This is the best electric breast pump
It is the Elvie Pump model, since it offers maximum comfort, it is quite silent and its design is very discreet.
Breast milk is the essential food for babies during their first six months of life and, according to the World Health Organization, it is advisable to combine it with other foods up to two years of age. But in many cases it is not possible for the mother and her baby to spend enough time together to make this possible. All those who wish to continue breastfeeding after returning to work find breast pumps a great ally, as they allow them to extract the necessary amount so that their babies continue to feed even if they are not present.
Plus, electric breast pumps aren’t what they used to be; The latest are the ‘hands-free’ models, which do not have to be connected to the power to work, are worn discreetly inside your clothes and allow you to continue with your normal life while you express milk.
How we have chosen and tested electric breast pumps
They are the protagonists of this comparison, in which I have tested three models with this format. It was not the first time I had done it: during my first breastfeeding, the Elvie Pump, one of the first wireless breast pump models, was my inseparable companion for months; not only to express myself and for my son to eat when I was away, but also to decongest my chest during my days away from home.
The breast pumps that I have tried on this occasion are serving the same purpose for my second breastfeeding: I have been using them for approximately 6 months, the time since I started working after my maternity leave.
Of them I have valued:
- Design. In terms of ergonomics when holding them, and how they adapt to different breast types and nipple sizes.
- Cleaning. How the pieces are assembled, if they are easy to assemble and disassemble, and how they are washed.
- Personalization. Possibility of choosing between different programs and settings to adapt to the needs of each woman.
- Others. In this section I evaluate additional functions, the complements that include…
Discreet breast pump: Elvie Pump
Who is it for: women looking for a very discreet model without any cables.
Why we recommend it: It is very quiet and its rounded shape makes it quite discreet. Although Elvie has another hospital-grade wireless breast pump model (Stride), I like the Pump much better because there are no cables anywhere. Compared to this other model I lose some extraction capacity, although in my case it is not important.
Assembly is simple (although it has quite a few pieces) and getting everything to extract took me a bit; It has a ‘trick’: it is best to place it disassembled to see the position of the nipple. Additionally, I have also noticed that it works better when the bra is not too tight. It has different suction settings (7 different levels; I usually use 4 or 5) and always starts with a couple of minutes of stimulation.
It can be fully controlled from an app, and is more comfortable than pressing physical buttons when in place. From it, for example, I can know without having to look at the device how much milk I have expressed, consult a history, change preferences… It comes with funnels of two sizes and 150 ml BPA-free bottles suitable for the dishwasher.
Its weak points: It has a fairly high price, and there are similar versions for half the cost.
| TECHNICAL SHEET |
|---|
| Mobile application: Pump with Elvie |
| Features: two stimulation modes, 7 intensity settings |
| Sizes: 3 funnel sizes; the box includes two (24 mm and 28 mm) |
| Others: Includes two 150 ml bottles with lid and carrying bag |
The breast pump with the best quality-price ratio: Perifit Pump
Who is it for: infants who are looking for a wireless model and do not want to make a large investment.
Why we recommend it: It is extremely similar to the Elvie Pump, but for half the price. The shape is rounded and adapts very well to the contour of the chest. When you choose the product, you have to order it with your nipple size, and to know it you can print a template that makes you know it perfectly. I, at least, was not wrong. Although at the top it has the basic controls to control it, it is linked to an app in which you can also check how much milk you have expressed, with little margin for error.
I liked that it is very quiet, and that all the configuration options are very clear. For example, to start I had to select the extraction time from three options (between 21 and 60 minutes) in which stimulation and extraction are automatically combined.
For me, the ideal was the classic mode, which lasts 30 minutes and has two at the beginning of stimulation. And, furthermore, I chose a slow suction (you can also moderate or fast). I have been able to use it about 5 times before having to charge it again and I especially liked that about 20 minutes on power is enough to use it once.
Its weak points: It is somewhat large and a little heavier than other options.
| TECHNICAL SHEET |
|---|
| Mobile application: Perifit |
| Features: three types of extraction and three types of suction |
| Sizes: to choose at the time of purchase: 15, 18, 21, 24 and 28 mm |
| Others: suction power 300 mmHg, 1 container, valve and spare gasket |
The best-selling breast pump on Amazon: Jheppbay Breast Pump
Who is it for: For women looking for a very affordable wireless breast pump.
Why we recommend it: When I was researching hands-free breast pumps for this comparison, I was greatly surprised to see that in a store like Amazon the best-selling model was not from a well-known brand: neither Medela nor Elvie… And, although it is not perfect, when I tried it I found understood why. It is a breast pump with functions very similar to the rest, although with a different design in which the control console protrudes quite a bit from the cup. This helps control it when used, but at the same time makes it the least discreet of all: it is very noticeable that you are wearing it. It has up to 12 intensity levels (I’ve normally used 8-9) and three different modes: stimulation, massage and extraction. The massage has not given me much and pulls the nipple quite hard. Otherwise, it is very easy to assemble, has autonomy for a couple of uses and comes with three size options (21, 24 and 27 mm), in addition to coming with spare parts for some of its parts.
Its weak points: The main one is that to see the amount of milk you have expressed you have to look at the breast pump itself. In addition, the control module shows the selected level in very bright letters – at night it is very visible – and the construction is worse than in the rest.
| TECHNICAL SHEET |
|---|
| Mobile application: No |
| Features: 3 modes (massage, suction and stimulation), 12 suction levels |
| Sizes: 4 sizes (17/19/21/27mm) |
| Others: Comes with toiletry bag, capacity 180 ml |
Other interesting wireless breast pump models
If you are looking for an alternative with two glasses
The Elvie Stride model is available in a single-cup or two-cup version, has hospital-grade power and a very discreet design. It is controlled both from a remote control and from the mobile app.
If you are looking for a Medela model
Their hands-free breast pump is the Solo Hands-free, very light (weighs only 76 grams) and an anatomical design, as well as a control knob.
*All purchase prices included in this article are current as of October 27, 2024.
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