Best breast pumps 2022: tried and tested parent reviews

2022-05-21 03:28:43 By : Mr. Raincal Row

Buying a breast pump? Read our roundup of the best breast pumps – put to the test by parents – to help you choose which one is right for you.

We’ve tried and tested a range of the best breast pumps – including manual and electric, and both single and double pumps – to help you find the perfect choice for you and your baby.

A breast pump is an indispensable piece of kit if you’re breastfeeding. But working out which are the best breast pumps and which one is right for you is complicated.  To help you make up your mind, our consumer editor, Heidi Scrimgeour, rounded up her pick of the most popular breast pumps. Then, we asked a panel of mums to put them to the test. Based on their candid feedback and independent reviews, here’s our lowdown on the best breast pumps.

A highly efficient pump that’s quiet and comfortable to use

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Electric or Manual: Electric | Dishwasher safe: Yes

The Philips Avent Ultra Comfort Double Electric Breast Pump is an efficient breast pump that’s quiet and comfortable to use.

“This double pump is a godsend,” says our tester, Darryl Hannah Baker, mum to daughter Cole, aged three weeks. She was impressed to discover that she could express between one and three more ounces of milk than usual during a pumping session. She also loved that she can use it as a double pump to express from both sides in one sitting, increasing her yield even further.

“The only downside to this pump is that you have to physically hold the pumps in place. Unlike wearable pumps, you can’t position it inside your bra, meaning you literally have your hands full while you’re expressing,” says Darryl. “That means you need to find time when you can pump and do very little else. It’s possible to balance the pumps on your knees so you can scroll through your phone or change the TV channel, but that’s about it.”

Overall, this is an impressive, comfortable pump. Although our tester found she used it less than other pumps because it’s not hands-free, she says it’s powerful enough to make up for that. Impressive power and unrivalled comfort make it the best breast pump of all those we tested. It’s ideal if you can dedicate time to pumping, and it’s a good choice for mums seeking to increase their milk supply.

Read our in-depth review of the Philips Avent Double Electric Breast Pump 

A game-changing wireless wearable breast pump that’s discreet and hands-free

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Electric or Manual: Electric | Dishwasher safe: Yes

The Elvie Single Electric Breast Pump is a completely hands-free, wearable breast pump that’s small enough to fit discreetly in your bra. This means you can express discreetly at work or in a coffee shop without feeling conspicuous. It was a hit with our tester from the moment she unboxed it. No wonder it pops up so often on best breast pumps buying guides.

“From taking this out of the box to everyday use and cleaning, Elvie have clearly put a lot of thought into making this as simple and hassle-free as possible,” says Lisa Murphy-O’Reilly, mum to Arlo, aged three months.

It has seven different settings so you can choose the intensity, and it’s easy to adjust. But the standout feature for our tester is the fact that it fits in her handbag and is discreet enough to use at work. “I’m still on maternity leave but you could use it in a busy office,” she says. “The pump isn’t completely silent but the noise would be drowned out in an open-plan office or restaurant. You couldn’t wear a tight top and expect people not to notice, but you could definitely hide it underneath a baggy jumper.”

Admittedly this isn’t a budget option, but Lisa feels it’s worthy of its price tag. “It’s an expensive product but the design, ease of use, the functionality of the app, and the overall appearance of the pump make it feel like a premium product,” she says. “It looks great and it’s truly portable.”

On balance, we’d recommend this breast pump to someone who loves gadgets and appreciates excellent design. “It’s the perfect pump for a busy mum who is prepared to spend a bit of extra money on a premium product that will truly make her life easier.”

A double version of this pump is also available to buy.

Read our in-depth review of the Elvie Single Electric Breast Pump

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Electric or Manual: Electric | Dishwasher safe: No

The Nuby Ultimate Digital Double Electric Breast Pump impressed our tester before she had even put it to the test – mainly because it’s such brilliant value for money. “Most double electric breast pumps cost considerably more than this,” says Deborah Cicurel, mum to Mia, aged six months. “It was also fairly easy to clean and put together. There are quite a few different parts but I got the hang of it quite quickly.”

It has nine intensity levels, soft silicone breast shield cushions, and a handy digital display with a clock so you can check how long you’ve been pumping for. “The silicone breast shield cushions are really comfortable and make for a pleasant, pain-free pumping experience, while the touchscreen digital display looks sleek and is handy to use,” adds Deborah.

