Quick answer
Most AED pads last 2 to 5 years and most batteries 4 to 7, depending on the model. Pads must also be replaced after every use. Over 10 years the ZOLL AED Plus is the cheapest AED to keep in service at roughly $330 in consumables, and the Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 is the most expensive at roughly $1,342. Order by part number, because pads are model-specific and the most commonly ordered wrong item in this category.
Pads and batteries are the part of AED ownership nobody prices before they buy. They are also the part most likely to fail. An analysis of 40,787 AED-related events reported to the FDA between 1993 and 2008 found that battery and power problems accounted for 23.2 percent of failures, and pad and connector problems for 23.7 percent (DeLuca et al., Annals of Emergency Medicine). Nearly half of everything that goes wrong with an AED traces back to these two consumables. This page gives the replacement schedule, the exact part numbers, the current prices, and the 10-year cost for every major model.
46.9%
of reported AED failures trace to pads or batteries. Battery and power problems were 23.2 percent of failures and pad and connector problems 23.7 percent, across 40,787 events reported to the FDA. Source: DeLuca et al., Annals of Emergency Medicine, analysis of the FDA MAUDE database, 1993 to 2008.
Replacement schedule by model
Quick answer
ZOLL pads last about 5 years, HeartSine about 4, and Philips, Defibtech and Cardiac Science about 2. Batteries run 4 to 7 years. Whatever the date says, pads are single-use: replace them after any deployment.
Part numbers and prices verified live on 14 August 2026. Where a shelf life is not listed, the retailer page did not state it, so confirm with the manufacturer rather than assuming.
| Model | Adult pads | Price | Pad life | Battery | Price | Battery life |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips HeartStart OnSite | M5071A | $99 | 2 yr | M5070A | $249 | 4 yr installed |
| Philips HeartStart FRx | 989803139261 SMART Pads II | $89 | 2 yr | M5070A | $249 | 4 yr installed |
| ZOLL AED Plus | 8900-0800-01 CPR-D-padz | $230 | 5 yr | 8000-0807-01 set of 10 | $100 | 5 yr |
| ZOLL AED 3 | 8900-000280-01 Uni-padz | $234 | 5 yr | 8000-000696 | $201 | 5 yr |
| HeartSine samaritan | PAD-PAK-01 combined pad and battery $236 | 4 yr | Included in the Pad-Pak, one part | |||
| Defibtech Lifeline | DDP-100 | $75.15 | 2 yr | DBP-1400 | $229.10 | 5 yr standby |
| Powerheart G5 | XELAED001C | $88 | Not stated | XBTAED001A | $495 | 4 yr installed |
Two notes. The Defibtech Lifeline also offers a higher-capacity DBP-2800 at about $267.70, and the Lifeline VIEW uses DCF-2003 at about $240.45. The HeartSine is the only major AED that combines the pad and battery into one replaceable cartridge, which is why it appears differently in this table.
The 10-year cost of keeping each AED in service
Quick answer
The ZOLL AED Plus costs about $330 in consumables over 10 years. The Powerheart G5 costs about $1,342, roughly four times more. The cheapest AED to buy is frequently not the cheapest to own.
This is the number that should sit next to every AED price and almost never does. Assumptions: adult consumables only, replacement at the end of each stated shelf life, prices verified August 2026 and rounded.
| Model | Pad replacements | Battery replacements | 10-year consumable cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZOLL AED Plus Cheapest to own | 1 × $230 | 1 × $100 | ~$330 |
| ZOLL AED 3 | 1 × $234 | 1 × $201 | ~$435 |
| HeartSine samaritan | 2 × $236 Pad-Pak (pad and battery combined) | ~$472 | |
| Defibtech Lifeline | 4 × $75.15 | 1 × $229.10 | ~$530 |
| Philips HeartStart FRx | 4 × $89 | 2 × $249 | ~$854 |
| Philips HeartStart OnSite | 4 × $99 | 2 × $249 | ~$894 |
| Powerheart G5 Most expensive | 4 × $88 | 2 × $495 | ~$1,342 |
Read that against purchase price and the picture changes. The Philips HeartStart OnSite is the most popular AED in the US and one of the cheapest to buy, and it is also near the top of this table because its pads expire every 2 years and its battery every 4. The ZOLL AED Plus costs more upfront and gives most of it back over a decade. Neither fact makes either device wrong, but you should know both before you choose. Model your own site, including multiple units, in our AED Cost Calculator.
