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The 8 best breast pumps to meet your needs as a mom
Breastfeeding can seem like a full-time job. That’s why, for feeding moms, it’s essential to invest in a breast pump that suits your lifestyle.
If you’re nearing the end of your pregnancy or you’re caring for a baby, we get it. You already have enough on your plate — and doing the research to find a quality breast pump doesn’t need to be on your to-do list.
If you need a new breast pump, our editors are here to help. We did the research to find the best breast pumps worth buying now. From those with hospital-grade suction to electric, portable and manual pumps, these are the breast pumps moms swear by.
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Our top picks for breast pumps
Top cordless battery-powered pump
Philips Avent Electric Double Breast Pump With Travel Bag
Our top choice overall
Specifications
Type: Electric, Optional Battery
Material: Plastic
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Pros & Cons
Hospital-strength
Portable
Double and single pump
Suction can be weak at times
Can take a bit longer to pump
If you’re looking for top performance without an over-the-top price tag, this electric pump by Spectra is a good option. It is a hospital-grade breast pump that doesn’t sacrifice portability thanks to its built-in battery. You can charge it up and take it on the go, or plug it in and pump at home.
We love the fact that you can pump one or both breasts at the same time. It also has digital controls that make it easy to use and you can set a rhythm and speed that is most effective for your body. It also comes with everything you need to get started, making it the best breast pump for first-time moms.
Best hands-free breast pump
Specifications
Type: Electric
Material: Silicone
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Pros & Cons
Customizable rhythm
Quiet and discreet
Hands-free
App only available for iOS devices
Some reviewers reported leaks
Pump discreetly just about anywhere with this Elvie hands-free pump. It claims it is the smallest, lightest and most quiet wearable breast pump on the market, so you can pump worry-free no matter where you are. It slides right into your bra, allowing you to pump at the office or while you’re out running errands without anyone knowing.
Additionally, the pump can be controlled by the easy-to-use app on iOS mobile devices. The app can monitor milk volumes and track your pumping history. This way you won’t need to constantly check the pump itself while in use. It’s also automated. Sensors will measure the amount of milk in the bottle and switch modes when they detect letdown.
Top cordless battery-powered pump
Specifications
Type: Rechargeable battery
Material: Silicone and BPA-free plastic
Dishwasher-safe: Yes
Pros & Cons
Long-lasting charge
Express more milk in less time
Variety in modes
Some reviewers claim suction wasn’t enough
May not fit all breast sizes
More than being portable, this battery-powered pump by Philips expresses more milk in less time. It uses a flange that stimulates the breast much like a nursing infant would, helping to express more milk. It also changes mode easily and applies just enough nipple stimulation and suction. The silicone flanges easily adapt to fit most breast shapes and sizes, though not all.
The best part is, one charge lasts up to three pumping sessions. You can even finetune it to your body with the eight stimulation and 16 expression levels. If you find the right combination, the pump will automatically remember it so you can easily use it again.
Best electric breast pump
Specifications
Type: Electric
Material: Plastic
Dishwasher-safe: Some parts
Pros & Cons
Affordable version of hospital-grade pump
Can increase milk production
Lightweight
Motor is loud
Flanges make for awkward pumping positions
This Medela pump is a more affordable version of their hospital-grade pump, Symphony. It has what Medala calls MaxFlow tech, which stimulates the breast to pump more milk in less time. You can potentially increase your milk production by 11.8%, making it one of the best milk pumps. Plus at just over one pound, it’s lightweight and easily portable so you can take it with you wherever you go.
The pump comes with two sizes of breast shields that will fit most breast sizes, and it allows you to pump one or both breasts at the same time. The control panel is intuitive, making it easy to use, and you can choose from 10 levels of vacuum strength.
Best portable option
Specifications
Type: Electric
Material: BPA-free Plastic
Dishwasher-safe: Some parts
Pros & Cons
Quiet
Comes with flanges
Hands-free
Flange size may not fit all breast sizes
Pumping bra sold separately
If you’re looking for a hands-free, portable breast pump, then you’ll want to consider this pump by BabyBuddha. Not only is it lightweight and quiet, it comes with a simple-to-use trackball. You can glide through the 15 different settings to find the right one for you. While in simulation mode, the pump has a suction pattern that mimics a baby. This can trigger a letdown and increase your milk supply.
