The 7 Best Breast Pumps We’ve Tried
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How we vet brands and products
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:Spectra, Medela, Elvie: Which pump rules them all? We chose the best breast pumps after 15 moms weighed in on the 18 pumps they tried.
Share on Pinterest All the pumps on this list, except Momcozy M5, were purchased independently. While Momcozy provided its pump for free, our opinions are ours alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the brand.
A quick look at our picks for the best breast pumps
Decision making can be stressful in any stretch of pregnancy. Many decisions involve pricey purchases, like breast pumps.
To help, we collected feedback from 15 moms about 18 breast pumps they purchased and used for their breastfeeding journey. The pumps were used anywhere from 3 to 6 months and reused for many pregnancies and babies. Several moms tried multiple pumps and provided anecdotes about how the pumps compared.
Based on their experiences with output, charging, cleaning, noise, comfort, and portability, we narrowed it down to these seven breast pumps we think are the best.
Pricing guide
Let’s get into why we chose these as the best breast pumps
Best overall breast pump
Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump
4.7 (615+) from Amazon
Healthline's review
What we like: A closed system, the Spectra offers the option for single or double pumping and has a strong, adjustable vacuum pump that many insurance plans will cover. It’s a durable pump that has lasted many parents through several children.
People report strong suction and output. One reviewer used it for two children born 3 years apart. In the words of another reviewer, “The best part of the Spectra is really that they are workhorses.”
It’s lightweight and portable, with a carrying handle in its design. (The S1 version includes both a power cord and rechargeable battery options, which is very useful on the go!) It also has a night light with two light levels and a timer that can be useful for those 2 a.m. pumping sessions.
Particularly in the beginning, it’s important to be careful putting together the backflow valves to keep moisture out of the tubing. The bottles included are not a fit for every baby, so you may need to use a separate bottle brand.
We prefer the S1 to the brand’s S2 pump because it doesn’t have to be plugged in while pumping, yet the battery life is still durable with a single charge lasting at least 1 week. But it’s more expensive than the S2.
Some considerations: The Spectra tops out at 270 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) suction strength, while the Elvie Stride (our pick for the best cordless wearable pump below) gives up to 300 mm Hg.
While it’s overwhelmingly a popular pump that moms rave about, we’d be remiss not mention that one of our reviewers had stronger and more comfortable suction with her Elvie Stride.
Another mom (who was a breastfeeding-after-reduction mom) reported better output with her Motif Luna, a slightly more affordable double electric pump we chose as a runner-up below.
Pros & cons
Product details
Another great double electric pump
Motif Medical Luna Double Electric Breast Pump
4 (465+) from AmazonHealthline's review
What we like: The Luna is a double electric portable breast pump that allows you to move freely around your house or take it with you on the go, as along as you purchase the model with the battery. It doesn’t need to be plugged into the wall, but they also sell an outlet-required pump that saves you almost $100.
The Luna actually has a bit more suction power than our top pick by 10 mm Hg.
One mom reported not needing to go past the 8 (of 12) setting and was able to pump enough milk. As with every pump, these results could vary based on your personal supply.
One of our reviewers found it was more convenient than the Willow Go (another pump often chosen for its portability that’s significantly more expensive), mostly because it was easier to place the flanges. In our experience, this is something that does require a bit more precise attention with the wearable pumps like Willow, Elvie, and Momcozy to ensure full emptying and prevent clogs.
Another mom felt she got better output with her Luna than several other pumps she tried — including Elvie, Spectra, and Medela — saying the Luna emptied her the best.
We found the battery life on the Luna pump lasted about 5 days when pumping for 30 minutes twice daily or about four to five longer pumping sessions. If you plan to be an exclusive pumper, it may require more diligent charging when not in use.
This pump is new to our list as of December 2023, edging out the Lansinoh Signature Pro Double Electric pump. While the Lansinoh is more budget-friendly and some moms swear by it, we’ve noticed an influx of reviews citing poor suction and uncomfortable flanges.