Pediatric consumables are a second budget line
Quick answer
Pediatric pads cost 1.4 to 2 times adult pads and often expire faster. The ZOLL AED 3 includes pediatric coverage in its standard Uni-padz, and the Philips FRx uses a key that does not expire. Every other model needs a separate expiring pediatric part.
Most guides mention pediatric pads in one sentence. If children could be patients at your site, it is a recurring cost that can rival the adult consumable bill.
| Model | Pediatric part | Price | Life | 10-year pediatric cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZOLL AED 3 Best | Included in Uni-padz | $0 | n/a | $0 extra |
| Philips HeartStart FRx | Infant/Child Key | One-time | Does not expire | One-time cost |
| ZOLL AED Plus | 8900-0810-01 Pedi-padz II | $155 | 2 yr | ~$775 |
| Defibtech Lifeline | DDP-200P | $130.25 | 2 yr | ~$651 |
| HeartSine samaritan | PAD-PAK-02 Pediatric-Pak | $279 | 4 yr | ~$837 |
This is the strongest practical argument for the ZOLL AED 3 and the Philips FRx in schools, gyms with youth programs, churches and restaurants. One has pediatric capability built into the standard pad, the other uses a key that never expires. Everything else adds a second expiring SKU to track forever. See the full breakdown in our ZOLL AED 3 vs AED Plus comparison.
Do expired AED pads still work?
Quick answer
An expired pad is not a guaranteed failure. It is a degraded and unquantified probability of failure, in the one moment the device has to work. That is why manufacturers date them.
This question gets dodged everywhere, so here is the straight answer along with what we could and could not verify.
What is documented: AED pads use a water-based conductive gel. Over time that gel dries and the adhesive weakens. The result is poorer skin contact, which can cause inaccurate rhythm analysis, reduced current transfer to the heart, and burn or arcing risk at any point where the pad lifts away from the skin. Pair that mechanism with the FDA adverse-event analysis above, where pad and connector problems accounted for 23.7 percent of reported failures, and the risk is real even though no one can put a precise number on any individual expired pad.
What we could not verify, and will not claim: there is no FDA rule stating that expired pads must not be used. The FDA’s AED page addresses Premarket Approval status, not maintenance intervals. We also found no primary American Heart Association document specifying pad or battery replacement intervals. Every “the FDA requires” or “the AHA recommends” claim we checked appeared on a seller’s blog with no source behind it. Manufacturers date their consumables and tell owners to keep supplies within usable dates, which is guidance, not regulation.
The practical conclusion: replace on schedule because the device has exactly one job and you get one attempt at it, not because a regulator forces you to. Order 60 to 90 days before the expiry date so a backorder does not leave the unit unusable.
Order the right part
Genuine OEM pads and batteries for every major AED, with the correct part number for your model. Free shipping over $99.
The wrong part you almost ordered
Quick answer
AED pads are model-specific and several part names are close enough to be ordered wrong. The Philips FRx uses SMART Pads II, not SMART Pads III. The ZOLL AED Plus uses CPR-D-padz, the AED 3 uses Uni-padz, and they do not swap.