In terms of price, it’s in the middle of the range. You’ll also want to double-check their size guide on the flanges to make sure they fit you. The pump comes with two 24mm flanges, however, you can request a different size. You’ll also need to purchase the hands-free pumping bra separately.
Best manual pump
Specifications
Type: Manual
Material: BPA-free Plastic
Dishwasher-safe: N/A
Pros & Cons
Ergonomic handle
Two different sized flanges
Affordable
Manual, so best as a backup pump
Some reviewers complained about suction
Whether you want to have a back-up pump on hand or only pump occasionally, this manual pump by Lansinoh is a great option. It’s small and portable, so you can fit it in your purse. It also has an ergonomic handle to help prevent hand fatigue and it comes with two different-sized flanges, making it one of the best breast pumps for large breasts.
The pump has two-phase pumping — stimulation and expression mode. This can help maximize your pumping sessions for feeding. Also, for the price, it’s a great addition to keep around for quick pumping sessions on the fly or if your electric pump is still charging.
Top-rated by moms
Specifications
Type: Electric
Material: Plastic
Dishwasher-safe: No
Pros & Cons
Mimics infant suckling
Easy to use
Easy to assemble
Plugged in, so not portable
Only has a two-year warranty
This pump by Spectra has been rated the best electric breast pump by both moms and lactations consultants. It has hospital-grade suction with advanced massage mode and expression mode settings. Like others on our list, it also has innovative nursing technology that mimics the suckling of infants, making it one of the best breast pumps on the market.
It’s also ultra-quiet. however, it doesn’t use batteries, meaning you are latched into one spot while you’re pumping. It’s easy to use as well as easy to assemble and reassemble for cleaning. You can also use it as a double or single pump.
Best value breast pump
Specifications
Type: Electric
Material: BPA-free Plastic
Dishwasher-safe: Some parts
Pros & Cons
Indoor and outdoor use
Affordable
High definition screen
Not as many mode options
Pump can be noisy
This pump by Bellababy is a great budget option for moms who need to pump several times a day. It’s a double electric pump that is battery-operated and rechargeable. You can use it indoors, outdoors or just about anywhere you need to pump.
It has a high-definition screen to help you easily navigate the four modes and nine levels of suction. It’s also sensitive enough that you only need one finger to use it. The soft silicone cushion even also makes it comfortable and pain-free.
Looking for a breast pump? Here’s what you should know
No two breasts are the same and there is no one breast pump for everyone. Here are a few questions to ask yourself while you’re searching for the best pump for you.
How often do you plan to pump?
It’s important to consider how often you intend to pump before you buy. If you’re looking to pump daily, then you might want to consider an electric pump over a manual pump.
Do you plan to pump at home or on the go?
Going along with how often you plan to pump, you’ll want to consider where you plan to pump. If you travel a lot or want to pump at the office, then you’ll want a portable pump. And you’ll want a pump with a quiet motor.
How much do I want to spend?
Contrary to popular belief, the best are not always the most expensive. You can get a good quality pump that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Hospital-grade pumps can run in the $2000 to $4000 range, which you definitely don’t need to spend.
Which breast pump gets our vote?
Our list has pumps for just about everyone. However, if we hard to narrow down the selection, these would be our top picks:
Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump: This hospital-grade electric pump is portable enough to bring anywhere and it lets you pump both breasts at the same time. It also allows you to set the rhythm and speed that suits you most.
BabyBuddha Portable Breast Pump: Being about to pump anywhere is a much-needed feature for many moms — working or otherwise — and this pump lets you do just that. It’s quiet and discreet, plus it’s one of the more affordable options.
Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow: Medela pumps have long ranked high with moms and lactation consultants and this one ranks high with us. It helps increase your milk supply and it has breast shields that will fit just about every breast.
Prices updated on 07/25/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Written by
Emma Kalka
A former music writer, Emma Kalka works to help customers find little ways they can save at their favorite brands. Emma previously worked at The Korea Herald and Groove Korea. Today, she lives in Florida and writes murder mysteries in her free time.
Specialized topics
Bathroom
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