How Often Should You Replace AED Pads and Batteries? (Brand-by-Brand Guide)

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is only as reliable as the consumables inside it. The unit itself can last 8 to 10 years, but its electrode pads and battery expire far sooner — and expired consumables are one of the leading reasons an AED fails when someone needs it most. In fact, analyses of AED failures have traced roughly half of preventable issues to out-of-date pads and batteries. The good news: with a simple replacement schedule, your device stays rescue-ready year-round.

Here is exactly how often to replace AED pads and batteries, brand by brand.

Looking for the exact part numbers for your model? See our AED Pads & Batteries by Model compatibility guide.

Why AED pads and batteries expire

Electrode pads contain two basic components: a conductive gel and metal electrodes. Over time the gel dries to the point where it can no longer make proper contact with a victim's chest, and the metal electrodes corrode with age just as any metal product would. Even though pads are factory-sealed, the FDA assigns expiration dates based on the tested integrity of those components — the date reflects when the pad can still be trusted to work at full strength, not when it visibly fails.

Batteries power the AED's computer and its high-energy shock, and they drain slowly in standby as the device runs its automatic self-tests. Their standby life is set against that self-test schedule and energy draw. Your battery may not be fully depleted the day it expires, but the odds of the unit becoming inoperable climb sharply past the approved standby life.

"My AED says it's ready — can I wait?"

This is the single most common question we get, and the answer is no. A green check or ready indicator confirms the unit passed its last self-test; it does not confirm the pads will adhere and conduct during an actual rescue, and it does not account for a battery operating past its rated standby life. Replace on the printed date, not on the indicator. For more on this, see can you use expired AED pads?

General replacement intervals

• AED pads: typically 2 to 5 years (some run as short as 18–30 months), depending on brand and model.
• AED batteries: typically 2 to 5 years in standby, depending on brand and model.
• The AED unit: roughly 8 to 10 years of useful service life, or sooner if the model is no longer supported.

Always replace pads and a battery as the manufacturer specifies, or immediately after any use — even a deployment where no shock was delivered.

Replacement intervals by brand

Use these as general guidance and always confirm against the date printed on your specific pads and battery:

• Philips HeartStart — OnSite/Home and HS1 batteries last about 4 years; SMART Pads II and M5071A adult pads are generally replaced about every 2 years or after use. FRx pads follow a similar pad interval. Full OnSite guide →
• ZOLL AED Plus — uses lithium 123A batteries replaced about every 5 years. One-piece CPR-D-padz carry a 5-year shelf life (matching the battery), while two-piece Stat-padz run about 2 years and Pedi-padz II about 2 years. Full AED Plus guide →
• ZOLL AED 3 — pads and battery intervals depend on configuration; check the printed dates and status indicator.
• HeartSine Samaritan PAD — combines the battery and pads into a single Pad-Pak cartridge with one expiration date, usually around 4 years from manufacture. You track one date and replace the whole cartridge.
• Defibtech Lifeline — standard batteries run several years (long-life backup batteries can have an extended shelf life); pads are generally replaced about every 2 years or by their printed date.
• Cardiac Science Powerheart — pads are commonly replaced about every 2 years; batteries per the model's specification.
• Physio-Control / Stryker LIFEPAK — intervals vary by model, so do not assume one figure across the range. The LIFEPAK CR2 uses 4-year QUIK-STEP adult/child electrodes and a 4-year battery, which come due together. The CR Plus, LIFEPAK Express and LIFEPAK 1000 run their own schedules — check the printed date on your parts. Full CR2 guide →

Need replacements? Shop genuine, manufacturer-approved AED pads for every brand, or simplify your schedule with our AED Pad & Battery Maintenance Packages.

We remind you before they expire

Tracking expiration dates across multiple units is where most AED programs slip. When you buy pads or a battery from AED Professionals, we contact you 90, 60, and 30 days before they are due for replacement — so a lapse never comes as a surprise and you are never caught with an out-of-date device on the wall.

Always replace pads after any use

Any time an AED is deployed in an emergency, plan to replace the pads — even if no shock was delivered. The goal is not to squeeze the last days out of a consumable; it is to restore full readiness immediately so the device is prepared for the next emergency. Depending on the event, the battery may also need to be evaluated.

Do not forget pediatric pads

If your AED may be used on children, keep a current set of pediatric pads (or a pediatric key, on models that use one). Pediatric pads have their own expiration dates — often around 2 years — and are easy to overlook. Note that a few models, including the LIFEPAK CR2 and ZOLL AED 3, cover both patient sizes from a single electrode set and need no separate paediatric pads at all.

A simple readiness routine

• Check the status indicator every month (a green light or check means ready on most models).
• Read the printed expiration dates on pads and battery during each check.
• Order replacements about 60 days early so you never have a coverage gap.
• Log each inspection and keep a spare set of in-date pads on hand.

Want the bigger picture on device upkeep? Read how often you need to service an AED, or find your exact part numbers in the pads and batteries by model guide.

Frequently asked questions

How often do AED pads need to be replaced?

Most pads last 2 to 5 years depending on brand and model, and should be replaced by their printed expiration date or immediately after any use.

How long do AED batteries last?

Most AED batteries last 2 to 5 years in standby. Replace sooner if the device shows a low-battery warning.

Do AED pads expire even if they are never used?

Yes. The conductive gel dries out over time and the metal electrodes corrode, so sealed, unused pads still expire and must be replaced by their printed date.

My AED shows a green ready light. Do I still need to replace the pads?

Yes. The ready indicator confirms the unit passed its last self-test. It does not verify that the pads will adhere and conduct during a rescue, so replace them on the printed expiration date regardless.

Replacement intervals are general guidance only. Always follow the expiration dates and instructions for your specific AED model and consumables. Last reviewed: 18 August 2026.