When you are inducing, and lactating, your best friend is going to be your pump. Milk production operates on a demand and supply principle – the more milk you ‘demand’ from your breasts will stimulate more production. Certainly lips to nipple is the desired way to stimulate your milk, but this is not always possible. If you have a partner, there are going to be times when it is just not possible to nurse, and if you are solo, the best way to get milk out of your breasts is going to be through pumping.
When choosing a pump they key is to not scrimp on this important tool in your lactation toolbox. You will require a good quality electric pump – a manual pump is just not up to the task; double electric is preferred as you can pump both breasts at the same time.
Efficiency and comfort are essential things to consider when purchasing a breast pump. We have assessed a range of models, putting them through a variety of tests, looking at points such as suction strength, noise (some can be a bit loud) and how easily they can be cleaned.
Electric Breast Pump Reviews
On a personal note, I have purchased several lower priced pumps and was disappointed. I really felt that I had wasted my money and I was back at square one on finding a pump that was going to work for what I needed. Please don’t buy a pump just for the sake of having one, you will just end up frustrated and annoyed.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something using our retail links, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Read more about how this works.
Medela Symphony
This pump is the most expensive on the list, but it is also the one that is going to give you the best overall experience. It is powerful, quiet, and easy to maintain. It is the one that is most often used in a hospital setting, and recommended by most lactation consultants.
Pros
- Great suction and perfect for inducing
- One of the quietest pumps available
- Efficient at fully emptying the breasts
- Let down setting
- Adjustable suction
- Timer
- Hospital grade – closed system
Cons
- Expensive
- Bulky, not subtle when it comes to portability
- Only comes with one size of breast flanges – other sizes must be ordered separately
- Hard plastic breast shields that may be difficult to find the perfect fit for your breast for optimal pumping
Clinically proven to achieve faster milk ejection and flow when pumping at Maximum Comfort Vacuum for optimal efficiency; whisper-quiet operation ensures discretion during late night or early morning pumping.
Medela Pump in Style
Advanced
This pump is the next step down from the Medela Symphony, and has a reasonable price point. It is not as quiet as the Symphony, but it is not overly noisy. It also has a let down feature, which will switch the pump to a lower, stronger setting for the first few minutes to encourage the let down reflex. The pump is portable and comes bundled in either a backpack or carrying bag
Pros
- Great suction
- Quiet
- Let down setting
- Adjustable suction
- Portable
- One of the most popular double electric pumps on the market
Cons
- Only comes with one size of breast flanges – other sizes must be ordered separately
- Hard plastic breast flanges that may be difficult to find the perfect fit for your breast for optimal pumping
Single knob adjustable speed and vacuum with one touch letdown button; Set of 24mm/medium size flanges allow moms to enhance their pumping experience, based on what’s most effective and comfortable.
Built in to its discreet tote bag and equipped with a portable battery pack and removable cooler bag holds everything for convenient double pumping wherever and whenever needed whether at home, on the go, at work, or while traveling
Spectra S1/S2
The only difference between the Spectra S1 and the S2 is that the S1 can be used with a rechargable battery, where the S2 needs to be plugged in. It’s one of the quieter models on the market, and offers a letdown mode, and is adjustable to allow you take control over how the pump feels on your breasts. It also comes with a timer. This is a hospital grade double electric pump.
Pros
- Quiet
- Let down setting
- Timer
- Efficient at fully emptying the breasts
- Hospital grade – closed system
Cons
- Only comes with one set of breast flanges – additional sizes must be ordered separately
- Higher price point
Spectra S1 has a convenient, inbuilt rechargeable battery.
You can customize your pump's settings to your own body's response and follow your flow to find your own best settings with the S1's completely adjustable suction and 2 phase cycling in let-down and expression mode.
PJs Comfort
This pump has the best overall pumping feeling – it has silicone breast cups and most closely resembles the suckling/suction action of a nursing infant. The pump is both quiet and efficient, and is easy to clean/maintain. This pump is also commonly found in hospitals.
Pros
- Best natural suckling action
- Soft, silicone breast shields
- Efficient at fully emptying the breasts
- Let down setting
- Adjustable suction
- Quiet
- Portable
- Reasonably priced
- Hospital grade – closed system
Cons
- Can be difficult to find