When you’re expecting a baby, chances are you’ll have a fairly extensive list of must-have baby essentials, from cots and cribs to travel systems and baby carriers. If you’re planning to breastfeed, combination feed or simply express enough milk for your partner to share the night feeds, a good quality breast pump should also be high up on the list.
A breast pump is a medical device that can be used to express milk from your breasts, mimicking the natural suction and feeding rhythms of your baby. Expressed milk can then be fed to your baby via a bottle or be given to another caregiver to feed your baby on your behalf. They can also help tackle oversupply, stimulate milk production, reduce engorgement or build up a supply of milk in your freezer ready for your return to work.
There is a wide range of breast pumps to choose from including manual, electric and even wearable pumps, many of which are available in a choice of single or double designs. With so many different brands and varieties to choose from, however, how do you know which breast pump is right for you?
How we tested
It’s worth noting that using a breast pump is a very personal experience - every breast and every parent is different. As such, reviews can vary considerably based on a breast size and shape, milk production, let down and the stage of the parent’s breastfeeding journey. Our recommendations are based on the breast pump's overall ratings and reviews, range of features, ease of assembly and cleaning and level of comfort as well as any stand-out benefits such as portability, lights or data tracking.
With this in mind, here are our recommendations for the best breast pumps on the market today - with a range of options to suit every budget and lifestyle.
The main types of breast pump
Manual breast pumps
Manual breast pumps are powered by hand, requiring the physical pumping of a handle to help draw milk from the breast. Unlike electric pumps, they do not have a mains or battery supply and as such, tend to be slower and require more effort to use.
Manual breast pumps don’t tend to be as efficient as their electric counterparts, however, some prefer the amount of control they allow over the level of suction and pace, allowing you to pump more carefully on the days when you might be feeling tender or sore.
Manual breast pumps tend to be significantly cheaper than electric pumps but may be better suited to less frequent use or as a second, more portable pump.
Electric breast pumps
Electric breast pumps are either powered from the mains or via rechargeable batteries and tend to offer a variety of automatic speed and expression settings that mimic the natural rhythm of your baby. Without the need for physical effort and with the potential to pump at a much faster pace, they are often a more efficient choice.
Some may find they need to experiment with the various settings on an electric pump to find a comfortable level of pressure and suction, but if you’re expressing regularly, they can save you a significant amount of time.
On the flip side, electric pumps can be larger and less portable than manual breast pumps. They also don’t come cheap, so it’s important to factor in the cost when making your choice.
Wearable breast pumps
The most recent innovation in breast pumps, wearable pumps are ideal for those looking for a discreet and portable pumping option.
These completely wireless and compact breast pumps are small enough to tuck into your bra, making them suitable for use anywhere, anytime - leaving your hands free to go about your usual routine. A great choice for those returning to work from maternity leave, they also run virtually silently, making them a multi-tasking dream.
Features to look for in a breast pump
In addition to the type of pump, here are some other features you may wish to consider when making your choice
- Efficiency/speed settings - Does the breast pump have a range of settings? Whilst manual breast pumps can be controlled via the amount of pressure and speed of pumping, electric pumps often come with a range of modes and speed settings, mimicking natural breastfeeding patterns and varying the pace at which they express from the breast. The greater the choice of settings, the more potential you have to tailor the breast pump to your individual needs.
- Comfort - What features does the breast pump have to ensure comfort? Are a selection of breast shields included? Many breast pumps come with two or more breast shields to choose from, allowing you to find the most comfortable and secure latch on your breast. Other brands sell additional shields separately, so you may want to factor this into the price.
- Where will you be using it? - If you will mostly be expressing at home and portability is less of an issue, you may be happy to opt for a larger but more efficient electric breast pump. Alternatively, if you intend to pump at work or out and about, you may prefer a more portable or discreet wearable pump which offers more flexibility.
- How often are you likely to use it? - Whilst you may not be able to answer this until your baby arrives, consider how often you would like to express. If you’re only planning on expressing an occasional bottle, you may be happy opting for a more budget-friendly manual pump. Alternatively, if you are planning to combination feed or build up a substantial freezer supply, you may be willing to pay more for the time-saving benefits.
