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 | 10-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 · 10-yr warranty |
| Home (no diagnosed risk) | HeartSine PAD 350P | Lightest · single cartridge · 10-yr warranty |
| Home (diagnosed cardiac) | Philips HeartStart Home | FDA over-the-counter cleared · 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 | 25–40% off new · FDA-cleared |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the single best AED for general workplaces?
HeartSine PAD 350P at $1,295 or Philips HeartStart OnSite at $1,395 — 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, independent, 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.
