A fast, concrete checklist for the phone call or product page review before you commit. Each question links to a full breakdown if you want to go deeper.
How to Use This Checklist
This is the condensed version. If you have already read our other AED buying guides, most of these questions will look familiar; the goal here is to give you a fast, complete list to run through on a vendor call or while comparing product pages, with a link to the full answer wherever you want more depth than a paragraph provides.
Ten questions cover the ground that actually changes a purchase decision: what the device can do, what it costs, whether it fits your responders and your building, and what happens after you buy it. Work through them in order, in five minutes, before you commit to a specific model.
1What features actually matter for my situation?
Not every marketed feature changes a rescue outcome. Prioritize fully-automatic versus semi-automatic shock delivery matched to your responders' training level, real-time CPR feedback if your responder pool is likely untrained, pediatric capability if children could be present, and an IP rating matched to your deployment environment. Treat branded waveform names, specific joule claims, and premium displays as secondary.
Full breakdown: AED Features That Actually Matter (and Which Are Marketing)
2Do I need a prescription, and is this AED FDA-cleared?
Only three AED models are FDA-cleared for over-the-counter sale without a prescription: Philips HeartStart OnSite, Philips HeartStart Home, and HeartSine samaritan PAD 350P. Every other AED requires a physician's prescription or purchase through a licensed medical device distributor. Confirm the seller handles this paperwork; Total AEDs manages prescription requirements at no extra charge on every model that needs one.
3What will this AED actually cost me over 10 years, not just today?
The purchase price is typically only 60 to 70 percent of true 10-year cost once pads (every 2 years), battery (every 4 to 5 years), a cabinet, signage, and responder training are included. A realistic single-unit 10-year total runs $4,000 to $5,500 depending on brand. Ask for the full picture before comparing sticker prices across brands.
Full pricing breakdown and total cost of ownership by scenario
4Semi-automatic or fully-automatic, and does it matter for my responders?
Both deliver identical defibrillation therapy; the only difference is whether the responder presses a button to fire an already-determined shock, or the AED fires it automatically after a countdown. For untrained responder pools, fully-automatic removes a documented hesitation point. Peer-reviewed research has found fully-automatic AEDs are not less safe, and may improve combined bystander safety.
5When do the pads and battery expire, and how will I know if the battery dies without warning?
Pads typically expire every 2 years (up to 5 years on ZOLL AED Plus); batteries typically every 4 to 5 years. Sealed, unopened pads still expire by their printed date. Every modern AED runs automatic self-tests on a tiered daily, weekly, and monthly cycle and displays a visible status indicator (usually a light or checkmark) that fails to a visible warning state when the battery or pads need attention. That indicator only works if someone actually looks at it; build a monthly visual check into your routine rather than relying on the self-test alone.
Full breakdown: When to Replace Your Old AED, 7 Warning Signs
6Will an untrained, panicked person actually be able to use this?
Every mainstream AED is designed for lay-responder use with voice-guided prompts, and this is well-established across the industry. The two features that make the biggest measurable difference for a genuinely untrained, stressed responder are fully-automatic shock delivery (removes the button-press decision) and real-time CPR feedback (removes the guesswork on compression quality). If your responder pool is entirely untrained, weight both of these heavily over other features.
7Can this AED be used on a child without buying separate pediatric pads?
Most brands require a distinct pediatric pad set for patients under 8 years old or under 55 lbs, sold separately from the standard adult pads. Philips FRx is a notable exception, using a physical Infant/Child Key inserted into the device to reduce shock energy rather than requiring separate pediatric pads. If your location could ever serve children, confirm exactly how the specific model you are considering handles pediatric cases and budget for that accessory before you buy, not after.
8Does this specific model have a recall history, and how do I check?
The FDA maintains a public Medical Device Recall database covering AEDs and AED accessories, and publishes a searchable table of AEDs that have received premarket approval. Every AED and accessory carries a Unique Device Identifier (UDI) printed on the product label, which you can look up in the FDA's AccessGUDID database before purchase. Register any AED you buy with the manufacturer so you receive direct recall and safety alert notifications going forward; this step is commonly overlooked and is the main reason owners miss recall notices.
9What does the warranty actually cover, and what's excluded?
Standard manufacturer warranties run 7 to 8 years on current new models and cover defects in materials and workmanship, typically including both parts and labor. They do not cover accidental damage, drops, water damage beyond the device's rated IP protection, or unauthorized modification; Philips's own published warranty language explicitly excludes abuse, negligence, and accident. Accidental damage protection is a separate coverage type, if available at all, not something bundled into a standard AED warranty. The battery is also usually covered by its own separate, shorter warranty term, not the full device term.
10Who do I call in the United States if something goes wrong or I need training help?
Confirm the seller is an authorized distributor for the specific brand before you buy; this affects warranty validity on some brands and ensures access to genuine consumables and recall notifications. Ask whether the distributor provides responder training support, ongoing program guidance, and a real phone line staffed by people who know the product, not just an order confirmation email. Total AEDs is an authorized distributor for every brand referenced in this article and staffs its program specialist line at (855) 286-6384.