This can be either mains or battery operated for flexibility when pumping. You can also use it as either a single or double breast pump, depending on what you need.

It’s not handsfree, but this is easily rectified. “You could buy a generic pumping bra to keep the pump in place. This will free you up to play with your baby, work on your laptop or do anything that doesn’t involve moving around too much while you express.”

Overall, this is a brilliant budget breast pump. “It’s so much more affordable than other double electric breast pumps and very comfortable to use,” says Deborah.  “Most importantly, the pump gets lots of milk out by mimicking a baby’s feeding actions, and I also really like that you can pump straight into the same bottles your baby feeds from – anything that saves time with a little one is a huge bonus!”

We’d recommend it to anyone who likes value for money and prioritises time-saving and is mainly going to pump at home rather than when out and about.

A single electric breast pump with rechargeable battery and comfortable breast shield for smoother pumping all round

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Electric or Manual: Electric | Dishwasher safe: No

The Medela Solo Single Electric Breast Pump is a new, compact and super-efficient single electric breast pump. A favourite with mums globally, the iconic Swing Flex has been reborn with a sleek new look and extra features. Designed to fit into your life as easily as it fits into your handbag, it’s light, compact, and quieter than the previous generation. The Medela Solo Single Electric Breast Pump now also includes an integrated USB rechargeable battery supporting up to six pumping sessions on a full charge. With a closed system to prevent milk from entering the tubing, the new model is easier than ever to use both at home and on the go.

Our parent tester, Catherine Hudson, is mum to three-month-old Iris. She feels the Medela Single Electric Pump really supports breastfeeding life. “This breast pump really is the perfect tool for building up a stock of breastmilk for those times you need to be away from your baby,” she says. “Mine came in really handy when I had nipple damage for a couple of days and had to pump through to avoid mastitis. It has also meant that my partner has been able to feed our daughter with my milk, meaning I can have a go at a full night’s sleep for the first time in over a year. Priceless!”

A flexible breast pump that switches from electric to manual mode

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Electric or Manual: Both | Dishwasher safe: No

Find it difficult to choose between a manual breast pump and an electric one? Problem solved – this is definitely the best breast pump for you. It’s highly flexible too. You simply swap the top of the pump unit to switch between manual and electric modes. 

It has stimulation and expression modes that mimic a baby’s natural sucking reflex, plus nine different suction strengths that you can adjust to suit you. It has a sleek touchscreen that’s easy to use. The pump can be plugged in or used on the go, thanks to the rechargeable battery, which lasts for around five hours.

The MAM 2-in-1 is compatible with Mam’s full range of Easy Start bottles and Food Storage pots, which attach directly to the bottom of the pump. This is handy for time-pressed mums, allowing you to store your milk in the fridge or freezer easily.

Annie Quinn, mum to Leo, aged five months, was impressed by this pump before she even unpackaged it. “At first glance, you can tell it’s high quality – the box itself has lots of easy-to-read snippets of information on it,” she says. “Each part is well packaged and presented, so you can immediately see each individual item. The instructions are very easy to follow, especially for someone who doesn’t have a clue what they’re doing! I was able to clean, sterilise and put it together with ease.”

Cleaning this pump is particularly easy. The top and bottom of the bottle come off so you can clean hard-to-reach areas. It also comes with containers for storing milk.

“I had previously tried a different combined electric and manual pump and just couldn’t get on with it, but I managed to express four ounces on my first go with this,” says Annie.

Overall, Annie gave this pump the thumbs up. “It’s brilliant and so comfortable,” she says. “It’s ideal for a new mum that would like something easy and convenient to express with.”

A smart, portable pump that’s easy to clean

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Electric or Manual: Electric | Dishwasher safe: Yes

This SmartPump 2.0 Double Electric Breast Pump from Lansinoh is their quietest breast pump, while still having adjustable hospital strength suction levels. It has a backlit LCD display for easy reading, and large buttons to help control the variable suction speed and pumping style. Plus the hygienic closed system breast pump helps prevent milk back up into the tubing for easier clean-up.

The Lansinoh Smartpump 2.0 Double Electric Breast Pump is lightweight with an ergonomic carrying handle, which means it’s easy for you to take to work or on holiday. It’s also compact enough to carry around the house as you do your daily routine. It seamlessly connects to the Lansinoh Baby 2.0 app (free from your app store) via Bluetooth to automatically track your pumping sessions. The app helps you keep track of your feeding and pumping sessions.

