8 Best Breast Pumps, Tested by Parents and Experts
These are our updated reviews on the most effective wearable pumps, manual pumps and hospital-grade pumps, with advice from a lactation consultant.
Medically reviewed by Whitney Casares, M.D. M.P.H., F.A.A.P.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
If your goal is to serve breast milk for 6 months to a year or more, a pump will help. In fact, a 2024 study in the Journal of Pediatrics found that using a pump is associated with being able to provide breast milk longer — on average, pumping moms in the study breastfed for 21 weeks longer than those who didn’t pump at all. Since many parents want to offer their baby some combination of nursing, baby formula and/or expressed milk in a baby bottle, a pump can help ensure that breast milk is stored in the fridge or freezer and ready to serve.
From traditional, hospital-grade double electric pumps to relatively discreet wearable breast pumps and handheld manual versions, there is no shortage of options. You'll find a wide price range from under $50 to over $500. "To help women choose, I ask if they will be returning to work and will need to pump outside of home, plus what their breastfeeding goal is," said Sheila Dukas-Janakos, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and CEO of Healthy Horizons, a company that works directly with women and Fortune 500 companies that set up lactation spaces. "If you only think you'll pump every once in a while, almost any pump will do." But if you're going to pump on a consistent basis? Then you'll want a reliable, electric double pump, Dukas-Janakos said.
Many women obtain a breast pump through health insurance. Dukas-Janakos has noticed a trend of women getting their primary, traditional double electric pump through insurance, then buying a wearable version for added convenience. With help from Dukas-Janakos, our Lab testers and consumer testers, we've rounded up Good Housekeeping Institute's favorites.
Spectra S1 Plus Double Electric
Pros
- Rechargeable battery works with or without an outlet
- Use as a single pump or double
- Multiple settings
- Relatively quiet
- Covered by most insurance providers
Cons
- A little heavy at 3.3 lbs
A built-in rechargeable battery makes this a favorite for moms who don't always want to search the room for an outlet. "I definitely like not being tethered to an outlet as I've had to use this pump in the car several times," one new mom told us.
The battery lasts for up to three hours. Our consumer testers, Lab parents, many Reddit users and Dukas-Janakos all confirmed that this is comfortable and easy to use as either a single or double pump (to empty one breast, or both at the same time). Digital controls make it easy to find the right customizations for your own body's letdown process, which is what gets the milk flowing. The newer, slightly more expensive Gold version lets you dial in a different suction and speed on each side, in case each breast reacts differently.
The Spectra packs a lot of power in its quiet, compact body — great for working moms who need something efficient but don't want the sound of their pump echoing into the hallway. Big bonus: It's covered by most insurance providers. If there's any downside, it's that, at a little more than 3 pounds, this pump is on the heavier side, especially for moms who are looking for something they can tote on public transportation.
Type: Traditional double electric | Power source: Plug in or rechargeable battery
Haakaa Manual Pump and Milk Collector
Pros
- Great backup to an electric pump
- No electricity or battery needed
- Affordable
- Can collect milk hands-free from one breast while you nurse on the other
- More than 70,000 five-star Amazon reviews
Cons
- Can only pump one side at a time
- Your hand will get tired if you need to use it for a long time
Unlike electric or battery-powered pumps, you operate a manual pump by hand. They are under $50, lightweight, quiet and don’t require a power outlet or batteries to use. "I primarily used an electric pump but kept a manual pump around for backup," said one of our staffers who, between her two kids, pumped for four years.
By squeezing the body of the Haakaa, the breast shield uses natural suction to help you express milk easily and silently. It does not express milk as quickly as electric options, but the price point and ease of use can't be beat. And get this: You can use the pump's suction to hold onto one breast hands-free, while you nurse on the other — it will collect any extra milk that leaks out. A tester with an oversupply of milk said, "it changed my life" — no liquid gold wasted!
