The best electric breast pumps for 2024 tested by mums

best electric breast pumps

by Eleanor Weaver |
Updated on

If you're expecting or just given birth, an electric breast pump can make things a lot easier for you. Being a new parent is a juggling act, so anything that can make the early stages easier is a no-brainer in our books. That's why finding the best breast pump for you is essential. Depending on how often you are breast pumping, they're ideal for working mums, busy households, premature babies, or little nippers with a big appetite, we've rounded up the best electric breast pumps on the market.

Designed to mimic your baby's sucking action and comfortably express milk for feeding later, our pick of the best electric breast pumps are, on the whole, more accessible and more convenient to use than manual breast pumps, as the motor does the pumping for you, making the process as hands-free as possible. You can adjust the suction and speed settings to find the most comfortable level for you that best mimics your nursing baby.

Most of these best electric breast pumps are designed to be portable or wearable, usually by combining with a breast pump bra, and some are completely hands-free, so you can multitask while pumping. This will also mean you'll find it easier to find the right position for breast pumping - the Lola&Lykke Electric Breast Pump is great for this, which is why it has the top spot in our shortlist. Other electric breast pumps may need to be charged for a certain amount of time before use or plugged into the mains while pumping – which is beneficial if you're likely to forget to charge it up or if you prefer to spend your pumping time having a well-deserved sit down, so it's worth checking the specific product's specifications.

The best at a glance

Best electric breast pump overall: Lola&Lykke Electric Breast Pump - Buy from Lola&Lykke
Best quietest breast pump: Elvie Stride Electric Breast Pump - Buy from Amazon
Best single electric breast pump: Medela Solo Single Electric Breast Pump - Buy from Amazon
Best mains powered breast pump: Lansinoh 2-in-1 Double Electric Breast Pump - Buy from Amazon

We've tried out each and every one of these best electric breast pumps on our roundup, so you get real reviews from real mums to help you make your decision. Our testers have considered usability, design, battery life and portability, as well as, most importantly, how comfortable the pump is to use. Here are the 10 electric breast pumps that impressed our tester mums the most, from hands-free breast pumps to smart pumps that track how much milk you express.

Woman expressing milk

Best electric breast pumps 2024

Best electric breast pump overall

The Lola and Lykke Smart Electric Breast Pump was awarded Gold for Best Breast Pump at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023.

This super-smart breast pump comes with touchscreen technology, a memory button, and a timer for easy tracking and recording of pumping sessions. The Lola and Lykke Smart Electric Breast Pump has a streamlined design which is great for super-convenient pumping, and you're guaranteed a comfortable experience. The ultra-soft silicone breast shield helps massage the breast to promote let-down and optimise milk flow. Pump directly into the newborn baby bottle, feed directly from the bottle, and store milk safely with the handy adapter - great for pumping on the go.

Our mum tester, Brogan, said: "This makes my life easier as a mum as this is one powerful breast pump! This is very powerful compared to others I've tried. I had given up with pumps as they never seemed effective at all, even with an oversupply of milk! I love how all of the functions are on top of the bottle/pump makes life so much easier as there are no complicated buttons to fiddle with!"

Read our full Lola&Lykee Smart Electric Breast Pump review.

Pros

  • Super portable, quiet and lightweight design
  • Easy to use and clean

Cons

  • Would benefit from a carry case to protect it on the go
45-decibel noise level
Rechargeable battery (1400mAh Li-ion) charges via micro-USB
2 hours of pumping time
  • Six stimulation settings, nine expression modes
  • USB rechargeable battery with two-hour battery life
  • Electric breast pump, 24mm breast shield, breast pump stand, USB charging cable, breast shield cap, and newborn baby bottle with nipple teat

Best quietest breast pump

The Elvie Strive was the Silver winner for Best Breast Pump in our 2023 Mother&Baby Awards.

The Elvie Stride Electric Breast Pump is portable, lightweight and also prides itself on being silent. It's designed so you can 'take pumping in your stride' as the cupped design means no bottles are hanging, and you can quite easily go for a walk comfortably. You can also track how much milk you express with the Elvie App, which also shows you how long you've been expressing for, and you can save your default preference on how you'd like to express.

