Pumpin' ain't easy, but it can be a heck of a lot easier with the right product. Having the right pump on hand allows moms to be able to work outside of the home, take much-needed breaks away from baby, and maintain a consistent and healthy milk production, whether they are nursing around the clock or not.
Just like most parenting products, there are no fewer than a gazillion options to choose from when it comes to breast pumps. From manual pumps to fancy electric pumps with tubes and wires galore, it can be tricky to figure out which one is right for you and your pumping style.
How do you know if you should choose an electric pump versus a manual? What about long car rides where you need to relieve yourself to prevent engorgement? Is there a perfect pump that makes awkward bathroom and car sessions a little less, well, awkward? What about those long work days? What kind of pump is quiet, quick, and efficient? Just pause for a quick woo-sah and let us take you through how you can choose the right breast pump for you and your baby!
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Medela Breast Pump In Style Advanced
- Best Wearable Pump: Willow Wearable Hands-Free Electric Breast Pump
- Best Manual: Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump
- Best Hospital-Grade Pump: Spectra Baby USA S2 Plus
- Best for Travel: Yunbaby Electric Portable Breast Pump
- Best for Bathroom Pumping: Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
- Best for Work: Medela Freestyle Double Electric Breast Pump
- Best Compact Pump: Bellababy Pocket Double Electric Breast Pump
- Most High-Tech Pump: Lansinoh SmartPump
- Best for Nursing Moms: Philips AVENT Single Electric Comfort Breast Pump
When you're going pump shopping, you want to consider how you'll use it. If you're pumping at work, you might want a portable, discreet system that includes safe storage features. For the times when a perfect pumping station is not available, you’ll want an easy-to-use manual pump that you can use in your car or (if you have to) the bathroom. If you're a mom on the go with a long commute or future travel plans, a compact device that can fit in your trunk or in a carry-on bag is essential. Narrowing down your needs will help you figure out which pump is best for you.
Thanks to innovative companies that are making fresh products featuring some stellar specs to improve the experience of pumping for moms, there is an option available to fit just about everyone’s needs. Browse through the best FDA-approved breast-pump options below to find one that is perfect for you!
Best Overall
Durable and reliable, this breast pump (and carrying case!) is designed for pumping multiple times daily while you're on the go or in the office. The coolest part? You can ditch the worries about coworkers snatching your liquid gold from the shared refrigerator and using it for their iced coffees! An insulated bag and ice pack will help keep milk chilled right at your desk.
This pumping kit includes a sleek black carrying case designed to hold all of your pumping essentials. Also included: Four breastmilk bottles with lids for feeding and storage, an ice pack contoured to the baby bottles, a removable cooler bag that holds all four bottles, a double pumping kit, an AC adapter and battery pack, and buttons to control pump settings. Plus, there's even a let-down button you can press to express more milk in less time.
Best Wearable Pump
With a sleek and innovative design, the Willow Wearable Electric Breast Pump allows you to pump without being anchored to a nest of wires and tubes. The comfortable cups slip into your bra and the patented technology allows you to express milk, hands-free. The spill-proof technology means you don't have to cry over spilled breast milk, making the all-in-one system super easy and convenient to use. With seven different suction levels, you get to decide your perfect pumping rhythm.
Along with the pump and its necessary accessories, the set comes with two cleaning brushes, a carrying case, a charger, and two spill-proof breast milk bags. The accompanying app tracks your milk let-down during your pumping sessions to help you stay on top of your output. If you're nervous about a dip in production, the app will keep you aware of any changes. Pumping will never be the same once you've experienced the hands-free way!
Best Manual
With more than 2,000 positive reviews on Amazon, this manual breast pump clearly has a strong and loyal following. The two-phase expression technology makes quick pump breaks super easy. With a suction that mimics the natural nursing rhythm of your baby, this manual pump is designed to help moms pump more milk in a shorter amount of time.
Once assembled, press the manual vacuum button on the front to stimulate your breasts and allow for let down to occur. Once your milk starts to flow, switch to the longer handle to express your milk at the speed and suction that is most comfortable for you. This manual pump also includes two baby bottles for convenient storage and feeding sessions.