The Good Housekeeping Institute's Nutrition Lab Director Stefani Sassos, a registered dietitian and new mom, calls this a "game changer" that was a "pain-free way to build up a freezer supply of breast milk." A manual pump can only be used on one breast at a time, and be prepared for some hand fatigue. But given its 70,000+ five-star Amazon reviews, the fact that it weighs less than a pound and is priced cheaper than a large takeout pizza, you may as well try it. "It's become a parenting staple," Dukas-Janakos said.
Type: Single manual | Power source: For use by hand
RELATED: The Best Nursing Pillows
Pros
- More affordable wearable pump
- Use with or without an app, thanks to LED display
- Impressive strength for a hands-free pump
- Comes with three sizes of soft nipple shields
Cons
- Not quiet
This winner from our most recent Parenting Awards comes recommended by Dukas-Janakos, who said it flies off the shelves of her two retail stores. Sassos said, "I’ve been using it every day for the course of a few months and think it’s really exceptional."
The Zomee is an affordable wearable pump that can be used with or without an app, thanks to the LED display that's easy to read. It's very customizable with nine levels each of stimulation and expression. The rechargeable battery lasts about two hours.
The Zomee markets itself as hospital-grade strength. There's no FDA-regulated definition for "hospital grade," but this does measure a bit stronger than the Willow or the Elvie. One of our testers said she got the same amount of milk with this as she did with her Elvie and found them very comparable. Another said she thought this felt lighter and slimmer than other wearables but that it's still long, so getting it to fit well in your bra can be a challenge, as is the case for all hands-free pumps.
Testers liked that this comes with three nipple shield sizes so you can choose the best fit (17mm, 21mm and 25mm), and Dukas-Janakos said that her clients feel the silicone breast shields are softer than many others.
One tester said there was no warning when she filled the containers, but the brand says they have fixed that. Markings show each side capable of holding 6 ounces, but a tester said she fit more like 5.5 ounces per side before she risked having some overflow. Our Lab pro noted that the Zomee is not quiet. "The noise is unmistakable. Anyone in the same room would know that you are pumping under your shirt," she said.
Type: Wearable double electric | Power source: Rechargeable battery
Willow Go
Pros
- The OG for multitasking, pumping moms
- Wireless and hands-free
- Compatible app helps track output
- Clear front panel lets you see milk output in real time
Cons
- Take care to get it positioned properly
What the AirPods did for headphones, the Willow did for breast pumps: Made the experience entirely hands-free and cordless (with no dangling bottles!). Moms can choose between the Willow 360 and the Willow Go. Both pumps are app-connected (for iOS or Android) to control and track pumping sessions and access personalized postpartum services, but each also works well without the app.
Willow Go was designed to optimize milk output and pumping comfort with 15 levels of hospital-strength suction, more than most other wearables. Sassos, who tested Willow Go, said "Level nine is very high power for a cordless pump.” The Willow Go containers hold up to 5 ounces of breast milk, compared to the 4-ounce containers with the Willow 360 pump. A clear front panel makes it easy to see how much milk you’ve expressed.
Sassos said it’s “great to see the milk coming out in real-time from the spout so you know it's working." Its user-friendly design places the buttons on the top of the pump so they're easy to access. Sassos said that after reading through the instructions she never had to reposition the pump, and the milk came out easily; another tester had a little more difficulty getting it positioned correctly to begin suctioning.
Most wearable pumps are known for their discreet (to a point!) design, however, the Willow Go can be loud on the higher pumping setting. Testers also tell us the rechargeable battery on the Willow Go can work for two hours.
Type: Wearable double electric | Power source: Rechargeable battery
RELATED: Our Full Review of the Willow Go
Elvie Double Electric Pump
Pros
- Quiet, hands-free pumping
- App controls the pump and tracks your sessions
- App also includes pumping tips
- Multitask at work or home while pumping
Cons
- There's a learning curve to aligning it with your nipple
Elvie is a quiet and hands-free electric option that works wirelessly from inside any standard nursing bra. You use an app (iOS or Android) to control its strength and monitor output. And even if someone walks in on you, it's doubtful that they'll know that you're pumping. (Although it does make your breasts look large, plus there's a green light that shines through light-colored clothing, so you don't want to, for instance, give a presentation while using the Elvie.) It's a recent winner of our Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards and Dukas-Janakos said it works well for many of her clients.
