AED warranty lengths range from 5 to 8 years across the six major U.S. brands, and ZOLL adds 2 years when you register the device. Over a typical 10-year deployment, the warranty determines whether a self-test failure in year 7 results in a phone call to the manufacturer or a $1,500 replacement. This is the side-by-side warranty comparison, the way it actually plays out in deployed programs.
Quick Answer
HeartSine offers 8 years, and Philips, Defibtech, and Physio-Control LIFEPAK also offer 8 years. ZOLL offers 5 to 6 years, or 7 to 8 with registration, and Cardiac Science offers 7 years. All six brands cover device-level manufacturing defects. None cover consumables (pads, battery), normal wear, environmental damage exceeding IP rating, or unauthorized service. Service networks vary: Stryker (LIFEPAK + HeartSine), ZOLL (ZOLL + Cardiac Science) and Philips have the largest U.S. footprints.
Why warranty length matters for AED programs
An AED is rarely deployed and never used, most field-deployed units never deliver a real shock across their lifetime. What they do constantly is run a daily self-test. If that self-test reports a hardware issue in year 7, the warranty determines your options. With an 8-year HeartSine, Philips or LIFEPAK, you get a warranty replacement. With an unregistered ZOLL AED Plus (5 years), you’re buying a new device.
Across a typical 10-year deployment cycle, a hardware fault flagged by the daily self-test is a real possibility. That makes warranty coverage practically meaningful even though catastrophic device failure is rare.
Your warranty does not cover pads or batteries.
Every AED warranty excludes consumables. That is the real running cost of ownership, and it varies more than four times between models.
All models: pads and battery costs · Philips parts · ZOLL parts
Brand-by-brand warranty length comparison
| Brand | Warranty length | Top model | Service network strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeartSine | 8 years | Samaritan PAD 350P | Stryker service network |
| Philips | 8 years | HeartStart OnSite | Largest U.S. install base |
| Defibtech | 8 years | Lifeline | American-made · direct manufacturer service |
| Physio-Control / LIFEPAK | 8 years | LIFEPAK CR2 | Stryker enterprise service (strongest) |
| ZOLL | 7 years | AED Plus | Strong EMS familiarity |
| Cardiac Science | 7 years | Powerheart G5 | Now part of ZOLL (since 2019) |
What every AED warranty covers
- Internal hardware defects, capacitor failure, circuit board issues, charging circuit problems
- Manufacturer-side firmware errors
- Display malfunctions (status indicator failures, LCD on models with screens)
- Pad connector hardware failures (excluding accidental damage)
- Speaker or voice prompt hardware failures
What’s universally excluded
- Consumables, pads and batteries are not covered. They’re separate purchases on a separate lifecycle.
- Environmental damage, exceeding the IP rating or operating temperature range voids coverage. An IP21 indoor unit damaged by rain is your problem, not the manufacturer’s.
- Unauthorized service, opening the case or attempting internal repair voids warranty across every brand.
- Non-OEM accessory damage, counterfeit pads can damage the connector circuit, and that damage isn’t covered.
- Cabinet damage, falls under your facility insurance, not the AED warranty.
- Deployment wear, used in an actual event is not a defect. Replace consumables; the device itself is fine.
Service network, the underrated warranty factor
Warranty length matters, but so does what happens when you actually need to invoke it. Philips and Stryker (LIFEPAK + HeartSine) have the largest U.S. service networks, typical warranty replacement turnaround under 5 business days, with established RMA workflows that work cleanly even for first-time program owners.
HeartSine is a Stryker brand, so its warranty service runs through the same Stryker network. ZOLL and Defibtech sit in the middle. For multi-site programs, service network strength can be as important as warranty length itself.
How warranty maps to 10-year TCO
An 8-year warranty (Philips, Defibtech, LIFEPAK, HeartSine) fully covers years 1 to 8 of a typical 10-year deployment. ZOLL (5 to 6 years, or 7 to 8 with registration) and Cardiac Science warranties can end before the typical replacement cycle, buyers should plan a replacement device in year 7 if warranty coverage matters to program continuity.
Replacing your AED pads or battery
AED pads and batteries expire on a fixed schedule whether the device is ever used or not, and they are the single most common reason an AED fails when it is needed. In the largest published analysis of FDA-reported AED events, 40,787 cases, batteries accounted for 23.2 per cent of failures and pads and connectors for 23.7 per cent, so 46.9 per cent of all AED failures are consumables (DeLuca et al., Annals of Emergency Medicine, 2012, PMID 21872969). Below is every current replacement part with its price and service life, verified against seller product data on 12 September 2026.
| Model | Adult pads | Battery | Pediatric option | 10 year consumable cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philips HeartStart OnSite | M5071A $99.00, 2 years | M5070A $249.00, 4 years | Separate M5072A cartridge, prescription only | About $894 |
| Philips HeartStart FRx | SMART Pads II 989803139261 $89.00, 2 years | M5070A $249.00, 4 years | Infant/Child Key $139.00, reusable | About $854 |
| ZOLL AED Plus | CPR-D Padz 8900-0800-01 $230.00, 5 years | Lithium set of 10 $100.00, 5 years | Pedi-padz II $155.00, 2 years | About $330, the lowest we track |
| ZOLL AED 3 | CPR Uni-padz 8900-000280-01 $234.00, 5 years | 8000-000696 $201.00, 5 years | None needed, Uni-padz cover children | About $435 |
| Defibtech Lifeline | DDP-100 $75.15 | DBP-1400, part DCF-200 $229.10 | DDP-200P $130.25 | About $530 |
| Defibtech Lifeline VIEW | DDP-2001 $83.05 | DCF-2003 $240.45 | DDP-2002 $136.40 | About $813 |
| HeartSine Samaritan PAD | Pad-Pak-01 $236.00, pads and battery in one cartridge | Included in the Pad-Pak, there is no separate battery | Pediatric Pad-Pak PAD-PAK-02 $279.00 | About $472 |
| Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 | XELAED001C $88.00 | XBTAED001A $495.00, 4 years | XELAED003C $127.00 | About $1,342, the highest we track |
| Physio-Control LIFEPAK CR2 | Quik-Step 11101-000021 $196.00, adult and child in one set | LIFEPAK CR2 lithium battery $341.00, about 4 years | None needed, the Quik-Step set covers children | Not published per part |
Prices verified against the public product data of AED Leader on 30 September 2026. Service life is the manufacturer figure where one is published; where it is not, check the expiry date printed on the part itself. Ten year consumable cost is our own calculation from those part prices and service lives.
