Philips Onsite AED Pads
Philips Frx AED Pads
An expired pad is the single most common reason a HeartStart fails when a real cardiac arrest happens. The device is fine, the battery is fine, but the pads passed their date sitting in a wall cabinet nobody checked. If you're responsible for an AED program, replacement pads aren't an accessory line item. They're the rescue itself.
United AED stocks the full lineup of genuine Philips AED pads for every active HeartStart defibrillator — OnSite, Home, FRx, FR2+, and FR3 — in both adult and pediatric configurations. Every Philips defibrillator pad we ship is current-dated, factory-sealed, FDA-cleared, and routed from authorized US distribution. No aftermarket substitutes, no repackaged inventory.
Find Your Philips HeartStart Pad — Compatibility by Model
Philips HeartStart pads aren't cross-compatible across the product family. SMART Pads II won't fit an FR3. The FR2's electrodes are completely different from the OnSite's. Match your device to the right cartridge before you order.
| HeartStart Model | Adult Pad Cartridge | Pediatric Option | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|---|
| OnSite (M5066A) / Home (M5068A) | SMART Pads II — M5071A | Infant/Child SMART Pads — M5072A | ~2 years |
| FRx | SMART Pads II — 989803139261 | Infant/Child Key + adult pads | ~2 years |
| FR2 / FR2+ | M3713A Adult Plus Pads | M3717A Infant/Child Pads | ~2 years |
| FR3 | SMART Pads III — 989803150161 | Infant/Child SMART Pads III — 989803149981 | ~2 years |
Shopping by exact model? Jump straight to Philips OnSite pads or Philips FRx pads. Browsing the full HeartStart device lineup instead? See Philips HeartStart AEDs.
Adult Philips Defibrillator Pads — SMART Pads II, SMART Pads III, FR2
SMART Pads II are the standard adult electrode for the OnSite, Home, and FRx. They're pre-connected, pre-gelled, and contain the chip the HeartStart reads to confirm the right pad is installed. When you snap a new SMART Pads II cartridge into the device, the AED updates its expiration tracking automatically — no manual configuration.
SMART Pads III are exclusive to the FR3 professional defibrillator. The connector and firmware handshake are different from SMART Pads II, and the FR3 will reject the older cartridge on self-test. If you've got an FR3 in your fleet, order 989803150161.
FR2 pads (M3713A) serve the older but still-deployed FR2 and FR2+ units common in fire/EMS rigs. Philips continues extended distribution — United AED carries current-dated stock.
Pediatric Philips Pads — When and How to Use Them
American Heart Association guidance is specific: use pediatric pads on patients under 8 years old or under approximately 55 lbs (25 kg) when they're available. Pediatric pads deliver a lower-energy shock appropriate for smaller hearts and use altered electrode placement guidance printed directly on the pad.
The HeartStart FRx is the exception. Instead of a separate pediatric cartridge, it uses adult pads paired with the Infant/Child Key. Insert the key into the FRx and the device automatically attenuates the shock energy for a pediatric patient. Keep the key zipped into the carry case so it's never separated from the AED.
If a pediatric emergency happens and you only have adult Philips pads on hand, use them. AHA guidance is clear: delivering a shock with adult pads is better than withholding defibrillation while you search for the right cartridge. Place pads anterior/posterior on a small child and let the AED do its work.
Shelf Life, Storage, and When to Replace
Philips dates HeartStart pads at roughly two years from manufacture. That's the printed expiration. In real-world AED cabinets, the bigger threat to pad life is heat. Anything above 122°F (50°C) degrades the conductive gel — even if the pouch is still sealed. AEDs mounted near a sunny window, in an unconditioned warehouse, or stored in a vehicle trunk during summer can run hot enough to age pads months early.
Three triggers that mean replace now:
- Printed expiration date passed. Don't wait, don't use them "just one more month."
- HeartStart self-test alarm. The unit chirps and the green ready-light flips when something fails its daily check. Pads are the most common culprit.
- Pad pouch was opened. Even unused, exposed pads dry out fast. Once the seal is broken, the gel is on a clock measured in days.
Most workplace AED programs run a 90-day inspection schedule. Log the pad expiration date, the battery install date, and the indicator status at every check. OSHA inspectors and your liability carrier will ask for that paper trail. Pair fresh pads with current Philips OnSite batteries or FRx batteries when both are due.
