In a nutshell:

Based on advice from a lactation consultant, a survey of over 300 new and expectant parents from The Bump community and feedback from our team of independent product testers, we chose the Elvie Double Pump as the overall best breast pump. In particular, this pump stood out for its innovative technology, discreet size and convenient, easy-to-clean design.

In this article:
How we chose and tested the best breast pumps
Best breast pumps
Types of breast pumps
What to consider when choosing a breast pump

When it comes to prepping for baby’s arrival, choosing the best breast pump isn’t nearly as fun as picking out a cute layette—but the right pump can change your life (seriously!). No matter your feeding journey, pumping comes in handy in a variety of ways. It not only allows you to collect breast milk when you’re separated from your little one, but it also helps nursing moms keep up their milk supply. Some moms even elect to exclusively pump because of latch issues, oversupply or personal preference. Pumping also lets you build up a milk stash to freeze and store, which will come in handy if you’re returning to work or traveling solo.

When picking out a breast pump, Stacey Fink, IBCLC, a certified lactation consultant, suggests that you should first “consider your lifestyle along with your breastfeeding goals.” However you choose to pump, there’s a model that’s right for you and your needs. To find your best match, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about breast pumps, from the various types to what to consider before shopping, and tested and evaluated the best breast pumps on the market today. Keep reading to discover our top picks for every need, including this year’s Best of The Bump winner.

How We Chose and Tested the Best Breast Pumps

For more than 10 years, The Bump has been recognizing the absolute best baby and pregnancy products on the market through our awards series. To help you find the best breast pumps out there, The Bump editors did extensive research to identify the best-selling, most innovative and all-around top-notch products. Then, we put them to the test. Here are the steps we took to create this article:

We chatted with a lactation consultant to better understand safety considerations and essential features to keep in mind as you shop for and use a breast pump.
We enlisted the help of 15 nursing mothers (with babies ranging in age from newborn to 5 months old) to try out a variety of models. These independent product testers carefully evaluated the products and rated them based on ease of use, effectiveness, comfort, noise level, style and design, quality and value for money.
We surveyed over 300 new and expectant parents in The Bump community for additional insight on the ins and outs of specific breast pumps.
We leveraged our familiarity with leading maternity brands and trusted online retailers and combed through dozens of options.
We considered several factors when sourcing breast pumps, such as size, weight, noise level and value, to name a few.
We read user reviews to see how these breast pumps have worked for new moms, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.

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Best Breast Pumps

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Types of Breast Pumps

Since the first at-home electric breast pump debuted in the US in 1991, moms have been able to take more control of their schedules. And while all breast pumps promise to do the same thing—retrieve your milk—not all pumps are equal when it comes to meeting moms’ specific requirements. Here, we break down the main types to help you find the best breast pump for your needs.

Electric breast pump

Considered the most popular option, electric breast pumps allow you to adjust both the speed and suction. Single models, which pump one breast at a time, are available—but a double electric pump empties both breasts at the same time, making it an especially efficient choice. Electric breast pumps tend to range in price from $100 to $500, and while some need to be plugged into an outlet during use, many portable options are also available.

Hand-operated breast pumps

This style of pump doesn’t have a motor, meaning you’ll have to squeeze the lever repeatedly to create the suction needed to express milk. While they’re not as efficient as electric pumps, they’re much quieter, smaller and cheaper, making them a great travel option or a good choice if you don’t pump often. Manual breast pump prices typically start around $30.

Hospital-grade breast pump

The most powerful type of breast pump out there, a hospital-grade pump has a stronger motor than other options. It sucks at a faster and stronger frequency. This type is a good option for parents looking to increase milk supply or those who can’t nurse their child due to medical reasons. These heavy-duty machines often have to be plugged in, and you may need to buy a collection kit (parts that connect your breasts to the pump) separately. This type of power comes at a price—hospital-grade breast pumps are typically expensive (although some hospitals let you rent them for a lower cost).

Battery-operated breast pump

Battery-powered pumps are wireless and tend to be smaller than electric models, making them a convenient option for overnight travel or long commutes. Single or double pump options are available, and some even come with rechargeable batteries.

Wearable breast pump

This is the newest style of breast pumps on the market. Rather than having a separate motor that connects to flanges and bottles, this innovative design combines the motor and milk collection system into a single device that you wear inside your bra, leaving your hands unoccupied. One possible downside? Hands-free pumps can get expensive quickly, with some models costing $500 for a double-electric version.

What to Consider When Choosing a Breast Pump

Determining the best breast pump for your needs will depend on a variety of factors, and it’s important to weigh them all before making a selection. According to Fink, you should start by thinking about how and when you see pumping playing a part in your feeding journey. “How frequently do you anticipate pumping? Will you be an exclusive pumper? Someone who pumps while working outside of the home, but nurses while with your baby? Or will you be a ‘date night’ or occasional pumper, expressing breast milk on an ‘as needed’ basis,” Fink says. “All of these factors—and more—come into play when guiding you in selecting a pump to best suit your needs.”

Once you’ve determined how you plan to pump, other details to consider are affordability (including whether or not your insurance covers your breast pump), convenience and portability (especially important for commuting and working moms), features (from timers to apps and more) and the pump’s overall effectiveness. “Every woman is different and therefore may be seeking different things,” Fink says. “I’d encourage you to make a list of your ‘must haves’ or top priorities and select a pump that best meets your requirements.”

In addition to those factors, Fink also suggests that women pay special attention to a breast pump’s flange size, which is critical for effective and comfortable pumping sessions. “The ‘standard’ 24mm flanges that come with most breast pumps are the incorrect size for the majority of pumping moms—most women should be using a smaller flange,” Fink warns. Some breast pumps come equipped with multiple flange sizes, and a session with an international board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) can help determine what flange size is the best fit for you and your body.

But even if you’ve found a breast pump that checks all of your boxes, pumping can still require some trial and error to find your perfect match. “Every woman’s body is unique and can respond differently to the various types of pumps,” Fink says. “You may find you need to experiment with a few styles and brands.”

The best breast pump, though, is “the one that works best for you, you feel most comfortable with and best supports you on your breastfeeding journey,” Fink says.

About the writer:

Lynsey Eidell has researched and written dozens of product reviews for The Bump, from the best pregnancy belly bands to the best baby bassinets and beyond. She’s also written about entertainment, pop culture, weddings and motherhood for digital publications including PEOPLE, Glamour, Vanity Fair, Teen Vogue, Allure and more. She is a graduate of Villanova University and a native of Fairfield County, Connecticut, where she currently lives with her family. When she's not busy writing, she is kept equally busy by her three young boys, who are 7, 4 and 3.

Interested in becoming a product tester for The Bump? Head here to apply.

Plus, More From The Bump:

The 8 Best Hands-Free Breast Pumps for Multitasking Moms

The Best Manual Breast Pumps for On-the-Go Parents

The Best Pumping Bras to Free Up Your Hands

Breastfeeding