Three things owners get wrong
- Buying the wrong Philips pad. The FRx uses SMART Pads II, part 989803139261. SMART Pads III belong to the FR3, a different device. The OnSite uses M5071A and the two are not interchangeable.
- Assuming the pediatric part is optional. On a ZOLL AED Plus, Pedi-padz II cost $155.00 and last two years, which is about $775 across a ten year life. On a ZOLL AED 3 or a LIFEPAK CR2 the pads already cover children and that cost is zero.
- Tracking the wrong date. HeartSine combines the pads and battery into one Pad-Pak cartridge, so there is a single expiry to track. Every other model here has two parts on two separate clocks.
Full replacement schedule by model is on our AED pads and batteries page. If you are still choosing a device, the ten year running cost is usually a bigger number than the discount you are negotiating: see every AED brand ranked by price and ten year cost.
Warranty registration, don’t skip this
At installation, register your device with the manufacturer. This:
- Activates the warranty (some brands require registration within 30 days)
- Provides direct recall notifications
- Pre-qualifies you for expedited warranty service
- Documents the chain of custody for second-owner transfers
Warranty failure response, the actual workflow
If your AED status indicator flags red and battery + pad replacement doesn’t resolve it:
- Contact the manufacturer’s customer service with the device serial number
- Document the failure, status indicator color, any error message, last successful self-test date
- The manufacturer issues an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) and ships a prepaid return label
- You ship the device back; most manufacturers cross-ship a replacement, so you’re not without coverage
- Replacement arrives in 3 to 7 business days
- Update your maintenance log to reflect the device change
Refurbished AED warranties, different rules
The original manufacturer’s warranty typically does not transfer when a device is sold to a refurbisher and resold. The refurbisher provides their own warranty, typically 2 to 5 years. Verify the refurbisher’s FDA Establishment Registration before purchase, and document the warranty terms in writing. See our Refurbished vs New AEDs guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which AED has the longest warranty?
HeartSine, Philips, Defibtech and LIFEPAK also offer 8 years (the ZOLL AED 3 reaches 8 with registration), including all current HeartSine Samaritan PAD models (350P, 360P, 450P).
Do AED warranties cover the battery and pads?
No, pads and battery are consumables purchased separately. The warranty covers the device hardware itself.
What voids an AED warranty?
Unauthorized service or modification, non-OEM consumable damage, exceeding the IP rating, opening the case, and environmental damage outside operating range.
Should warranty length drive my brand selection?
For 10-year deployments where minimizing risk of mid-cycle replacement matters, yes. For shorter-horizon or budget-first deployments, less important.
Are refurbished AEDs covered by the original warranty?
Usually, no, the refurbisher provides their own warranty, typically 2 to 5 years.
What’s covered if the AED is deployed in a real event?
Nothing under warranty, deployment isn’t a defect. Replace the pads and have the device inspected, but the manufacturer treats real-world use as normal lifecycle wear.
How long does warranty replacement take?
Typically 3 to 7 business days from RMA issuance. Most manufacturers cross-ship to avoid coverage gaps.
Does the warranty cover damage during shipping?
Damage on receipt is the seller’s responsibility, not the manufacturer’s warranty. Notify the seller within 48 hours of receipt with photographs.
If I buy 50 AEDs, do I get extended warranty coverage?
Sometimes, enterprise contracts can include extended warranty provisions. Negotiate at procurement.
What if my AED is recalled, does the warranty pay for replacement?
Recalls are separate from warranty. Manufacturers cover recall remediation through their own recall response programs.
Can I buy an extended warranty?
Some authorized resellers offer extended warranties as add-ons. Compare the cost to simply planning for device replacement at warranty expiration, often the second option is cheaper.
Does the Stryker service network cover both LIFEPAK and HeartSine?
Yes, both brands run through Stryker’s service network. Cardiac Science is different: it has been part of ZOLL since 2019.
What if my device is out of warranty and fails?
Replace it. Out-of-warranty AED repair is usually impractical and uneconomic.
Is HeartSine reliable enough for the 8-year warranty?
Yes, HeartSine has a clean field reliability record and an 8-year warranty, the same as Philips, Defibtech and LIFEPAK, with service through Stryker. See Brand Reliability Rankings.
Should I register my AED with multiple manufacturers?
Just the manufacturer of your specific device. Register at installation; renew if you replace the device.
Get your team certified the easy way.
Sources & References
- Manufacturer warranty documentation: Philips, Defibtech, Stryker (LIFEPAK + HeartSine), ZOLL (ZOLL + Cardiac Science)
- FDA, Medical Device Recall Database
Disclaimer: Warranty terms checked September 2026. Verify current terms directly with the manufacturer.
