Are you in the market for a new pump for pumping on the go? Here are six of the best portable breast pumps, so you can pick the right one for you!
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Features of Portable Breast Pumps
Lots of moms decide to buy a portable pump for pumping on the go, especially if their current pump needs to be plugged in to an outlet.
What features should you look for in a portable pump?
- Size and weight – Most portable pumps are relatively small and lightweight (compared to, say, the Spectra S2 or Medela Pump in Style)
- Rechargeable battery – Not needing to be tied to an outlet is so freeing!
- Wearability – Ability to fit in a pocket, clip to your pants, wear around your neck, or wear in your nursing bra.
Best Portable Breast Pumps
Below are some of the portable breast pumps most used and loved by moms in our Facebook group, along with the pros and cons of each.
1. Baby Buddha
Price: $$
Type: Small with Rechargeable Battery
The Baby Buddha is a great mobility pump.
Pros:
- The pump comes with a lanyard, and you can hang it around your neck. It’s super small, lightweight, and easy to move around the house.
- You can hack the Baby Buddha to use Freemie cups (use the closed system cups) or, if you have another breast pump, those pump parts.
- Because the suction is very strong, some women find they get more milk with it.
Cons:
- The suction might be too strong and uncomfortable for some people.
Baby Buddha gave us a special discount referral code for you guys – you can get 10% off with the code EPM10!
More on the Baby Buddha breast pump here.
2. Elvie Pump
Price: $$$$
Type: Wireless
The Elvie pump is a wireless breast pump that goes in your bra cup.
When you buy an Elvie, you can buy one pump (for one side at a time) or two pumps (for double pumping). The milk that you pump goes into a small collection bottle inside the pump.
Pros:
- Everything is in your bra and you don’t have bottles hanging off of your chest.
- The Elvie is very quiet, almost completely silent.
- It’s integrated with an app (which tracks your pumping sessions and the amount of milk you pump).
Cons:
- It is at a higher price point than most breast pumps (though you may be able to get it partially covered through Aeroflow or your FSA).
- The Elvie is a bit limited in flange sizes – 21mm, 24mm, and 28mm are available. (These will work for most but not all women.)
3. Bellababy Breast Pump
Price: $
Type: Small with Rechargeable Battery
The Bellababy is the lowest priced double electric breast pump that I’ve ever seen, and it’s a portable one!
Pros:
- Many Bellababy users like the strong suction.
- You can hack it to use Freemie cups (use the closed system cups) or, if you have another breast pump, those pump parts.
- The Bellababy is one of the most cost effective breast pump options.
Cons:
- As with the Baby Buddha, the suction might be too strong for some people.
- It’s not the most quiet pump.
4. Willow Pump
Price: $$$$
Type: Wireless
The Willow breast pump is another wireless breast pump that’s similar to the Elvie, with the major difference being what you pump into.
Pros:
- It’s wireless, so no tubing, and everything is in your bra!
- You have the option to pump into either spill-proof bags (meaning you can lie down while you pump) or a reusable container.
- It’s quiet and you can control it with a smartphone app (though the app is not required).
Cons:
- It is at a higher price point than most breast pumps (though you may be able to get it partially covered through Aeroflow or your FSA).
- Like the Elvie, the Willow is a bit limited in flange sizes – 21mm, 24mm, and 27mm are available. (These will work for most but not all women.)
- The bags and the reusable container are an extra expense.
FYI (5/15/20): Willow just released the last of their 2nd generation pumps for sale at the price of $399, which is 20% off the normal price. You can check them out here!
5. Freemie Liberty
Price: $$$
Type: Small with Collection Cups
The Freemie Liberty uses collection cups that go in your bra with a small pump that you can clip to your waistband.
Pros:
- No bottles hanging off of your chest, which makes it easier to go about your life, hold your baby while you pump, etc!
- Many people use Freemie cups with the other options we’ve discussed (such as the Baby Buddha); here there’s nothing extra to purchase and it’s all integrated.
Cons:
- May not be strong enough for some women
- If you rely on breast compressions and massaging to express milk, Freemie collection cups might not work as well for you
6. Spectra S9
Price: $$
Type: Small with Rechargeable Battery
Spectra Baby USA sells the S9 on their website, which is their portable pump offering. (Their primary pump offerings, the S1 and S2, are on the larger side.)
Pros:
- If your main pump is a Spectra S1 or S2, the parts will all work with both pumps.
- Gentler than some of the other portable options
Cons:
- May not be as powerful as some of the other options
How Should You Decide Which Pump to Get?
Here’s what I would think about:
- Budget. The Elvie and Willow wireless pumps are amazing if you are able to spend about $500. If you need a mid- or low-priced option, one of the other options may be a better fit.
- Suction strength. If you take a while to empty and prefer stronger suction, you might like the Baby Buddha or the Bellababy. However, if you need a gentler pump, I would go with the Spectra S9 or Freemie Liberty.
- Breast compressions. If you currently rely on breast compressions to pump much milk, you might struggle with a pump that collects milk in your bra, such as the Freemie, Elvie, or Willow.
- Pump parts. Many women buy a portable pump as a second pump purchase, and already have a first pump/set of pump parts. Do you want to use the same pump parts for both pumps? Or do you want to use Freemie cups with your portable pump? You may be able to hack the Baby Buddha, Bellababy, and Spectra S9 to use either your current pump parts or closed-system Freemie cups.
I hope this helps you figure out the best portable breast pump for you! Let us know in the comments if you have any questions or thoughts on any of these pumps!