- Ease of use - How easy is the pump to use? Are there lots of parts to assemble? Are the instructions easy to follow? Breast pumps with fewer parts can often be quicker and easier to use, however, most are relatively intuitive after some practice and familiarity. For electric pumps, look out for simple buttons, LED or touch screens which can allow easy adjustment between settings during your pumping session. It’s also worth considering battery life, especially if used outside of the home.
- Ease of cleaning - How easy is the breast pump to take apart and clean after use? Does it have dishwasher-safe parts or pieces that can be easily removed to sterilise? Where possible, closed-system pumps are recommended, as these prevent your breast milk from overflowing into the pump itself.
- Additional features - What accessories (if any) are included with the pump? Does the pump come with compatible bottles or do you need to buy these separately? Some breast pumps also come with other practical or time-saving benefits, such as night lights or a compatible app, helping you learn more about your breastfeeding trends and preferences over time.
Best breast pumps at a glance:
- Best overall: Elvie Single Breast Pump - £269, Boots
- Best budget: Haakaa Manual Breast Pump - £17.99, Amazon
- Best easy to use: MAM Manual Breast Pump - £48, John Lewis
- Best double: Lansinoh Smartpump 2.0 - £189, Amazon
- Best manual: Medela Harmony Flex Manual Breast Pump - £25.99, John Lewis
- Best electric: Nuby Ultimate Electric Breast Pump - £79.49, Amazon
- Best wearable: Tommee Tippee Made for Me - £100, Argos
- Best hospital grade: Spectra S1 Plus Hospital Grade Double Electric Breast Pump - £159.95, Amazon
Elvie Single Breast Pump
- Best for: Overall performance and usability
- Type of pump: Wearable
- Size: 6.8 x 11 x 12.8cm
- Weight: 225 grams
This smart-looking breast pump is a cordless, wearable breast pump that claims to be the smallest and quietest pump on the market. With a slim and compact design that weighs just 225 grams, it’s well-suited for those looking for a discreet and hands-free choice for comfortable pumping on the go.
The Elvie pump comes with two different shield sizes in the pack (with a third larger option sold separately) allowing a secure yet comfortable latch on a range of breast sizes. With just five parts to piece together, it’s quick and easy to assemble as required, before clicking apart and popping the pieces in the dishwasher or steriliser for easy cleaning.
The Elvie Single Breast Pump has two modes and seven intensity settings, so you can easily switch between stimulation and expression as required, or allow the intelligent sensors to do this for you - automatically switching modes once your letdown kicks in.
The Slow and Steady mode is beneficial for those days when you’re tender or sensitive, while the Express and Collect mode is ideal when you’re a little more pressed for time. You can expect around 2.5 hours of pumping time from each full charge, which should be ample for everyday use.
The Elvie breast pump comes with a compatible app, allowing you to keep a record of your pump history and duration, as well as control the pump remotely using your mobile phone. While some reviewers found that the app overestimated the quantity slightly, it’s smart enough to stop the pump when the bottle is full.
Whilst it’s fair to say it doesn’t come cheap, the Elvie Breast Pump offers a discreet and efficient way to express regularly as part of your breastfeeding journey,
Buy now £269.00, Boots
Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
- Best for: Budget choice/occasional use
- Type of pump: Manual
- Size: 4.85 x 4.85 x 17.65cm
- Weight: 90.72 grams
If you’re planning to express a less regularly, the price tag of some electric breast pumps may be enough to put you off. Retailing at just over £25, the Haaka makes a great alternative for less frequent use. Praised by many doulas and lactation consultants, it offers simple yet surprisingly effective expression.
Working on suction alone, this lightweight and portable breast pump is made from super soft silicone, which is comfortable against your breast, with no cords, batteries or assembly required.
With a one-size-fits-all shield, it is recommended for use on those days when engorgement causes discomfort, or to ease the pressure on your breasts first thing in the morning. Whilst your baby feeds from one breast, simply fold back the flange, squeeze and attach to your other breast, before unfolding and releasing your hold so the suction can work its magic.
Completely silent and easy to clean, this lightweight and portable pump is small enough to pop into your overnight bag or handbag. It can also be used hands-free when held in place with your nursing bra.
