11 of the best breast pumps to buy now all reviewed by parents

To choose the best breast pump for you and your baby it's useful to understand how the various models differ - so we asked a panel of mums to put the top-sellers to the test to help you decide which one to buy.

If you're expecting a baby and planning to breastfeed, a breast pump is an essential piece of baby kit that's likely to be on your shopping list, along with a bottle warmer and a bottle sterilizer. But it can be tricky to work out which model is the best breast pump for your needs. Manual or electric? Single or double? Portable or plugged into the wall? We'll answer all those questions and more in this buying guide.

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Finding the right breast pump will enhance your breastfeeding experience, as well as make motherhood that little bit easier. You can use a breast pump to collect and freeze extra milk, so your partner, a friend, or a family member can feed your baby if you’re returning to work, are ill, or need to catch up on some much-needed sleep.

Using a breast pump is also a great way to increase your milk supply and, if you’re suffering from mastitis, expressing with a pump is a quick way to get some relief.

For this guide, our panel of reviewers considered factors such as price, comfort, portability, discreteness, wearability, ease of cleaning, and noise, we have collated their feedback below.

The best breast pumps 2023 at-a-glance

In a hurry to find the best breast pump? Shop our quick links below. 

• Best breast pump overall: Philips Avent Double Electric Breast Pump 
• Best hands-free breast pump: Elvie Single Electric Breast Pump 
• Best value breast pump: Nuby Double Digital Electric Breast Pump 
• Best electric breast pump: Tommee Tippee Double Electric Pump
• Best manual breast pump: Mam 2-in-1 Electric / Manual Breast Pump 
• Best small breast pump: Medela Solo Single Electric Breast Pump 
• Best travel breast pump: Lansinoh Smart Pump 2.0 
• Best cordless pump: Vital Baby Nurture Flexcone Electric Pump 
• Best for comfort: Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breast Pump
• Best for easy cleaning: Medela Hands-Free Double Electric Pump
• Best 'smart' breast pump: Lola & Lykke Smart Electric Breast Pump

The best breast pumps 2023 based on parent reviews

We say: The Philips Avent Ultra Comfort Double Electric Breast Pump is an efficient breast pump that's both quiet and comfortable to use, making it one of the best double electric breast pumps you can buy. Our tester was delighted to discover that she could express between one and three ounces more breastmilk using this pump, prompting her to describe it as a godsend. She also loves that you can use it as a double pump to express from both sides at once, increasing her yield even further.

Tested by: Darryl Hannah Baker, mum to daughter Cole, aged three weeks

'The only downside to this pump is that you have to physically hold the pumps in place,' says Darryl. 'Unlike wearable breast pumps, you can’t pop this inside your bra, meaning you literally have your hands full while you're expressing. This means you need to find time when you can pump and do very little else, which can be challenging. It's just about possible to balance the pumps on your knees so you can scroll through your phone or change the TV channel, but that’s about all you can do while pumping.'

Verdict: Impressive power and unrivalled comfort make this the best breast pump of all those we tested. Our tester found she used this less often than another pump she owns - the fact that it's not hands-free put her off using it a little at first - but she found it powerful enough to compensate for the inconvenience of not being hands-free. It's particularly suitable for those who can dedicate time to pumping, and a good choice if you're seeking to increase milk supply or pumping to relieve the symptoms of mastitis.

• Read our full Philips Avent Double Electric Breast Pump review  

We say: The Elvie Single Electric Breast Pump is a completely hands-free, wearable breast pump that's small enough to fit neatly inside your bra. This means you can express discreetly anywhere from the office to a coffee shop without feeling conspicuous. It was a hit with our tester from the moment she unboxed it, and gets our vote as the best wearable breast pump you can buy.

Tested by: Lisa Murphy-O'Reilly, mum to Arlo, aged three months.

'From taking this out of the box to everyday use and cleaning, it's clear that Elvie has put a lot of thought into making it as simple and hassle-free as possible,' says Lisa.

It has seven different settings so you can choose the intensity, and it's easy to adjust. But the standout feature is the fact that it fits in our tester's handbag and is discreet enough to use at work. 'You could easily use it in a busy office. The pump isn't completely silent but the noise would be drowned out in an open-plan office or restaurant. You couldn't wear a tight top and expect people not to notice it, but you could definitely conceal it underneath a loose-fitting top.'

This isn't a budget option, but Lisa feels it's worthy of its price tag since it's the best hands-free breast pump she has tried. 'It's an expensive product but the design, ease of use, the functionality of the app, and the overall appearance of the pump make it feel like a top-notch item. It also looks great and it's truly portable.'

