Most AED owners discover the pad-replacement bill the same way: a daily self-test alert turns red two years after install, and the procurement manager learns that the “single set” of pads is brand-locked, FDA-regulated, and costs anywhere from $45 to $185 depending on the model. Multiply that across a fleet of 8 AEDs in a school district, every 2 years, for the device’s 8–10 year lifetime, and pad replacement quickly becomes the largest line item in the AED program — bigger than the device itself.
This is the complete 2026 price sheet for replacement pads across every major brand sold in the United States. Use it to budget your AED program, validate quotes from resellers, and calculate true cost of ownership before purchase decisions. Pricing reflects current published MSRP ranges and AED Leader retail pricing as of 2025; verify with the seller before purchase.
Why pad prices vary so much between brands
A bare-bones adult pad pair from Defibtech runs about $59. A ZOLL CPR-D feedback pad runs about $169. The 2.8× price gap isn’t manufacturer markup — it reflects four engineering and regulatory variables:
- Embedded sensors. ZOLL CPR-D and LIFEPAK Quik-Step pads include CPR feedback accelerometers, compression depth sensors, or rhythm-analysis electrodes inside the pad. Each sensor adds material cost.
- Shelf life. Pads rated for 5 years (ZOLL) use higher-grade conductive gel and sealed packaging than 2-year pads (Philips, Defibtech, Cardiac Science). Longer shelf life = higher per-unit manufacturing cost.
- FDA Class III regulation. AED pads are classified by the FDA as Class III medical devices, requiring premarket approval and ongoing quality-system audits. Compliance cost is built into every set sold.
- Brand-locked compatibility. Pads are not interchangeable across brands. Each manufacturer maintains a captive supply chain. Limited competition keeps prices structurally elevated.
The 2026 brand-by-brand pad price sheet
| Brand & Model | Adult pads | Pediatric pads | Shelf life | Cost per year of coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips HeartStart OnSite / Home (M5071A / M5072A) | $72–$78 | $128–$135 | 2 years | ~$37/yr adult |
| Philips HeartStart FRx (SMART Pads II + Infant/Child Key) | $89–$95 | $89 (key only) | 2 years | ~$45/yr adult |
| ZOLL AED Plus (CPR-D Padz) | $159–$179 | $95–$109 (Pedi-Padz II) | 5 years | ~$34/yr adult |
| ZOLL AED 3 (CPR Uni-padz) | $175–$199 | switch on the device | 5 years | ~$37/yr adult |
| Defibtech Lifeline / VIEW (DDP-100 / DDP-200P) | $55–$69 | $79–$89 | 2 years | ~$30/yr adult |
| HeartSine Samaritan PAD (PAD-PAK combined cartridge) | $145–$169 (combo) | $185–$209 (combo) | 4 years | ~$39/yr combo |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart G3 / G5 (9131-001 / 9730-002) | $79–$99 | $109–$129 | 2 years | ~$44/yr adult |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 Intellisense | $119–$149 | $129–$149 | 2 years | ~$67/yr adult |
| Physio-Control LIFEPAK CR2 (Quik-Step 11101-000016) | $125–$139 | included in adult pads | 2 years | ~$66/yr adult |
| Physio-Control LIFEPAK 1000 (11111-000016) | $135–$159 | separate pads | 2 years | ~$73/yr adult |
Pricing reflects 2024–2025 published MSRP ranges and major-reseller retail prices. Volume discounts (10+ units) typically reduce the per-set cost by 8–15%. Confirm current pricing with AED Leader or directly with manufacturer-authorized resellers.
Cost-per-year of coverage: the metric that actually matters
Sticker price is misleading. A ZOLL CPR-D pad set at $169 covers 5 years; a Defibtech pad set at $59 covers 2 years. Normalize both to annual cost, and ZOLL becomes cheaper per year of coverage than Defibtech, by about $30/year while delivering CPR feedback sensors.
This is the single most important number when budgeting AED replacement pads. Map it across an 8-year device lifecycle to project the true pad expense.
8-year pad replacement projection (per device)
| Brand | Replacements over 8 yrs | Per-set cost | 8-year pad spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips HeartStart OnSite / FRx | 4 sets | $72–$95 | $288–$380 |
| ZOLL AED Plus (5-yr pads) | 2 sets | $169 | $338 |
| ZOLL AED 3 | 2 sets | $185 | $370 |
| Defibtech Lifeline | 4 sets | $59 | $236 |
| HeartSine PAD-PAK (combined pads + battery) | 2 sets | $159 | $318 (includes battery) |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 | 4 sets | $89 | $356 |
| LIFEPAK CR2 | 4 sets | $129 | $516 |
If you are pricing a fleet, multiply these figures by the number of deployed devices. A school district with 12 AEDs running on LIFEPAK CR2 will spend roughly $6,200 in pads over 8 years; the same fleet on Defibtech runs about $2,830. The decision starts to look very different when you see the 8-year picture.