Our tester, Nicky Poole is mum to William, 16 weeks. “I’ve used Lansinoh milk bags, nipple cream, and shields before, so this felt like a trusted brand My first impression of this pump was ‘Wow, this is portable’. The device itself is lightweight but sturdy. It came complete with a cool bag with a little gel freezer pouch and a bottle holder/cooler.”

The instructions were easy to follow and the pump came assembled. “That was great because pumps are often ultra-fiddly,” adds Nicky. “I felt like this wasn’t going to be torture to assemble or use, and far less mechanical and ‘bovine-like’ than other pumps.”

The pump has three modes that mimic different feeding styles. “It’s easy to switch on and very gentle, so there’s zero risk of accidentally clamping your nipple in it when turning it off,” adds Nicky. “It also remembers your settings so you don’t need to fiddle around each time you use it. Plus there’s a timer on the screen, which is very useful.”

Despite the variable suction levels, Nicky found she got less milk than she typically does when using her own breast pump. “I’d say this make would be best for an infrequent pumper returning to work, or for medium-light use.”

A cordless, portable pump with rechargeable battery

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Electric or Manual: Electric | Dishwasher safe:

This breast pump has 2-phase expression to help you express more milk in less time. The first phase stimulates your breast, while the second phase uses longer and slower pulses to encourage let-down.

It has nine speed settings in each phase, so it’s highly adaptable to suit your preference. The ergonomic design makes this a good choice for travelling with or for use outside of the house. It also comes with a handle, so you can use it as a manual pump if you wish.

Mum Georgia Sharp put this breast pump to the test with her son, Indigo, 11 weeks. “I hadn’t heard of this brand before but on first impressions I liked the packaging and design of the product,” she says.

The pump comes in lots of pieces which makes it a bit fiddly to clean and re-assemble,  but Georgia found it easy and intuitive to use. “I was able to produce a lot of milk in a single session, and found it really handy being able to pump directly into a bottle,” she says.

It’s easy to control via a touch panel and can be cordless when charged or plugged in with the USB cable provided. However, Georgia found the touchscreen a little temperamental. “On two separate occasions I accidentally turned it off simply by picking it up and having my finger on the on/off button,” she says. “Also I couldn’t use my thumb with the touch screen – only my index finger.”

Overall, this is a powerful pump that will appeal to anyone who wants the flexibility of a rechargeable unit. The battery life is good, and it’s great value for money.

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Electric or Manual: Electric | Dishwasher safe: No

The Tommee Tippee Made for Me double electric breast pump is a good choice for mums who need to express as much milk as possible in a short amount of time, according to our tester, Anna Watt, mum to Joshua, 12 weeks old.

There’s no backflow into the tubes, so every drop of milk gets saved. It’s powered by a lightweight, slimline USB rechargeable power unit, giving you around 90 minutes of cord-free pump time.

“I have a single electric pump already but as a working mum with a five-year-old and a three-month-old, I am short on time so every minute counts,” says Anna. “I wanted to try a double pump in the hope of pumping twice as much milk in one go.”

Anna found the pump easy to assemble, with instructions that are clear and easy to follow. “I really liked the light-up buttons on the power unit, which make it easy to use in dim light,” she says. “It also clearly shows when the pump is charging and at full charge; something I’ve found lacking in other pumps, when you only realise it’s out of charge halfway through use.”

The pump has good suction, with five massage settings and nine express modes. Anna found level two sufficient and pumped 6oz-3oz from each breast in less than 20 minutes.

However, a downside of this pump is that it doesn’t automatically change from the initial massage motion to express mode. “In order to do this you need to press a button on the power unit, which is tricky to do when you’re using both hands to hold the handsets in place,” says Anna.

“Therefore, to make the most out of this pump, you really need to purchase a pumping bra. It would be great if the pump came with one, as you’d be able to enjoy a cup of tea whilst pumping, or rattle a toy to entertain your baby.”

In addition, the parts are easy to take apart to clean, and the pumped milk is easily stored as you don’t need to pour it into other containers. “You pump into the same bottle you use to feed your baby,” explains Anna. “Once you’ve finished pumping, you just twist off the bottle, put the lid on, and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to use the milk, simply swap the lid for a bottle teat.”