Verdict: The perfect pump for a busy mum who is prepared to spend a bit extra on a premium wearable design that will truly make life as a breastfeeding mum that little bit easier. We particularly recommend this breast pump if you love gadgets and appreciate excellent design. 

A double version of this pump is also available to buy.

• Read our Elvie Single Electric Breast Pump review

We say: The Nuby Ultimate Digital Double Electric Breast Pump impressed our tester before she had even put it to the test – mainly because it's such good value for money. 'Most double electric breast pumps cost considerably more than this,' she says. 'It was also fairly easy to clean and put together. While there are quite a few different parts, I got the hang of it quite quickly.'

Tested by: Deborah Cicurel, mum to Mia, aged six months.

'It has nine intensity levels, plus soft silicone breast shield cushions and a handy digital display with a clock so you can easily check how long you've been pumping. The silicone breast shield cushions are really comfortable and make for a pleasant, pain-free pumping experience, while the touchscreen digital display looks sleek and is also handy to use.'

This breast pump can be either mains or battery-operated for flexibility when you're expressing. You can also use it as either a single or double breast pump, depending on your preference.

It's not hands-free, but this is easily rectified. 'You could buy a generic pumping bra to keep the pump in place,' suggests Deborah. 'This will free you up to play with your baby, work on your laptop or do anything that doesn't involve moving around too much while you're expressing.'

Verdict: This is a brilliant budget breast pump. 'It's so much more affordable than other double electric breast pumps and very comfortable to use,' says Deborah. 'Most importantly, the pump gets lots of milk out by mimicking a baby's feeding actions, and I also really like that you can pump straight into the same bottles that your baby feeds from – anything that saves time with a little one is a huge bonus!' 

If time-saving and value for money are your priorities, this is the best breast pump to buy. It's also a good choice if you're planning to pump at home rather than when you're out and about.

We say: The Tommee Tippee Made for Me Double Electric Breast Pump is the best breast pump for those who need to express as much milk as possible in a short amount of time, according to our tester.

This small, discreet, and quiet breast pump has five massage modes that mimic your baby’s latch-on to stimulate milk flow. Once your milk starts flowing, you can choose from nine expressing modes. The soft, cushioned silicone cups are designed to be gentle on your breasts.

There's no backflow into the tubes, so every drop of milk gets saved. It's powered by a lightweight, slimline USB rechargeable power unit, giving you around 90 minutes of cord-free pumping time.

Tested by: Anna Watt, mum to Joshua, 12 weeks old.

'I have a single electric pump already but as a working mum with a five-year-old and a three-month-old, I am short on time so every minute counts,' she says. 'I wanted to try a double pump in the hope of pumping twice as much milk in one go.'

Anna found the pump easy to assemble, with instructions that are clear and easy to follow. 'I really liked the light-up buttons on the power unit, which make it easy to use in dim light,' she adds. 'It also clearly shows when the pump is charging and at full charge; something I've found lacking in other pumps when you only realise it's out of charge halfway through use.'

The pump has good suction, with five massage settings and nine express modes. Anna found level two sufficient and was able to pump 6oz-3oz from each breast in less than 20 minutes.

However, a downside of this pump is that it doesn't automatically change from the initial massage motion to express mode. 'In order to do this you need to press a button on the power unit, which is tricky to do when you're using both hands to hold the handsets in place,' adds Anna. 

'Therefore, to make the most out of this pump, you really need to purchase a pumping bra. It would be great if the pump came with one, as you'd be able to enjoy a cup of tea whilst pumping, or rattle a toy to entertain your baby.'

In addition, the parts are easy to take apart to clean, and the pumped milk is easy to store as you don't need to pour it into other containers. 'You pump into the same bottle you use to feed your baby. Once you've finished pumping, you just twist off the bottle, put the lid on, and store it in the fridge. When you're ready to use the milk, simply swap the lid for a bottle teat.'

Verdict: All in all, this is one of the best breast pumps for busy mums who don't have much downtime, or who usually express out of the house. Anna feels this pump did exactly what she wanted it to, enabling her to pump twice as much milk as usual in the same amount of time.

We say: Find it difficult to choose between a manual breast pump and an electric one? Problem solved – this is definitely the best breast pump for that dilemma. Simply swap the top of the pump unit to switch between manual and electric modes as often as you like.

