Best Breast Pump to Buy in 2019 (Top 9 Extensive Reviews)
Giving birth is a wonderful process, however, it also requires a lot of preparation from everyone in the family. All mothers know that. And even though there are tougher things about being a mother, this step is also important since you need to find the exact model of the best breast pump that makes you feel comfortable. However, a portable breast pump is absolutely necessary in the process of supplying the needed breast milk for your baby. We’ve put together some of the best models and a buying guide to help you select the best breast pump and take full advantage of its features. Find your best breast pump here.
Types of Breast Pumps
Before jumping into the conclusion regarding the best breast pump, we thought it would be helpful for the mothers-to-be to go through the types of breast pumps available.
Manual Breast Pumps
Considered by some mother the best breast pumps due to the fact that you can control the suction power manually, the manual breast pumps are also the cheapest models available. Portability is also an advantage for these, however, due to reduced suction power they generate less milk.
Electric Breast Pumps
With a power cord, the electric breast pumps offer better suction and also come with a display and multiple settings. Some of the best breast pumps powered by electric current come with a timer, different modes and the downsides are represented by the cost and even weight.
Battery-Operated Breast Pumps
A sub-category of the electric pumps, this improves even the best breast pumps by adding a battery to improve portability and, of course, the power cord.
Best Breast Pumps – Buying Considerations
Now that you have a clear idea on which are the main breast pumps, it’s time to check out the main things to consider before actually buying one. Keep in mind that what works for a friend of yours doesn’t necessarily work for you and you need to go through all the buying considerations to establish which is the best breast pump for you.
Cost
Going straight to the money part, the cost of a breast pump is, of course, important. You might feel that it is not one of those accessories that it’s worth to spend a considerable amount on. However, you may found that a cheap breast pump doesn’t deliver the results you want. Buying a new best breast pump will most likely take the total price well over a medium-priced one that offers better results. Also, another thing to consider when deciding on your budget for a breast pump is that no matter the cost, it’s definitely cheaper and a lot healthier for your baby compared to buying formula.
Volume
You should keep in mind that some breast pumps are made for occasional use and others are made to handle sustained suction several times a day. Getting a rough idea on how much you’d be likely to pump will help you decide on the best breast pump for you.
Single or Dual
Not every mother can do this, however, it is possible to pump both breasts at the same time. This makes the entire process last less and you can also avoid the whole pumping process becoming uncomfortable.
Portability
If you’re one of those moms that go back to work a short time after giving birth, you will need the best portable breast pump. These come extremely handy because you can pump milk wherever you are, as long as you can get a bit of privacy. If you’re staying at home, you won’t need to worry about portability and even a corded breast pump is a good solution.
Maintenance
All breast pumps should be cleaned immediately after use since dried milk is a pain to clean from the tubes and other components. That’s why you need to consider a pump that has large enough tubes to be cleaned with a water tap.
Adjustable Suction
Some of the most expensive best breast pumps offer adjustable suction. This can be extremely useful especially if you wait for months after giving birth when extracting the milk gets a bit harder.
Accessories
The best breast pump will include all the needed accessories so you won’t have to worry about buying anything extra. However, you should know what these accessories are in order to check. A breast pump bag to transport and store the breast pump is a must as it will also contribute a lot to keeping the pump functional for a longer time. Of course, you’re also going to need storage bottles to freeze the breast milk and last but not least, you need breast milk storage bags. These should come with a certain level of thermic insulation to keep the milk cold for a longer time during trips.