If you can answer all 10 confidently for a specific model, you are ready to buy. If any answer is unclear, call (855) 286-6384 before you order; a 5-minute conversation is cheaper than an AED that does not fit your program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key features to look for in an AED?
Fully-automatic versus semi-automatic shock delivery matched to responder training level, real-time CPR feedback for untrained responder pools, pediatric pad or mode availability, and an IP rating matched to your deployment environment. See AED Features That Actually Matter for the full priority order and which marketed features matter less than they sound.
Is a prescription required to buy an AED?
Most AEDs require a physician's prescription or purchase through a licensed medical device distributor. Three models are FDA-cleared for over-the-counter sale without one: Philips HeartStart OnSite, Philips HeartStart Home, and HeartSine samaritan PAD 350P. Authorized distributors, including Total AEDs, typically handle the prescription process for you at no extra charge.
How much does a typical AED cost?
New AEDs typically range from $1,100 to $2,300 depending on brand and features; refurbished units run $700 to $1,600. See How Much Does an AED Cost in 2026 for a full brand-by-brand breakdown.
What is the difference between semi-automatic and fully automatic AEDs?
Both analyze the heart rhythm identically. A semi-automatic AED requires the responder to press a button to deliver an already-determined shock; a fully-automatic AED delivers it automatically after a brief countdown. See Semi-Auto vs Fully-Auto AED for the full comparison including peer-reviewed safety research.
Do AED pads expire?
Yes, typically every 2 years (up to 5 years on ZOLL AED Plus), regardless of whether the packaging has been opened. The conductive gel degrades over time even when sealed and unused. See When to Replace Your Old AED for a brand-by-brand expiration reference.
Are there ongoing maintenance costs for an AED?
Yes. Budget for pad replacement every 2 years, battery replacement every 4 to 5 years, and periodic responder training refreshers. Averaged over a 10-year service life, this runs approximately $85 to $150 per year for a single-unit deployment, excluding the initial purchase. See AED Total Cost of Ownership for scenario-based estimates.
Will the AED be easy for a panicked person with no training to use?
Every mainstream AED is designed for lay-responder use with voice-guided prompts. Fully-automatic shock delivery and real-time CPR feedback are the two features that most directly reduce hesitation and guesswork for a genuinely untrained, stressed responder; weight both heavily if your responder pool has little to no training.
What is the total cost of ownership over 10 years including batteries and pads?
A realistic single-unit 10-year total, including device, pads, battery, cabinet, signage, and responder training, runs approximately $4,000 to $5,500 depending on brand and training needs. See AED Total Cost of Ownership for four scenario breakdowns from budget refurbished to multi-unit programs.
Does this specific model have a high failure rate or history of recalls?
Check the FDA's public Medical Device Recall database and the AccessGUDID database using the Unique Device Identifier (UDI) printed on the product label. The FDA also publishes a table of AEDs that have received premarket approval. Register your AED with the manufacturer after purchase so you receive direct recall and safety alert notifications going forward.
How often does the device perform self-tests to ensure it's working?
Most modern AEDs run automatic self-tests on a tiered schedule: a basic check daily, a deeper diagnostic weekly, and the most comprehensive test monthly, checking internal circuitry, battery voltage, and pad connectivity at each tier. Self-tests cannot verify pad expiration dates or confirm rescue accessories are present, which is why a monthly hands-on visual inspection remains the industry-standard complement to automated self-testing.
Can this AED be used on children without buying separate pediatric pads?
Usually not; most brands require a separate pediatric pad set for patients under 8 years or under 55 lbs. Philips FRx is a notable exception, using a physical Infant/Child Key that reduces shock energy instead of requiring separate pads. Confirm the specific mechanism for your chosen model before purchase if pediatric use is a possibility.
Is there a local representative who can help with training and setup in the United States?
This varies by seller, not by brand, so ask directly before you buy. Confirm the distributor is authorized for the specific brand, offers responder training support or referrals, and staffs a real phone line with product knowledge. Total AEDs provides this support across every brand it carries; call (855) 286-6384 to discuss setup and training for your specific program.
What happens if the battery dies and I don't realize it?
The AED's status indicator will show a fail or warning state once the battery drops below operational threshold or the self-test fails, but this only helps if someone actually looks at the indicator. This is why monthly visual inspection matters even though the device self-tests automatically; a status light that no one checks provides no real protection. Some models offer Wi-Fi or app-based alerts that notify a program manager remotely, removing reliance on someone physically walking past the device.
Does the warranty cover accidental damage or just manufacturer defects?
Just manufacturer defects, on standard warranties. Published manufacturer warranty terms (Philips's language is explicit on this point) exclude damage from abuse, negligence, and accident. Accidental damage protection, if available at all, is a separate coverage type from the standard defects-in-materials-and-workmanship warranty every AED ships with. See AED Warranty Comparison for the full breakdown of what is and is not covered across major brands.
Total AEDs ships free on orders $149 and above within the contiguous United States. See our full shipping policy and return policy before ordering, or call (855) 286-6384 to run through this checklist with a program specialist before you buy.