It has stimulation and expression modes that mimic a baby's natural sucking reflex, plus nine different suction strengths that you can adjust to suit you. It has a sleek touchscreen that's easy to use. And thanks to the rechargeable battery, which lasts for around five hours, the pump can be plugged in or used on the go.

The MAM 2-in-1 is compatible with Mam's full range of Easy Start bottles and Food Storage pots, which attach directly to the bottom of the pump. This is handy for time-pressed mums, allowing you to store your milk in the fridge or freezer easily.

Tested by: Annie Quinn, mum to Leo, aged five months.

Our parent reviewer was impressed by this pump before she even unpackaged it. 'At first glance, you can tell it's high quality – the box itself has lots of easy-to-read snippets of information on it,' she says. 'Each part is well packaged and presented, so you can immediately see each individual item. The instructions are very easy to follow, especially for someone who doesn't have a clue what they're doing! I was able to clean, sterilise and put it together with ease.'

Cleaning this pump is particularly easy. The top and bottom of the bottle come off so you can clean hard-to-reach areas. It also comes with containers for storing milk.

'I had previously tried a different combined electric and manual pump and just couldn't get on with it, but I managed to express four ounces on my first go with this,' adds Annie. That said, this pump took a little while longer to collect the same amount of milk compared to other pumps Annie has used in the past.

Verdict: Overall, our tester gave this pump a double thumbs up. 'It's brilliant and so comfortable,' she says. 'It's ideal for a new mum that would like a breast pump that's really easy and convenient to express with.'

We say: The Medela Solo Single Electric Breast Pump is a compact single electric breast pump. A favourite with mums globally, the iconic Swing Flex has been redesigned with a sleek new look and extra features. 

Designed to fit into your life as easily as it fits into your handbag, it's light, compact, and quieter than the previous design. The Medela Solo Single Electric Breast Pump now also includes an integrated USB rechargeable battery supporting up to six pumping sessions on a full charge. With a closed system to prevent milk from entering the tubing, the new model is also easier to use both at home and on the go.

Tested by: Catherine Hudson, mum to three-month-old Iris. 

'This breast pump really is the perfect tool for building up a stock of breastmilk for those times when you need to be away from your baby,' she says. 'Mine came in really handy when I had nipple damage for a couple of days and had to pump to avoid mastitis. It has also meant that my partner was able to feed our daughter with my milk, meaning I could have a go at a full night's sleep for the first time in over a year. Priceless!'

Verdict: Our tester feels the Medela Single Electric Pump 'really supports breastfeeding life' and is ideal for mums who want a fast and reliable breast pump that's also neat and compact. 

We say: The SmartPump 2.0 Double Electric Breast Pump from Lansinoh is the brand's quietest breast pump, while still having adjustable hospital-strength suction levels. It has a backlit LCD display for easy reading, and large buttons to help control the variable suction speed and pumping style. The closed system design helps prevent milk from backing up into the tubing, which means easier clean-up.

The Lansinoh Smartpump 2.0 Double Electric Breast Pump is lightweight with an ergonomic carrying handle, so it’s easy to take to work or on holiday. It's also compact enough to carry around the house so you can carry on with normal life as you pump. It connects to the Lansinoh Baby 2.0 app (free from your app store) via Bluetooth to enable you to keep track of your feeding and pumping sessions.

Tested by: Nicky Poole is mum to William, 16 weeks.

'My first impression of this pump was "Wow, this is seriously portable",' says Nicky. 'The device itself is lightweight but sturdy. It came complete with a cool bag with a little gel freezer pouch and a bottle holder/cooler.'

The instructions were easy to follow and the pump came already assembled. 'That was great because pumps are often ultra-fiddly,' adds Nicky. 'I felt like this wasn’t going to be torture to assemble or use, and far less mechanical and 'bovine-like' than other pumps I've tried.'

The pump has three modes that mimic different feeding styles. 'It's easy to switch on and very gentle, so there’s zero risk of accidentally clamping your nipple in it when turning it off,' adds Nicky. 'It also 'remembers' your settings so you don’t need to fiddle around each time you use it. Plus there’s a timer on the screen, which is very useful.'

Verdict: Despite the variable suction levels, Nicky found she got less milk than she typically does when using her usual breast pump, although that's no indication of how well it might work for you. 'I’d say this make would be best for an infrequent pumper preparing to return to work, or for medium-light use.'

We say: This breast pump has two-phase expression to help you express more milk in less time. The first phase stimulates your breast, while the second phase uses longer and slower pulses to encourage let-down.