Some considerations: The Luna is portable within the home, but one reviewer found it was slightly more cumbersome to pump in the car or in public with the Luna compared with the wearable pump she also tried. Meanwhile, another mom had no qualms about traveling with it in the car or plane. So, it could come down to preference in flange and wear style.
If you know you’ll be pumping in different places and want a pump that’s more discreet, you might opt for one of our top wearable picks, the Elvie or the Momcozy. We’ll talk more on what we love and what to consider with those below.
Product details
Best cordless wearable breast pump
Elvie Stride Breast Pump
4 (781+) from AmazonHealthline's review
What we like: As far as cordless wearable pumps go, the Elvie Stride offers the strongest suction at 300 mm Hg, which is more than all the other pumps on our list.
Keep in mind that the original Elvie pump offers less suction, maxing out at 220 mm Hg. That said, one of our reviewers still found its suction to be adequate enough to build up a freezer stash.
Our reviewers found the Stride pump quiet, some calling it close to silent, and easy to clean. These factors, in addition to the portability, make it a great pump if you’re also going to be chasing down a toddler at home. (Just don’t bend over too far or get too vertical when the pumps are full; these types of pumps have a tendency to spill.)
The Elvie Stride is not bulky to carry around. Our reviewers found that to be the standout winning feature of the Elvies — portability at its finest.
As one mom put it, “They were worth their weight in gold when I had my second child. I nursed and pumped, and eventually became an exclusive pumper while working full time. Being able to move freely, pump discreetly, make dinner, clean, etc., while pumping was a game changer for me.”
Most of our reviewers found the battery lasted about a day after multiple pumping sessions, and it was best to charge it every night to avoid the annoyance of going to pump and realizing the battery was dead (you can’t charge and pump at the same time).
Some considerations: One reviewer, who preferred this to our top pick, the Spectra, found it worked best with certain bras that are more fitted, and cautions there’s a bit of a learning curve to get the suction right. This is something we’ve also experienced with the Willow pumps that are a similar style. A tight fit is key.
Another hard truth about these types of pumps: If you have a smaller frame, they’re not actually all that discreet. We’ve found this to be true with both the Elvie and Willow — it’s quite obvious you’re wearing them. Put it this way: If you walk into a store wearing these, expect people to notice.
The Momcozy M5 we cover below was actually a much more discreet design and fit for smaller frames. It also wasn’t as dependent on a certain bra as some of our reviewers experienced with the Elvie and Willow.
Pros & cons
Product details
A more affordable cordless wearable pump
Momcozy All-in-one M5 Wearable Breast Pump
4.5 (477+) from
Healthline's review
What we like: This is a surprisingly effective wearable and cordless breast pump for its price tag. It comes with a carrying case, various flange sizes, and two USB chargers (most of which you have to purchase separately compared with the Willow and Elvie — other popular pumps in the wearable category).
The other major plus to this wearable pump is that it’s more discreet and much less bulky under your bra. We found you could actually pull off wearing it in public without much notice from other people (or be much less noticeable in that inevitable moment the doorbell rings right as you get the pumps turned on).
The cleaning process was as simple as cleaning breast pumps gets, and the battery lasted through at least four to five pumping sessions.
After first testing this pump, we named it our top wearable pick earlier in 2023. We were hesitant for it to remain our top pick because our reviewer was only able to test for a couple of weeks toward the end of her breastfeeding journey. So, we felt it needs a little more time under the microscope before we can say it’s the best in this category.
Some considerations: The Elvie Stride and Willow Go still have more suction power. There are some reviews noting that the motor died after using it for only a few weeks to a few months. We didn’t experience this, but it’s worth noting.
Momcozy provided this pump for free. But our opinions are ours alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the brand.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best manual breast pump
Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump
4.5 (22.5k+) from AmazonHealthline's review
What we like: A key component of any manual breast pump is the handle. And the swivel handle of the Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump sets it apart from the rest.