Our mum tester Sam said: "The Elvie Stride gave me back so much freedom, and most of the time, I would catch myself forgetting that I was expressing milk! This was where the default timer came in handy as I knew 15 minutes was enough to express the milk I needed, and I could use the Elvie app to set it to stop after this time had passed. As the pump was electric, I was able to be hands-free while expressing, as all I would have to do is pop the breast pump cups into my bra and press go on either the app or the pump's hub."

Read our full Elvie Stride Double Electric Breast Pump review.

Pros

  • Hands-free
  • Lightweight
  • App controlled

Cons

  • More expensive than alternatives
5oz/150ml cup capacity
Hospital-grade performance
Nearly 3 hours of pumping time
  • Hands-free pumping
  • Two modes: stimulation and expression
  • 10 intensity settings
  • Elvie App available for tracking on your smartphone
  • Portable and quiet
  • Three-sized breast shields (with two included)
  • Rechargeable with USB cable (included)
  • BPA free

Best combination pump

MAM 2-in-1 Single Electric Breast Pump
Price: £224.00

This breast pump was awarded Silver for Best Breast Pump at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022. 

The MAM 2-in-1 Single Electric Breast Pump offers mums the most flexible solution for expressing their milk. Offering both electric and manual pumping - the option to plug in or charge to take on the go, the device features stimulation and expression modes that mimic baby's natural sucking behaviour. It has an easy-to-use touchscreen, and the pump itself is compatible with MAM's full range of Easy Start bottles and Food Storage pots. They can be screwed directly to the bottom of the pump so mums can then store their milk for later use.

Our mum tester, Catherine, said: "The fact that it comes with 2 modes of expression- both manual and electric- is really handy. The manual pump means you can do more discrete pumping on the go. Also, it comes with a rechargeable battery, meaning you don't have to be sat next to the plug whilst using the electric mode. It comes with handy bottles and storage cups. It is also relatively easy to clean."

Read our full MAM 2-in-1 Single Electric Breast Pump review.

Pros

  • Option to use as a manual or electric breast pump
  • Compatible with MAM's entire range of Easy Start bottles

Cons

  • Instructions could be clearer
‎Electric; Manual
‎Battery Powered, Rechargeable
Up to 5 hours of pumping
  • Nine different stimulation and expression suction levels
  • Option to use plugged in or with a Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery with five hours of battery life
  • Electric 2-in-1 breast pump, rechargeable motor unit, plug, manual pump handle, 130ml Easy Start bottle, 160ml Easy Start bottle, and two storage pots.

Best single electric breast pump

This breast pump was awarded Bronze for Best Breast Pump at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022.

For an electric breast pump that's both simple to use and simple in design, we'd recommend the Medela Solo Single Electric Breast Pump. It's compact and effective with a rechargeable built-in battery, two-phase expression technology, and a PersonalFit Flex breast shield. Intuitive and hassle-free, the pump only has a few parts making it easy to clean and assemble. With its four-button interface and nine pre-programmed settings, you can start pumping at just the push of a button!

Our mum tester, Danielle, said: "Having a more compact breast bump is a dream. It was sleek and compact enough to be able to fit comfortably into the change bag or into my handbag. I love how once it's charged, the battery lasts, and I'm not stuck in one place attached to a plug socket. With fewer parts, it makes it easier to not lose a piece, and the pump shield was super comfortable and fit perfectly against the breast without any issues."

Read our full Medela Solo Single Electric Breast Pump review.

Pros

  • Simple device that's easy to use
  • Noticeably quiet at just 45dB

Cons

  • Only provided with one baby bottle
Corded Electric/USB Adapter
15 x 18 x 8 centimetres
6 pumping sessions on one full charge
  • Nine two-phase suction levels
  • Built-in USB rechargeable battery with 1.5 hours of charge
  • Electric breast pump with 24mm breast shield, 150ml baby bottle, bottle stand, and USB charging cable

Best mains-powered breast pump

Lansinoh Breast Pump 2-in-1 Double Electric Breast Pump
Price: £250.00

This breast pump was awarded Bronze for Best Breast Pump at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022. 

