Five major brands offer it. One popular brand doesn't, despite marketing language that sounds like it does.
ZOLL, Cardiac Science, Defibtech, HeartSine, and Physio-Control all offer real-time CPR feedback on at least one model, measuring compression depth, rate, or both.
Philips HeartStart AEDs use an audible metronome for pacing, not corrective feedback. A metronome and real feedback aren't the same thing, and that distinction gets blurred in a lot of marketing copy.
What Real-Time CPR Feedback Actually Means
A metronome gives you a steady beat to compress to. Real-time feedback goes further: it measures what you're actually doing and corrects you.
Some systems measure rate only. Others measure depth and rate together. A couple also track chest recoil, whether the chest fully returns to its resting position between compressions, which matters for blood flow back into the heart.
Accelerometer-based systems (ZOLL, Cardiac Science) use a small motion sensor in the pad. Electrode-based systems (HeartSine) measure through the defibrillation electrodes themselves, with no separate sensor attached.
Does It Actually Help? What the Research Shows
The 2015 AHA guidelines classify CPR feedback device use as Class IIb, Evidence Level C, meaning reasonable to consider based on limited evidence.
That's a moderate endorsement, not the strongest tier AHA issues, and worth stating accurately rather than oversold.
One hospital-based manikin study found only 22% of chest compressions met AHA depth and rate guidelines simultaneously without any feedback.
A separate 2013 study of real-world cardiac arrests found survival increased from 5.5% to 13.9% after real-time feedback was introduced, though this reflects one study's findings, not a guaranteed outcome.
The consistent pattern across multiple published studies: feedback devices measurably improve compression depth and rate compared to no feedback, particularly for people without recent CPR training.
The Philips Exception
Philips HeartStart AEDs (OnSite, Home, FRx) are frequently listed alongside feedback-equipped brands, but their own product pages describe an audible metronome and adaptive voice coaching, not compression depth or rate sensing.
One detailed brand comparison source states this plainly: Philips CPR coaching is voice-only, with no real-time depth or rate feedback, and recommends ZOLL specifically for buyers who want that capability.
A metronome and real feedback sound similar in marketing copy. A metronome plays a fixed beat regardless of what you're doing. Feedback measures your actual compressions and tells you to adjust.
This isn't a knock on Philips: HeartStart OnSite and HeartStart FRx remain strong, simple, OTC-eligible choices. If depth and rate feedback specifically matters to your program, it's just not what these devices offer.
Brand-by-Brand Comparison
| Brand | Model(s) | Measures | Mechanism | Pediatric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZOLL | AED Plus, AED 3 | Depth and rate | Accelerometer in pad | Not restricted |
| Cardiac Science | Powerheart G5 (iCPR pads only) | Depth, rate, recoil | Accelerometer, specific pad variant | Not restricted |
| Defibtech | Lifeline VIEW (not standard Lifeline) | Depth and rate | Sensor paired with video display | Not restricted |
| HeartSine | 450P (not 350P/360P) | Rate only | Electrode ICG, no separate sensor | Adult only |
| Physio-Control | LIFEPAK CR2 (not 1000) | Depth and rate | cprCOACH, standard on every unit | Not restricted |
| Philips | OnSite, Home, FRx | Neither (metronome only) | Fixed-rate audio pacing | N/A |
Full detail on each: HeartSine comparison, Powerheart G5 review, Defibtech Lifeline vs VIEW, LIFEPAK CR2 vs 1000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every AED have CPR feedback?
No. Five major brands offer it on at least one model: ZOLL, Cardiac Science, Defibtech, HeartSine, and Physio-Control. Philips does not; its AEDs use a metronome for pacing instead.
Even within brands that offer it, feedback is often limited to specific models, not the entire lineup.
What is real-time CPR feedback?
A system that measures your actual chest compressions, depth, rate, or both, and corrects you in real time through voice, visual display, or both, rather than just playing a fixed pacing beat.
Which AED is best for high-quality CPR?
Cardiac Science's Powerheart G5 measures the most: depth, rate, and chest recoil together, when equipped with the correct iCPR pads. ZOLL, Defibtech's VIEW, and Physio-Control's CR2 all measure depth and rate. HeartSine's 450P measures rate only.
See our full Powerheart G5 review for detail on that system specifically.
How does the Zoll AED Plus provide CPR feedback?
Through Real CPR Help, an accelerometer-based system built into the pad that measures both compression depth and rate as you work, correcting in real time.
Why is CPR feedback important during a cardiac arrest?
Because good CPR is harder to deliver correctly than most people expect. One study found only 22% of chest compressions met AHA depth and rate guidelines simultaneously without any feedback.
The 2015 AHA guidelines classify feedback device use as reasonable to consider based on the available evidence, a real, if moderate, endorsement.
Will the CPR feedback be loud enough to hear in a noisy factory?
We don't have decibel-tested data for factory-noise conditions on any specific brand. What we can tell you: most feedback systems pair voice with a visual display (LED or screen), specifically so guidance remains usable if audio alone is hard to hear.
Does the AED provide feedback for both compression depth and speed?
Depends on the brand. ZOLL, Cardiac Science, Defibtech's VIEW, and Physio-Control's CR2 all measure both. HeartSine's 450P measures rate only, not depth, confirmed directly on the manufacturer's own materials.
How much more expensive is an AED with feedback compared to a basic model?
Varies by brand and whether feedback is a separate pad purchase or built into the base unit. On the LIFEPAK CR2, feedback is standard at no extra cost. On the Powerheart G5, it requires a specific pad variant priced above the standard pad.
Call (855) 286-6384 for a current price comparison on your specific brand of interest.
Do I need special training to understand the feedback prompts?
No. Every feedback system covered here is built for untrained bystanders, using plain-language prompts like "push harder" rather than clinical terminology.
Can the feedback sensors wear out or fail over time?
The feedback hardware is built into the pad or cartridge itself, not a separate reusable sensor. It gets replaced on that pad's normal expiration cycle, typically every 2 to 4 years depending on brand, rather than failing independently.
Is the feedback compatible with pediatric patients?
Not always. HeartSine's CPR Rate Advisor is confirmed adult-only and disables automatically with a pediatric Pad-Pak connected.
We did not find an equivalent pediatric restriction for ZOLL, Cardiac Science, Defibtech, or Physio-Control's feedback systems, but confirm with the specific brand before assuming.
Does the feedback help a person who has never done CPR before?
Published research suggests yes. Multiple studies found feedback devices measurably improve compression depth and rate compared to no feedback, and the effect is generally strongest for people without recent CPR training.
How often do the pads with sensors need to be replaced?
Same schedule as standard pads for that brand, typically 2 to 4 years depending on the specific model. The feedback sensor doesn't extend or shorten that window on its own.
Deciding whether CPR feedback matters for your program?
Kyle Nowack can walk you through which brands offer it and whether it's worth prioritizing for your specific responders. Call (855) 286-6384 for guidance.
