments | ✓ Child mode button | ✓ cprINSIGHT™ | ~$2,499 |
| Defibtech Lifeline VIEW | Multilingual environments, high staff turnover | Separate pads | No | ~$1,699 |
💡
👥 Who Is This For
Common AED Buyer Profiles
🏢 Office / Corporate Building
Untrained staff · Adults only · Indoor
🏫 School / Campus
Mixed training · Adults + children · Indoor
🏋️ Gym / Fitness Facility
Some training · Adults · High SCA risk
Sudden cardiac death is up to 17× more likely during vigorous exertion in habitually inactive individuals (NEJM 2000, Albert CM et al.).CPR feedback is critical here — coaches rescuers on compression depth and rate during active CPR.
⛺ Outdoor / Sports Field
Untrained staff · All ages · IP-rated required
🏨 Hotel / Hospitality
High staff turnover · Adults · Multi-floor
🏥 Clinical / Professional Setting
Trained staff · All ages · ECG capability
Ready to Buy Your AED?
🔍 Buying Guide
What to Look for When Buying an AED
| Feature | What It Means | Who Needs It |
|---|---|---|
| CPR Feedback | Measures and coaches compression depth and rate in real time | Gyms, ERTs, any trained responder |
| Pediatric Mode | Reduces shock energy for patients under 8 years / 55 lbs | Schools, daycares, pediatric facilities, anywhere children may be present |
| IP Rating | Dust and water resistance. IP55 = jet water, IP56 = strong jets, IP67 = submersion | Outdoor, poolside, warehouses, sports fields |
| Pad/Battery Life | How long before mandatory replacement. Ranges from 2 to 5 years | Budget-conscious buyers — longer life = lower total ownership cost |
| Ease of Use | How quickly an untrained person can deploy the device correctly under stress | Any location where staff turnover is high or training is inconsistent |
| Self-Testing | Automatic daily/weekly checks that verify battery, pads, and device readiness | Unmonitored locations, low-traffic areas, small teams without dedicated program staff |
| Weight | Ranges from 2.4 lbs (HeartSine) to 7+ lbs (LIFEPAK CR2). Affects portability and wall-mount options | Outdoor deployment, travel AEDs, sports teams |
How to Choose the Right AED for Your Business, School, or Facility
Choosing the right Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is not a one-size-fits-all decision. An AED that suits a busy fitness studio is over-spec’d for a small dental office. A school AED that handles children would be a poor fit on a remote outdoor jobsite. Selecting the wrong model means wasted budget, failed inspections, and, in the worst case, a delayed shock when a life depends on it.
Find Your Perfect AED is built to solve this. Four short questions, sixty seconds, and one personalized recommendation matched against nine leading FDA-cleared AED models. Below is everything that informs how the tool thinks, and how you should think, about AED selection.
Every AED model in this tool is currently listed in the FDA 510(k) AED clearance database for sale in the United States. We do not recommend non-cleared or gray-market models.
- 350K US sudden cardiac arrests per year (CDC)
- 70% Survival when AED used < 3 min (AHA
- 7–10% Survival drop per minute of delay
- 9 FDA-cleared models in this tool
Why AED Selection Matters More Than People Realize
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates around 350,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur outside U.S. hospitals each year. Our recommendations align with the American Heart Association drop-to-shock standard, which calls for defibrillation within 3 minutes of collapse to maximize survival outcomes. Within three minutes, roughly 70% of patients can survive. After ten minutes, fewer than 5% do.
Having “an AED” is not the same as having “the right AED.” A device that requires advanced training in a building staffed by untrained volunteers. A pediatric-incapable AED in a daycare. A non-weather-rated unit at an outdoor sports field. Each mismatch reduces the chance a bystander uses it correctly, fast. The tool above ensures the device and the environment are aligned.
Backed by FDA-cleared devices only. Every AED model recommended by the tool is currently FDA-cleared for sale in the United States. Clearance is not the same as best fit, but it sets the floor for safety and effectiveness.
How the Recommendation Logic Works
The tool weighs four variables that explain the majority of buyer-fit differences across FDA-cleared models. Every AED model in this tool is currently listed in the FDA 510(k) AED clearance database for sale in the United States. We do not recommend non-cleared or gray-market models.
1. Environment
An indoor office tolerates a basic lightweight unit. An outdoor sports field demands IP55+ weather resistance. A clinical setting benefits from ECG display and advanced rhythm analysis. The tool first filters every AED model by environmental suitability.
2. Quantity
Single-unit buyers benefit from simplicity. Multi-unit buyers benefit from standardization, same model across the facility means consistent training, shared spare parts, and easier fleet management. Not sure how many AEDs your building needs? Use the AED Quantity Calculator to find the count that meets the AHA 3-minute rule.
3. Pediatric Coverage
If children under 8 may be present on-site, pediatric capability is non-negotiable. Some models include built-in child mode (LIFEPAK CR2, Cardiac Science G5). Others require an Infant/Child Key (Philips FRx). Others require separate pediatric pads. The tool surfaces the right pediatric solution for your environment.
4. Training Level
Untrained lay responders need maximum simplicity, pull-handle activation, calm voice prompts, no complex menus. Trained responders benefit from real-time CPR feedback (the ZOLL AED 3 measures compression depth and rate during active CPR). The tool calibrates recommended sophistication to the team that will actually use the device.