This Lansinoh 2-in-1 double electric breast pump has dual-pump functionality to mirror your baby's feed. You can use as a single or double pump, and you can use it either plugged into electrical mains or with batteries with you'd prefer to take it on the go. It's a very effective pump, great value for money, with fantastic accessories included, such as two pairs of ComfortFit soft silicone breast cushions in sizes: standard or large, a portable bag for carrying equipment out the house, and bottles.

Our mum tester, Sarah, said: "This breast pump is great for so many reasons. It allows me to pump both breasts at the same time without having to have two separate pumps, that way, I don't miss out on the let down of the breast not being pumped. I loved that it came preassembled so I could see where all the parts were supposed to attach. I also liked that the pump had a timer on it, so I knew how long I had been pumping for. Finally, it comes with so many extra bits like a bag to carry and store it in and covers for the bottles, so you don't have to put a teat on it until use."

Read our full Lansinoh 2-in-1 Double Electric Breast Pump review.

Pros

  • Easy to use LED display, allowing you to express in low light conditions
  • Very comfortable fit

Cons

  • Noisier than some other breast pumps
Battery Operated, Battery Powered‎
15 x 25 x 22 cm
Can be powered by the mains too
  • Three pumping styles and eight two-phase suction levels
  • Mains powered or powered with six AA batteries (not included)
  • Double electric breast pump, two breast cushion sets, two 160ml containers, tote bag, bottle stands, Naturalwave slow flow teat and cap, and connection attachments.

Best for comfort

The Philips Avent Single Electric breast pump has a unique design, so your milk flows directly from your breast into the bottle, even when you're sitting up straight. It means that you can sit more comfortably when pumping - no need to lean forward to ensure all your milk ends up in the bottle. The breast pump has a compact and lightweight design which you can personalise with a great choice of stimulation and expression levels. This helps to generate a quicker milk flow.

Our mum tester, Clare, said: "This product makes your life easier as it is compact and so easy to take with you to work or to travel with. The fact that it is rechargeable also saves you money buying batteries in the long run. The pump is powerful, and you can adjust the settings to suit you and your own flow, so this makes pumping sessions quicker and more efficient. I like how easy it is to set the pump up and get going, along with how easy it is to clean and pack away when you are finished."

Read our full Philips Avent Single Electric Breast Pump review.

Pros

  • Gentle and comfortable breast shield that adapts to your nipple
  • Stylish and effective design

Cons

  • Could be quieter
Made from silicone 
‎Rechargeable
100 - 240  V
  • Eight stimulation and 16 expression levels
  • Rechargeable motor unit
  • Electric breast pump, power adapter, sealing disc, 125ml natural bottle and newborn teat, and a set of two disposable breast pads

Best double electric breast pump

It's never been easier to find the right breast pump, thanks to the Tommee Tippee range. Made for busy mums, the Tommee Tippee Made for Me Double  Electric Breast Pump is lightweight, slimline, and super quiet compared to others on the market. Plus, the double pump and rechargeable battery means you can express naturally and quickly wherever and whenever you choose. That being said, you can choose to use it as a single or double breast pump or switch between either breast with just the push of a button to make for a more comfortable experience.

Our mum tester, Leah, said: "I don't respond well to breast pumps normally and so using manual can become tiresome, and I give up. The electric made this so much easier as I could just sit and pretty much leave it to do its job, and it did well. It's also comfortable, which is good. It's easy to use, not complicated, which is great for me because I don't do well with things that take too much time to figure out when running around with 2 young children."

Read our full Tommee Tippee Made For Me Double Electric Breast Pump review.

