Willow 3.0 vs Willow Go (2023)

You might have heard that there are now two Willow breast pumps – the Willow 3.0 and the Willow Go. What are the differences, and which should you choose? Here’s what you need to know about the Willow 3.0 and the Willow Go.

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Willow 3.0 vs Willow Go

First, a few similarities.

Both the Willow 3.0 and the Willow Go are wireless breast pumps that you place in your bra – there is no tubing or a separate motor to carry around.

Additionally, both pumps have support for troubleshooting, readily available replacement parts, and one year warranties.

However, they have significant differences when it comes to features and price.

The Willow 3.0 is a more expensive breast pump that allows you to bend over while pumping and that you can control from a smart watch. The Willow Go, on the other hand, is less expensive but has fewer features.

Here’s a comparison table to give you a quick overview of where there are differences.

	Willow 3.0	Willow Go
Price	Check Price	Check Price
Image
Storage Capacity	4 oz bags or 4 oz containers	5 oz (7 oz cups are available)
Spill-proof	Yes (with bags) – you can lay down, bend over, etc.	No
Sizes	15mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 24mm, and 27mm	15mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 24mm, and 27mm
App	Can control pump; tracks sessions and volume pumped in real-time	Can control pump; tracks sessions (but not volume)
Apple Watch Compatibility	Yes	No
Suction	“Continuous Latch Technology”	“Tug and Release”
Sound	Quiet	Not quiet, but not loud
Senses Letdown	Yes	No
Max Suction	245 mmHG	280 mmHG
Warranty	One year from purchase date; 90 days on pump parts	One year from purchase date; 90 days on pump parts

Differences between Willow 3.0 and Willow Go

Here’s a little more information on the similarities and differences between the two pumps.

Size and how it looks

With either pump, people that know you may notice that you suddenly have a much bigger chest. Depending on what you wear, though, other folks (for example, random people in the grocery store) may not.

Here’s how the pumps look on me from the side:

And here is a view from the front:

Spill-proof vs not spill-proof

First, some background: when you use the Willow 3.0, there are two different receptacles that you can pump into – bags, or a reusable container.

The Willow 3.0 is truly spill-proof when you pump into Willow bags – you are able to bend over or even lie flat while pumping.

However, when using the Willow Go (or the Willow 3.0 when pumping into the reusable container), you need to stay upright, or there is a risk of leaking.

There is a potential downside of pumping into the Willow 3.0 bags exclusively, which is the expense. The bags should not be reused, and if you pump frequently, the cost may add up.

Suction Type

Most breast pumps suction is something called “tug and release” – meaning the pump pulls your nipple in, compresses the milk ducts and pulls milk out, and then releases. This is how the Willow Go works.

The Willow 3.0 uses “continuous latch suction,” which is needed for spill-proof pumping.

Some people in our Facebook group have noticed that they may get less milk with the 3.0 than the Willow Go, so that’s something to keep in mind if you plan to use it frequently.

Apps

Both Willow pumps have smart phone apps available on iOS and Android.

The Willow 3.0 app allows you to control the pump, see how much you’ve pumped, and logs the length of your pumping sessions.

It also integrates with your Apple watch (including the ability to control the pump), if you have one.

The Willow Go app controls the pump but does not show you the amount you’ve pumped. To see how much you’ve pumped, you’d need to stop pumping, remove the pump, and check.

It does show you the current suction level on each side, as well as how long you’ve pumped.

Capacity and Overflow

The Willow 3.0 will hold 4 oz on each side, for a total of 8 oz altogether. This is true whether you’re pumping into the Willow bags, or into the reusable container.

The Willow Go can collect up to 5 oz on each side, or 10 oz overall. You also have the flexibility to buy 7 oz collection cups (for 14oz total) if that’s something that would be helpful for you.

If the Willow 3.0 senses that you’ve reached the 4 oz capacity on either side, that side will stop automatically. The Willow Go does not have a sensing mechanism and could potentially overflow.

What are your thoughts on Willow 3.0 vs Willow Go? Have you used either or both? Let us know your thoughts in the comments – and check out the Willow breastfeeding kit too!