Best AED Recommendations by Facility Type
| Facility | Profile | Recommended Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Office / Corporate | Untrained staff, indoor, adults only | Philips HeartStart OnSite, simplicity wins |
| School / Daycare | Mixed adult/child, multi-room | Philips FRx + Child Key |
| Gym / Fitness | Elevated SCA risk during exertion | ZOLL AED 3 with real-time CPR feedback |
| Outdoor / Sports field | Weather exposure, lightweights | HeartSine 360P (IP56 rated) |
| Hotel / Hospitality | Inconsistent training, multi-floor | Philips OnSite, foolproof for new staff |
| Warehouse / Factory | Open layout, machinery hazards | ZOLL AED Plus, durable + CPR feedback |
| Clinical / Professional | Trained staff, advanced features | LIFEPAK CR2, ECG + cprINSIGHT™ |
Pediatric Compatibility: Why It's Non-Negotiable in Some Settings
Trained vs Untrained Responders: Selecting the Right Sophistication
Maintenance reality check. Most modern AEDs run a daily self-test automatically. Your monthly task is a 60-second visual check, confirm the indicator light is green and that pad/battery expiration dates are not approaching. Pads typically expire after 2 years. Batteries last 3–5 years. The HeartSine Pad-Pak combines both in a single 4-year cartridge that simplifies tracking.
Cost Considerations Before You Buy
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
AED Buying — Common Questions
Everything you need to know about choosing the right AED for your environment, budget, and users.
For most untrained-staff offices, the Philips HeartStart OnSite (HS1) is the standard pick, pull-handle simplicity, clear voice prompts. The HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P is the strongest budget alternative at around $995. If children are present, upgrade to the Philips FRx with the Child Key.
The Philips HeartStart FRx with the Infant/Child Key. One device safely handles both adults and children. AED placement is legally mandated in K-12 schools in 43+ U.S. states. Confirm your state’s specific requirement on our AED Laws by State guide.
The ZOLL AED 3 or Cardiac Science Powerheart G5, both provide real-time CPR feedback, which is critical in high-SCA-risk environments. Sudden cardiac death risk is up to 17× higher during vigorous exertion in habitually inactive individuals (NEJM 2000).
Not necessarily. Several AEDs handle both adults and children from one device: the Philips FRx uses a Child Key, the LIFEPAK CR2 and Cardiac Science G5 have built-in child mode buttons. Others require separate pediatric pads. The tool surfaces the right pediatric solution for your environment.
Yes. Every FDA-cleared AED is designed for use by untrained bystanders, with voice and visual prompts at every step. Good Samaritan laws in all 50 U.S. states protect bystanders acting in good faith. CPR + AED training takes about 30 minutes and meaningfully improves outcomes.
The HeartSine Samaritan PAD 360P — IP56 rated (dustproof, strong jet-water resistant), 2.4 lbs, and fully automatic. The ZOLL AED 3 is also rated IP55 and adds real-time CPR feedback. Both come with optional carrying cases for portable field deployment.
The HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P starts around $995 — one of the most affordable FDA-cleared AEDs available. Its 4-year Pad-Pak (battery + pads combined in one cartridge) also keeps long-term maintenance costs low. The ZOLL AED Plus starts around $1,299 and offers 5-year pad life.
The ZOLL CPR-D-padz used with the ZOLL AED Plus offers a 5-year pad shelf life — industry best. For battery + pads combined in one replacement, the HeartSine Pad-Pak lasts 4 years. The Cardiac Science G5 also offers a 4-year battery. Most other brands require replacement every 2 years.
Pads typically expire after 2 years. Batteries last 3–5 years depending on the model. The HeartSine Pad-Pak combines battery and pads into a single 4-year cartridge that simplifies maintenance tracking.
Three AED lines provide real-time CPR compression coaching: the ZOLL AED 3 (Uni-padz), the ZOLL AED Plus (CPR-D-padz), and the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 with optional ICPR pads. CPR feedback has been shown to measurably improve compression quality and is recommended for any trained responder environment.
The HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P at around $995. Its 4-year Pad-Pak keeps long-term ownership costs among the lowest on the market.
It depends on square footage, layout, floors, and risk profile. Use our free AED Quantity Calculator to find the count required to meet the AHA 3-minute drop-to-shock standard.
Requirements vary by state. 43+ U.S. states mandate AEDs in K-12 schools; many also require them in fitness facilities and public-assembly venues. Verify your state’s AED requirements on our interactive compliance map.
📚 Sources & Citations
Data Sources & Citations
- American Heart Association — AED Placement and Resuscitation Guidelines 2020
- NEJM 2000, Albert CM et al., Triggering of Sudden Death from Cardiac Causes by Vigorous Exertion (up to 17× risk in habitually inactive individuals)
- CDC — Sudden Cardiac Arrest Annual Mortality Statistics
- OSHA — Automated External Defibrillators Overview
- AHA Journals — Delay to First Shock and VF Termination
- ZOLL Medical Corporation — AED 3 and AED Plus Product Specifications
- Philips Healthcare — HeartStart FRx and OnSite Product Documentation
- HeartSine (Stryker) — Samaritan PAD 350P, 360P, 450P Specifications
- Cardiac Science — Powerheart G5 Product Specifications
- Physio-Control (Stryker) — LIFEPAK CR2 Product Documentation
- Defibtech — Lifeline AED and VIEW AED Specifications
- AED Leader — Current Retail Pricing Reference (2026)
⚠️ Disclaimer
The Find Your Perfect AED Finder Quiz and the information on this page are provided for general guidance and educational purposes only. Quiz results are based on product specifications and general use-case matching — they are not medical advice, legal advice, or a guarantee of product suitability for your specific situation.
AED selection, deployment, and program management should be determined in consultation with qualified professionals — including a licensed medical director, AHA-certified instructor, and legal counsel familiar with AED laws in your jurisdiction. Requirements vary by state and building type.
AED Brand Review disclaims all liability for any loss, injury, or damage arising from reliance on this page or quiz results. By using this tool you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.