The 9 Best Breast Pumps, According to Nursing Moms

When hospital-grade performance meets a wearable design, that’s a breast pump win-win—and exactly what you’ll find with the Elvie Stride Plus. This hands-free, portable pump doesn’t sacrifice any suction strength or effectiveness, making it a favorite of moms who don’t want to be tied down by their pumping sessions. (And let’s be real—who does?) Unlike many other wearable options, this breast pump is designed with collection cups that fit discreetly into your bra, and a separate motor (attached via tubing) that you can wear on your waistband. Because the collection cups don’t house individual motors, you won’t run into the problem of not getting a good latch on one side, which can delay the start of your pumping session and prove to be a pain with some wearables.

Our product tester was so impressed by the Elvie Stride Plus, she told us it was the only pump she’d use going forward. “It does a great job at extracting and it’s hands-free, so I can work and get other things done at the same time,” she raved. “The fact that it’s easy to use without hands or a plug in the wall makes it super convenient to use.”

The Stride Plus boasts other impressive features, including near-silent noise levels (“You can hardly tell I’m pumping,” according to our product tester), an easy-to-use app that controls the 10 intensity settings and keeps record of your pumping sessions, and an included 3-in-1 carry bag that safely transports your pump while also keeping your breastmilk cool. But our product tester was most struck by how comfortable this wearable pump was to use. “The comfort on this pump is incredible!” she said, awarding it a 5 out of 5 for comfort and quality. “I had no irritation whatsoever—definitely the most comfortable pump I’ve ever used.”

The Elvie Stride Plus is so well-designed, our product tester went as far to say that it was “enjoyable” to wear (not a word many moms use when talking about pumping!). Not only is it the best wearable breast pump in our book, it’s a great breast pump period.

Dimensions (carrying bag): 9.8” (L) x 7.5” (W) x 7.7” (H) | Weight: 1.03 lbs.

Wearable breast pumps aren’t exactly known for being wallet-friendly, but this option from Bellababy manages to deliver on price without sacrificing quality. The single version rings in at $50 and the double version at $90, which is considerably less than other wearable pumps on the market—but the Bellababy W38 performs just as well as competitors that cost five times as much (or more, in some cases). In fact, our product tester gave it a 5 out of 5 for both quality and value for money. “The quality of this pump is great,” she shared. “It will definitely last for more than one kid.”

The Bellababy W38 also provides an excellent pumping experience, thanks to its four different pumping modes and nine levels of suction strength. It allows moms to both customize and optimize their pumping sessions, a fact that impressed our product tester. “I was able to collect the same amount of milk I would from my hospital-grade pump,” she told us.

Being a wearable pump, one of the standout features of the Bellababy W38—besides its affordable price and top performance—is its portability. “[I] love that it’s portable and that I can carry it around and bring with me on trips,” said our product tester. Plus, “the noise level was great, not loud,” she added, which helps to keep pumping sessions discreet. For mothers who work, travel frequently or just enjoy a life on-the-go, the Bellbaby W38 is a fantastic—and budget-friendly—option.

Dimensions (single pump): 6.7” (L) x 5.7” (W) x 3.4” (H) | Weight (single pump): 1.41 lbs.

The original portable breast pumps were manual breast pumps—and the best in the category is hands-down (or hands-up, in this case) the Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump. It’s one of the few manual breast pumps to not only provide two different size flanges (both with ComfortFit technology to reduce irritation), but also two different pumping modes (stimulation and expression). The result is a pumping experience that’s both comfortable and efficient.

“The effectiveness was wonderful. It brought my letdown almost right away,” our product tester shared. Plus, “with the different flange sizes, I was able to find the perfect size for me, making it very comfortable.” It’s no wonder she awarded the Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump 5 out of 5 for quality, comfort and ease of use.

Other ways the Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump wins moms over are its handle design (which prevents hand fatigue while pumping) and its minimal parts (read: less to clean). Even better news is the fact that many of the Lansinoh parts are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup with this pump even easier. Our product tester was a major fan, and judging by more than 7,000 five-star Amazon reviews, she’s not alone.

“[This pump] is comfortable, versatile, comes with a bottle and is very convenient,” she said. And at around $30, it’s cost-effective too.

Dimensions: 3.9” (L) x 7.5” (W) x 7.5” (H) | Weight: 4.8 ounces

If you’re looking for a pump that has perfected performance and portability, look no further than the Spectra 9 Plus. This lightweight pump is a breeze to tote around, with a rechargeable battery pack that’s slim enough to fit in your pocket as you pump (and what could be better for moms on-the-go?). In fact, our product tester was blown away by how portable the Spectra 9 Plus was. “It’s different than anything I’ve ever used before,” she said. “I love that I can put it in my pocket and not be attached to a wall for 20 to 30 minutes during a session—especially as a mom of three.” And with the optional CaraCups attachment, you can enjoy hands-free functionality for even greater freedom.

The Spectra 9 Plus breast pump also shines when it comes to pump performance, thanks to a hospital-grade motor and 10 different levels of suction strength. This allows for optimal milk production, and means mamas don’t have to choose between portability and performance when it comes to their breast pump. Our product tester even reported producing more milk with the Spectra 9 Plus than she did with other pumps, awarding it 5 out of 5 for effectiveness and ease of use. “I got over 4 ounces per side,” she shared. “With other pumps, I’ve only been getting 2 to 3 ounces—so this helped me extract more milk.” The proof is in the ounces: The Spectra 9 Plus is an all around standout pump.

