Choosing an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is one of the most important decisions you can make for your home, school, or small business. It’s an investment in preparedness that can make the difference between life and death. Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) programs have been shown to increase bystander intervention in sudden cardiac arrest cases from just 1% to over 16%, dramatically improving survival rates. But with so much at stake, how do you choose the right device?
Two of the most popular, trusted, and user-friendly models on the market are the Heartsine Samaritan PAD 350P and the Philips HeartStart OnSite. Both are excellent, FDA-approved devices, but they are designed with different priorities in mind. This guide provides a direct, side-by-side comparison to help you move past the specifications and understand which AED is the right fit for your specific environment and needs.
The quick verdict for busy people
If you need a fast answer, here it is.
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Choose the Philips HeartStart OnSite
If your primary concern is guiding an anxious or completely untrained user through a rescue in a predictable indoor environment like a home, office, or church. Its calm, step-by-step instructions are designed to build confidence in the most stressful moments. -
Choose the Heartsine Samaritan PAD 350P
if you need a durable, lightweight, and low-maintenance device for a more demanding setting. Its superior resistance to dust and water makes it the ideal choice for sports fields, community pools, warehouses, or any location where the AED might be exposed to the elements.
Head-to-head feature comparison table
A visual overview is often the easiest way to see the key differences. This table breaks down the most important specifications for each device.
Feature showdown what really matters in an emergency
Specifications only tell part of the story. To truly understand which AED to choose, we need to look at how these features perform in the real world.
Ease of use a tale of two rescue philosophies
Both devices are designed for lay rescuers, but they approach guidance differently. The Philips OnSite, the first AED ever cleared by the FDA for over-the-counter sales, is famous for its calm, detailed voice prompts. It detects your pace and repeats instructions or offers more detail if you hesitate, acting like a reassuring coach. This can be invaluable for a user who is overwhelmed with panic.
The Heartsine 350P offers a more direct and efficient approach. It provides clear, concise voice prompts combined with easy-to-follow visual diagrams that light up to show you exactly what to do next. This streamlined method is perfect for users who can process visual information quickly and want to act without delay. Neither approach is better, they simply cater to different user psychologies.
Durability the IP rating deep dive
This is one of the most significant differences between the two models. The IP (Ingress Protection) rating measures how well a device is protected against dust and water.
The Philips OnSite has a rating of IP21. This means it’s protected from small objects (like fingers) and from vertically dripping water. It’s perfectly suitable for an indoor setting like an office or home where it won’t be exposed to harsh conditions.
The Heartsine 350P has a rating of IP56. This is a far more rugged classification. It is completely protected against dust ingress and can withstand powerful jets of water from any direction. If your AED will be located near a pool, on a boat, at a dusty construction site, or on the sidelines of a soccer field in the rain, the 350P’s superior durability is a critical advantage.
Maintenance and the 8 year cost of ownership
Every AED requires ongoing maintenance to ensure it's ready for an emergency. This primarily involves replacing the electrode pads and batteries before they expire.
The Philips OnSite uses separate components. The main battery (M5070A) has a 4-year lifespan, and the adult electrode pads (M5071A) have a 2-year lifespan. This means you’ll need to track two different expiration dates.
The Heartsine 350P simplifies this with its innovative Pad-Pak system. The battery and electrode pads are combined into a single cartridge with one expiration date. Every four years, you replace the entire unit. This system reduces the chance of human error and makes managing your AED's readiness incredibly simple. Over the 8-year warranty period, the cost is very similar, but the Heartsine’s maintenance schedule is significantly easier to manage.
The core technology biphasic waveforms explained
Both the OnSite and the 350P use modern, low-energy biphasic waveforms to deliver a therapeutic shock. This technology is proven to be as effective or even more effective than older high-energy monophasic shocks while causing less stress to the heart muscle.
The Philips OnSite uses a SMART Biphasic truncated exponential waveform. It automatically measures the patient’s body impedance (resistance) and customizes the shock, delivering a high-current jolt at a lower overall energy level, typically 150 joules. This technology is one of the most extensively studied and validated waveforms in the world.
The Heartsine 350P uses a SCOPE Biphasic escalating waveform. It also adjusts for patient impedance but delivers shocks in an escalating sequence of 150J, 150J, and 200J if subsequent shocks are needed. This approach is designed to provide the optimal level of energy for each individual rescue. Both technologies are state-of-the-art and highly effective at treating the most common forms of sudden cardiac arrest.
Trust, reliability, and the value of preparedness
Both Philips and Heartsine offer a solid 8-year warranty, demonstrating their confidence in the long-term reliability of their devices. Choosing an AED is not just a purchase, it's a long-term investment in safety. Studies published in medical journals like Circulation have shown that the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained from PAD programs is between $27,000 and $44,000, making it a sound and recognized public health investment.
Whether you choose the widely trusted Philips OnSite or the ruggedly reliable Heartsine 350P, you are taking a powerful step toward protecting your community. With a full range of AED accessories, comprehensive CPR and AED training courses, and our innovative Response Ready App for managing readiness checks, we are here to support you for the life of your device.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do I need a prescription to buy the Philips OnSite or Heartsine 350P?
A: No. Both the Philips HeartStart OnSite and the Heartsine 350P have been cleared by the FDA for over-the-counter sale without a prescription, making them accessible for homes, small businesses, and community groups.
Q: How do these devices work on children?
A: Both AEDs have pediatric solutions. The Philips OnSite requires separate infant/child electrode pads (M5072A) that reduce the energy of the shock. The Heartsine 350P uses a pediatric version of its cartridge, the Pediatric-Pak, for children under 8 years of age or weighing less than 55 pounds.
Q: Can I accidentally shock someone who doesn't need it?
A: No. Modern AEDs are incredibly safe. They will only advise and deliver a shock if they detect a shockable heart rhythm (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia). The device will not allow you to deliver a shock to a person with a normal heart rhythm.
Q: What happens after I buy the AED?
A: After purchasing, it’s crucial to place the AED in a visible, accessible location, often in an AED cabinet. You should also familiarize yourself with the device and consider AED and CPR training to build confidence. Our program management solutions can help you track maintenance and ensure your device is always compliant and ready.
Q: Which AED is lighter and more portable?
A: The Heartsine 350P is one of the lightest and most compact AEDs available, weighing only 2.4 pounds. The Philips OnSite is also very portable at 3.3 pounds. For situations where every ounce counts, like in a backpack or mobile response kit, the Heartsine has a slight edge.
