7 Best Breast Pumps (2023): Wearable, Portable, Easy to Clean

1 year ago 33

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By the time you read this story, my pumping journey will be over. I spent over a year nursing my child, and that time of my life was dictated by either the demands of my hungry infant or my proximity to an electric breast pump. It made me wonder—what makes a good breast pump? Are wearables worth it? Why are some pumps over $500?!

After trying nearly a dozen popular pumps, these are the ones I recommend. If you’re not sure what type of pump you want, or what you should keep in mind when buying one, check out our guide to shopping for a breast pump.

Photograph: Pumpables
Best Portable Pump
Pumpables Genie Advanced
When I hear the words “portable pump,” this is the kind of pump I imagine: a motor small enough for nearly any bag, but still powerful. The Pumpables Genie Advanced (9/10, WIRED Recommends) can be used as a single or double pump, can perform recorded pumping sessions with your programmed preferences, and comes with a clip and lanyard so you can easily wear it while you pump.
The best part of all, though, is the shield kit, which Pumpables calls the “Liquid Kit.” It’s a flange and bottle combo that you pump milk into. While it has a lot of pieces—that aren’t dishwasher-friendly, boo—the soft shield cover makes this the most comfortable pump I tried. For such a comfortable pumping experience, it's worth a little more effort to clean. Pumpables will also prompt you to choose your shield size before you check out. It’s an extra step, but it’s key to being more comfortable and getting better results while you pump.
Photograph: Willow
Best Wearable Pump
Willow Go Wearable Breast Pump
Willow started it all, and it’s still setting the wearable pump bar with the Willow Go (8/10, WIRED Recommends). The Willow Go is better priced than other popular wearable pumps, like the Elvie, while still packing similar features and a great pumping experience. It’s more expensive than portable options, but if you want to be able to pump with most bras and tops, this is a good choice.
The cups are easy to see while you pump, so you can check your progress, and the pieces are large and can be easily cleaned or popped into the dishwasher. The Willow Go comes with 21-mm and 24-mm flanges; if you need a smaller size, you’ll have to purchase a shield. The included guide makes it simple to figure out if the sizes included will work for you. Each side of the pump has an opening at the top to pour milk out of, so don’t bend over while wearing this pump, and make sure you have milk storage (like a baby bottle or milk freezer bag) ready for when your pump session is over. The Willow Go has its own app, and you’ll need to get detailed instructions for using the pump and a timer for your pump session.
Photograph: Legendairy Milk
The Best Budget Wearable
Imani i2
If you’re looking for something affordable, my favorite cheap pump is actually a wearable option. The Imani i2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) doesn’t have any fun features, app, or any kind of screen or timer, like other pumps do, but it does a fantastic job for its price point. The build is a little flimsy, and it isn’t dishwasher safe, but the cups and shields are lightweight and comfortable to wear. The motor sits on top, which will poke out of a bra and most tops. Don’t bend over in this one either, since it’s so top-heavy. It just has a couple of buttons on top to turn it on, switch between stimulation and expression mode, and select one of the five levels it offers for each mode. You’ll need to bring your own timer, but it’s a great pump for a lower price than you’ll find from nearly any other reputable brand. (Remember to avoid cheap copycats that aren’t FDA-approved.)
Photograph: Willow
An Upgrade-Worthy Wearable
Willow 3.0 Wearable Breast Pump
The Willow 3.0 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) packs the coolest tricks. It suctions itself onto the breast to create a latch, can track the exact number of ounces being pumped, and will switch from stimulation to expression based on when your body starts releasing milk.
It’s much more expensive, though—it retails for $550, which is more than twice the price of popular pumps like the Spectra S1 below. You can’t see into the Willow while you pump, but I found the tracking within the app to be very accurate. You can use the pump with either O-shaped milk bags that the Willow will seal for you after your pump session to go straight into the fridge or freezer, or into a reusable milk container. You have to choose your size when you purchase it, which will help get the best pump results possible.