Best Hospital Grade Pump
A hospital-grade pump is an umbrella term used for powerful breast pumps that can be — like those found in maternity wards — used for multiple different people without crapping out. While the term is not regulated or endorsed by the FDA, hospital-grade pumps are perfect for moms who anticipate having more children down the line and want a high-quality, standard pump that just gets the job done without worrying about it not working after a year or two.
The Spectra Baby USA S2 Plus Premier Electric Breast Pump is a powerful pump designed to last. A favorite among nurses and lactation consultants, the Spectra S2 pump utilizes a closed tubing system to keep breast milk bacteria-free, while eliminating the worry of mold build-up. With several different modes, including a massage mode for let-down stimulation, you can customize the suction and strength to suit your pumping style. The set comes with all of the bells and whistles you'll need to get started straight out of the box.
Best for Travel
Whether you're heading out for a road trip, on vacation, or you're just stuck in traffic for an hour longer than you and your milk-filled breasts are OK with, it's essential to always have a travel pump on hand.
The Yunababy Electric Breast Pump can go where you need it the most. This portable pump doesn't require any tubes, plugs, or other random hanging pieces in order to work. The rechargeable battery means you don't have to hope to find a few loose batteries rolling around underneath your kid's car seat. The nine suction options allow you to customize the electric pump to fit your needs in that moment with an easy-to-read digital screen.
Best for Bathroom Pumping
The reality is that not every establishment is ready to accommodate pumping and nursing moms. Unfortunately, while we wait for the world to catch up, some moms are forced to head to the nearest restroom to pump. The last thing you want to do when pumping in a random bathroom is fill it with the melodies of your pump loudly screeching as you express milk. Moreover, dragging a clunky pumping machine to the toilet is simply not practical. The Haakaa Silicone Manual Pump makes an uncomfortable pumping scenario like bathroom or car sessions far more bearable.
Designed to be super simple, the Haakaa uses your own hand power to create a natural suction. Simply squeeze and express the milk! It's just that easy. The compact, discrete nature of the pump means you can pop it right into your diaper bag or purse for quick pumps when you are aching for relief.
Best for Work
For the moms who have to head to work but want to maintain their milk supply and still offer their tots breastmilk, pumping on the job is a must. The Medela Freestyle Electric Pump is the perfect work companion. It's compact enough to fit under your desk or in a file cabinet while also including all of the pieces you need to pump comfortably at work. Created for the modern mom, the pump has a timer, a digital display, a memory button, and a hands-free system that won't slow you down while you're handling business.
The system comes complete with a storage tote, rechargeable battery, bottles, and a cooler bag to keep your milk chilled if you aren't onboard with keeping your baby's dinner in the work fridge!
Best Compact Pump
It may be small, but this little Bellababy Pocket Double Electric Breast Pump is powerful! Perfect for your bedside nightstand or to store in the baby's room, this little pump is compatible with hands-free nursing bras and has minimal tubing. The pocket controller is small enough to fit just about anywhere. While the pump comes with all of the necessary pieces for it to be used straight out of the box, the pump is compatible with other pump accessories.
Most High-Tech Pump
Sure, a lot of startups are working on reinventing breast-pump technology, but this pump beat them to one special spec. It's the first pump that features Bluetooth technology. The pump connects to an app called Lansinoh Baby, which records the date, time, and duration of each session.
This pumping kit includes a double electric breast pump, two baby bottles, lids for either storage or feeding, a reusable ice pack, 24/7 access to the Lansinoh help line through the app, Bluetooth technology to track feeding sessions through the app, and a carrying case.
Best for Nursing Moms
Being both a breastfeeding and milk-pumping mom requires the right tools to get the job done. The Philips AVENT Single Electric Comfort Breast Pump is a single-cup electric pump that allows you to express milk from one breast while you nurse your tot on the other. It is the perfect pump for the mom who wants a single-cup pump that still has the convenience of electric options. This lightweight pump can move from couch to nursery to your bedroom with ease — and is ready to go with three easy-to-use suction settings.
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