Each cup holds 5 ounces, so less than the 6- or 8-ounce containers many people use with a traditional double electric pump, but more than some other wearable pumps. The Elvie flawlessly switches from stimulation to expression mode based on its own detection. The app includes helpful pumping tips and tracks your pumping sessions over time.
The rechargeable battery lasts about two and a half hours — one tester said that she could easily use the same charge for three separate pumping sessions, and the brand says you should be able to get five or six sessions out of it. The Elvie comes with two sizes of nipple shields.
Testers appreciated the multitasking the Elviie allows. Moms who work in an office can easily use an Elvie while working at their desk, and moms who have older kids could tend to them while pumping. There's a learning curve to nailing the alignment of the Elvie to your breasts. "I had to line it up very specifically or it would leak or not pump properly," one tester said.
Type: Wearable double electric | Power source: Rechargeable battery
Medela Pump in Style Double Electric with MaxFlow
Pros
- Comes with a carrying case and cooler bag
- Use batteries if you need this to be even more portable
- Lightweight at just over a pound
- Many insurance companies cover the cost
Cons
- Only two choices of speed
Working moms who need something small and portable like that this lightweight pump (less than 2 pounds!) has a carrying case that's easy to tote. Our Lab pros found that the Pump in Style achieves great output compared to other traditional double electric pumps. One tester called it "extra-strength."
The two-phase expression technology mimics a baby's natural breast feeding patterns. Just note, said Dukas-Janakos, that though it offers 10 levels of suction, you only have the choice of two speeds.
This is not a hands-free option on its own, but some moms make it work that way by wearing a pumping bra. Even without a pumping bra, you eventually get good at scrolling your phone or even reading a book while resting both bottles against your arm or legs. (Ask us how we know.) "I really relied on my Pump in Style to get through a year of pumping while holding down a full-time job," a veteran mom told us. "I could pump and clean up in two half-hour breaks because the machine was so reliable and the parts were so easy to clean."
Reviewers also loved that there's a cooler bag included in the tote. If you'll be away from a wall outlet, you can make this pump work with eight AA batteries (not included). Note: This is another pump that is often covered by health insurance companies, and Medela sells many accessories including breast milk storage and nursing pads.
Type: Traditional double electric | Power source: Plug in or 8 AA batteries
Pros
- Powerful and efficient
- Surprisingly quiet for how strong it is
- Signficantly increases milk output
- Can often be rented
Cons
- Heavy and not very portable
- Expensive
Traditional hospital-grade pumps can be used by more than one person (with separate accessories), thanks to hygienic precautions built into the design. This model is a powerful pump made less to be carried around and more to be used every day, multiple times a day. Our experts agreed that the Medela Symphony deserves the hospital-grade moniker. It's frequently the model that hospitals lend out to patients, for instance to NICU parents, and it's what Dukas-Janakos sets up in corporate lactation suites for working parents to share. "Women can pump in half the time with this," she said.
When using this strong pump, our testers saw an outstanding increase in output. For those who struggled with a low milk supply, the Medela Symphony achieved faster letdown and milk flow and helped increase overall supply over time.
Considering the motor's large size it's surprisingly quiet. That makes it nice for early-morning or late-night sessions at home if you can afford to own or rent it. At over 6 pounds, it's not very portable, so most users leave the Symphony at home or work.
If the cost is prohibitive, you can generally rent this pump from a local hospital or medical supply store. "I was able to get insurance to cover the cost of a rental with a prescription from my doctor," said Lexie Sachs, Executive Director, Strategy & Operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a mom of two.
