Breastfeeding is an important part of your baby’s health and well-being, but it’s not always easy. Choosing the right breast pump can make a world of difference in your breastfeeding journey. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
When it comes to breast pumps, there are a few key features to consider, such as portability, ease of use, and adjustable suction. What works for one mom may not work for another, so it’s important to choose a pump that meets your specific needs.
While double electric pumps are a popular choice for many moms, there are also manual and single electric options to consider. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of the best breast pumps based on real-life reviews from other breastfeeding moms.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Budget-Friendly Wearable Breast Pump: TSRETE Double
- Best Luxury Wearable Breast Pump: Willow Pump Wearable Double Electric
- Best Manual Breast Pump: haakaa Manual
- Best Hospital-Grade Breast Pump: Elvie Stride Hospital-Grade App-Controlled
- Best Portable Breast Pump: Medela Freestyle Flex
- Best Luxury Electric Breast Pump: Medela Electric
- Best Budget-Friendly Electric Breast Pump: Bellababy Double Electric
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Breast Pumps Picks
TSRETE Double – Best Budget-Friendly Wearable Breast Pump
- Battery life is very long and can last up to 8 pump sessions
- Strong enough suction
- Easy to put pump parts together and clean
- Does not leak
- Cannot see inside the pump container to see if your milk is flowing prior to shutting it off
With a compact and tubeless design, this breast pump fits comfortably in your hand, making it easy to use and highly convenient.
The electric breast pump comes with two modes to choose from – the portable mode, which mimics a baby’s natural sucking rhythm, and the massage mode which helps stimulate milk flow before pumping for a painless and comfortable experience. You’ll love how easy it is to use and how quickly you can get your pumping done with this breast pump.
What’s more, this hands-free breast pump attaches to your nursing bra, allowing you to pump discreetly on the go. You can easily switch between modes and adjust the suction strength to find the perfect setting that works for you.
The TSRETE Double Wearable Breast Pump is also lightweight, silent, and easy to carry around. Cleaning is a breeze too – simply detach the pump attachments and gently rub the valve with warm soapy water.
- Item weight: 1.5 lbs
- Includes: 1 packing box, 2 breast pump, 2 valve, 2 silicone diaphragm, 2 type-c cable, 1 manual, 6 breastmilk storage bag and 2 bra adjustment buckle
Willow Pump Wearable Double Electric – Best Luxury Wearable Breast Pump
This wearable breast pump allows you to pump silently and hands-free without the hassle of cables, wires, or bottles. With its gravity-defying clasp, you can pump in any position, even lying down, without needing to use your hands.
The Smart Suction feature offers seven suction settings that automatically switch from Stimulation to Expression at letdown and can help increase milk production. This breast pump also offers two milk-collecting options: self-seal milk bags or reusable spill-proof containers. You can manage the pump and view real-time production data through the app, which is a great option if you prefer not to wear a pumping bra.
- Item weight: 0.78 lbs
- Includes: 2 willow 3.0 pumps, 2 flanges, 24 4 oz. milk bags, 2 cleaning brushes, 1 charger
haakaa Manual – Best Manual Breast Pump
The haakaa Silicone Breast Pump is a highly acclaimed and top-selling product that comes highly recommended by lactation consultants, doulas, nursing mothers, and even celebrities worldwide.
This manual breast pump creates a natural suction force that allows you to easily express milk by simply squeezing and attaching it to your breast. It is perfect for any nursing mother on the go because it is lightweight and portable.
Additionally, the innovative Silicone Breast Pump Cap is designed to fit securely over the flange, helping to minimize spillage and prevent dust buildup between uses.
- Item weight: 0.15 lbs
- Includes: 1 pump, 1 lid
Elvie Stride Hospital-Grade App-Controlled – Best Hospital-Grade Breast Pump
The Elvie Stride Hospital-Grade Breast Pump offers exceptional discretion while pumping, with an almost silent operation that seamlessly blends into the background. The lightweight and portable design allows you to gather milk in-bra with ease, and its inconspicuous shape ensures that it won’t draw attention.
With the Elvie app, you can connect to the pump and manage your pumping sessions from anywhere. You can adjust the suction level and keep track of your pumping history without ever having to take the pump out of your bra.
