Best Breast Pumps of 2023, According to Real Parents & a Baby Gear Expert

Did you know that insurance will cover all or most of your breast pump?

The Scoop

• Rechargeable battery for wireless pumping
• Adjustable suction with tons of settings
• Quiet

What Our Experts Say

Packed full of features and with countless positive user reviews, there’s a reason (a lot of them, actually) why the Spectra earns our top spot when it comes to the best electric breast pump. This hospital-strength pump delivers big power with way less bulk and noise. Digital controls let you adjust speed and suction to customize and maximize output, and the pump uses a closed system, which keeps milk completely separate from the pump pieces and ensures better hygiene and performance. There’s a rechargeable battery that lasts up to three hours, so you’re not always tethered to an outlet while pumping. Users also love the helpful extras like the timer and nightlight for late-night pumping sessions and that the pump remembers your exact settings from your last session and automatically reverts to those the next time you turn it on.

What’s Worth Considering

The Spectra S2 The main differences are price (it’s less expensive than the S1) and portability (it doesn’t have a rechargeable battery, so you’ll always need to be plugged in when pumping), but otherwise is pretty comparable.

What Babylist Parents Say

“I loved everything about this pump! As an exclusive pumper, this was a must. It’s lightweight and has a rechargeable battery, making it easy to move around or bring to work. I was even able to pump in the car on my commute home easily. The light built into the handle was perfect for pumping in the dark or low light settings while baby was being fed. Also easy to adjust settings.” -Kate

Additional Specs

Did you know that insurance will cover all or most of your breast pump?

The Scoop

• Pump, tote and accessories all in one
• Easy set up and cleanup
• Battery backup

What Our Experts Say

Don’t be fooled by this unassuming tote—what’s inside is a game changer for working parents or anyone who pumps on the regular. There’s the double electric pump, of course, that’s clinically proven to increase milk volume by almost 12% and is much more compact than other similar breast pumps. It’s also a closed system pump so you don’t have to worry about milk entering the tubing.

Then there’s all the stuff you need to pump—a cooler, a battery pack, two sizes of breast shields, bottles etc.—conveniently tucked inside so you don’t have to scramble around or worry about forgetting anything when you’re pumping away from home (and no need to buy a separate bag for your breast pump). Another plus: there aren’t a ton of parts to clean when you’re done.

What’s Worth Considering

There’s no screen on this pump, so you can’t easily glance at what level your pump is set on or how long you’ve been pumping. Some users also report that the motor is on the louder side.

What Babylist Parents Say

“Wow! I am so impressed. I have had a variety of breast pumps through 3 kids and many years of pumping and this one is outstanding. The flanges are much more comfortable that the typical all plastic, the pump is very quiet, and suction is great (rivals the Medela hospital grade pump) and gentle.” -Momof3

Additional Specs

Did you know that insurance will cover all or most of your breast pump?

The Scoop

• Hands-free pumping
• Quiet and discrete
• Pump into reusable containers

What Our Experts Say

The original Elvie is the top choice among Babylist users for a hands-free, wearable breast pump. With zero cords or attachments, everything you need (even the motor) is right in the pump cups. The Elvie is extremely quiet, super discrete and easy to stash in your diaper bag or even a small purse or tote to take on the go. One thing worth noting is that unlike some wearable breast pumps, the Elvie uses reusable milk storage containers, not disposable bags, to collect your milk while you pump. Users also note the helpful guide lines located inside the breast shields to help you find the proper alignment for your nipples at each pumping session. (Alignment is important because it helps you achieve a good seal between your breasts and the shields, and a good seal equals good suction and a successful pumping session.) There’s also an app that tracks your pumping sessions, approximate milk quantity and time.

What’s Worth Considering

The Elvie is expensive, even if it’s covered under your insurance plan. Unlike the Willow, another popular wearable pump, you have to stay (mostly) upright while pumping, otherwise it will leak. There are a lot of parts to clean, including a few smaller ones. The bottles only hold up to five ounces of milk. And many pumping parents report that they don’t get the same output with a wearable pump as they do with a traditional one.

