If you’re breastfeeding, combination feeding, or even expressing an occasional bottle to share the night feeds with your partner, the chances are that a high-quality breast pump is one of the most regularly used items in your baby essentials toolkit.
It’s common for parents to opt for an affordable manual breast pump at the start of their breastfeeding journey, especially with no guarantees of how smooth the experience will be for you and your baby. But if you intend to breastfeed for the foreseeable future, you may find that using your manual breast pump can start to feel a little relentless, taking significant time and effort in your already exhausting newborn haze.
Electric breast pumps can be a great alternative, allowing faster and more efficient expression of milk that leaves you free to get on with your day. With so many electric pumps to choose from, however, including double electric pumps, hospital-grade pumps and even wearable electric pumps, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
As a Mum of two who breastfed both my children over an extended period, I’ve had first-hand experience with a wide range of breast pumps over the years, with a good appreciation for must-have features and functionality that can aid your breastfeeding journey. We’ve researched the best electric breast pumps on the market today with options to suit every budget and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for an ultra-fast electric pump, a comfortable electric pump or one that can switch between manual and electric, read on to see our recommendations
Why choose an electric breast pump?
Whilst they tend to be more expensive, electric breast pumps are undoubtedly a more efficient choice when expressing breast milk for your baby.
Unlike manual breast pumps which are operated by hand, electric breast pumps use powerful stimulation and suction modes which can usually be adjusted to a range of speed settings. By mimicking the natural feeding motions of your baby, they allow efficient collection in a fraction of the time. Many electric breast pumps can also be used completely hands-free, providing some welcome freedom for parents to complete other tasks.
According to a recent Which? survey, 60 per cent of mothers owned an electric breast pump, with the most common reasons for purchase being efficiency, ease of use and comfort.
What to look for in an electric breast pump
Here are some things to consider when choosing the right electric breast pump for you.
- Ease of use: How many parts are there to assemble and disassemble as required? Is it intuitive to use, or are there more complex instructions to follow? Does the breast pump include a backlight so it can be used in low-light settings? How easy is it to switch between the settings and can it remember your preferences?
- Range of settings/expression modes: How many options does the electric breast pump offer? Does the pump switch automatically between stimulation and expression modes or does this need to be done manually? The more settings the pump offers, the more flexibility you have in finding the right combination for you.
- Comfort: Does the electric breast pump come with a range of shield sizes included or does it have a one-size-fits-all design? This is particularly important if you have larger breasts as not all pumps include bigger-size shields, so check the specifications carefully.
- Noise levels: How noisy is the electric breast pump? Is it discreet enough to express at work or are the noise levels better suited to pumping in private?
- Single or double: Will a single electric breast pump be sufficient for your needs or do you prefer a double to express from both breasts simultaneously?
- Portability: Are you looking for a breast pump to take with you on your travels? Some electric breast pumps are mains powered only, meaning you are somewhat restricted to the location of your nearest socket. Others offer rechargeable USB batteries, offering a limited amount of use before they need to be recharged. You should also consider the size, weight and bulkiness of your electric breast pump when considering using it outside the home.
- Cost: Last but by no means least, how much are you willing to spend? Whilst you can pick up a high-quality electric breast pump from around £125, you’re looking close to £300 for double pumps or those with more enhanced features and functionality.
Best electric breast pumps at a glance:
- Best overall: Elvie Wearable Electric Breast Pump - £269, Boots
- Best budget: Nuby Ultimate Electric Breast Pump - £124.07, Amazon
- Best hospital grade: Spectra S1 Plus Hospital Grade Double Electric Breast Pump - £159.96, Amazon
- Best single wearable: Tommee Tippee Made for Me Electric Wearable Breast Pump - £160, Argos
- Best double wearable: Medela Freestyle Hands-free double electric wearable Breast Pump - £300, Argos
- Most comfortable: Philips Avent Single Premium Electric Breast Pump - £130, Amazon
- Most versatile: Lansinoh 2-in-1 Double Electric Breast Pump - £165, Boots
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Elvie Single Breast Pump
Best for: Overall best electric breast pump
Type of pump: Single wearable
Size: 6.8 x 11 x 12.8 cm
Weight: 225 grams
Ok, it may not come cheap, but for discreet hands-free pumping, they don’t come much more convenient than the Elvie Wearable Breast Pump. Claiming to be the smallest and quietest pump on the market, this entirely cordless breast pump weighs in at a super lightweight 225 grams and tucks directly into your bra for stress-free pumping on the go.