Pros

  • Quiet, so could be used anywhere
  • Easy to use and quick to set up

Cons

  • It can be quite fiddly when trying to clean
Lightweight and slim
USB rechargeable power unit
90 minute battery capacity
  • Five massage and nine express settings
  • USB rechargeable with 90 minutes of runtime
  • Double electric breast pump and two Tommee Tippee bottles

Best for increasing milk supply

The Medela Swing Maxi is quite similar to the Medela Solo, but there's double the pumping with this double electric pump - for 18 per cent more milk with a higher energy content than expressing from each breast. With a built-in rechargeable battery with a fast charge, you get improved mobility from this breast pump, making it an ideal solution for active mothers who need to pump regularly and increase their milk supply.

Our mum tester, Pippa, said: "For me, with a big hungry baby, it has enabled me the opportunity to have a break or some much-needed sleep. Meaning I am better equipped to be the best mum I can be to both our children. It has also given my husband the ability to have some priceless bonding time with our new baby. Compared to others on the market, it is so easy to use, it takes the stress out of expressing."

Read our full Medela Swing Maxi Double Electric Breast Pump review.

Pros

  • Portable and lightweight for a double breast pump
  • Easy and comfortable to use

Cons

  • There's no digital display, so you'll have to get old-school if you want to track how long you've been pumping
Rechargeable
USB Type-C port
6 pumping sessions on one full charge
  • Nine two-phase suction levels
  • USB rechargeable with 1.5 hours of power on a full charge
  • Electric breast pump, two 150ml bottles with lids, two bottle stands, four PersonalFit Flex breast shields (two 21mm, two 24mm), and a USB cable and adapter

Best for timing your pump sessions

This Nuby Digital breast pump is designed to mimic your baby's feeding action and produce more milk in less time. The touchscreen makes it easy and intuitive to operate. The timer feature is super handy when it comes to timing how long you've been expressing. Our panel of mum testers loves the range of settings available as it made the experience more personal, allowing you to choose your own speed and the strength of suction. The silicone is soft and comfortable, and there's a super long lead, meaning you don't have to fix yourself next to a plug if you don't want to.

Our mum tester, Harriet, said: "This product makes my life easier as it's a really efficient breast pump but requires minimal effort on my part. Once the pump is set up, you just have to hold it on and press go. It's super easy to control speed and function. It also automatically switches from stimulation to expression if you haven't done so after a few minutes. The timer is great as you can easily keep track of how long you've been expressing. It's also convenient, and you can use the pump via mains power or battery."

Read our full Nuby Digital Breast Pump review.

Pros

  • Super quiet and discreet
  • Option to convert from a double to single breast pump

Cons

  • Cleaning can be time-consuming as there are a number of different parts to disassemble
Rechargeable
15 x 26.5 x 20 cm
Up to 3 hours of pumping
  • Nine stimulation and expression levels
  • Mains-powered or rechargeable battery with three hours runtime
  • Double electric breast pump, two Natural Touch 180ml bottles, two bottle cradles, UberDummy, and mains adapter plug

Best for tracking your pump sessions

The Lansinoh SmartPump 2.0 Double Electric Breast Pump is fully customisable with three pumping styles, eight suction levels, and two breast cushion sizes, and is said to be the quietest Lansinoh pump yet. Not to mention, it connects to the free Lansinoh Baby App that automatically tracks your pumping sessions, has a personalised dashboard, and makes the whole process easier to understand. The pump saves your previous pumping session, which saves time for when you're next expressing, whether that's at home or on the go.

Our mum tester, Samantha, said: "This breast pump is great! It was super easy to put together and not too many parts to take apart to clean, the pump itself is quiet and discreet, and I managed to express enough for a full feed in less than ten minutes each time which is a massive selling point for a busy mum of three like myself. I exclusively breastfeed, but the pump is great to have to hand to express milk for my partner to feed the baby and to ease pressure from any excess milk. The app is a great feature if you wish to track when you last expressed and when you need to express again, along with other really handy features."

Read our full Lansinoh Smartpump 2.0 Double Electric Breast Pump review.

Pros

  • Great for keeping track of your pumping sessions
  • Designed to customise and simplify your routine

Cons

  • Not very discreet
Batteries required 
27.9 x 24.8 x 19.7 cm
Dishwasher safe 
  • Three pumping styles and eight adjustable hospital-strength suction levels
  • Mains-powered or use six AA batteries (not included)
  • Double electric breast pump, two breast cushion sets in different sizes, two 160ml containers, tote bag, breastmilk cool bag and ice pack, Naturalwave slow flow teat, and connection attachments.