Why Genuine Philips Pads Matter — FDA Clearance and Liability
Every Philips HeartStart pad we sell is FDA-cleared, sourced through authorized Philips distribution, and stored climate-controlled until it ships. We do not carry repackaged, refurbished, or aftermarket electrodes for the HeartStart line. Two reasons:
- The device won't accept them reliably. The HeartStart reads a chip in the pad cartridge to confirm compatibility. Generic pads either fail the handshake or report incorrect expiration data.
- Liability exposure. If a non-FDA-cleared pad is on the device during a rescue, your AED program's Good Samaritan and medical-direction coverage may not apply. The cost savings on aftermarket pads disappear the first time a lawyer asks for the supply chain.
Workplace AED Program Compliance and OSHA Documentation
If your HeartStart is part of a workplace, school, or facility AED program, pad replacement isn't optional — it's a documentation event. OSHA, state Good Samaritan statutes, and most commercial liability carriers expect a maintained record showing pad install date, expiration, serial, and inspection cadence. United AED supports facility programs with scheduled pad replacement, current-dated stock, and inventory tracking. Common segments we work with:
- Business AED packages for offices and corporate campuses
- School AED packages for K–12 and higher-ed compliance
- Healthcare AED packages for clinics and outpatient settings
After a Rescue — What to Replace, What to Document
If your HeartStart was used in a real event, the pads are done. Even if a shock wasn't delivered, the gel contacted the patient and the cartridge is considered contaminated. Replace it the same day. While you're at it, replace the battery — the M5070A for OnSite and Home units, or 989803139291 for the FRx. Both are stocked on our store.
Run a manual self-test before the HeartStart goes back on the wall. Log the rescue details, the pad model and serial replaced, and the battery date in your AED program file. Most states' Good Samaritan statutes require a documented response chain.
Training Pads for CPR/AED Courses
Live Philips pads are single-use and chip-locked — they cannot be safely used for CPR/AED instruction. For training programs, use Philips AED training products with dedicated training cartridges that the HeartStart Trainer recognizes as practice electrodes. Don't burn real SMART Pads II on a training session — the chip records the install and the device will flag the unit as deployed.
Philips Pads vs. Other AED Brands
If your facility runs a mixed AED fleet, you'll need different pads for each brand. Pads aren't transferable across manufacturers — the connectors and firmware are proprietary. Shop the matching electrode for each device:
- Zoll AED pads — CPR-D-padz, CPR Uni-padz, Stat-padz II, Pedi-padz II
- Cardiac Science Powerheart pads — G3 and G5 Intellisense, ZAP-PAK kits
- All AED pads — complete catalog across brands
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Philips HeartStart replacement pads cost?
Adult SMART Pads II for the OnSite, Home, and FRx typically run $65–$90 in the US. Pediatric cartridges are $75–$110. FR3 SMART Pads III and FR2 electrodes are usually $90–$130. United AED publishes live pricing on each product page — volume discounts apply at 5+ units.
Are Philips SMART Pads II and SMART Pads III interchangeable?
No. SMART Pads II fit the OnSite, Home, and FRx. SMART Pads III fit the FR3 only. The connectors and software handshake are different and the FR3 will reject SMART Pads II on self-test.
Can I use adult Philips pads on a child during an emergency?
Yes. The American Heart Association says delivering a shock with adult pads is better than no shock at all. Use pediatric cartridges if you have them; if not, place adult pads anterior/posterior on a small child and let the HeartStart proceed.
How do I know when my Philips HeartStart pads expire?
Two indicators: the expiration date printed on the sealed pad pouch, and the HeartStart's green ready-light. If pads are out of date, the device's daily self-test flips the indicator and the unit chirps. A red indicator or audible alarm means stop and replace.
Do replacement pads ship with a new HeartStart battery?
No — pads and batteries are sold separately. If your AED is more than two years old or you're refreshing it post-rescue, order the matching OnSite battery or FRx battery at the same time.
What's the difference between SMART Pads II and M5071A?
They're the same product. M5071A is the SKU; SMART Pads II is the product name. Philips brands the cartridge both ways across marketing and packaging.
Can I store spare Philips pads off the AED?
Yes, as long as they stay in the original sealed pouch and within the storage temperature range (32°F to 122°F / 0–50°C). Keep one cartridge on the device and a spare in the carry case — that's the standard for AED program compliance.
Do I need new pads if I bought my HeartStart used?
Usually yes. Check the printed expiration date on the cartridge in the device. If you can't verify when the pads were sealed, treat them as suspect and replace before the AED is deployed. Buying used AEDs is fine; buying used pads is not.
Ready to refresh your HeartStart program? Browse all AED pads, see the full Philips HeartStart catalog, or pair pads with a new wall-mount cabinet.