| Product | Single/Double | Battery | Manual/Auto | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Double |
Yes |
Auto |
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Double |
Yes |
Auto |
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Double |
No |
Auto |
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|
Double |
Yes |
Auto |
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|
Double |
Yes |
Auto |
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|
Single |
No |
Auto |
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|
Single |
No |
Manual |
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|
Single |
No |
Manual |
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|
Double |
No |
Auto |
|
Top Pick: Spectra Breast Pump S1
If you’re looking for the best breast pump money can buy, this is definitely it. Spectra are known for their high-quality maternal products and the S1 is one of their finest examples. The hospital grade breast pump can be operated with batteries for portability but you can also plug it in when at home. Being a portable breast pump, you will be able to use it everywhere and make sure you have enough milk for the entire day. So, if you want an electric breast pump that can run on batteries as well as plugged in and offer dual or simple collection, this is the model you’re looking for. If you’re still not convinced, you should also know that it comes with a complete pack of accessories and transportation pack that other brands don’t offer. So, when thinking that the Spectra S1 is pricey, keep in mind that it includes all the needed accessories as well.
PROS
Operated by both power cord or batteries Very quiet Milk gets processed comfortably and quietly Closed system helps protect the milk from germs
CONS
Vibrations during use
Best-Selling: Freestyle Medela Breast Pump
The Medela one of the best breast pumps is a worthy competitor for everything Spectra has to throw in the game. It also comes with a full bag of accessories which is excellent. It’s a small electric pump that can operate dual as well as on one single breast at a time that offers nine different suction settings. This means that you can adjust the suction power to make the entire process comfortable and relaxing. Since you can operate it both on batteries or plugged-in directly at a power source, the breast pump is versatile and it deserved its position in this top breast pumps list.
PROS
Provides mobility It’s light and quiet for good results Comes with a lot of needed accessories
CONS
Expensive
Mom's Choice Award Winner: BelleMa Breast Pump – Double Electric
All moms know that going back to work after birth is truly challenging. Time is always scarce and you always question the decision of leaving your baby even for the 8 hours you spend at work. To make things a bit easier, you need a high-quality electric breast pump that is portable and light enough to be used at work during breaks so that at least you have a fresh portion of milk for your baby when you get home. Also, the closed system on this pump means that you can be sure the milk you extract is going to maintain all its properties until it is ready to be fed to the baby.
You can set the pump for different suction levels on each side, just in case your breasts need different suction power to provide the optimal quantity of milk and it’s extremely easy to assemble and clean the pump after using it.
PROS
Affordable price Double electric pump Light and portable Easy to assemble and clean Quiet operation
CONS
No battery pack
Spectra Breast Pump Baby S2
If you’re looking for a hospital grade breast pump, the Spectra 2 is one model you should definitely check out. This pump is great for exclusive pumping which means you will need to do it 8 to 10 times a day. The Spectra S2 is sensitive with your breasts and you can make sure you get the best results thanks to the suction control system that adapts the suction power to your needs.
If you’re one of those buyers that consider a low price to be the sign of a low-quality product, you need to think again when talking about the Spectra S2. For the money you spend you get a best electric breast pump that is quite good and also offers a closed system. Equipped with a timer and a night light, the Spectra S2 proves that it is designed by people that know exactly what a mother goes through in the first couple of months.
PROS
Great price for a dual electric pump It’s very quiet without sacrificing suction power It can pump really quick
CONS
Powered directly from the socket, No battery support
Medela Advanced Breast Pump – Pump In Style
Our next choice, the Medela pump in style is a breast pump that is designed for the hard work. Perfect for twins or large breasts, the Medela Pump in Style is the most powerful device you will find in breast pump reviews. Equipped with 24mm and 27mm breast shields, you can tell right from the start that this Medela breast pump is all about big breasts. Along with the pump, you will get an entire kit that contains a carry-all bag, milk bottles, spare tubes, and everything you need to pump even on the go. With adjustable suction settings, you can make sure that the pump feels comfortable and as a big plus, it is quiet enough so you can use even while your baby is sleeping without having to worry that you’ll wake it up.
