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It may take a while to get the hang of breastfeeding, but these top picks make the process easier.

While some nursing moms find they don't need a breast pump, others discover that a good breast pump is essential to helping maintain or increase milk supply as needed, and can offer flexibility and instant relief when away from baby. From powerful hospital-grade electric pumps to wearable models, when looking for the perfect pump for your needs, you'll want to consider a few key factors: where you plan on pumping, what pumps your health insurance covers, what type of pump is most comfortable for you and which pump helps produce the most milk in the shortest amount of time. So, how do you choose? Breast pumps can be manual or electric, and they can be either single or double expression (i.e., pumping one or both breasts at a time). They can also be closed or open system, but all of the picks on this list are closed system pumps, since our parenting product experts note that a closed system pump includes a small barrier that an open system lacks — which prevents any overflowing milk from leaking into the system and makes it easier to clean. This is also why our experts discourage buying breast pumps secondhand, since open systems — and even closed systems — leave room for contamination. Read on for more about our top breast pump picks tested by real moms and nursing experts, as well as additional information on how to choose (and use) the right pump for your needs.

Before you shop, check with your insurance provider. The Affordable Care Act has required most insurance plans to cover the cost of a breast pump, but each provider implements the coverage in its own way.

There's a lot to love when it comes to the Spectra S1 electric pump. The built-in rechargeable battery makes it a favorite for moms who don't always want to search the room for an outlet, and it's comfortable and easy to use as either a single or double pump. Not only does the battery last up to three hours (so you don't have to worry about it conking out on you), but it features easy-to-use digital controls that help you find the right customizations. This electric pump packs a lot of power in its quiet, compact body. Good Housekeeping Institute's Chief Technologist Rachel Rothman personally used this pump for all three of her children and loves how relatively quiet it is while still providing great output. Plus, this strong, adjustable pump is covered by most insurance providers.

Pump type: Electric pump Weight: 3.3 pounds Dimensions: ‎7.9 x 7.9 x 6.7 inches

If you're looking for an electric pump that won't break the bank, Bellababy's double electric breast pump is a great option to consider, with close to 9,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. It's small, easy to carry and a great price for all budgets. With four modes and nine levels of suction, it helps stimulate milk expression to help you achieve a greater output in less time. The high definition display screen lets you personalize your pumping experience easily and keep track of the time and battery level. Aside from its many parts that can make cleaning a bit of a tedious task, the affordable price tag and variety of customizations make it a fan favorite. This battery-powered pump is lightweight and requires no wires or outlets to work, meaning it's great for on the go, or if you just want a smaller pump in your day-to-day life.

Pump type: Battery-powered electric pump Weight: 2.6 pounds Dimensions: ‎14.02 x 10.24 x 4.13 inches

This portable pump makes expressing milk on the go a breeze. Our experts love how easy it is to use, and note that it achieves some of the best output compared to similar Medela models. The double electric pump uses two-phase expression technology to mimic your little one's natural breast feeding patterns, so it gets milk flowing more quickly and easily and takes less time for more output. With few parts to clean and a strong motor that features Max flow micro-vibrations to increase efficiency, the speed and vacuum pump capabilities are loved by reviewers. The included cooler bag is also great for portable storage. One of our testers noted she loved this pump because "it's easy to use, simple to clean and carry around, all with the added benefit of having the extra strength of an electric pump."

Pump type: Battery-powered electric pump Weight: 1 pound Dimensions: ‎‎13.14 x 6.13 x 9.08 inches

Unlike electric or battery-powered pumps, manual pumps are ones that you use your hands to operate. They are usually lighter, smaller, quieter and easier to clean, and don’t require a power outlet or batteries to use. Our parenting product experts appreciate that Medela's Harmony manual pump is a virtually silent, cord-free option for pumping on-the-go — perfect if you don’t express that often or just need a pump for a short period of time. This pick is light, quiet and discreet, so you can easily tuck it away in your bag and pump wherever you are, whenever you need. Its two-phase technology manually mimicks your little one's feeding, and the breast shield features a soft, flexible rim that can be rotated 360° to eliminate excess pressure on the breast. In our research, all testers noted that the Harmony pump was comfortable and easy to use.

Pump type: Manual pump Weight: 9.6 ounces Dimensions: ‎‎‎6.56 x 2.76 x 7.87 inches

The term "hospital grade" often refers to a pump that can be used by more than one person (with separate accessories) thanks to additional hygienic precautions built into the design. There is, however, no FDA-regulated definition for it, so be sure to thoroughly check descriptions of hospital-grade pumps. That said, our experts like the powerful Medela Symphony hospital-grade pump. Testers saw an outstanding increase in output when they used this pump. Its quiet and efficient pumping makes it great for those early morning or late-night sessions, and it can conveniently be used as either single or double expression. For those who may have trouble with milk supply, the Medela Symphony works to achieve faster letdown and milk flow so you can express more milk at a quicker speed. It’s definitely not tote-friendly, but if you can leave it at home or work, it's worth it.

Pump type: Electric pump Weight: ‎6.72 pounds Dimensions: ‎‎‎10.25 x 8.25 x 12.5 inches

What the AirPods did for headphones, the Willow is aiming to do for breast pumps: Make the experience entirely hands- and cord-free (and no dangling bottles!). You pump directly into bags that fit inside the flange-pump combo, while the compatible app tracks how much milk you produce. Featuring a few dishwasher safe parts, it's easier to clean than many other pumping options, which is great for tired moms. While many of our testers were fans, they noted that there's definitely a steep learning curve when first acclimating to the pump. For example, you can't see the flange on your nipple, so alignment takes some practice. Once you familiarize yourself, though, production is impressive considering the compact, quiet nature of this pump. But this one is hard on the wallet: In addition to the high price, the recyclable storage bags can only hold four ounces and are single-use, so if you pump a lot, the price can add up.