Buy now £17.99, Amazon
MAM Manual Breast Pump
- Best for: Ease of use
- Type of pump: Manual
- Size: 19 x 16 x 9.4cm
- Weight: 270g
Don’t be put off by the slightly more childlike green design of this breast pump - the MAM Manual Breast pump is both an affordable and practical pump developed with the insights of real parents and midwives.
A lightweight pump weighing less than 300 grams, it has an easy-to-hold ergonomically shaped handle, making it a portable choice for pumping on the go.
With just five pieces - a funnel, silicone inlay, valve, handle pump and adapter, it’s far easier than some electric breast pumps to assemble and sterilise, with dishwasher-safe parts for the ultimate convenience. Pumping occurs directly into the included anti-colic MAM bottle, allowing you to feed your baby straight away if required, with the option to switch the teat to a stage 2 at a later date as your baby grows.
The MAM Manual pump may not be as efficient as some electric models but allows you to find the perfect suction level for your needs and milk flow. The soft silicone inlay allows a comfortable latch upon your breast, however, it’s worth noting this is a ‘one size fits all design’ - so unlike some pumps, you won’t find a range of shield sizes in the box.
Buy now £48.00, John Lewis
LANSINOH Smartpump 2.0
- Best for: Double pumping
- Type of pump: Electric Double
- Size: 27.9 x 24.8 x 19.7cm
- Weight: 1.97 kg
While the brand is probably best known for its breast pads and ‘must have’ hospital bag nipple cream, Lansinoh also has its own range of electric breast pumps, with the Smartpump 2.0 claiming to be its quietest pump yet.
With three pumping styles that are adjustable to eight different suction levels (including hospital strength), the Lansinoh smart pump can be used as a single or double depending on your preferences. It will remember your custom settings, so once you’ve found the level that works for you, you won’t have to adjust manually for every use.
Wirelessly syncing to the Lansinoh Baby 2.0 app, you can track your pumping sessions and record valuable insights into your breastfeeding habits and preferences.
It may be larger in size than most manual pumps, but the Lansinoh Smartpump weighs just 1.97kg, with a convenient carry handle for portability. The device comes with a three-pin adapter, and whilst we’d have loved to have seen rechargeable USB/C, it can also be used using 6xAA batteries, offering unrestricted access for pumping in the car or away from the home.
With a choice of two comfortable breast cushions in 25mm and 30.5mm sizes, the shields provide a comfortable yet secure latch for fast and efficient expression. We love the backlit display to aid those late-night or early-morning pumping sessions, ensuring no precious milk is lost through a lack of visibility. There’s also a range of accessories included with the set, including Lansinoh feeding bottles, a cooler bag and a protective bag to keep your pump safe during your travels.
The Lansinoh comes with a wide range of parts to assemble (especially when used as a double), but it’s fairly intuitive and straightforward with some practice. The hygienic closed system also makes it easier to clean, without the risk of milk backing up inside the tubes.
Buy now £189.00, Amazon
Medela Harmony Flex Manual Breast Pump
- Best for: Manual pumping
- Type of pump: Manual, single
- Size: 20 x 8 x 16.6cm
- Weight: 263g
A new and improved version of the original Medela Harmony pump, the Harmony Flex manual single breast pump boasts Flex Technology - the addition of a unique soft-rimmed oval breast shield for a calm yet efficient manual pumping experience.
Sitting at a 105-degree angle and moulding to the shape and size of your breast, the flexible breast shields provide a more comfortable and secure fit and are clinically proven to produce more milk per session as a result. There is only one size included in the box (24mm) but it should fit most, with other sizes sold separately if required.
With a small number of parts for easy set-up and cleaning, the Medela Harmony Flex uses two-phase expression, where you can choose between short stimulating suction and longer expression pumps to mimic your baby’s natural feeding rhythms. You can even pump straight into the included 150ml Medela bottle - ideal for parents who are regularly incorporating expressed bottles into their feeding routine.
While it’s more energy and time-consuming than an electric pump, it offers impressive suction for a manual pump. With a compact size weighing under 300g, it’s also lightweight and portable - small enough to pop into your handbag for quiet and efficient expression on the go.
