How Much Does an AED Cost? Comparing Defibrillator Prices
At this point, if you’re like most AED buyers, you’ve probably been evaluating the features and capabilities of the various AEDs on the market, weighing their pros and cons, and trying to determine which unit is right for you. One of the most important steps your process is, of course, comparing AED prices and finding a unit that’s within your budget without having to sacrifice the features that you want.
To help make that decision, we’ll give you an overview of how much an AED costs by covering the following topics:
- AED Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
- AED Initial Purchase Price
- AED Disposable Costs (batteries, electrode pads, accessories)
Planning Your AED Purchase: Understanding Defibrillator Costs
When planning your AED purchase, it's best to evaluate your options by considering the Total Cost of Ownership, or TCO, for each unit.
Definition: TCO is the total cost of buying a new, functional, FDA-approved AED unit, in full PLUS the cost of any accessories the AED may require to remain operable over a duration of time.
All AEDs sold in the U.S. come equipped with a battery and adult electrode pads since they are necessary components to use the AED during an emergency. However, AED batteries and electrode pads (also referred to as “AED disposables”) expire over time and therefore must be replaced periodically.
The interval of time each AED disposable item lasts prior to requiring replacement varies from one AED model to the next. When evaluating the cost of an AED, pay close attention to the lifespan and cost of the device’s battery and electrode pads. Both of these factors will help you understand what your future expenses will be for each AED model.
AED Price – The Initial Purchase Price
Definition: The cost to purchase a new, functional, FDA-approved AED unit in full.
AEDs generally cost between $1,275 to $3,400 for the upfront purchase of the device. However, it's important to understand that the initial purchase price of the AED is not the only expense you'll incur for each of your units.
Download the Ultimate AED Buyer's Guide to view Total Cost of Ownership comparison charts for every AED on the U.S. market.
Key Factors Affecting AED Costs
Different AED Configurations
The initial cost of purchasing an AED may vary depending on features, options, or functionalities it includes, which are often categorized into different SKUs. Nearly every AED model has multiple stock-keeping units (SKU’s) which often have different price.
Some AEDs have different SKUs for offering bilingual capabilities, semi-automatic vs. fully automatic shock delivery, the type of carry case selected, and more. What might seem like a minor adjustment to the options you select could significantly alter the initial price for the device.
The Avive Connect AED is designed to offer more features for less cost. It is fully automatic, connects to cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS, bilingual in English and Spanish, and equipped with universal pads at no additional cost. Every Avive Connect AED contains the same full list of features and does not have multiple AED versions or SKUs that limit functionality.
Disposables: AED Batteries
AED batteries can be expensive! Most AEDs do NOT have rechargeable batteries and therefore need to be physically purchased and replaced every few years. Rechargeable batteries, like those found in Avive Connect AEDs, can significantly help keep costs down by eliminating the need to continuously purchase new sets of batteries.
Disposables: AED Electrode Pads
All AEDs have single use electrode pads that are applied to the person's chest during an emergency rescue situation. When you purchase an AED, all devices come with at least one set of electrode pads that will have to be replaced once they are used or expire. All AED electrode pads are single use.
Adding Additional AED Accessories for Your Environment
Another factor that may increase the initial purchase price of your AED is whether you need to purchase additional accessories for your environment. For example, pediatric (child) electrode pads may be appropriate for certain homes, schools, youth sports leagues, fitness clubs, pools, and more.
While all AEDs come equipped with adult electrode pads, they don’t all come with pediatric AED pads. If you are placing an AED in a setting where children are frequently present, such as a school, a home, or at a daycare, then it’s important to purchase pediatric AED pads so that your AED is capable of being used to save a child.
It's worth noting that this additional expense can be avoided if you choose to purchase one of the three AEDs that utilize universal pads: the Avive Connect AED, the LIFEPAK CR2, or the ZOLL AED 3.
Download the Ultimate AED Buyer's Guide to view side-by-side feature comparison charts and cost analysis.
Other Recommendations Stated in the AED’s Owner’s Manual
Prior to purchasing an AED, it’s good practice to make sure you’re comfortable with how to set up, use, and maintain your AED (per the AED manufacturer’s specific instructions), so we recommend that you give the AED Owner’s Manual a read.
If the AED manufacturer is recommending or requiring you to purchase additional accessories, you should take it seriously, as it could be part of your AED’s warranty or your AED indemnification policy.
After including any recommendations or requirements from the AED manufacturer, and any AED accessories you might need for your specific environment, you should have the initial purchase price for an AED.
Understanding AED Features
Even though there are only five AED manufacturers in the U.S. today, AEDs offer a whole host of features and capabilities that vary by make and model. If you're looking to purchase AEDs, you may be wondering which features you need and which features may be less relevant for your environment. Regardless, here are the features we believe matter most when it comes to choosing the best AED:
- Accessibility and Ease-of-Use
- Portability
- Connectivity
- Durability
- Easy Maintenance
- AED Cost