It has nine-speed settings in each phase, so it's highly adaptable to suit your preference. The ergonomic design makes this a good choice for taking on holiday or for use when you're out and about. It also comes with a handle, so you can use it as a manual pump if you prefer.

Tested by: Georgia Sharp and her son, Indigo, 11 weeks. 

'I hadn't heard of this brand before but on first impressions, I liked the packaging and design of the product,' she says.

The pump comes in lots of pieces which makes it a bit fiddly to clean and re-assemble, but Georgia found it easy and intuitive to use. 'I was able to produce a lot of milk in a single session, and found it really handy being able to pump directly into a bottle,' she adds.

It's easy to control via a touch panel and can be cordless when charged or plugged in with the USB cable provided. However, Georgia found the touchscreen a little temperamental. 'On two separate occasions I accidentally turned it off simply by picking it up and having my finger on the on/off button,' she adds. 'Also I couldn’t use my thumb with the touch screen – only my index finger.'

Verdict: Overall, this is a powerful pump that will appeal to anyone who wants the flexibility of a rechargeable cordless breast pump. The battery life is good, and it's great value for money.

We say: The Medela Swing Maxi double electric breast pump is a portable electric breast pump that mimics a baby’s natural sucking rhythm. It's billed as the perfect pump for mums who want to express more milk in less time.

It has nine adjustable levels that let you find the right rate of suction. The breast shields are designed to put less pressure on your milk ducts than traditional breast shields, resulting in a more effective and comfortable pumping experience. It has a USB type C connector, as well as a built-in rechargeable battery. It lasts for up to six pumping sessions when fully charged.

Tested by: Lex Courts, mum to Idgy, aged seven months.

'I was looking forward to trying this pump,' she says. 'I had heard good things about this brand, and lots of people recommended it to me when I was shopping around for the best breast pump to buy. I was excited to try it out and see if it was as comfortable and easy to use as everyone said.

She found the pump very easy to assemble and use: 'After sterilising all the parts, it was intuitive to set up and start pumping. It's also compact compared to other pumps I've tried, and very comfortable – there was no pulling sensation or discomfort at all.'

Lex found this quieter than other breast pumps. However, it was still loud enough that she had to turn the TV volume up when expressing.

Overall, Lex thinks this pump is comfortable, efficient, and excellent value for money. 'It performs really well and the functionality rivals premium brands, but it costs considerably less,' she adds. 'It's not a cheap buy but you do get a lot of value for your money.'

Verdict: To summarise, we'd recommend this as one of the best breast pumps for those who don't want to spend a lot of money on an expensive premium pump, but who also don't want to compromise when it comes to overall functionality.

We say: Easy to assemble, the Medela Hands-Free Double Electric Breast Pump is a wearable breast pump that makes it possible to carry on with other tasks while you're expressing breastmilk. We love the hands-free design and the super-efficiency of this pump. 

It comes with ultra-lightweight collection cups that weigh just 76g each and fit neatly inside your bra, along with a separate battery unit that's small enough to fit in your pocket. 

Tested by: Sophie, mum to a five-month-old baby girl.

'I have been using the Medela hands-free electric breast pump for the last two months and have been extremely impressed with how easy it makes pumping,' says Sophie. 'The collection cups fit easily inside my bra and are attached by a tube to the battery. And as well as being very discreet, they're also really comfortable to wear.'

'I love how easy it is to get set up,' adds Sophie. 'The device can be clicked together in a matter of seconds and then you simply pop the collection cups in your bra with your nipple in position and press play on the battery unit.'

Verdict: Overall this is a highly efficient breast pump - our tester found she was able to express more milk in less time with this breast pump, compared to one she already owns.

A major plus is the fact that there are only three parts to disassemble plus it's dishwasher safe, making this breast pump a dream to clean and reassemble. 

The Medela Hands-Free Breast Pump is a particularly good buy if you're looking for a highly portable pump that will allow you to express when you're out and about. It has a built-in, USB-rechargeable battery for convenient pumping wherever you go.

Aside from being hands-free, the other big selling point of the Medela Hands-Free Breast Pump is the fact that you can express from both breasts at the same time (or just one) as you prefer.

We also think the supporting app, seamless product design, and overall efficiency of the pump make this a brilliant buy - if your budget allows it.

This pump is particularly worth the investment if you anticipate breastfeeding for a long period of time, or if you're a breastfeeding mum planning to return to work and you want to continue expressing breastmilk. 

