AED Comparison Guide
AEDs can be used by inexperienced, minimally trained responders and can save a life prior to the ambulance arriving. However, it’s important to note that not all Defibrillators are the same. Check out our handy AED Comparison Guide below to help guide you when choosing your AED.
We have carefully selected two market-leading Philips HeartStart AEDs that are specifically designed for untrained individuals to use with ease in an emergency.
Both the HeartStart FRx and HeartStart HS1 help to provide the user with the confidence to act quickly and accordingly in an emergency. Both the FRx and HS1 act as a personal coach to guide the user through a cardiac emergency with a simple, step-by-step process.
However, there are differences between the FRx and HS1 models, so please see the table below to help you choose the best defibrillator to suit your needs.
| Phillips HeartStart FRx AED | Phillips HeartStart HS1 AED | |
| How to activate | Press the green power button | Automatically turns on upon pulling the ‘pull’ lever |
| Instructions | Audio with visuals on pads for clarity | Audio with visuals on pads for clarity |
| Automatic shock delivery | Press of a button once AED advises | Press of a button once AED advises |
| Easy for a user to open the electrode pad package | YES | YES |
| Easy for a user to remove the backings from the electrode pads | YES | YES |
| Easy for a user to control if and when a shock is delivered | YES | YES |
| Significant instructions/signage explaining how to set a casualty up for shock (clothing removal, hair removal, pad placement) | Yes – audio instructions in step-by-step form | Yes – audio instructions in step-by-step form |
| Infant Child Pads | YES. Insert key to reset AED to paediatric mode | Must manually swap to child pads |
| Colour | Dark with the relevant tools in bright colours to gain users immediate attention | Dark with the relevant tools in bright colours to grasp users immediate attention |
| Avoids shocking a responder | YES | YES |
| Avoid shocking a bystander | YES | YES |
| Avoid shocking casualty when considered inappropriate | YES | YES |
| Casualty receives CPR | YES | YES |
| Casualty with shockable rhythm actually receives the shock | YES | YES |
| Minimal time-to-shock after CPR for potentially better survival | YES (8-10 seconds) | YES (8-10 seconds) |
| Waterproof | YES | NO |
| Rugged | YES | Not recommended for rough environments |
| Warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery Life | 4 years | 4 years |
| Pads | Single use – 2 years | Single use – 2 years |
| Weight | 1.5kg | 1.5kg |
| Industrial sites, around water/dust, extreme environments, childcare centres, sports facilities, gyms | General purpose, office environment, warehouses, retail, etc |