The Best Breast Pumps, Tested and Reviewed

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Whether you want silent and wearable, or big with a mighty motor, we’ve got the right pump for your needs.

Parents / Alexander Huang

Breast pumps may all work the same way—apply suction to the breast, express milk—but they are definitely not all the same. They have become more specialized to meet the needs of different pumping situations. Whether you’re looking for a quiet, hands-free pump, a wearable pump so you’re not tied to one place, a manual pump to catch letdown, or a standard double electric pump through your insurance, finding one that suits your lifestyle, milk supply, baby’s age, and pumping frequency is easier than ever.

“Pumps have come a long way over the last few years,” says Chrisie Rosenthal, IBCLC, director of clinical resources at The Lactation Network.

To find the best breast pumps for every need, we had pumping parents test 41 different models. We asked testers to rate each pump’s comfort, ease of set-up and use, portability, effectiveness, noise level, and value. We also spoke with lactation consultants for tips on what to look for in a breast pump and how to use them. These pumps were our testers’ favorites.

Parents editors and testers agree that the Spectra S2 truly has it all. It’s powerful, yet lightweight, effective, incredibly quiet, and easy to clean. We especially appreciated its customizable settings and built-in timer. The machine pumped more milk, more comfortably, thanks to its massage mode and high suction rate of 270mmHg.

The simple-to-use display screen has several buttons, including those for cycle, suction, light, and power. The screen’s backlight makes pumping at night or in dimly lit spaces so much easier.

“This is the best pump I've used. You can customize the cycle and suction power, making it very comfortable to wear and effective at producing breast milk. It’s worth every dollar.” –Abby

The parts don’t break down into individual pieces, so if you plan on traveling with this pump, you’ll need a large bag to stash it all.

The Details

The durable, compact Lansinoh Smartpump 3.0 comes with everything you need to start pumping: three flange sizes, bottles, nipples, and a cooler. First-time pumpers will love how easy it is to control the pump with the app: You can adjust the mode and suction, track how much you’ve pumped, and log your baby’s feeding times and diaper changes.

Our tester ended up preferring the 3.0 over other pumps (including the one she’d been using for three years) thanks to its efficient letdown mode, secure flanges, and comfortable, effective suction. The pump is unique in that it allows you to pump directly into storage bags for simple freezer stashing.

“I would recommend it to a mom just starting a pumping journey because it is a complete kit with three different flange size options. I have begun using this as my main pump.” –Mary

The pump is heavy and comes with a lot of parts, but each part is color-coded so you can distinguish them from each other.

The Details

Using a pumping bra, this pick offers a hands-free, fully mobile pumping experience thanks to its portable, rechargeable motor. You can tuck the motor in your bra, let it hang, stash it in a pocket, or hold it. Testers loved how streamlined and lightweight, yet powerful it was, and appreciated its 10 different suction levels.

This double electric pump is very easy to clean. The silicone membrane on the pump flanges never comes into contact with your breast milk, so you don’t have to wash and sterilize them every time you pump. At under $200, this is also the most affordable portable pump we tested.

In testing, we noticed that the suction improves when the motor is plugged in, rather than battery-powered, and the motor was a little too loud to use discreetly on a work call. Additionally, it only comes with one flange size and no clip for the motor.

The Details

Think of the Spectra S1 Plus as the workhorse of breast pumps: it’s been around for a while and is more than capable of handling pumping ‘round the clock. You will get effective, comfortable suction for reliable milk output. The S1 is easy to operate and even allows you to save your favorite settings. We were thoroughly impressed by its durability, battery life, and power.

It’s considerably less expensive than many others that offer similarly powerful, adjustable suction. The battery can hold its charge for several hours, permitting you to sit anywhere, rather than being tethered to an outlet. It comes with two different flange sizes and cleaning is a breeze.

It’s loud and doesn’t default to letdown mode when you first turn it on. It’s bulky and heavy.

The Details

We love how straightforward and quiet this pump is. Reliable and portable, the Evenflo Advanced features independent speed and suction controls and can be powered by a wall outlet, batteries, or a car outlet (batteries and car adapter not included). What is included in this “deluxe” set is the pump, three flange sizes, four bottles, a cooler bag, three ice packs, an AC adapter, extra valves and membranes, and a shoulder bag to carry it all.

In addition to the car adapter, other handy accessories that can be purchased separately include an adapter that allows you to pump directly into milk storage bags and an adapter that lets you pump into wide-neck bottles.

“This is the quietest of the three pumps I tested. I loved that it came assembled! I wish other pumps came put together, this would be so helpful immediately postpartum.” –Kaitlin

Aside from being awkward to carry around thanks to the lack of a handle, this pump was difficult to clean. We also found the suction lacking, despite the “hospital-grade” label.

The Details

Testers found this pump incredibly comfortable thanks to its soft silicone flanges. It comes fully assembled and only comprises an electric hub and four washable pieces. You can toggle between stimulation and expression modes, and choose among seven intensity levels and three speeds in each mode. The pump is quiet and durable, and the heated flange feature makes pumping a luxurious experience.

The associated app is very intuitive: You can control each pump separately, sync them, set a shut-off timer, and adjust the heating function. An app means not having to reach into your bra to make adjustments, leaving you free to do chores, work, or play with your kids. One unique accessory is the nipple measurer to help you find just the right flange size.

“The comfort of these flanges—plus the heating—makes this a more natural, pleasurable experience, and one that I'm more likely to stick with for longer.” –Alison

Getting the flange around the milk container is tricky, but if you don’t install it correctly, milk will leak out while you pump. The pump doesn’t come with storage solutions, so you must transfer the milk to bags or bottles after pumping. Finally, the hub’s many buttons may require a close reading of the instructions to navigate.