All in all, this is one of the best breast pumps for busy mums who don’t have much downtime, or who usually express out of the house. Anna feels this pump did exactly what she wanted it to, enabling her to pump twice as much milk as usual in the same amount of time.

A highly portable electric pump with a rechargeable battery

Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Electric or Manual: Electric | Dishwasher safe: Yes 

The Medela Swing Maxi double electric breast pump is a portable electric breast pump which mimics a baby’s natural sucking rhythm. It’s billed as the perfect pump for mums who want to express more milk in less time.

It has nine adjustable levels that let you find the right rate of suction. The breast shields are designed to put less pressure on your milk ducts than traditional breast shields, resulting in a more effective and comfortable pumping experience. It has a USB type C connector, as well as a built-in rechargeable battery. It lasts for up to six pumping sessions when fully charged.

Lex Courts, mum to Idgy, aged seven months, was looking forward to trying this pump. “I had heard good things about this brand, and lots of people recommended it to me when I was shopping around for the best breast pumps” she says. “I was excited to try it out and see if it was as comfortable and easy to use as everyone said.”

The pump is very easy to assemble and use. “After sterilising all the parts, it was intuitive to set up and start pumping. It’s also compact compared to other pumps I’ve tried, and very comfortable – there was no pulling sensation or discomfort at all.”

Also, Lex found this quieter than other breast pumps. However, it was still loud enough that she had to turn the TV volume up when expressing.

Overall, Lex thinks this pump is comfortable, efficient, and excellent value for money. “It performs really well and the functionality rivals premium brands, but it costs considerably less,” she says. “It’s not a cheap buy but you do get a lot of value.”

To summarise, we’d recommend this as one of the best breast pumps on sale for mums who don’t want to spend a lot of money on an expensive premium pump, but who also don’t want to compromise when it comes to functionality.

A breast pump is a device that extracts breast milk from your breast so you can store the milk and use it to bottle-feed your baby. If you’re breastfeeding – or expecting a baby and hoping to breastfeed – there are lots of reasons why you might invest in a breast pump. If you’re breastfeeding and need to be away from your baby for any period of time, a breast pump is indispensable. Perhaps you’re returning to work after maternity leave but want to continue giving your baby breastmilk. Or just planning an evening out or a night away and want to fill the fridge with milk that someone else can give your baby.

The benefit of using a breast pump is flexibility. With breast milk stored in the fridge or freezer, you can leave your baby in someone else’s care but continue to breastfeed when you’re together. Expressing means you’ll have a supply of breast milk that you can store so another caregiver can give it to your baby via a bottle while you’re apart. Using a breast pump can also bring relief if your breasts are engorged. Some mums find that expressing can help to increase milk supply. 

The key thing to consider when buying a breast pump is which type of pump will suit you best. A manual breast pump is operated by hand – you squeeze the handle to express your milk into the attached container. They take a bit of effort to operate but they’re also light and portable, so handy for use on the go.

An electric breast pump automatically extracts your milk from your breast. For this buying guide, we tested electric breast pumps as they’re more efficient than manual breast pumps. Of course, they’re also more expensive.

If you only intend to express occasionally, a manual breast pump is all you need. However, if you expect to express on a daily basis, an electric breast pump is a more practical choice. You’re likely to express more milk in less time with an electric pump.

Keep in mind that electric breast pumps need a power source. Some run on batteries but others need to be plugged in so they limit your movements when you’re expressing.

Not sure how often you’ll express? That can make it tricky to decide which pump you need. However, it’s worth going for the combined 2-in-1 breast pump as it can be used in either electric or manual mode. That way, you’ll be covered for both eventualities.

Best breast pumps: Philips Avent Double Electric Breast Pump – Philips | £225.34 Best breast pumps (premium): Elvie Single Electric Breast Pump – Mamas and Papas | £269 Best breast pumps (budget): Nuby Double Digital Electric Breast Pump – Nuby | £170 Medela Solo Single Electric Breast Pump – John Lewis | £159.99 Mam 2-in-1 Electric and Manual Breast Pump – John Lewis | £129.99 Lansinoh Smart Pump 2.0 – John Lewis | £240 Vital Baby Nurture Flexcone Electric Breast Pump – John Lewis | £99.99 Tommee Tippee Double Electric Breast Pump – Argos | £170 Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breast Pump – Medela | £250