Best defibrillators for home use: Which AED is right for you?

We usually see defibrillators when we’re out and about. They’re usually placed in offices, schools, local communities and sports clubs. So, when an emergency happens, the first thing to do is call 999 so they can direct you to your nearest local AED.

But did you know that you could have a defibrillator at home? Or even in your car? For families with elderly relatives, existing heart conditions, a history of cardiac problems, or simply those who want to be prepared in case the worst happens, having a defibrillator at home can provide added peace of mind and potentially save the life of a loved one (or a stranger!).

In this blog, we’ll explain why defibrillators are becoming more common in the home, what to look for when choosing one and the best defibrillators for home use.

Why do you need a defibrillator at home?

While it’s essential to have an available defibrillator in offices, schools, gyms and community spaces, most cardiac arrests happen in the home.

According to figures from the British Heart Foundation, 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen in the home. This means the first responder is usually a partner, child, relative or friend with no medical training.

It can take emergency services up to eight minutes to arrive when someone is suffering a cardiac arrest, and the first few minutes are essential for survival. Every minute without defibrillation and CPR reduces the chances of survival by 10%. This means it’s essential for anyone on the scene when the incident occurs to be able to act quickly.

Just as you might have a smoke alarm, first aid kit or fire extinguisher in case of an emergency and a home defibrillator can offer similar peace of mind.

A home defibrillator can be useful if:

• You or a close family member has an existing heart condition
• You have elderly relatives living with you or nearby
• You live in a rural area where ambulance response times might be higher

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen without warning so, even if someone has no known heart problems or appears perfectly healthy, they can still be affected by it.

Is it safe to use a defibrillator at home?

Modern defibrillators are designed to be easy to use by anyone, whether they have medical training or not. A common question asked by many people is ‘can you kill someone by using an AED incorrectly?’ The answer is no, you cannot make the situation worse by using a defibrillator on someone, so having one at home can provide an added layer of protection. 

AEDs guide users through the CPR and defibrillation process clearly and will only deliver a shock if it determines that one is needed. It’s easy to worry that you will use it incorrectly, but it will tell you where to place the pads, when the shock is being delivered and when (and often how) to deliver CPR.

What should you look for when choosing a defibrillator for your home?

When choosing a defibrillator to have at home, you need to consider slightly different factors when compared to choosing an AED for a workplace or community building.

For a home defibrillator, ease of use, portability and low maintenance are the biggest priorities.

We recommend looking out for:

• Clear voice instructions: Choose a device that offers clear visual and audio instructions that tell users exactly what to do, from turning the device on to delivering CPR.
• Compact and portable: A smaller, lightweight AED is easier to store and keep accessible at home or carry with you when you’re travelling.
• Long-life pads and batteries: A home defibrillator should require very little maintenance, so look for a model with pads and batteries that last a number of years before needing replacement to keep maintenance costs down.

It’s also important to consider who is going to be using the device. If it’s going to be an older relative, having a device that’s easy to use and which provides clear guidance will be the best option.

Best defibrillators for home use

Here are the defibrillators we recommend for home use. We’ve chosen this collection because each defibrillator is easy to use, portable and perfect for use by non-medical users.

HeartHero Elliot Fully Automatic Defibrillator

The HeartHero Elliot Fully Automatic Defibrillator is the perfect device to have at home. It’s a new lightweight, portable device that’s small and light enough to keep somewhere safe at home or even carry with you in the car or while you’re out walking.

We highly recommend this defibrillator for home use because it’s designed to be completely user-friendly.

Key features include:

• Fully automatic operation
• Clear audio and visual prompts
• Intuitive start mechanism
• Automatic self-testing
• Exclusive app allows tracking of battery life, pad condition and rescue readiness

Phillips HeartStart HS1 Semi-Automatic Defibrillator

The Phillips HeartStart HS1 Semi-Automatic Defibrillator is another device we recommend for home use. A device just like this was recently purchased by one of our customers and was used to save a life within hours of its arrival! Read our real-life customer story for more information.

We recommend this device due to its compact size and portability. It’s easy to keep it somewhere safe at home or place it in your car so you have it when you need it.

Key features include:

• Clear, calm audio instructions to guide the user through defibrillation and CPR
• Automatic self-testing
• Can be used on both adults and children
• SMART analysis so a shock is only delivered if it’s needed 

For more information on the different types of defibrillator available, please read our blog: Automatic vs semi-automatic defibrillators: Which one is right for your needs?

Should you buy a defibrillator for your home?

Knowing whether you really need a defibrillator at home can be tricky. The answer will usually depend on your circumstances or whether you would feel safer having an AED at home in case of an emergency. A defibrillator is a form of protection that could make a huge difference in the event of a cardiac emergency.

You do not need special training to use the device, and it will guide you through the process but familiarising yourself with how it’s used and how it works can help to save precious time in an emergency.

Browse our full range of defibrillators for home use here. If you’d like additional help and guidance, please contact our expert customer service team.