The pump can be personalized to your liking, so it starts with your preferred settings every time. Plus, there are no hanging bottles or wires to worry about, and with 10 intensity levels available in both Stimulation and Expression modes, pumping is comfortable and customizable.
- Item weight: 1.68 lbs
- Includes: 2 valves, 2 diaphragms, 2 breast shields, 2 cup fronts/seats, 1 hub, 1 cover, 1 charging cable, 2 caps, 2 short tubes, 1 long tube, 1 tube splitter
Medela Freestyle Flex – Best Portable Breast Pump
The Freestyle Flex is designed with a closed system that has overflow protection, so you can rest assured that your precious breast milk won’t mix with the tubing. The kit’s connections are also a breeze to clean, so you won’t have to worry about complicated cleaning procedures.
This lightweight breast pump weighs less than 1 pound and has a stylish, sleek design that looks great in your hand. With its easy-to-use digital display, you can customize the suction settings to your preference, and the back illumination makes it easy to read even in low-light conditions. Its compact design is also designed to fit easily in your diaper bag.
- Item weight: 1 lbs
- Includes: 1 pump motor, 1 power adaptor with USB-C charging cable, a set of 21mm and 24mm PersonalFit Flex™ Breast Shields, a set of PersonalFit Flex™ Connectors, tubing, 4 5oz bottles with lids, 2 bottle stands
Medela Electric – Best Luxury Electric Breast Pump
This double electric breast pump features a closed system with overflow protection, large-aperture connections for effortless cleaning, and 10 adjustable suction settings with intuitive push-button controls to enable comfortable nursing for as long as necessary.
This pump includes two sizes of PersonalFit Flex breast shields, which are designed to maximize milk flow while keeping you comfortable. You’ll also appreciate the convenience of the no-tangle tubing and battery pack, which make it easy to use on the go. And with its stylish microfiber bag, everything will stay organized and accessible.
- Item weight: 1 lbs
- Includes: 1 pump, 4 5-oz./150 mL bottles with lids, 2 bottle stands, 2 21mm PersonalFit Flex breast shields; (2) 24mm PersonalFit Flex breast shields, 2 breast shield connectors with membranes, 1 complete tubing set, cooler bag, 1 cooling element, 1 microfiber bag, 1 – battery pack, 1 adaptor
Bellababy Double Electric – Best Budget-Friendly Electric Breast Pump
With four distinctive modes and nine suction levels, this pump allows you to choose the most effective settings for your needs. It is rechargeable and portable, so you can use it wherever there is an electrical outlet. This makes it an ideal choice for mothers who exclusively pump (1).
Additionally, ten milk storage bags and two bag clamps are included, allowing you to easily store breast milk by pumping directly into the bags. Plus, the display shows important information such as the battery level, timer, operation mode, and suction level for your convenience.
- Item weight: 1 lbs
- Includes: 2 adapters, 10 storage bags, 2 pumps, 1x charger
Types Of Breast Pumps
- Manual breast pumps: Both the handle and natural suction pumps are available as manual breast pumps, which operate without the use of a battery, outlet, or electricity. These types are excellent for parents who are always on the go and need a small, portable pump they can slip into their handbags and use when the need arises (2).
- Hospital-grade breast pumps: These durable pumps have strong motors and more “sucks” every minute. They swiftly extract milk and are often quiet, although they are heavy and difficult to move about (3).
- Electric breast pumps: Effective, portable, and include suction and speed adjustments. All require power to operate, however, some types have rechargeable batteries, allowing you to pump independently of an outlet. Although there are single electric breast pumps available, a double pump is the most common and effective option.
- Wearable breast pumps: A breast pump that you may discreetly conceal within your bra. A wearable pump comes with everything you need to pump, including the motor and battery, the flanges, and the bag or container that holds the milk.
- Portable breast pumps: A hybrid of a regular pump and a wearable breast pump. The body of a traditional pump is shrunk down and made smaller and more portable for portable pumps.
Closed-system or Open-system pump
Breast pumps are usually categorized into these 2 types.
- Close-system pumps: This has a barrier that isolates it from the milk. Since milk cannot enter the pump, which may make tubes and other small parts challenging to sterilize, this is the most sanitary form of pump. Additionally, they frequently cost more than open-system pumps.