The Details

With the wearable Elvie Stride, milk is collected inside cups that tuck into your shirt or regular bra. Two short tubes connect the cups to a small motor. This external motor gives the Stride increased pumping power—enough to classify it as “hospital-grade” strength, which equals more milk production in less time. We found the milk output on par with the top pumps we tested.

The motor is battery-powered and fully mobile; you can hang it around your neck like a lanyard, tuck it in your pocket, or clip it to your clothes. The associated app monitors milk levels while pumping and logs your history. With the app, you can program the pump, turn it on and off, and switch between 20 pumping modes.

“It’s AWESOME for doing stuff around the house; I could do chores that I can’t do in other pumps. The motor is small and lightweight and fits into most pants pockets, or you can clip it to your waistband.” –Maggie

One tradeoff with wearable pumps is it’s difficult to see how much milk you’re pumping. Pouring the milk into new containers is also tricky; our tester found this pump particularly prone to spillage. Also, the pump doesn’t come with a wall charger and the parts must completely dry between sessions to get a good seal.

The Details

Our tester loved the easy-to-read LCD screen on this pump. They appreciated that they could look down at any moment and know which mode was selected, the current suction level, and how long they’d been pumping. The Imani i2 is unique among wearables for its leak-proof design, which meant testers could go about their day without worrying about spillage.

Reliable milk output was another prized feature of this pump—this is not always the case with wearables. Since the measurement levels are printed on the side of the pump, our tester could accurately determine how many ounces she’d pumped without having to try to balance the cups vertically as she does with other wearable pumps.

“The screen is very useful. It's easy to read and understand the icons and words featured. It includes everything you'd want to know while in the middle of a pump. ” —Carrie

Our tester felt this five-piece cup was tricky to assemble. It doesn’t come with milk storage containers, so you must pour the milk into bottles or bags after pumping.

The Details

You can’t get much simpler than this pump: it requires no charging, electricity, or special accessories. We loved that we could toss the Harmony in our bag for easy traveling, and the suction is entirely controlled by how hard and quick you press the handle. Some of us who haven’t had luck with electric pumps have much better experiences with a manual one.

It’s such a relief that you get everything you need to pump, right out of the box, including a 5-ounce bottle, lid, and 24 mm flanges. It also comes with a stand, which is great to have while we prep a storage container for the milk or prepare to pump the other side. No spilled milk here!

“I would recommend this to someone, who, like me, has difficulty using other pumps. This one worked well for me, unlike other fancier pumps. I also liked it didn't need to be plugged in or recharged.” –Holly

Your hand will get tired after a full session of pumping—there’s no way around that—and, of course, there’s no option to hide it under your shirt or use it hands-free.

The Details

Parents

Powered solely by suction, rather than a motor or manual pumping action, the Haakaa seals to your breast, then the vacuum action works its magic. The single-piece pump collects up to 4 ounces of milk at a time. Because of its very low price point and the fact that the whole pump can be tossed in the dishwasher, it’s a great addition to your feeding journey.

We felt the Haakaa is best used at the beginning of your breastfeeding journey while your supply adjusts—you can easily pop it on one breast to collect the letdown while your baby nurses on the other side, making things considerably less messy.

I attribute an entire mini freezer full of stored breast milk to the Haaka. While nursing, I would wear the Haaka on the opposite breast to catch milk. This helped to increase my supply and eliminate waste.” –Eliza

If you’re using it for full pumping, you might want to keep an eye on the seal to make sure it doesn’t come dislodged, because we found that can happen without really noticing. And though it’s completely silent, you can’t hide this device under a shirt if you want to be discreet.

The Details

We had lactating parents test 41 different breast pumps. They assessed each pump’s comfort, ease of set-up and use, portability, effectiveness, noise level, and overall value. Testers also compared and contrasted the pumps against each other and against pumps they’d used previously. Additionally, editors on our team who had used these pumps also weighed in with their experiences.

To find out more about how to choose the best breast pumps and use them safely, we interviewed experts:

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when using a breast pump:

Under the Affordable Care Act, all insurance plans must cover the cost of a breast pump. Insurance companies often dictate the pump type, when you can apply for it, and whether you have the freedom to purchase your own and get reimbursed or if you must only choose a covered pump. A doctor’s note may be required if you need a specific pump for a medical reason. Babylist can help you find out which pumps may be covered by your insurance plan.

Some parents start hand-expressing milk before their baby is born, but pumping during pregnancy could cause contractions, so if this is an option you’re thinking about, be sure to talk to your doctor first. Once your baby is born, you can start pumping as soon as you like, although if you can, it’s usually most effective to have your baby nurse from the breast as much as possible to establish your milk supply. (In most situations, babies are more efficient than breast pumps!)

Breast milk works in an “on-demand” fashion: your body produces more milk as needed. It’s best to establish your supply early instead of trying to increase your supply later. If possible, nurse your baby frequently postpartum to establish your supply. To increase supply, you can pump between nursing sessions. Scroggy says if you’re having supply issues, it’s best to use a standard plug-in electric pump. “For some low-supply parents, a wearable pump might not be strong enough,” she explains. You may need to work with a lactation consultant to develop a plan to increase your supply.

Simone Scully is the former editorial director of commerce parenting content at Parents and an award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience covering health and parenting issues. She’s also a mom who spent several years pumping and breastfeeding her son.

Olivia Campbell is an editor at Parents and an experienced health journalist and essayist. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine and Sisters in Science: How Four Women Physicists Escaped Nazi Germany and Made Scientific History. She breastfed three kids for a total of nine years and used her sister’s loud, enormous hand-me-down Medela Pump in Style.

About Breast Pump Hygiene. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated September 12, 2024.

Breast Milk Storage and Preparation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated November 27, 2023.

Low milk supply. USDA.