PROS
Great for big breasts and nipples Good suctions with different power settings Easy to clean Renowned brand
CONS
Heavy
Haoqin Micro Cube Breast Pump
One thing that most mothers like to do in order to make the entire process of feeding more efficient, is breastfeeding the baby on one breast while pumping from the other to ensure a good supply for later. One of the top rated breast pumps available on the market right now with a competitive price, the Haoqin Micro Cube offers you the possibility to do exactly that. Made entirely with food-grade silicone, this breast pump comes with a stimulation massage cushion that offers a soothing, warm sensation to assist with the letdown. After the stimulation mode ends, you have three different suction settings to determine the one that’s best fitted for you. Compared to a manual breast pump, this electric single pump makes things easier and allows you to concentrate on something else while pumping milk.
PROS
Extremely easy to use and lightweight at the same time Easy to clean and maintain Good stimulation mode and three suction modes
CONS
Lengthier process
Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump
After going through all those electric options, you were surely wondering which is the best manual breast pump. Well, assuming that someone would want to do all the work themselves, the manual breast pumps are also available. And there’s no shortage of options when it comes to manual pumps either. In fact, out of dozens of manual breast pump reviews, we’ve picked only the ones that stood up with excellent features, like the one offered by Medela. It’s far from being the best Medela breast pump, however, if you only want to go manual, it’s the best option. Among the advantages of going with a manual breast pump instead of an automatic one you will definitely enjoy the possibility of taking it everywhere with you, the light weight as well as the fact that you can control the suction power to perfection.
PROS
You’re in total control when it comes to suction power Really easy to clean with no extra tubes and motors You can press the breast while pumping for extra milk
CONS
Lengthier process
Philips Avent Manual Comfort Breast Pump
We remain in the manual pump compartment and present you the Philips Avent manual breast pump. You can forget all about those best hospital grade breast pumps because they don’t hold anything on this pump from Phillips. It’s small and compact while also offering a lot of suction power to make the process fast enough for your hands not to get tired. It comes with an attached small and wide bottle to make it even easier to use. Also, since it’s in the Avent class, it is compatible with other milk containers and bottles. It’s extremely easy to clean after you’re done with it, just wash with warm water and rinse. For those moms that want to be extra-sure, the bottle can be dropped in boiling water as well with no worries about losing its quality.
PROS
Attractive price Great suction and efficiency thanks to the innovative design from Philips You won’t have to worry about back aches since you don’t have to lean forward to use it
CONS
Little squeak while operating
Medela Symphony Breast Pump
If you’ve encountered issues extracting milk with other pumps, you should definitely give the Medela Symphony a chance. Thanks to its 20phase expression technology it will make your milk flow freely in a shorter time compared to any other pump on the market. This is extremely important if you’re pumping exclusively so you won’t have to spend half of the day connected to the pump. With this electric breast pump you don’t need to worry about any backflow or milk losing quality during the pumping process. The closed system ensures that milk keeps its quality and keeps any fluids away from the motor area.
PROS
Built to last – you can count on them for years on a row Extremely quiet, ideal for using even while the baby is sleeping Offers a sanitary closed system
CONS
Need to buy the collection bottles and even the bag separately
Conclusion
Now that you’ve been through all the buying considerations, detailed breast pump reviews for each of the best breast pump models and you also went over the comparison table provided, it’s time to decide on the best breast pump for you and go ahead to buy it. However, if you’re still having a hard time to decide on a certain model, we recommend the Spectra Baby S1 as the best breast pump because it can handle anything you throw at it. It’s true, it is more expensive compared to most of the other models but it’s extremely lightweight for increased portability, the battery allows you to use it on the move as well and it can pump rapidly as well. Different pumping modes make it easy for moms to find the best breast pump that’s best suited for them and transform this process into a pleasant one that can be done while enjoying their favorite TV show or anything in that area. Also, it is extremely quiet so you can use it on one breast while your baby falls asleep feeding on the other one. And the dual-pumping system allows you to pump on both breasts at the same time to get over with the process a lot faster. Get the best breast pump for your needs today!