Buy now £25.99, John Lewis
Nuby Ultimate Electric Breast Pump
- Best for: Electric pumping
- Type of pump: Electric, Single
- Size: 15 x 26.5 x 20 cm
- Weight: 662g
If you’re looking for the best electric breast pump for flexibility and comfort, the Nuby Ultimate Electric Breast Pump is an excellent choice.
Suitable for use as both a single or double, you can easily switch between the two types simply by removing or adding a tube to the Y-shaped adapter.
With a compact and portable design (with a base not much bigger than your hand), this quiet and lightweight pump can be plugged into the mains or battery-operated for use on the go. With around three hours of use per charge, it’s ideal for travel, without any restrictions on where or when you can pump. It’s not completely hands-free (unless you use a nursing bra) and doesn’t automatically switch between modes, but with nine stimulation and expression settings (an upgrade from the previous model’s five), you can completely customise the pump to your preferences.
The device boasts a simple touchscreen interface that makes it easy to adjust or increase the intensity mid-session, while the digital clock provides a quick visual indication of how long you’ve been pumping.
If you’ve previously found electric pumps to be uncomfortable, you’ll love the addition of a soft silicone cover, which pops over the breast shields for an extra layer of comfort, however, you may wish to sit more upright to maximise your efforts.
Buy now £79.49, Amazon
Tommee Tippee Made for Me
- Best for: Wearable pump
- Type of pump: Wearable
- Size: 9.7 x 15.5 x 18.5 cm
- Weight: 1.15kg
If you’re looking for a wearable breast pump which allows complete hands-free freedom while pumping, the Tommee Tippee Made for Me is an excellent choice. It doesn’t come cheap, yet it’s a more affordable alternative to the Elvie, tucking straight into your bra for quiet and discreet pumping. The device collects milk straight into the 150ml pump milk collector bottle, allowing you to feed directly from the pump without the risk of losing precious breast milk during a bottle transition.
Packed with smart and innovative features to make pumping easier, you can control the pump directly using the Made for Me App on your mobile phone, with a visual representation of how much milk you have produced. Via the app, you can also learn about your baby’s feeding rhythms, building up valuable insights around the duration of pumping, the settings used and even which breast you used last. If you’re pumping late at night, the light guide nipple alignment can be really beneficial, ensuring the perfect fit even in a poorly lit nursery or bedroom.
With just seven parts to assemble and clean, the Tommee Tippee Made for Me Wearable Breast Pump makes getting started a breeze, offering around 12 twenty-minute sessions from one charge.
Buy now £100.00, Argos
Spectra S1 Plus Hospital Grade Double Electric Breast Pump
- Best for: Hospital-grade pumping
- Type of pump: Electric, Double
- Size: 20.07 x 20.07 x 17.02cm
- Weight: 1.5 kg
If you’re experiencing with low milk supply or find that other electric breast pumps just don’t produce enough milk, it may be worth considering a hospital-grade pump.
These closed-system pumps are safe and hygienic and come with a wider range of suction settings than standard manual or electric pumps, tending to be stronger and therefore more effective at drawing milk from the breast.
Bulkier than some other electric pumps, the Spectra S1 is still fully portable, with a long three-hour battery life and a range of settings you can fully personalise to your needs. From the massage mode (which stimulates milk production and triggers the letdown reflex) to the 12 expression levels and five different cycle speeds, you can easily tweak the settings to find the most comfortable and effective combination for you.
We love the built-in nightlight for those half-asleep nocturnal pumping sessions and the LED screen is intuitive and easy to use, clearly showing the duration of your session so you can keep track of your progress. Our only major critiques? It’s noisier than some other electric models on the highest levels. With just two 28mm shields included, we would have also liked to see some other sizes thrown in for the price.
Buy now £159.97, Amazon
Verdict
While it’s a significant investment, the Elvie Single Breast Pump takes our top spot for the best breast pump you can buy today. Not only does it offer quick and efficient expression but comes with a choice of settings to suit your individual needs.
Discreet, quiet and hands-free, it also allows pumping to be done around your usual routine, providing a calmer and more relaxed way to express for your baby.