With two shield sizes provided. the Elvie pump is suitable for a range of breast sizes. It’s also quick and easy to assemble with just five dishwasher-safe parts that can be slotted together in minutes.
When it comes to efficiency and comfort, we love the natural stimulation and expression modes that mimic your baby’s natural feeding rhythms. You can choose to switch between the two when your letdown kicks in or opt for the intelligent sensor mode which will switch over automatically. For those days when you’re rushing to express before you go out, there’s even a super-efficient Express and Collect mode that can have your bottle prepped and ready to go in next to no time.
With seven intensity settings, it’s easy to find a comfortable expression mode for your needs, with the option to slow down the pace if your baby’s been feeding regularly during the night.
That’s not all, this smart wearable breast pump also works with the Elvie app, controlling the pump remotely. Whilst the measurements recorded on the app aren’t always 100 per cent accurate, the Elvie will stop automatically when full, allowing you to do your make-up, get your baby dressed or simply enjoy a hot cup of coffee whilst it works its magic.
Buy now £269.00, Boots
Nuby Ultimate Electric Breast Pump
Best for: budget
Type of pump: Single electric
Size: 15 x 26.5 x 20 cm
Weight: 662g
If you’re looking for the best electric breast pump but don’t want to break the bank, the Nuby Ultimate Electric Breast Pump makes a really affordable choice, packed full of great functionality despite its budget-friendly price tag.
Featuring a unique tube with a Y-shaped adapter, the Nuby Ultimate can be used as either a single or double electric breast pump, with the flexibility of mains operation or battery-powered use for unrestricted pumping on the go.
We love the compact size of this electric breast pump, ideal for taking with you during travel. You can also get an impressive three hours of pumping from one charge, meaning you can easily rely on battery power if you’re pumping during a long journey.
Whilst it works best when you’re sat upright and requires manual switching between stimulation and expression, there are nine settings to choose from, using a simple touchscreen to switch modes or increase the intensity as needed. If you’re concerned that a powerful pump will be uncomfortable when switching from a manual one, you’ll also be reassured by the soft silicone cover, which offers an additional layer of comfort on the breast shields.
Buy now £124.07, Amazon
Spectra S1 Plus Hospital Grade Double Electric Breast Pump
Best for: hospital-grade
Type of pump: Electric, Double
Size: 20.07 x 20.07 x 17.02 cm
Weight: 1.5 kg
If you’re experiencing a low milk supply, it can be incredibly disheartening if you struggle to produce enough milk using a manual pump, resulting in you feeling anxious or flustered when the bottle is barely full.
A hospital-grade pump electric pump can be a great alternative, offering a wide range of stronger settings that can efficiently draw milk and trigger your letdown reflex. Whilst there is only one size of shield included in the pack (with others sold separately), there are 12 different expression levels and five cycle speeds, so you can easily switch between the settings until you find a comfortable and effective combination for your needs.
Whilst it’s bulkier and somewhat noisier than the other best electric breast pumps on our list, the three-hour battery life allows convenient pumping outside the home should you wish to take it with you on your travels. There’s even a built-in nightlight - a welcome addition during those late-night pumping sessions.
Buy now £159.96, Amazon
Tommee Tippee Made for Me
Best for: Wearable pump
Type of pump: Wearable
Size: 9.7 x 15.5 x 18.5 cm
Weight: 1.15kg
Another wearable option that allows convenient and discreet hands-free pumping, the Tommee Tippee Single Made for Me breast pump is an affordable alternative to our overall best pick, the Elvie.