How to choose an electric breast pump

If you've decided an electric breast pump is best for pumping plus your needs and lifestyle, there are a number of things to consider before you buy:

Single or double breast pump

A double breast pump allows you to express milk from both breasts, which is handy if you're feeding twins or a premature baby or are juggling breastfeeding and working full-time. Recent scientific research suggests there are benefits to double pumping, as it stimulates additional milk ejection and has been found to stimulate prolactin levels. It means you pump a higher volume of milk, but the milk pumped has more fat and higher energy content for your little one. That said, most mums find that a single electric breast pump suits their needs just fine, and you can alternative its use on both breasts.

Power supply

You can find electric breast pumps that a battery-powered can be recharged via USB or need to be connected to a power supply during use. You can even find some that are 2-in-1. A battery-powered pump means you can move around while expressing milk, but one connected to a power source won't run the risk of running out of battery or charge. If you're prone to forgetting to charge electricals when they run out of juice, a mains-operated pump might be best.

Portability

Feeding into this, if you're after an electric breast pump you can use on the go, a battery-powered breast pump is a must. You'll also find some electric pumps are heavier than others. Choose a lighter, portable model that's practical for use on the move and compact in size to easily fit in your handbag.

Suction settings

Different pumps will have a range of settings to help you personalise your experience, as well as various control panels. Choose a pump that you feel will satisfy your suction needs - you'll need to experiment with the settings to find the right option for you - and that you think will be easiest to use. Expressing is much easier and far more efficient if you feel relaxed.

Noise

Electric pumps tend to be pretty noisy, which can be impractical if you're expressing while your baby is asleep nearby, feeding on the other breast, or when you're at work. However, this is improving with technology, and newer models are much quieter.

Do electric pumps get more milk?

An electric pump won't get more milk. But it will express your milk quicker compared to a manual breast pump. As a result, you can express and store more in the same amount of time. You may find that you pump more efficiently as it does most of the work.

Should I choose an electric or manual breast pump?

The best choice for you depends on several factors that are worth considering before you splash out on an electric breast pump:

Frequency: If you plan to use a breast pump infrequently, a manual breast pump is best for the price. An electric breast pump is a better investment for busy mums, twins, and premature or frequent feeding.

Portability: If you're looking for the best pump for portability, a manual breast pump is smaller and lighter, which makes it perfect for trips and casually pumping on the go.

Budget: While there is a variety in price for electric breast pumps, none are as affordable as a manual breast pump. Are you working on a tighter budget? A manual will do the trick and save you money. These pumps can cost as little as £15: the cheapest electric pumps on the market are around the £50 mark.

Milk supply: Electric breast pumps are super-efficient at expressing a high volume of milk in a short period of time. If you have a large milk supply and find your breasts become uncomfortable or need to feed twins, an electric breast pump will do the job more efficiently.

Lifestyle: Manual breast pumps are much more labour-intensive, so if you lead a busy lifestyle, an electric breast pump might be worth the investment. However, if you're planning to pump on the go and are looking for a more discreet option, a manual may be best.

How often should you use electric breast pump?

If you're pumping to increase milk production, breastfeed or pump at least 8 to 10 times in a 24-hour period. You can add an extra pump session in the morning or evening while increasing your supply. You can also pump immediately following a nursing session to fully empty your breasts.

When should you start using electric breast pump?

Most health professionals recommend that you focus on establishing your breastfeeding routine for at least 6 weeks before you introduce any kind of breast pump. However, some parents are advised by their midwife or lactation consultant to express in the first few weeks after birth due to breastfeeding difficulties. It's up to you which type of pump you use. Find what is most comfortable for you.

Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor and has been a writer for titles such as Mother&Baby and Yours. In her role, she has researched and recommended the best products for parents, from breast pumps to toys, nursery décor to car seats. She's also kept a keen eye on celeb mums and influencers to share what they've been using to help make parenting that little bit easier.

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