The Harmony offers a great amount of comfort and ease for a manual pump. This is because of the ability to move the handle to the most comfortable position for each individual user and switch positions every time if needed.
It has a lower price and higher portability than most electric models. It’s easy to clean since there’s no motor or tubing.
Some considerations: The pump can lose suction over time as the O ring becomes ragged, but it’s fairly easy to locate spare Medela parts to replace or fix this pump. (Additionally, the low price makes it more affordable to completely replace this pump if necessary.)
As with all manual pumps, if you intend to do a lot of pumping, this may not be the choice for you.
Pros & cons
Product details
Must-have milk collector to complement any pump
Haakaa Silicone Manual Breast Pump
4.6 (90.7k+) from AmazonHealthline's review
What we like: This is a very affordable and portable natural suction pump that works as a great companion to any electric pump. Several moms even reported getting about the same amount of milk (2-4 ounces on one side) compared with their electric pump.
Our editor reports it was a last-minute purchase a few days after coming home from the hospital, and that she had no idea how much she would need it. It served well through different phases of nursing. While breastfeeding, she used it on whichever breast the baby wasn’t on to catch letdown and leakage.
It’s also a great way to start collecting a freezer stash in the early days if you’re exclusively breastfeeding for the first month or so.
It proved to be invaluable for midnight wake-ups (mom, not baby) when breasts are engorged and need release but baby is sleeping.
We also bought and tried the Elvie Curve, which is a little more convenient to take on the go since it fits under the bra, but it didn’t offer as much suction as the Haakaa. You’ll also find knock-off versions of the Haakaa, but another reviewer found knock-offs to be less effective and harder to keep attached.
Some considerations: The Haakaa Gen 1’s shape can easily result in spilled milk if knocked over, so the Gen 2 suction bottom is a major plus. It’s also worth being cautious while wearing, as it’s not impossible to lose suction and result in spills.
Pros & cons
Product details
Best hospital-grade breast pump
Medela Symphony Double Electric Breast Pump
4.1 (120+) from AmazonHealthline's review
What we like: The Medela Symphony is the choice of many hospitals and healthcare professionals. It’s a good choice if you’re trying to establish a milk supply for an adopted baby, or if you have a baby in the NICU or are facing supply issues.
This pump has great suction that mimics a baby’s actual nursing pattern. It’s such a well-sealed, closed system pump that hospitals are willing to let multiple lactating parents use the same machine. It’s also a quieter pump, which many parents appreciate.
Some considerations: This is a major splurge, and your situation is unlikely to require buying it — but you can consider renting it. Unless your situation requires it, you likely don’t need a pump this strong.
While this pump has great longevity, it’s heavier and not great for portability. Due to its hefty price tag, it may be worthwhile to see whether there’s a hospital or birth center in your area that rents out this pump.
Pros & cons
Product details
Other pumps we considered
Dr. Brown’s Customflow Double Electric Breast Pump is another fairly affordable double electric pump. One of our reviewers called the shields magical, comparing them to the Medela Pump in Style shields, which she felt were more rigid and uncomfortable. However, it’s not the strongest pump on our list at 230 mm Hg, so it may not be the best fit if you have supply issues.
The Medela Pump in Style is another popular breast pump. It’s corded, though it’s lightweight and small, making it a good option to take to work. The Medela is more affordable than our top wearable pick Elvie, with cups, shields, and carrying case included. However, our reviewer found the shields on her Dr. Brown’s Customflow pump significantly more comfortable than the Medela, and it’s also more affordable.
The Lansinoh Signature Pro Double Electric pump was previously a top pick in our budget category. But because we’ve noticed an influx of reviews citing poor suction and uncomfortable flanges, we removed it from our list.
The Spectra S2 is a durable and reliable pump. It’s cheaper than the S1 if you don’t mind having to be plugged into the wall.