• Read our full Medela Freestyle Hands-free Double Electric Breast Pump review

We say: Easy-to-use, discreet, and effective - that's our mum tester's verdict, making this handheld electric model one of the best breast pumps you can buy. We like that you can express milk directly into sterile storage bags (supplied separately) to which you can attach a teat for feeding your baby, without having to decant the stored milk into a separate bottle. 

'The pump-direct-to-storage bags option, and the ability to feed directly from these bags, reduces the equipment you need and cuts down on faff which is brilliant because life with a baby is busy enough,' says our parent tester, Katy. She found this breast pump easy to use, effective, and compact, as well as stylish and well-designed.

Tested by: Katy, mum to baby Beatrice.

As Katy is exclusively breastfeeding and only giving her baby the occasional bottle of milk, finding time to pump is tricky. However, she found the seamless pump-to-storage-to-feeding design of the Lola & Lykka Smart Electric Breast Pump saved her valuable time and effort.

Verdict: 'The Lola & Lykke Smart Electric Breast Pump is a light, wireless hands-free breast pump with a digital display and an easy-to-use touchscreen,' concludes Katy. We love how easy it is to track and record your pumping sessions, thanks to the handy memory button and timer function button, and the fact that you can attach a feeding teat to the milk storage bag is a total game-changer.'

• Read our full Lola & Lykke Smart Electric Breast Pump review

How to choose the right breast pump for you

The first decision you need to make is which type of breast pump will suit you best. Take these factors into consideration:

Manual or electric? There are two different types of breast pumps. Firstly, a manual breast pump is, as you might guess from the name, one that you operate by hand. You literally attach a suction cup to your breast and then squeeze the handle to express milk from your breast into the container. A manual pump takes a bit of effort to operate but they're also pretty light and portable.

An electric breast pump, on the other hand, automatically extracts your milk from your breast. For this buying guide, we tested mostly electric breast pumps as they tend to be much more efficient than manual breast pumps. Of course, they’re also more expensive.

How often do you expect to use it? If you only intend to express occasionally, a manual breast pump is all you really need. Alternatively, if you expect to express on a daily basis then an electric breast pump is a good investment. It's also a practical choice as you’re likely to express more milk in less time with an electric pump.

How portable do you need it to be? Keep in mind that electric breast pumps need a power source. Some run on batteries but others need to be plugged in at the mains - which significantly limits your mobility when you're expressing. So make sure your phone or the TV remote is close at hand before you get started. 

Not sure how often you’ll express? If you're expecting a baby it's entirely possible that you have no idea how often you'll use a breast pump - if at all. That can make it tricky to decide which is the best breast pump for you. However, in this situation, it’s worth choosing a combined 2-in-1 breast pump that can be used in either electric or manual mode. That way, you’ll be covered for both occasional use and for more frequent expressing if your needs change such as if you return to work after maternity leave.

What is a breast pump and who needs one?

A breast pump is a device that extracts milk from a breastfeeding mother. There are lots of reasons why you might invest in a breast pump. If you’re breastfeeding but need to be away from your baby for a period of time - such as returning to work after maternity leave or attending an event without your baby - a breast pump enables you to extract and store your breastmilk so that a caregiver can feed your milk to your baby in your absence. 

The biggest benefit of using a breast pump is flexibility. With breast milk stored in the fridge or freezer, you can leave your baby in someone else's care but continue to breastfeed when you’re together. 

Using a breast pump can also bring relief if your breasts are engorged. Some mums also find that expressing their breast milk using a breast pump can help to increase their milk supply. 

How we chose and tested the best breast pumps

We use a consistent product review testing process to ensure that our reviews are fair, robust, and reliable. 

Our Consumer Editor Heidi Scrimgeour came up with a shortlist of the best breast pumps based on her product knowledge and industry research. She looked at the latest offering from the market-leading brands and selected products from a broad range of price points so there's a breast pump here to suit all budgets. 

Next, we called on our pool of parent reviewers and assigned each of them a breast pump to put to the test. They tried the product rigorously for at least ten days in a variety of different settings to ensure they tested all of the key features. 

Finally, our testers gave each product a rating out of five for overall performance and ease of use. We also asked for comprehensive feedback on key factors including design appeal, functionality (how easy is it to assemble, clean, and use) portability (how practical it is to use in different parts of the house or when out and about), and value for money based on its RRP.

If you’ve decided on the best breast pump for you and your baby, why not also look into what happens after you’ve pumped your milk? Check out our best baby bottles feature, where real mums tested the top bottles on the market, or we’ve got a guide to the best bottle sterilizers and the best bottle warmers, so you can give your milk to your baby safely and at the perfect temperature.