This is the abbreviated quiz, without the quiz. Read the row that matches your use case, follow it to the recommended model, and you’ve done in 30 seconds what most buyers spend 3 hours researching.
The decision matrix
| Use case | Recommended model | Why this pick |
|---|---|---|
| Small office under $1,500 | HeartSine PAD 350P | 8-yr warranty · lowest 10-yr TCO · IP56 · single cartridge |
| Office with over 50 employees | Philips HeartStart OnSite | Most familiar U.S. install base · clearest prompts |
| K-12 school (mandated state) | Philips HeartStart FRx | Infant/Child Key · IP55 · 1.5m drop · pediatric-simple |
| Gym/fitness facility | ZOLL AED Plus | Real-time CPR feedback for muscular adult patients · 5-yr pads |
| Outdoor sports field | HeartSine PAD 450P | IP56 · CPR rate metronome · 8-yr warranty |
| Home (no diagnosed risk) | HeartSine PAD 350P | Lightest · single cartridge · 8-yr warranty |
| Home (diagnosed cardiac) | Philips HeartStart Home | FDA-approved (PMA) for over-the-counter sale · clearest prompts |
| Dental sedation practice | Philips HeartStart FRx | Most specified by dental boards · Infant/Child Key |
| Healthcare clinic | LIFEPAK CR2 | cprINSIGHT · Wi-Fi fleet · clinical-grade |
| Construction site | Philips HeartStart FRx | 1.5m drop · IP55 · most rugged |
| Daycare/preschool | ZOLL AED Plus + Pedi-Padz II | Infant-rated pediatric pads · CPR feedback |
| Manufacturing/warehouse | ZOLL AED Plus | 5-yr pads cut maintenance · IP55 |
| House of worship | HeartSine PAD 350P | Lightweight · single cartridge · low TCO |
| Multi-site fleet | LIFEPAK CR2 or ZOLL AED 3 | Wi-Fi fleet monitoring |
| Budget-constrained nonprofit | Refurbished Philips OnSite or HeartSine 350P | $875 recertified, about 38 to 45% off new · FDA-approved |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the single best AED for general workplaces?
HeartSine PAD 350P at $1,411 or Philips HeartStart OnSite at $1,589, both excellent fits.
Does this decision tree work for all U.S. states?
For device selection, yes. State compliance overlays, see AED Laws by State.
How does this differ from the Find Your Perfect AED quiz?
The tree is a quick reference; the quiz weighs answers across 47 criteria and produces a more personalized result.
Can I deviate from the recommendation?
Yes, these are starting points. Real procurement may involve existing brand standardization, state contracts, or insurance broker preferences.
What if my use case isn’t on the list?
Take the quiz, it handles edge cases via the 47-criteria scoring.
Take the quiz, 2 minutes, free.
Sources & References
- Manufacturer specifications across all 9 devices in the database
Disclaimer: The decision tree is a starting point. Verify state-specific compliance separately.