The Zomme Z2 Double Electric Breast Pump has an impressive number of suction levels (19!), and the battery life and cleaning process are on par with other pumps. However, we decided not to include it because our reviewer reported having to hold the pumps to her chest throughout pumping sessions to prevent leaks.
The Willow 3.0 and Willow Go are durable, cordless portable pumps. Like the Elvie pumps, there’s a learning curve with these for proper latching to get the best output and ensure you empty your supply.
The Elvie Stride and regular Elvie pump received more positive feedback from our reviewers, and we like that they are slightly slimmer (43 mm and 68 mm compared with 134 mm and 85 mm) and therefore more discreet.
We also considered the Phillips Avent Manual Breast Pump, which is designed to support manual pumping in a reclined position.
However, online reviews say the Phillips is on the louder side for a manual pump because the handle doesn’t have a bumper to prevent it from banging against the collection bottle. It can also give your hands a bit of a workout since the handle doesn’t swivel like the Medela Harmony and the grip can’t be adjusted.
The Medela Freestyle Flex weighs less than a pound and is easy to transport. While the older model came with cups and flanges, the newer model has collection cups.
Our reviewer found that this pump isn’t all that powerful, though. With a low supply from the beginning, she was never able to use the pump to increase her supply.
She found it was best tucked into a pocket rather than hanging on her wrist, especially when doing things around the house. “The motor dangling from my arm would inevitably get in my way, or I would snag the tubes on something.”
If you’re just looking for a travel pump, the Medela Freestyle Flex may still be worth considering.
Comparing breast pumps
Here’s a comparison of our picks for best breast pumps from above:
Product namePriceCapacity (ounces)Max suction powerSpectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump$$5.4 oz in each cup270 mm HgMotif Luna Double Electric Breast Pump$$5 oz in each cup270 mm HgElvie Stride Breast Pump$$$5 oz in each cup300 mm HgMomcozy All-in-one M5 Wearable Breast Pump$$5.4 oz in each cup270 mm HgMedela Harmony Manual Breast Pump$5 ozN/A (manual)Haakaa Silicone Manual Breast Pump$5 ozN/A (manual)Medela Symphony Double Electric Breast Pump$$$$5-8.4 oz depending on bottle size250 mm HgHow we chose these breast pumps
Breast pump basics
A breast pump is considered a medical device. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines it as a device that helps a lactating person maintain or increase their milk supply.
Breast pumps can be manual or electric. They can be single expression (pumping one breast at a time) or double expression (pumping both breasts at the same time).
Breast pump lingo
Closed-system breast pump: There’s a barrier between the different parts of the breast pump, such as the valve, breast shield, flanges, and connectors. These pieces prevent liquid from affecting the electric motor, and the pump has a more hygienic environment for the milk. Most major pumps are closed systems.
Open-system breast pump: It doesn’t have separation between the pump parts and the motor, which may cause milk to get into the motor if you use an electric pump. The milk is at greater risk of contamination with an open system. These pumps aren’t very common.
Electric breast pump: It’s connected to an electronic device that creates suction. This type of breast pump is good for parents who pump frequently and need to express a significant amount of milk at a given time.
Manual breast pump: It’s typically more affordable than other breast pumps and requires you to remove milk from your breasts manually. Natural suction cups like Haakaa are a type of manual breast pump.
Double pump: It allows you to pump from both breasts simultaneously, which is the most efficient way, especially if your goal is to create an excess milk supply or if you’re pumping instead of nursing.
Single pump: It only allows you to pump from one breast at a time, which may come in handy if you plan on pumping from one side while your baby nurses from the other.
Hospital-grade pump: It typically has a heavy duty motor. It’s designed for multiple users, and it offers a higher level of suction. It’s more efficient than other pumps. Many major breast pump brands offer hospital-grade models, though this aren’t often needed for at-home use.
Wearable breast pump: Also known as a cordless or wireless breast pump, this is a type of breast pump you can wear in your bra. It doesn’t need to be connected to cords.
