Where to Buy an AED

Looking to buy an AED?

An AED or automated external defibrillator is a medical device for use in the treatment of sudden cardiac arrest. An AED machine is a sophisticated first aid unit designed to save lives. There are a number of various sources for purchase of an AED device:

Related: Can I buy an AED?

Where Can You Buy an AED?

AEDs can be purchased at

• Local retailers (specialized and non-specialized)
• Online retailers (specialized and non-specialized)

We provide examples and look at the advantages and disadvantages of each type of AED retailer below.

Local Retailers:

Examples of Non-specialized dealers offering basic public use units:

• Office Depot: Carries the ZOLL AED Plus, although stock is limited and availability is mixed.
• Walmart: AED Training unit only; some AED accessories. defibrillator supplies

Specialized dealers, whose equipment offering includes AEDs:

• Medical Supply Stores: These specialty medical retailers will often carry some AED units along with AED supplies. Their inventory and selection may be limited compared to online specialty retailers.
• CPR/AED Instructors/Programs: CPR and AED training organizations will sometimes carry AED units as well.

Online Retailers

Non-specialized dealers offering basic public use Defibrillator units:

• Walmart: AED Training unit only; some AED accessories. Defibrillator supplies include batteries, electrode pads, and defibrillator accessories such as cabinets, chargers, alarms, etc.
• Costco: As with many items, Costco occasionally buys available “lots” of AEDs and sells them for a short period of time. Costco is not a reliable source for AEDs or AED equipment.
• Amazon: Amazon at times has the Philips Heartstart Onsite AED*. Stock is typically limited and often sold through 3rd parties. Amazon is not a reliable place to purchase AED units.
  *NOTE: AEDs in the United States are controlled by the FDA according to Federal law and require a physician prescription. The only AED that is FDA-approved and offered for personal use without physician prescription is the Philips Heartstart OnSite AED. It is a basic but high quality AED, and relatively low cost.

Specialized dealers whose primary offering is AED’s and related accessories Provide a number of advantages:

1. Product selection: Specialized online retailers carry a full selection of AED models designed for both public and professional use. Top retailers will carry all available units from FDA approved AED manufacturers including Cardiac Science, Defibtech, HeartSine, Philips, Physio-Control, and ZOLL.
2. Shopping or AED buying guides: Some online retailers provide AED buying guides filled with comparisons, detailed specs on units, and recommendations on what units work best in various situations. You can checkout the Heartsmart AED buying guide here.
3. AED resources and articles: Specialty retailers often provide detailed content on defibrillators themselves as well as a wide variety of related topics, such as heart health, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, CPR, defibrillator usage, heart attack, AED regulations and more.
4. Live chat and phone support: Top retailers offer quick connection points to knowledgeable experts that can help you understand AED legal requirements, what the best AED for your situation is, how to build a solid AED package, how and when to make updates to your AED equipment, etc.
   
   These product experts can also help connect you to AED training opportunities, provide guidance on important related products (such as CPR manikins, first aid kits, etc.) and make sure you are properly prepared for a cardiac emergency.
5. Ongoing assistance: You can get help with AED prescriptions, regional legal and business requirements, maintenance program management for your device, product support and more.
6. Service: Great AED retailers will provide you with end-to-end service to help you launch, update, and maintain an AED program.
7. CPR and AED training.

These specialized online AED Retailers include stores such as:

• Heartsmart (Surprise 😉 )
• AED Superstore
• Cardio Partners (aed.com)

When to Buy an AED from a Local Vendor:

Buying Basic–Personal or Small Group AEDs needed immediately

There may be many cases when it is preferable to look locally for an AED to purchase. A situation may arise in which an AED is needed quickly, for a sports team, group outing (especially among seniors or other likely “at-risk” groups) or for a church or other organization sponsoring an upcoming activity. In this situation, getting a unit ASAP may be the priority over cost or getting the ideal unit for the situation.

When purchasing a single basic AED for personal or small group use, program planning and program management aspects of AEDs do not come into play. Only when purchasing AEDs which must meet the requirements of large businesses, schools, or other organizations is the help of a specialized retailer with knowledgeable expert purchasing guidance and technical support absolutely required.

When a basic purchase is all that is necessary the buy can be completed simply and the AED in hand right away. If one can be found at a big box store, personal service may be a missing element, but many offer no-hassle returns if you decide to go a different direction. At this level, prices are similar across the field of available AEDs, so comparing prices is not a major factor. Small local retailers may charge more for an AED, where a big-box store may be inline with an Online retailer depending on the unit.

Basic AEDs, though not rich in features, are still of high quality if made by a known company. FDA approval of an AEDs design and end product must be given before it can be sold. This ensures that all AEDs produced function well and are reliable. While a wide selection of AED brands and styles will typically not be available in run of the mill small or medium-sized town, any straightforward unit that can be found for sale locally will do in a pinch. Typically, selection and features are far less important in this case.

When to Buy From a Specialized Retailer:

Buying for Professional or Large Organization/Facility Use

Perhaps you are the one designated to equip your organization with one or more AEDs. In order to make a proper choice, there are many questions to be answered:

• Who will be using the AED, and who is it for?
• In what location(s) will it be kept and used?
• What maintenance will be required?
• Will training be needed?
• What is the budget for purchasing the machine(s)?
• Are bids required in the purchase process?
• Where are AEDs required?
• And more!

Current Expert Needed!