What Babylist Parents Say

“The Elvie Pump is so convenient to use, working literally hands-free, which is invaluable when looking after a baby and any spare moment could be used for countless other tasks (I’m pumping with the Elvie as I type this!) Being able to control the pump and assess the volume of milk in the bottle via your phone is brilliant. I found the pumping levels comfortable and produced as much milk as with my previous electric pump. I would 100% recommend the Elvie Pump.” -Jo H.

Additional Specs

Did you know that insurance will cover all or most of your breast pump?

The Scoop

• More affordable than OG Willow and Elvie
• Strong suction with 2 modes and 9 levels
• Pump into reusable containers (5 oz or 7 oz)

What Our Experts Say

If you’re looking for a more affordable wearable alternative, the Willow Go is a good choice. Like its more expensive counterpart, the Go fits right in your bra for hands-free pumping. There are two modes (stimulation and expression) and nine different suction settings, and you’ll get about five pumping sessions without having to recharge the batteries. Milk is collected in reusable storage containers so you won’t have to deal with buying disposable bags. The pump comes with five-ounce containers, but you can also purchase seven-ounce ones separately if you have a bigger supply.

What’s Worth Considering

You can’t be quite as mobile with the Go as you can be with the original Willow—you’ll need to stay (mostly) upright while pumping. Nipple alignment is a bit tricky. There are five parts to clean for each pump, which is time-consuming. And you can’t control the Willow Go via the app.

What Babylist Parents Say

“After a lot of events that happened post-birth, I ended up needing to build back my milk supply. It was really hard taking care of a newborn while stuck to a wall, so I ordered these in attempts to allow myself to pump while caring for my daughter. It has tremendously helped me by allowing me the ability to pump while my hands are tied with her. Highly recommend if you’re on the go or need something just while busy with baby and can’t stay tied down to a plug.” -Bonnie

Additional Specs

Did you know that insurance will cover all or most of your breast pump?

The Scoop

• Hands-free pumping at a fraction of the price
• Double-seal flange design for snug fit
• 5-6 pumping sessions on one charge

What Our Experts Say

Love the idea of a wearable pump but not looking to spend a ton of money? Meet Momcozy’s S12, the affordable answer to hands-free pumping. With a small, individual motor on each side, the S12 offers a slightly different design than the Willow and the Elvie but provides the same ultra-convenient hands-free pumping experience. The clear cups, even with the motor attached, are lightweight and slip right into your bra for an easy and discrete pumping session. They feature a double-sealed flange for a snug fit, which is important for proper suction. There are three modes and nine suction levels and a run time of about one and a half hours. But the best part? The double set will cost you only a fraction of what you’d pay for other similar wearable pumps.

What’s Worth Considering

Like other wearable pumps, many pumping parents will notice a difference in output when using a hands-free pump versus a traditional pump—and the S12 is no different. There are a lot of parts to assemble/disassemble and clean. And the exterior motor means this wearable isn’t as light or discrete as some more expensive hands-free options.

What Babylist Parents Say

“I wasn’t sure about wearable pumps and didn’t want to spend a ton of money. I’m so glad I gave the S12 a try. It’s SO easy to use and I love it for the times I can’t stop what I’m doing to sit down and pump. Big fan.” -Jen

Additional Specs

The Scoop

• Powerful but quiet motor and slim design
• Designed for pumping more milk in less time
• Rechargeable battery

What Our Experts Say

A relative newcomer in the world of pumping, Motif has quickly made a name for itself as the maker of one of the best electric breast pumps on the market. The brand’s double electric pump shares lots of similarities to the well-loved Spectra, but with a few key differences. The most important? The Luna was designed to produce more milk in less time. And who doesn’t appreciate that? (You can read the full study here.) Other things pumping parents rave about is the pump’s slim design, hospital-grade suction, the super quiet motor and the rechargeable battery life of over two hours. You’ll also find lots of settings in both massage and expression mode as well as a built-in nightlight and a backlit LCD screen.