Hand expression: This doesn’t require a tool. It’s the process of manually extracting milk from your breasts. You can do this by forming the letter “C” with your hand around one breast and gently squeezing from the outer breasts toward the nipple.
Used breast pumps
You may encounter used breast pumps on the market. (After all, many mothers in the United States who breastfeed also pump.)
While it can be tempting to go after a great bargain, there are some parts of a breast pump that can’t be cleaned well once exposed to another person’s breast milk.
Because of the higher risk of someone else’s milk having reached the pump in an open system, many people avoid buying these types of pumps secondhand. In some cases, you can purchase replacement parts for closed system pumps and reuse the motor attachment.
But according to the FDA, it’s never safe for a pump that’s designed for a single user to be rented or resold.
Hospital grade vs. hospital suction
Some pumps marketed as hospital grade are designed for multiple users and have a much more powerful motor than a single user pump. The only true hospital-grade pump on our list is the Medela Symphony.
Electric pumps (such as the Spectra and most of the pumps we recommend above, sans the Symphony) sometimes reach the same level of suction as a true hospital-grade pump but don’t necessarily have all the same modes, and the motor won’t last as long.
That said, the FDA doesn’t recognize the term hospital grade, so the exact definition is a bit nebulous. Unless a person and their baby have a complex medical situation, there’s no real reason someone would need a true hospital-grade pump for at-home use.
What else to keep in mind when buying a breast pump
When choosing a breast pump, there are many things to consider:
Don’t forget to consider cost effective ways to test out a potential pump before buying it. Some hospitals offer pump rentals. Talk with a local lactation consultant about why and how to use a breast pump and where to rent one.
Frequently asked questions about breast pumps
When should I start using my breast pump?
When your baby is gaining weight and keeping a moderate weight, experts recommend waiting 6 weeks to use a breast pump to first establish a nursing routine.
However, low birth weight, separation from your baby, and other factors may mean your medical team recommends you start pumping sooner (but never during pregnancy).
When your baby is gaining weight and keeping a moderate weight, experts recommend waiting 6 weeks to use a breast pump to first establish a nursing routine.
However, low birth weight, separation from your baby, and other factors may mean your medical team recommends you start pumping sooner (but never during pregnancy).
How often should I clean my breast pump?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cleaning any breast pump parts that come into contact with breast milk after each use and ensure they dry thoroughly. This is true for both shared pumps and if you own your pump.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends cleaning any breast pump parts that come into contact with breast milk after each use and ensure they dry thoroughly. This is true for both shared pumps and if you own your pump.
How do I know which breast pump to buy?
If you decide to get a pump, most lactation experts agree that a double expression breast pump is ideal. The Spectra S1 and Elvie Stride are two of our top picks, the latter being a more portable, wear-it-under-your-bra option.
A single expression pump can be beneficial in certain scenarios, such as when nursing and pumping at the same time.
You can also choose between manual and electric breast pumps, which comes down to preference.
If you have a low milk supply, need to build up stores, or establish your milk supply, a hospital-grade breast pump is a good choice.
If your baby spends time in the NICU or is born prematurely, your healthcare team may recommend one. In most cases, a double electric pump will fulfill pumping needs.
If you decide to get a pump, most lactation experts agree that a double expression breast pump is ideal. The Spectra S1 and Elvie Stride are two of our top picks, the latter being a more portable, wear-it-under-your-bra option.
A single expression pump can be beneficial in certain scenarios, such as when nursing and pumping at the same time.
You can also choose between manual and electric breast pumps, which comes down to preference.
If you have a low milk supply, need to build up stores, or establish your milk supply, a hospital-grade breast pump is a good choice.
If your baby spends time in the NICU or is born prematurely, your healthcare team may recommend one. In most cases, a double electric pump will fulfill pumping needs.
What breast pump do lactation experts recommend?
Lactation experts may have different favorite breast pumps they recommend, but they do all agree that a double expression pump is the best so you can pump on both sides at the same time. Our top pick is the
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