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Choose from manual, electric and hands-free single or double breast pumps
Mothers turn to breast pumps for a variety of reasons – perhaps they’re in a position where baby can’t feed and are exclusively expressing, or maybe the choice is to combine breast milk with formula feeds, or the need for a breast pump may be down to a lifestyle change, when returning to work, for example. Regardless of the situation, the best breast pumps can be a mum’s best friend.
Anxiety over the pressure of ensuring baby is well fed is something many new mothers face, all while battling with the sleepless nights, erratic hormones and potential engorged, sore and swollen breasts. So, it’s important to consider your choices when it comes to choosing the best breast pump for you, as you’ll want something that’s not only comfortable to wear but efficient and compatible with your lifestyle.
The breast pump market can be a minefield. You may be trying to decide between a manual or an electric pump; wondering if it’s better to opt for a single or double model; and pondering whether a hands-free version that sits in your bra can really work (the answer is yes, and we’re here for it).
To help you make that all-important decision when it comes to your pump purchase, we’ve tried and tested a range of electric, hands-free wearable pumps and manual options, to bring you a curated line-up of the best breast pumps on the market right now.
We put each pump through its paces for around two weeks, expressing at varying times of the day and night, and at different stages of breastfeeding. We assessed each pump on comfort, efficiency (including suction and speed), how simple they were to set up and clean, and how easy it was to store the expressed breast milk. While breast pumps don’t come cheap, we also considered value for money.
Manual: A manual breast pump is hand-operated and uses traditional vacuum suction to extract breast milk. These are usually only available as single pumps (you only have one pair of hands, after all) and are more portable and compact than electric pumps, making them great for travel. If you only plan on expressing occasionally, a manual could be a great option, too.
Electric: As you might expect, electric breast pumps create suction using a motor, powered either by mains or batteries. There’s no denying that most are bulkier, noisier, and more expensive than manual pumps, but they are highly efficient and often take half the time to get the job done.
Wearable: You’ll now also spot several brands boasting wearable electric pumps, which are designed to be charged up and slipped into your bra for hands-free pumping. These could be a good option if you need to continue working or pottering around the house while expressing – but they’re the pricier choice, for sure.
Everybody’s breastfeeding journey is unique – a pump that works for one person might not work for someone else. Although there is no perfect universal fit, for us, Lola&Lykke’s smart electric breast pump performed on all levels. If you are really keen for a hands-free experience, and you’ve a larger budget, we also highly praise Medela’s freestyle double breast pump, which is as efficient as it is discreet. However, if you’d rather same some money for other baby essentials, and don’t mind going manual, the Medela harmony flex breast pump is a decent option that won’t break the bank.
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