- Open-system pumps: These don’t have a barrier separating the milk from the pumping mechanism, so the milk enters the bottle through tubes and other tiny bits and may come into contact with the pumping system. Open-system pumps can be less sanitary but are often less costly than closed-system pumps.
How To Chose The Best Breast Pumps?
- Comfort: To offer the most comfortable pump possible, many pumps come with various size shields (around 24mm is typically regarded as conventional) or with massaging cushions. Each session will be considerably more comfortable if your pump fits properly, maintains a firm suction, and removes milk painlessly.
- Ease of assembly: While struggling to put a breast pump together and get it to operate, nobody wants to have their breast milk fail them down. We sought pumps that have straightforward assembly instructions, manageable parts, and clear assembly instructions.
- Suction: In order to aid in let-down and improve milk expression, battery-powered and electric pumps can provide a range of suction modes and intensities, and some manual pumps can as well. Make sure your pump maintains a powerful suction and performs its function effectively.
- Cleaning: Except for those annoying valves that appear on many pumps, which can be a bit trickier to clean, we only selected pumps that are simple to clean and store. Others appear to trap water in unpleasant locations and necessitate a complete hand dry, so it’s good to have pumps that are simple to set out to dry so you can simply wash your hands and walk away.
- Access Features: Every year, pumps become more practical, with the majority emphasizing mobility. However, there are additional access points that are crucial, such as the ability to time your pumping session, view this information in the dark, and read and understand the buttons.
When Should I Buy a Breast Pump?
Although you may order your breast pump at any point during pregnancy, we’ve noticed that most mothers place their orders around week 30. To ensure that you have enough time to complete the treatment before the birth of your child, we advise starting it before the third trimester. Additionally, you can check with your insurance (4).
When Should I Start Using a Breast Pump?
If at all possible, try to wait three to four weeks before you start pumping. You’ll probably have more milk than you need in the early weeks before your production has stabilized. You risk having an oversupply if you start pumping during this time. Start pumping earlier if you need to be back at work in three to four weeks.
Which Breast Pump Is Best Manual or Electric?
Manual breast pumps are more affordable, quieter, and useful for sporadic production than electric versions (5). However, if you use them regularly, it might be laborious because you have to continuously pump the handle to generate the suction. Since the machine does the pumping for you, electric breast pumps are simpler and more practical to use.
Do I Need A Breast Pump?
While not all new moms require or desire a breast pump, a decent breast pump can be useful for those who choose to nurse their child. When your baby is not hungry, breast pumps are extremely useful for maintaining your milk supply or, if required, helping to increase it. A breast pump is essential for expressing milk when away from home, such as while running errands or at work.
Do I Really Need A Hospital-Grade Breast Pump?
A double electric pump is probably what you need if you want to give your baby breast milk but not breastfeed. The best choice, though, is a hospital-grade pump if your baby is premature, too ill to breastfeed, or if you are having problems with your milk production.
How To Clean My Breast Pump?
When it’s time to clean your pump, be sure to do it completely to prevent bacterial growth. The FDA recommends cleaning the breast milk-contact areas of the pump immediately following each usage. After pumping, rinse each piece with cool water, wash it in warm water for 10 to 15 seconds, then scrub it with liquid dish soap to completely clean it.
Breast Pump Accessories You Might Need
If you plan to pump more than once, you might wish to purchase extra breast shields (also known as flanges) and valves to have on hand. Finding the time just after a feed might be challenging, especially if you pump several times a day.
Organize all your extra parts by using a breast pump bag with compartments, and store everything in its proper location. Many breast pump bags also contain insulation or a built-in refrigerator to assist you in transporting your expressed milk while on the road.
You can have greater flexibility and assistance by using a nursing bra or hands-free pumping bra, which lets you express milk without taking off your bra.
Additionally, you will need breastmilk storage bottles to store that liquid gold safely in the freezer or refrigerator. If you intend to breastfeed while working, you should also think about getting breast milk storage bags or a small cooler bag with ice packs to keep the milk refrigerated until you return home.
Some accessories, like a bottle drying rack or a nursing cover that enables you to breastfeed in public without feeling self-conscious, aren’t requirements, but they may make your life easier.