Dimensions (pump):‎ 2.8” (L) x 1.9” (W) x 4.8” (H) | Weight: 10 ounces

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Managing pumping while working can be a daunting task. You need to pump as much as you can in as little time as possible, and if you’re taking calls, you’ll likely want to maximize discreteness and manage your noise levels. But the Willow Go Wearable Breast Pump helps to calm some of those worries, and make the lives of working and pumping moms easier in the process.

There’s a laundry list of reasons why we love the Willow Go for working moms. For starters, it has one of the slimmest profiles and is one of the only wearable pumps to fit entirely into your bra, allowing you to pump virtually undetected. The Willow Go also has the highest capacity of any wearable pump, at a whopping seven ounces. And with a battery life that lasts three full pumping sessions, you can go a full workday without having to plug in your pump once. When you get home from work, five out of the Willow Go’s six parts are dishwasher-safe.

Our product tester put the Willow Go to the test by using it at work herself—and was just as impressed as we were. “I’m a pediatric nurse in a clinic and I was able to comfortably wear these around the office,” she said. Not only was she able to wear it while working, she also reported having productive pumping sessions with the Willow Go. “I was very surprised to find I produced the same amount of volume as my wall pump,” she shared. “This pump exceeded my expectations.”

Dimensions (single pump):‎ 4.7” (L) x 3.15” (W) x ‎5.3” (H) | Weight (single pump): 1 lb

When it comes to hospital-grade breast pumps, Spectra has been a longtime leader in the field—and the S1 Plus model is no exception. While this pump touts having a rechargeable battery and a portable pump, what really makes the S1 Plus stand out is simple: Its hospital-grade motor.

The motor provides 12 levels of suction strength, resulting in solid, productive pumping sessions. “The volume and speed of milk collection was excellent,” our product tester told us. “I had a higher output than with other pumps I’ve used in this price range.” And while that strong suction results in quicker pumping sessions and higher output, what it doesn’t produce is irritation or discomfort (thanks, in part, to two included different-size flanges for a proper fit). “The suction and vibration on this pump made it incredibly comfortable,” our product tester shared, awarding the S1 Plus a 5 out of 5 for comfort and quality. “I did not find that I had to sacrifice output for comfort, which was great.”

The Spectra S1 Plus is a solid option for women looking to maximize their pumping sessions while at home. “I could easily see this being a primary pump I use for my baby’s first year and beyond,” our product tester reported, and we agree—Spectra breast pumps are built to last.

Dimensions:‎ ‎7.9” (L) x 7.9” (W) x 6.7” (H) | Weight: 3.3 lbs.

Nobody wants to spend more time pumping than they have to—especially when it comes to those middle-of-the-night sessions. That’s where the Momcozy Wearable S12 Pro comes in, helping to speed up your pumping sessions without sacrificing output.

The Momcozy Wearable S12 Pro makes the process of pumping more efficient, thanks, in part, to its hospital-grade pump and nine levels of intensity, which can be tailored to each breast. But this breast pump also features a double-sealed flange design—as opposed to the typical single seal—which allows for a closer fit to the breast. This double-seal not only results in faster, more efficient pumping sessions, but it also helps prevent any precious breast milk from leaking out. “The pump was very effective in pumping a good amount of milk in a short amount of time,” our product tester raved, giving it a top score of 5 out of 5 for effectiveness.

The S12 Pro doesn’t just save you time spent pumping—it also takes little-to-no time to fully charge. In just 90 minutes the breast pump battery is ready to go, leaving you free from any cords or plugs. And once it has a full battery, the charge lasts anywhere from five to six pumping sessions, delivering hospital-grade power at a noise level our tester described as “surprisingly quiet.” We love anything that makes life easier for mamas, and this pump from Momcozy certainly fits the bill.

Dimensions (single pump):‎ ‎‎5.7” (L) x 3.1” (W) x 7.1” (H) | Weight (single pump): 1.5 lbs.

Breast pumps don’t have to break the bank, and the Lansinoh SmartPump 3.0 is a prime example. This breast pump comes equipped with everything (and we mean everything) a pumping mom could need, including three different sizes of flanges (most other pumps come with just one), four Lansinoh bottles, a bottle nipple and cover, multiple valves and connection tubes—and even a cooler for breast milk storage. This stacked pumping kit has a price tag of $161, which is far less than its fellow standard electric breast pumps (that come equipped with much less, we might add). “With the amount that comes in the box, I think it's a great value. You really get a lot of bang for your buck,” our product tester said, giving the SmartPump 3.0 a well-deserved 5 out of 5 for value for money.

The value that you get with the Lansinoh SmartPump 3.0 is undeniable, but so is the quality. Our product tester gave this Lansinoh breast pump a perfect score in the quality department, describing it as a pump that will “hold up for longer periods of time.” It’s also a breast pump that does its primary job of pumping extremely well. “It collected way more milk than I expected in the time frame that I actually pumped for,” our product tester reported. In other words, the Lansinoh SmartPump 3.0 breast pump has achieved the trifecta: It’s effective, comfortable and affordable to boot.

Dimensions:‎ 10.8” (L) x 7.1” (W) x 7.7” (H) | Weight: 4.6 pounds