Type: Traditional double electric | Power source: Plug in
Medela Harmony
Pros
- Great for occasional use
- Make it your backup to your electric pump
- Features a comfortable, rotating breast shield
Cons
- Not as efficient as an electric pump
Our parenting product experts would be remiss to not list this manual option, another winner in our most recent Parenting Awards. You operate it by squeezing a lever, not the pump body itself. Medela's Harmony is a virtually silent, wireless and electricity-free option for portable pumping — perfect if you don’t express often, for instance, to relieve occasional engorgement or clogged ducts.
The single, oval-shaped breast shield features a soft, flexible rim that can be rotated 360 degrees to eliminate excess pressure on the breast. All testers noted that the Harmony pump was comfortable and easy to use.
It's a great backup to your primary pump — keep one at work or in your car and if you get stuck in traffic or forget to bring your pump (it happens!), this can save you. Or use it to execute a quick pumping sesh if you're attending a long wedding or other special event. "It's a fantastic tool to have in my pumping journey," a tester told us.
Type: Single manual | Power source: For use by hand
How we test breast pumps
The Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting and Toys Lab tests everything parents might need. We query new moms, do rigorous testing in our Lab and run real-world tests in homes, both with our Lab pros who are parents and with consumer testers. Much of our testing is done as part of our annual Parenting Awards. We put more than 20 pumps through easily 5,000 hours of use for this story.
We also consulted Sheila Dukas-Janakos, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), who has spent decades helping nursing moms. She's the CEO of Healthy Horizons, which sets up and maintains lactation rooms for Fortune 500 companies, including Ford and PayPal.
For each pump, we considered comfort, ease of use and additional benefits such as being able to use a pump without an outlet. From manual to electric, our parenting product experts have tested every pump on this list.
What to look for when shopping for the best breast pump
There's no one type of pump that's best for everyone. They each have their place — and they each have pros and cons. Before shopping, familiarize yourself the different styles of pumps.
✔️ Double electric pump: One of these is necessary if you'll pump most days, at work or at home. You'll need the power and efficiency. Traditional pumps that you plug into an outlet are the largest and use wires, but they're the most reliable and, we've found, result in the highest breastmilk yield. But you might prefer a wearable, wireless double electric if you want to easily multitask. They keep your hands free and you can actually walk around while pumping.
✔️ Single manual pump: Cheap, non-electric hand pumps are great for relieving engorgement, clearing clogged ducts or working to increase a low milk supply. You can also use one as a backup to your primary pump, or use it for a one-off event.
✔️ Size details: Most pumps come with a standard-size breast shield, often 24mm. If you have large breasts, make sure you can size up and buy a larger breast shield before you invest in the entire system. Same if you are on the smaller side. Dukas-Janakos said that many women she sees do well with a 19mm breast shield. "The majority of people start off pumping with the wrong size," said Dukas-Janakos, noting that fit is the key to expressing painlessly. If you're having trouble, Dukas-Janakos said you can ask a lactation consultant to measure you.
✔️ Portability: Electric pumps that plug into outlets will limit where you're able to pump, while battery-powered pumps can be great for on-the-go but often need to be recharged. Manual pumps can be easily tucked away into your purse or diaper bag and are great for travel but only express one side at a time. In short: The more portable a pump is, the less reliable or efficient it is, so there's always a trade-off.
How do you get a breast pump through insurance?
Before you shop, check your health insurance provider's website or give them a call to see what deals they offer. The Affordable Care Act requires most insurance plans to cover the cost of a breast pump, but each provider implements coverage in its own way. Your insurance might send you to a medical supply store, or might ask you to buy the pump and submit your receipt for reimbursement. Read our guide for more details on how to get a breast pump through insurance.
As an experiment we went to a pump provider, a store called Yummy Mummy, and entered our state and insurance plan. We were given the choice of six breast pumps we could receive for free, covered by insurance. None of them were on our list of favorites, but they included trusted brands such as Lansinoh and Ameda. We were given the option to buy our best overall choice, the Spectra S1, for $139, which is a significant discount.
Do you need a breast pump?
For parents interested in giving breast milk to their infant (and the benefits of breastfeeding are many, for babies and for moms), a good breast pump comes in handy.
