There are now two versions of Medela’s popular Pump in Style pump. Here are the differences between the Medela Pump in Style Advanced vs Max Flow, and some thoughts on which one you should get!
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What is the Medela Pump in Style Advanced?
The Pump in Style Advanced has been one of Medela’s best selling, most popular pumps for years.
It’s a double electric breast pump (which means that you can pump both breasts at once, and the pump motor does the work of pulling the milk out).
The pros of the Pump in Style are that it’s a powerful pump that is also affordable (and often fully covered by insurance).
The main downside is that it doesn’t have a rechargeable battery, so you need to be near an outlet to use it (or purchase an external battery pack). It also doesn’t have a timer or as much flexibility with the settings as other pumps.
More on the Pump in Style Advanced here.
What is the Medela Pump in Style with Max Flow?
The Medela Pump in Style with Max Flow is the upgraded version of the original Pump in Style Advanced.
The Max Flow version is also double electric, powerful, and affordable. Like the Advanced, it is missing a few bells and whistles that some other breast pumps have.
More on the Pump in Style with Max Flow here.
Pump in Style Advanced vs Max Flow
The major differences between the old and new Pump in Style pumps are size, pump parts, and the tubing.
1. Size
The Max Flow Pump in Style (on the left) is smaller, lighter, and more portable than the older version (on the right).
2. Pump part design
The pump parts that come with the Max Flow are much better than the old Pump in Style parts. There are only two pieces to wash, and no annoying hard-to-reach spots that are impossible to clean.
The Pump in Style Advanced also uses a valve that often gets stuck onto the connector and can be very difficult to remove.
3. Closed system vs open system
The Max Flow pump is a closed system pump, which means that there is a barrier blocking milk from getting into the tubing (and potentially the motor).
The original Pump in Style Advanced is an open system pump, which means milk occasionally gets into the tubing, which then needs to be washed. Open system pumps should only ever be used by one user.
4. Tubing
The Max Flow tubing design is much better than the old Pump in Style design. It attaches more securely to the pump and only has to be connected to the pump in one place, not in two.
Breast Pump Bags
5. Breast shields
The breast shields that come with the Max Flow are Medela’s PersonalFit Flex breast shields – they have a silicone rim instead of a hard plastic one, which many people find more comfortable.
So which Pump in Style should you get?
Bottom line: I would get the Max Flow. It’s made some significant improvements on the original Pump in Style Advanced.
Additionally, Medela focuses more on the new version of the Pump in Style, I would expect it to be harder to get replacement parts for the Advanced.
Here’s a story showing how it’s put together and works:
What if you already have an Advanced? Should you get a Max Flow?
If you have a new Pump in Style Advanced and it’s working well for you, there’s no need to get the new version – the original is a good pump!
However, if you have an Advanced from one of your older children, it makes sense to get the new version now (especially if you are able to get it free through insurance – fill out a form here to see if you qualify). This way, you should be able to get replacement breast pump parts easily and your pump will be covered by a warranty.
The bottles from the original Pump in Style Advanced are compatible with the Max Flow (though the tubing and pump parts are not).
Do you have a Max Flow pump already? Here’s more information on how to use it – tell us your thoughts on the Pump in Style Advanced vs Max Flow in the comments!
Comments & Chitchat
The new parts work with the old PIS tubing so you can benefit from the old motor with the new pump parts. In order to empty my breasts I have to pump forever with the max flow. 20 minutes with the old PIS.
Oh no! I got the new one through insurance for my current pregnancy. I don’t have an old version 😬
Is there an Amazon bundle for all the replacements parts (to be used as a an extra set) for the pump in style max flow? I’m having trouble finding them. Just got my pump last week (29W pregnant today!)
Hi Lisa! I don’t see a bundle, only the individual parts. That’s annoying! Here are the pieces:
https://www.amazon.com/Medela-PersonalFit-Replacement-Connectors-Compatible/dp/B08BMDV481/
https://www.amazon.com/Medela-PersonalFit-Replacement-Membranes-Compatible/dp/B0B321BZRG/
https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Breast-Shields-PersonalFit-Breastshields/dp/B07MKYBXNF/
Congrats!!!
One comparison I didn’t see answered here is the sound…. Is the MaxFlow as loud as the PIS? My PIS is old and needs to be replaced but my poor husband had a nightmare the other night that he woke up (inside his dream) and couldn’t figure out how to turn off his alarm clock – after being fully aroused from his sleep trying to solve this problem, he realized he was actually just hearing my Pump In Style…. in his dream.
Hi! It’s pretty loud – I would say it’s comparable. That’s hilarious about him dreaming to the Pump in Style!
Hey!! I have to say, my experience so far with both would make me disagree actually. I started out with the PIS Max Flow and constantly struggled to empty, as well as had issues and had three different pumps give out on me. I called customer service to replace it for the 3rd time and ended up asking if there was anyway I could get a different pump within warranty. To my surprise the said YES and sent me the PIS Advanced. And it is amazing! Empties me so much faster. Yes, there are more parts to clean— but 100% worth it. And, because PIS Advanced is an open system (not closed like PIS Max Flow), if moisture gets in the tubing you simply run the pump for a couple min to dry it out… whereas with the Max Flow you can’t do that or it can cause moisture/mold build up inside the actual pump itself!
Just thought I’d share mr experience!! Thank you for everything, Amanda! ♥️
I have both and personally prefer the older version! It seems to have a stronger suction and takes 1/2 the time to empty my breasts as the new version does. I do agree that the new parts are much easier to clean but I honestly am just not a huge fan of the new style. It reminds me a lot of a spectra pump and I was not a fan of the lack of suction that my old spectra had either.
I have both pumps and agree that the older style is superior! I can’t seem to get anything out with the new “max flow” one unless my breasts are nearly bursting, and even then, I can’t seem to empty. In my opinion, the new pump is a complete flop.
I agree the new model is not as great. I am researching exclusive pumping and I didn’t like the Max Flow but my advanced died recently. I am having a hard time trying to decide on a new pump.
One other feature of the Max Flow is that it has an auto shut-off at 30 minutes if you haven’t pressed any buttons to change the vacuum strength or whatnot. I’m not sure if the Advanced has the same feature, but I find it useful to not have to keep monitoring the clock. I can just hit “on” and multitask until the pump shuts itself off.
I have been using the renter hospital grade pump with my first child. It was much better than the pump in style I got through insurance. Now with baby #2 I am trying to rent the hospital grade pump through insurance, but my obgyn highly recommend purchasing one instead and she says new pumps are as good as hospital grade. How do you think the max flow compares to the hospital grade symphony and to the old pump in style in terms of suction efficiency and producing more milk?
Hi Sherry! I am not sure exactly how to compare them. I’ve used all three but years apart and it’s hard to know. Have you considered a Spectra at all? If you didn’t like the PISA maybe you could try a different brand.
There is no comparison, and the insurance provided pumps are not the same as the Symphony. If you have the option to rent a symphony again, do it!
Oh my goodness!!! May God seriously bless the author of this article because THIS ARTICLE ANSWERED EVERY SINGLE QUESTION I HAD!!! what a God-sent article!! Thank you so muchhhhhhh!!!