The HeartSine PAD-PAK exception
HeartSine combines pads and battery into one sealed cartridge — the PAD-PAK. You replace both consumables in a single transaction every 4 years. This is unique among major brands and worth modeling separately:
- One purchase order instead of two
- One expiration date to track
- One installation step (snap the cartridge in)
- One SKU to keep in inventory
For organizations without dedicated facilities maintenance staff — single-site small businesses, churches, daycare facilities — this maintenance simplification can outweigh a marginally higher per-cycle cost.
Pediatric pad cost premium
Pediatric pads cost about 30–60% more than adult pads on most brands. Three reasons:
- Smaller production volumes (most AED deployments are adult-primary)
- Energy-attenuation circuitry is built into the pad cable on some models
- Stricter pediatric FDA classification documentation
The exception: the Philips HeartStart FRx Infant/Child Key. Instead of a second pad set, you buy a single key (about $89) that attenuates shock energy when inserted into the AED — it works with the adult pads already in the unit. For multi-room facilities with kids and adults, this design dramatically lowers pediatric-readiness cost.
Counterfeit pads: an emerging risk
The FDA’s Safety Communications have flagged a rising number of counterfeit AED pads sold through online marketplaces. Counterfeit pads can fail to deliver therapy or cause skin burns. Three rules to stay safe:
✓ Buy from
- Manufacturer-authorized resellers (AED Leader, Bound Tree, Henry Schein)
- Manufacturer direct websites
- Resellers listed on the manufacturer’s official “where to buy” page
✗ Avoid
- Unbranded eBay or Amazon third-party sellers offering pads at 50%+ below MSRP
- Sellers without a U.S. business address
- Pads with no FDA UDI (Unique Device Identifier) printed on the package
Bulk & multi-unit discounts
Resellers typically offer tiered pricing on multi-pack orders:
| Order size | Typical discount vs. single-set MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2–5 sets | 0–5% |
| 6–10 sets | 5–10% |
| 11–25 sets | 10–15% |
| 26+ sets (fleet) | 15–25% |
For organizations managing 10+ AEDs, consolidate pad replacements to a single annual purchase to capture maximum discount and synchronize expiration tracking.
Who should use this guide?
This price sheet is built for:
- Facilities and EHS managers building annual AED budgets
- School district and university procurement teams
- Multi-site corporate safety officers
- Single-location small business owners maintaining one AED
- CFOs validating vendor quotes
- Insurance brokers underwriting safety equipment policies
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do AED replacement pads cost on average?
Adult AED pads cost between $55 and $199 per set in 2026, depending on brand and whether the pads include CPR feedback sensors. The cheapest are Defibtech Lifeline pads (~$59); the most expensive are ZOLL CPR Uni-padz (~$199).
Why do AED pads expire?
AED pads contain conductive hydrogel that dries out over 2–5 years and adhesive that loses tackiness. Expired pads can fail to conduct the shock or detach during compressions. The FDA requires expiration dates on every pad set.
How often do AED pads need to be replaced?
Every 2 years for most brands (Philips, Defibtech, Cardiac Science, LIFEPAK). ZOLL pads last 5 years. HeartSine PAD-PAK combos last 4 years and replace pads + battery together.
Can I use any brand of pads with my AED?
No. AED pads are brand-locked — each AED has a specific connector and electrical specification. Using non-matching pads will either fail to connect or could damage the device. Always use OEM-approved pads.
Are generic or third-party AED pads safe?
No. AED pads are FDA Class III medical devices, and only manufacturer-approved or licensed equivalents are FDA-cleared. The FDA Safety Communications have warned about counterfeit AED pads sold through online marketplaces.
Why are ZOLL CPR-D pads more expensive than other brands?
ZOLL CPR-D pads include embedded sensors that measure chest compression depth and rate in real time, providing CPR feedback to the rescuer. The sensors add manufacturing cost but improve CPR quality during cardiac arrest response.
Do bulk orders of AED pads come with a discount?
Yes — typical reseller discounts range from 5–10% on 6–10 sets and 15–25% on fleet orders of 26+ sets. Organizations managing multiple AEDs can save significantly by consolidating annual pad replacements into a single PO.
Sources & References
- FDA — Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)
- FDA — Medical Device Safety Communications (counterfeit warnings)
- Manufacturer spec sheets: Philips HeartStart, ZOLL AED, HeartSine Samaritan, Defibtech Lifeline, Cardiac Science Powerheart, Physio-Control LIFEPAK
- AED Leader — Retail Pricing Reference (2024–2025)
Disclaimer: Pricing is for informational purposes and represents 2024–2025 MSRP/retail ranges. Confirm current pricing with manufacturer-authorized resellers before purchase. AED pads require an FDA-issued physician prescription in the U.S.