Expressing milk helps you keep up your supply when baby isn't hungry, and lets you store milk in the freezer or fridge so that other caregivers can feed the baby a bottle.
Pumping while working or traveling lets moms multitask and families share the work and feeding load. Some parents even rely on breast pumps for something called exclusive pumping — that is, pumping milk and then bottle-feeding rather than nursing directly from the breast. The only case when you should not bother with a breast pump is if you've decided to only use formula.
If you're committed to breastfeeding as long as possible, with a goal of providing breast milk for 6 months to a year, we definitely recommend a good double electric breast pump. If you're unsure about nursing, having an inexpensive manual breast pump to start can help you through early challenges like engorgement.
What's the difference between open system and closed system pump?
A closed system pump includes a small barrier which prevents overflowing milk from leaking into the system so that it stays pristine. An open system breast pump, on the other hand, does not have this same barrier — and that means milk can enter tubing and make a mess.
All of the picks on this list are closed system, as are most new brand-name pumps on the market. It's primarily the older pumps that were open. For that reason, our experts discourage shoppers from buying breast pumps secondhand.
Breast pumps are classified as single-user products. Open systems — and even closed systems — leave room for contamination. Unfortunately for shoppers, this means it is almost always impossible to return a breast pump that has been opened and used.
When is the best time to start pumping?
For most parents returning to work after three or four months, the best time to start pumping is around the six-week mark, to slowly build up a supply that the baby can drink. However, in special cases, you may be advised to start pumping directly after birth if your baby is not very hungry or if they have a low birthweight.
You'll also want to pump anytime your breasts get too engorged or full, which could happen at any time. The opposite is true too: You want to pump if you need to signal to your breasts to make more. (Breastfeeding is funny that way!)
Our best advice: Talk to a lactation consultant to determine what's right for you and your little one. The National Women's Health and Breastfeeding Helpline is 800-994-9662. You can also search the International Lactation Consultant Association database for a board-certified lactation consultant near you.
What’s the best way to clean a breast pump?
The FDA states that all parts of the pump that come into contact with breastmilk should be cleaned after every single use so that bacteria can not grow. Use room-temperature water to rinse each piece after pumping and then wash in warm water for 10 to 15 seconds and scrub with liquid dishwashing soap to thoroughly cleanse each piece.
In some cases, you can put parts in the top rack of the dishwasher — but be sure to check the pump's manual before doing so. Air-dry the pieces on a clean drying rack to avoid spreading bacteria with paper towels or cloth.
Also check the pump's instructions for advice on occasionally sanitizing your breast-pump parts that come in direct contact with breastmilk, such as the breast shields and valves. The CDC recommends sanitizing daily while your baby is less than 2 months old, and also if they were born prematurely or have a weakened immune system due to illness. If your breast pump is a closed system, like those on our list, you should not need to sanitize the tubing.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
For more than a century, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything a new parent needs, including breast pumps. For a wide range of products we've tested and trust, see our annual Parenting Awards.
This article was most recently updated by contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn, a mom of two who combo-fed her children, pumping and nursing (with formula here and there) for two years with each of them. She has tried her share of breast pumps, and has covered the baby-gear marked for two decades, most recently at Parents magazine.
For this update, Hartshorn worked with consumer testers and with Nutrition Lab Director Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., NASM-CPT, who has two children under age 3 and is currently pumping. Original lead tester Rachel Rothman, former chief technologist and executive technical director at the GH Institute, also personally tested many of the pumps we recommend with her three young children.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
Whitney Casares, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P., is a board-certified pediatrician, author, speaker and full-time working mom. She’s a boots-on-the-ground advocate for the success of women in the workplace and at home. Dr. Casares is a Stanford University-trained private practice pediatrician whose expertise spans the public health, direct patient care and media worlds. She holds a master of public health in maternal and child health from the University of California, Berkeley, and a journalism degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Her work focuses on moving modern moms from feeling conflicted to centered. Dr. Casares practices pediatrics in Portland, Oregon.
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