Once one moves beyond needing to purchase just one basic AED, the selection of AEDs becomes overwhelming in scope. Even after taking the step of consulting a buyer’s guide, the potential customer needs the help of an AED expert with current knowledge of available AEDs, types of installation, maintenance programs, etc. Study of a buyer’s guide is an all important first step, but guidance is still needed in making a choice that fits the specific situation–be it service, organization, or business type–in which the AED will be used.

An AED expert will help when:

• You need to understand how differences between models/specific features apply to your situation.
• You need multiple AEDs (quantity discounts may be available).
• You need or want AED program management and/or other aed maintenance support.
• Pricing matters.
• You plan to purchase as part of a program with other emergency medical / health and safety items (first aid kits, cpr supplies, etc.).
• You need training.

Buying For Price, Features, and Availability

Even if you’re an individual buying a single AED or a small batch of AEDs, purchasing from a specialized retailer will often provide benefits in areas of price, product selection/features required, and unit availability, along with knowledgeable support staff.

AED packages have grown in popularity in recent years as they provide a cost-savings over purchasing an AED and then adding needed defibrillator accessories such as an AED cabinet, extra AED pads, batteries, AED carrying case, etc. If you’re on a budget and less familiar with AEDs and the associated supplies needed, we’d recommend considering an AED package.

Is Buying a Used AED a Good Idea?

Why Buy Refurbished?

Often, customers wonder if purchasing a used AED is a good idea. With some caveats to consider in order to make a wise purchase, the lower prices on refurbished AEDs can make acquiring an AED affordable for those who want one for personal use. Also, buying a refurbished unit can bring a higher level machine into reach if more ruggedness or advanced features are desired.

There are many reliable sources for refurbished AEDs, so it is not necessary to take a “shot in the dark” when buying a used unit. Just because a unit is being resold does not mean it is old, damaged, or worn out. Portable defibrillators that are relatively new can be had due to lease programs in which the vendor swaps out slightly used AED units for new ones. The used units are tested and recertified for sale at nearly one half the new price.

Be sure to purchase any used machine from a trustworthy source. Make certain a refurbished AED has undergone a certified biomedical technician test and has FDA pre-market approval. Ask questions about the history of the unit, its expected life and availability of accessories. These steps will help assure that you are getting a reliable unit.

What to Watch Out For

While refurbished AEDs can be a very good purchase, watch out for these possible problems if you choose to buy a refurbished model:

• Some older AEDs were not FDA approved. They may work in the short run, but are not a viable option. In any case, it is not legal to resell them!
• Even if FDA approved, many used AEDs are just not worth purchasing. Like older models of any item–cars, household appliances, etc., they are likely to break or wear out soon after purchase. If they need service or repair, it will likely be difficult to find a repair person and/or needed parts to make them operable again.
• AEDs require accessories such as batteries and pads. Even if not used, they will expire and need to be replaced with fresh items. AED makers may discontinue these items, rendering an older machine, though it still works, unusable. (NOTE: Beware of 3rd party accessories; they may not work properly with various machines. The chance of AED malfunction or failure is too great to risk using these items.)
• Check the warranty on the machine. How long does it imply the unit will last? Was there a transferable warranty?
• When purchasing a used machine, be very cautious of buying on a used marketplace such as Ebay or Amazon that does not have the same restrictions and process for quality guarantee that other specialty retailers will have.

Our Recertified AEDs

Recertified AEDs from Heartsmart go through a 10-point inspection process conducted by our certified AED technicians. These units will be “like new”, but will have had a previous life as a demo unit, been taken as a trade-in, or connected to a buy-back program. Recertified AEDs can be great choices if you’re on a budget–especially if the AED will be used infrequently. 

Our recertified AEDs come with a 3-year warranty. 

Where Can I Buy a Used AED?

Various specialty retailers will carry used AEDs for sale. The current models are available through our store (updated 8-22-2022)

Used AEDs for Sale

• Refurbished Cardiac Science Powerheart G3
• Pre-owned Defibtech Lifeline/ReviveR

Background on AEDs

Automated external defibrillators can be deployed by most anyone who can recognize sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and begin taking life saving measures. Such a device is used by medical personnel in hospitals or on emergency medical teams, but can also be used by a whole range of responders–police, sports trainers, school personnel, public bystanders, youngsters, etc. (SCA, in which the heart ceases to beat properly, is distinguished from a heart attack, which is the loss of blood flow to the heart. An SCA victim also loses consciousness, while this is not necessarily true when a heart attack occurs.)

While they are sophisticated devices, today’s AED units are designed for a wide range of users. First responders with proper CPR/AED training know how to begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation and activate AED machines to analyze a victim’s heart rhythm and deliver an electrical shock if ventricular fibrillation is detected. From the simplest defibrillator to the best automated external defibrillators with extra user feedback and capabilities, all can be used without immediate medical direction. Deploying any of these AED devices is as simple as opening the lid and/or pushing a start button.

Aware of the benefits of having AEDs readily available for public safety, some smaller jurisdictions have enacted local laws with various requirements for AED stations, AED maintenance, etc. Defibrillators have thus been added to first aid stations that previously only included first aid items such as a bleeding control kit, CPR devices, etc., but are now prepared with an AED unit as well.

AEDs are now found in most any facility, whether a business, school, sports facility, government building, or other public venue. They have been purchased by many organizations and are kept ready for emergency use in case of cardiac arrest.