What’s Worth Considering

If you’re stuck between the Spectra and the Luna, don’t stress; you truly can’t go wrong with either of these high quality breast pumps.

What’s Babylist Parents Say

“This pump has been awesome. I love the built in light, I love how easy it is to carry, and I’m a huge fan of the cycle and level options.” -Kayla

Additional Specs

The Scoop

• Compact and portable
• Hand-powered and cord free
• Great for quiet, discreet pumping

What Our Experts Say

A great manual pump is your BFF if you’re an occasional pumper or if you’re on the go and need to express a few ounces quickly and without the hassle or bulk of a full size pump (think date night, a long car trip, etc.). Since it’s small, silent and doesn’t involve any cords, this pump makes discreet pumping really easy. Its angled design allows you to sit comfortably when you pump, ensuring milk flows naturally into the container. It even comes with a bottle stand to help prevent a spill of even a drop of that liquid gold.

What’s Worth Considering

Your hand will get tired, especially if you plan to manually pump more than once a day.

What Babylist Parents Say

“It’s great to have on hand when you may need a pump but can’t bring your electric pump or if you don’t plan to pump. I would recommend getting the help of a friend who’s used one before or a lactation counselor but it’s relatively easy to use and is a life saver to have on hand when you need it!” -Hayley

Additional Specs

The Scoop

• Hands-free, one-piece pump
• No separate parts to clean
• Ultra affordable

What Our Experts Say

Think a manual pump is a lot of work? Think again. The Haakaa, made from 100% food-grade silicone, is about as low-maintenance as it gets when it comes to pumping. It’s a one-piece pump that attaches to your breast and collects milk using its own suction—no hands (or power source) required. Lots of pumping parents will pop it on while their baby nurses on the other side to gain a few ounces for their freezer stash. Better yet, it’s under 15 bucks.

What’s Worth Considering

Although it can act as a collection device, don’t forget that the Haakaa is a pump. That means that if you’re struggling with oversupply and using the Haakaa at every breastfeeding or pumping session, you’re actually encouraging your body to make more milk.

Some parents also find that their baby is able to kick it off if they’re breastfeeding on one side and using the Haakaa on the other. If that’s the case for you, try Haakaa’s Ladybug Milk Collector instead.

What Babylist Parents Say

“I hated my electric pump, but loved the Haakaa. My pumping needs weren’t high since I wasn’t going back to work right away, and I could get about 4 ounces a day out of this just by snapping it on the breast I wasn’t nursing on a couple times a day. Comfortable and took zero effort.” -Heron

Additional Specs

The Scoop

• Lightweight and portable
• Gentle yet powerful suction
• Affordable

What Our Experts Say

While many portable breast pumps aren’t a match for their much bigger, much heavier counterparts, that’s not the case with the Pumpables Genie Advanced. It’s small, powerful and portable—a perfect combination. With gentle yet extremely efficient suction, a rechargeable battery with about four hours of pumping time and a weight of just half a pound, it’s easy to see why the Genie Advanced is such a popular choice. Lots of pumpers use it as their primary pump and, like many portable options, it works with either traditional flanges and bottles or collection cups.

What’s Worth Considering

If you’re looking to pair your Genie Advanced with collection cups, try the brand’s Liquid Shield system. It’s a flange system with a special insert made from soft, liquid silicone that molds to breast tissue and mimics the way a baby sucks. Just keep in mind that you need to use the entire kit when pumping; you can’t use just the liquid insert with breast shields from a different brand.

Additional Specs

Did you know that insurance will cover all or most of your breast pump?

