Top 5 Picks for Electric Breast Pumps

Everyone has different opinions about pregnancy, baby, breastfeeding, and postpartum gear and accessories. You can spend hours online looking at reviews -- often conflicting -- for just one item! In an effort to help you cut back on some of your time researching gear, we created a "Top 5 Picks" series in which we do some of the legwork for you. We create our Top 5 Picks based on the "winners" of five of the most popular retailers and consumer review sites: Amazon, Target, Babylist, Consumer Reports, and BabyGearLab. Learn more about these sites at the bottom of this post. 

Top 5 Picks: Electric Breast Pumps (Non hospital grade, non manual, non wearable)

Amazon

Winner chosen based on highest average number of stars, highest number of reviews, and highest percentage of reviews that gave 5 stars.

Winner

Medela Pump in Style Advanced with Tote

Description: "Pump In Style Advanced is a double electric breast pump designed for moms who pump several times a day, Medela's breast pumps work more like breastfeeding babies to deliver the milk you need to provide for your baby even when you're not there."

Most Recent Review: "I just recieved this pump. the first pump i had the suction was terrible and i was constantly replacing valves. I purchased this one and i am happy i did. This pump is amazing my milk output was imediatly increased. Amazing suction, quick and easy to use!"

Also available with a backpack instead of tote.  

See other choices in "electric breast pumps," 4 stars and up, on Amazon. 

Target

Winner chosen based on highest average number of stars, highest number of reviews, and highest ratings in each of the following categories: value, quality, easy to clean. 

Winner

Evenflo Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump

Description: "Designed with leading lactation professionals, the new Advanced Double Electric Breast Pump includes premium features, at a price that doesn’t break the bank. This full-time use pump will help maximize your milk output, is comfortable and gentle on your breasts, and is quiet and portable, so you can discreetly pump anywhere."

Most Recent Review: "This pump is awesome! I’ve exclusively pumped since birth and this pump has been fantastic. Easy to put together, easy to clean. I get a great amount or breast milk with this pump. I don’t know why other pumps are 300+ dollars."

See other choices in "electric breast pump," 4 stars and up on Target. 

Babylist

The winner on Babylist is chosen by polling thousands of real Babylist families about their favorite products and combining those top products with the site's own research and insight.

Winner

Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump

Note: This is a "hospital grade" breast pump as the top choices on Babylist did not include a general "electric breast pump" category. However, the top choice in the category of "Best Breast Pump for Work" is the Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with On-the-Go Tote, which is a non-hospital grade electric breast pump. 

Description: "This hospital-strength breast pump delivers big power with way less bulk and noise. Digital controls let you adjust speed and suction to maximize output, and the pump uses a closed system, which keeps milk completely separate from the pump pieces and ensures better hygiene and performance. There’s a rechargeable battery that lasts up to three hours, so you’re not always tethered to an outlet while pumping. Users also love the helpful extras like the timer and nightlight for late-night pumping sessions."

Highlight Review: “I loved everything about this pump! As an exclusive pumper, this was a must. It’s lightweight and has a rechargeable battery, making it easy to move around or bring to work. I was even able to pump in the car on my commute home easily. The light built into the handle was perfect for pumping in the dark or low light settings while baby was being fed. Also easy to adjust settings.”

See other winning breast pump choices on Babylist. 

Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports no longer updates specific recommendations for breast pump brands. They do provide tips on purchasing breast pumps, including buying used pumps.  

BabyGearLab

BabyGearLab took 10 leading pumps and compared them side-by-side to determine an overall winner. Each pump was tested for weight and size, ease of use, efficiency, comfort, portability, hygiene, and acoustics. 

Winner

Medela Pump In Style Advanced

Description: "For the best bang for your buck, the Medela Pump in Style Advanced with the on-the-go tote is a workhorse and won our Best Value award. Although there are cheaper pumps available, this one delivers so much at what we feel is a reasonable price. Retailing for about $250.00, it includes the pump system, tote bag, bottles, and an insulated cooler bag. As stated earlier, our one big gripe with this pump was the build-up of condensation in the tubing. However, this problem can be resolved by replacing them on occasion.

Review Excerpt: "To put it simply, it's just a great pump. It is efficient, producing a large volume of milk in a good amount of time. It is portable, with the pump built right into the tote bag, you can just pick it up and head to your next destination. To top it off, it comes with some great accessories all included at a very competitive price. While some pumps may be cheaper, they just don't come with the same quality pump or parts. We did find this pump to be a little noisy, as are most electric pumps, and for some, the tubing may need to be replaced on occasion."

See other top breast pump choices at BabyGearLab. 

About the Review Sites

Amazon - The world's largest online retailer that sells goods in nearly every category imaginable. Products can be ranked by reviews. Reviews are marked as "verified purchase" to show that the person leaving the review actually purchased the product. 

Target - Online and retail store located throughout the United States. Reviews are marked as "verified purchaser."

Babylist - Baby registry site that allows parents to build a list with any product from any store. They also provide unbiased, data-driven guidance to make decisions about purchases. 

Consumer Reports -  Independent, nonprofit member organization that works side by side with consumers for truth, transparency, and fairness in the marketplace. They use rigorous research, investigative journalism, and consumer advocacy, as well as work with several groups to inform purchase decisions, improve the products and services that businesses deliver, and drive regulatory and fair competitive practices. 

BabyGearLab - Provides in-depth reviews guided by pediatrician Dr. Juliet Spurrier. The team buys the products they review and then puts them through detailed side-by-side tests to assess performance, ease of use, and reliability.