This is where AED owners actually lose money, and no competing guide covers it. The four traps we see most:
| Trap | What people order | What they need |
|---|---|---|
| Philips pad generation | SMART Pads III | The FRx uses SMART Pads II 989803139261. SMART Pads III are for the Philips FR3, a different device |
| Philips model mix-up | M5071A for any Philips | M5071A is the OnSite pad. The FRx takes SMART Pads II. They are not the same part |
| ZOLL model mix-up | CPR-D-padz for an AED 3 | The AED Plus takes 8900-0800-01 CPR-D-padz. The AED 3 takes 8900-000280-01 Uni-padz. Not interchangeable |
| Superseded revisions | Older Powerheart pad revisions | Current G5 adult pads are XELAED001C, which supersede earlier A and B revisions. Check the suffix |
The rule that avoids all four: order by part number, not by brand name. Confirm the part against your device’s model label before you buy, and check the printed expiry date the day the box arrives rather than trusting the listing.
When to replace, in practice
| Trigger | What to do |
|---|---|
| After any use | Replace pads immediately, regardless of the printed date. Pads are single-use |
| 60 to 90 days before expiry | Order the replacement. This absorbs backorders and avoids paying for expedited shipping |
| The status indicator changes | Investigate the same day. Most AEDs self-test daily or weekly and flag battery faults first |
| Battery reaches its date | Replace even if the indicator looks fine. Standby life assumes the unit was never used |
| After extreme heat or cold exposure | Inspect pads for gel drying and confirm the self-test passes |
If you manage more than a handful of units, put every expiry date in one calendar with a 90-day alert. Most AED program failures are not equipment failures, they are calendar failures. Our AED Quantity Calculator helps size how many units a site needs, and AED laws by state covers what your location requires.
AED pads and batteries FAQ
How often do AED pads need to be replaced?
Most last 2 to 5 years depending on model. Philips, Defibtech and Cardiac Science pads run about 2 years, ZOLL CPR-D-padz and Uni-padz about 5, and HeartSine Pad-Pak about 4. Replace after every use regardless of date.
Do expired AED pads still work?
An expired pad is not a guaranteed failure, but it is a degraded and unquantified probability of failure. The gel dries and the adhesive weakens, which can cause poor contact, inaccurate analysis and reduced current transfer. FDA adverse-event analysis attributes 23.7 percent of reported AED failures to pads and connectors.
How much does an AED battery cost to replace?
About $100 to $624 in 2026. A ZOLL AED Plus battery set is about $100, a Philips M5070A about $249, a ZOLL AED 3 battery about $201, and a Powerheart G5 battery about $495.
Which AED is cheapest to keep in service?
The ZOLL AED Plus, at roughly $330 over 10 years, because both consumables last about 5 years. The Powerheart G5 is the most expensive at roughly $1,342, driven by a $495 battery on a 4-year cycle.
Are AED pads interchangeable between models?
No. The Philips FRx uses SMART Pads II, not the SMART Pads III used by the FR3. The ZOLL AED Plus uses CPR-D-padz while the AED 3 uses Uni-padz. Always order by part number.
Does the FDA require replacing expired AED pads?
Not that we could verify. The FDA’s AED page covers Premarket Approval status rather than maintenance intervals, and we found no primary AHA document setting replacement intervals. Manufacturers date their consumables and advise keeping supplies within usable dates. Replace on schedule because the device gets one attempt, not because a rule compels it.
The one-line decision
Order by part number, replace pads every 2 to 5 years depending on model and always after use, and budget the consumables before you choose the AED. If lowest lifetime cost matters, the ZOLL AED Plus is the cheapest to keep in service. If children are in scope, the ZOLL AED 3 removes an entire expiring SKU from your program.
References
- DeLuca LA Jr., et al., Analysis of Automated External Defibrillator Device Failures Reported to the Food and Drug Administration, Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2012 (PMID 21872969). 40,787 events reported to the FDA, 1993 to 2008.
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, Report on AED Failures: A Reminder That Maintenance Is Vital.
- US FDA, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and Premarket Approval.
- Defibtech, AED expiration guidance.
- American Heart Association, Cardiac Arrest statistics and Chain of Survival, 2024.
- Part numbers, prices and stated shelf life verified live from authorized listings on 14 August 2026.
Updated August 2026 · Reviewed by the AED Brand Review Editorial Team · Prices verified live and may change. Confirm the correct part number against your device model and check printed expiry dates on delivery.