Pump type: Wireless pump Weight: ‎12.5 ounces Dimensions: ‎‎‎5.67 x 4.41 x 3.35 inches

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Willow Wearable Breast Pump

This natural suction manual breast pump is perfect for the on-the-go mom. It's quiet, easy to clean and can be tucked away in a purse or diaper bag of any size. By squeezing the body of the pump, the breast shield uses natural suction to help you express milk easily and silently. While it may not express milk as quickly as some electric options, the price point and ease of use can't be beat. The Good Housekeeping Institute's Registered Dietitian Stefani Sassos calls it a "game changer" that was a "pain-free way to build up a freezer supply of breast milk without having to do much work." It does a great job of capturing milk at an affordable price point, and our experts love how convenient it is to pack in any bag and use while out and about. The single silicone piece can be quickly cleaned by boiling it in water for 2-3 minutes and letting air dry.

Pump type: Manual pump Weight: ‎‎3.87 ounces Dimensions: ‎‎‎1.91 x 1.91 x 6.95 inches

For a super fast pumping process, try the Motif Medical Luna Double Electric Pump. Not only does it help you express more milk in less time, but it has an ultra quiet motor that makes pumping peaceful and relaxing. The customizable settings mimic your little one's natural sucking patterns, and it includes both a massage and expression mode to help improve the comfort and effectiveness of each pumping session. The compact design of the pump is great for carrying around to pump in different rooms, and the rechargeable battery lasts for over two hours so you can rest assured that your pump won't shut off while out and about. Choose to use it as a double or single pump, and take advantage of the built-in LED light that's perfect for pumping in a snoozing baby's dark nursery.

Pump type: Battery-powered electric pump Weight: ‎‎2 pounds Dimensions: ‎‎‎9.17 x 7.68 x 9.61 inches

The Elvie Double Electric Pump is a discrete and silent electric option for new moms — perfect for pumping anywhere, anytime. It flawlessly switches from stimulation to expression mode based on its own detection, and it can quietly be tucked away into a standard nursing bra to ensure secure pumping at all times of the day and night. Our experts love that it's easy to assemble and clean, and requires no wires or outlets to get started. For moms who are looking for a hands-free pump with all the bells and whistles, the Elvie Double is for you, as it's easy to get additional information about your milk production and pumping experience through the free app — plus you can control the pump remotely online.

Pump type: Wireless pump Weight: 7.9 ounces Dimensions: ‎3.00 x 4.30 x 5.10 Inches

Discreet, customizable and quiet, this electric pump from Lansinoh has adjustable hospital strength suction to ensure the best pumping process from anywhere. Choose from three pumping styles, two modes and eight suction levels to help get your milk flowing and increase your expression in less time. Hook the pump up to an outlet to pump while at home, or pack some batteries to take it with you while on the go. It's lightweight and portable, and easily hooks up to the brand's Baby 2.0 app. In our review, we found the app helpful for tracking your pumping and lactation stats. You can also just opt to glance at the LCD screen to get a quick, comprehensive update of your current pump status.

Pump type: Electric battery-powered pump Weight: 2.5 pounds Dimensions: ‎‎11 x 9.75 x 7.75 inches

The Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab tests everything new parents need to help welcome baby, including bottle warmers, pumping bras and baby formula. To make our recommendations, we query new moms on our consumer testing panel about their experiences, do rigorous testing in our Lab and at home, and spend hours reading through dozens of five-star reviews online to help surface the best products you can buy. For each pump we consider comfort, ease of use and additional benefits, including how difficult it is to dissemble and wash, transport and store. From manual to electric, our parenting product experts have tested every pump on this list — in fact, our lead tester has personally pumped for over 1,000 hours among her three kids in the past five years!

While not all new mothers need or want a breast pump, for those who are interested in breastfeeding their little one, a good breast pump can come in handy. Breast pumps are especially great for keeping up your milk supply when baby isn't hungry, or helping to increase your supply if necessary. A breast pump is also key for expressing milk while at the office, running errands or when you're otherwise away from home.

There are a few different types of pumps to consider when you're shopping for breast pumps:

Depending on your lifestyle and what your doctor recommends, you can begin pumping at many different times. For most moms, the best time to start pumping is a few weeks after you've given birth. 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.

When it's time to clean your pump, make sure to do so thoroughly so that it does not grow bacteria. The FDA states that all parts of the pump that come into contact with breast milk should be cleaned after every single use. Use cool 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 even put some parts in the top rack of the dishwasher — but be sure to check the pump's manual before doing so. Air dry the separate pieces on a clean drying rack to avoid spreading bacteria with paper towels or cloth. If you're using an electric model, simply wipe down the electric unit after each use with a clean towel.

For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything a new parent needs, including breast pumps. In her role as Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst, Jamie Spain brings years of journalism experience to the Institute, having reviewed products for Good Housekeeping, as well as BuzzFeed, while also previously working in the parenting and pets sphere at People. Jamie worked closely with lead tester Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering at the GH Institute, to conduct the research for this article. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about parenting products. Plus, as a mom to three kids under five, she's personally tested many of the products GH recommends.