With just seven parts, it’s simple to assemble and clean as required and small enough to go relatively unnoticed, with a streamlined design that pops straight inside your bra. Powered by a rechargeable battery and offering around four hours of battery life per charge, you won’t need to be restricted by the location of your nearest plug socket.
Controlled via the Made for Me app on a compatible mobile device, you can alternate between the modes and speed settings to find an effective combination for your needs, whilst building up valuable insights to help support your breastfeeding journey.
Your breast milk is collected directly into the integrated 150ml bottle with a visual representation of your results on the app. We also love the light guide nipple alignment, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit even when pumping in low light.
Buy now £150.00, Argos
Medela Freestyle Hands-free Double Electric Wearable Breast Pump
Best for: Double wearable
Type of pump: Double wearable
Size: 24.5 x 22.1 x 12.6 cm
Weight: 76g each
Global breastfeeding brand, Medela has recently added a new Freestyle Hands-Free in-bra double pump to its extensive breast pumping range. Designed by experts to seamlessly fit into your daily routine, this wearable pump offers efficient 2-Phase Expression technology and a built-in rechargeable battery that provides the freedom to use both inside and outside the home.
With two lightweight collection cups weighing just 76 grams each, the compact pocket-sized pump is a completely separate unit, so you can discreetly go about your day without feeling weighed down.
Unlike many breast pump shields that are created with a 90-degree angle, Medela’s anatomically designed shields are set at 105 degrees. The brand’s research has shown that this creates a more natural fit and reduces pressure on the breast, allowing a more efficient yet comfortable fit.
We love how the transparent cups make it easy to see how much you’ve collected, with easy positioning and instant visual confirmation that your letdown has triggered. When finished, there are also just three dishwasher-safe parts, so you can have it clean and ready to use again in no time.
Buy now £300.00, Argos
Philips Avent Single Premium Electric Breast Pump
Best for: Comfort
Type of pump: Single electric
Size: 10 x 20 x 27 cm
Weight: 0.67kg
Switching from a manual to an electric pump can be daunting, especially if you’re used to being in full control of the pace and amount of pressure applied to your breast.
The Philips Avent Single Premium Electric Breast Pump puts comfort as a top priority, with an adaptive silicone cushion that claims to fit 99.98 per cent of nipple sizes. A lightweight and slimline design, the Philips Avent is rechargeable via micro USB and you can expect around three full sessions from every charge.
There are eight stimulation levels and 16 expression levels to choose from, combined with natural motion technology that closely resembles your baby’s latch for more efficient pumping. Once you’ve found the combination of settings that feel most comfortable for you, the pump will even automatically remember them for next time, so you don’t have to waste precious time reprogramming them with every use.
Unlike some breast pumps, this intelligent design also doesn’t require you to lean forward whilst you pump, so you can sit back in a more natural position for a comfortable pumping experience.
Buy now £130.00, Amazon
Lansinoh 2-in-1 Double Electric Breast Pump
Best for: Versatility
Type of pump: Single or Double Electric
Size: 15 x 25 x 22 cm
Weight: 0.63kg
If you’re looking for an electric breast pump that offers flexibility about how and where you use it, the Lansinoh 2-in-1 certainly ticks a lot of boxes. Suitable for use as either a single or double, either plugged in or with batteries, you can pump directly into a bottle so your partner can bottle feed, or express straight into storage bags to build up a precious milk supply in your freezer.
Every breast is different, but with soft and flexible ComfortFit breast shields supplied in two different sizes, it can fit different nipple sizes with ease.
Whilst some reviewers found its hospital-grade performance noisier than expected, the two-phase letdown and expression modes offer three pumping styles and eight suction levels so you can fully tailor it to your needs. We love the backlit LCD display which helps you see what you’re doing when the sun goes down and thanks to the closed system, it’s super easy to clean.
Buy now £165.00, Boots
Verdict
Whilst the best electric breast pump will very much depend on your preferences, we still find the Elvie pretty difficult to beat. It doesn’t come cheap, but for its discreet hands-free pumping design, superior performance and comfort, we feel it’s money well spent to take the pressure out of pumping.