The Scoop

• Smaller than your smart phone
• Portable and powerful
• 14 different suction settings

What Our Experts Say

If you’re pregnant or a new parent and you’ve spent even a little time on social media lately, you’ve probably heard the buzz around the Baby Buddha breast pump—and we think it lives up to the hype. Revered for it’s teeny, tiny size and super powerful suction, the Baby Buddha lands somewhere between a traditional closed system electric breast pump and a completely hands-free, portable option. It’s small enough to hold in one hand and light and compact enough to slip in your pocket or wear around your wrist or your neck while you pump. But its size in no way affects its power. This single or double pump has a stimulation mode with five levels and an expression mode with nine, so it’s easy to find a custom setting that works for you.

The rechargeable battery lets you pump without being tethered to the wall. And, while not condoned by the brand itself, there are tons of Baby Buddha hacks to help you figure out how to use your pump with other pump brands’ components.

What’s Worth Considering

Although advertised as quiet, we think the Baby Buddha is actually on the louder side as compared to other similar pumps. The suction is also pretty strong, which is perfect for some pumpers but not so great for others.

Additional Specs

Did you know that insurance will cover all or most of your breast pump?

The Scoop

• Affordable
• Soft silicone breast shields
• Can pump directly into Dr. Brown’s bottles

What Our Experts Say

The Dr. Brown’s Customflow is an impressive double electric pump priced at a fraction of the cost of many similar breast pumps. The pump features two modes (let-down and expression) with multiple settings in each mode so you can find the customization that works for you. (There’s also a memory setting that remembers your preferences so you don’t have to reset the pump each time.) The flanges are made from silicone, which some pumpers report to be more comfortable than hard plastic. And although you don’t have to use Dr. Brown’s bottles with this pump, you’ll save time if you do as you can pump directly into them.

What’s Worth Considering

Users complain that this pump is on the louder side and that cleaning all of the parts can be a pain. There’s also no handle, which makes carrying the pump around a little tougher.

Lansinoh’s Double Electric Breast Pump and the Evenflo Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump are two other well-reviewed pumps that are worth a look if you’re in the market for a more affordable pump.

Additional Specs

The Scoop

• Hospital-grade strength
• Proven to achieve faster milk ejection and flow
• Good choice for exclusive pumpers

What Our Experts Say

Don’t get sticker shock just yet—hospital grade pumps are almost always rented on a monthly basis through wherever you gave birth, so there’s no need to worry about forking over a ton of cash. If you’re an exclusive pumper or having trouble with supply, the Symphony may be the pump for you. It boasts a two-phase suction system that’s been proven to achieve faster letdown and faster milk flow. It’s efficient, easy to clean and even has a special system in place to prevent milk overflow.

What’s Worth Considering

This is a big, bulky pump, so you’re not going to want to tote it around unless absolutely necessary. Bottles aren’t included, but can be purchased separately with the Medela Symphony Double Pumping Kit.

What Babylist Parents Say

“As an exclusive pumper, this hospital-grade pump was an absolute must-have. It was quick, efficient and powerful and helped me pump for my son for almost a year.” -Jen

Additional Specs

The Scoop

• Transforms electric pump into a hands-free pump
• Multiple flange sizes for all breast sizes
• Discrete

What Our Experts Say

If you already have a breast pump but would love the convenience of a wearable pump, Freemie Collection Cups are an excellent choice. Compatible with most popular electric pumps (be sure to check the full list here), Freemies’ tubing plugs right into your existing pump, giving you the convenience of a hands-free pumping option without the steep price tag of buying a new wearable pump. Each cup holds up to eight ounces of breast milk.

What’s Worth Considering

The opaque plastic makes it tough for some moms to get proper nipple alignment. Others say you’ll need to pump a bit longer than with traditional flanges in order to get the same amount of milk.

If you’re not loving the Freemie cups, check out these silicone collection cups by Legendairy Milk. Some pumpers find them more comfortable and more effective than the Freemies; just keep in mind all these factors vary greatly from person to person.

What Babylist Parents Say

“The Freemies are my forever gift to pumping moms. They are the BEST things EVER!” - J.S.

Additional Specs