7 Best Wearable Breast Pumps of 2023

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Plus, tips from lactation consultants on what to look for when shopping for hands-free breast pumps.

Pumping breastmilk remains one the most time-consuming and monotonous tasks of early parenthood. Does squeezing out ounce after ounce (if you're one of the lucky ones) in a rocking chair while binge-watching movies on Netflix sound like your worst nightmare? You may want to consider a hands-free breast pump, which will allow for more freedom of movement. But what are the best wearable breast pumps, and what should you be looking for when shopping?

First of all, what is a wearable breast pump? "Wearable breast pumps fit inside with a bra or tank, which enables a person to be hands-free and mobile," says Katie Kennedy, RN, IBCLC at Pediatric Associates of the Northwest. "They are designed to be quiet, discreet, and convenient. For these reasons, they work well in public, work, and travel settings. Some versions have fancy technology features that connect to a smart phone to track suction levels, battery charge, and volume of milk expressed."

Hands-free breast pumps are an ideal supplemental tool for breastfeeding mothers, especially those who tend to be on the go. To create our list of the top wearable breast pumps, we considered expert recommendations, first-person feedback, and online user reviews. Check with your insurance company before purchasing — not all of these will be fully covered by every plan.

For more of the best products for expecting or new parents, check out our top shopping guides:

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The Elvie is an MVP when it comes to a discreet breast pump with smart technology. This model weighs under one pound(!) and purports to be the quietest wearable pump on the market. User reports back this up; many women claim they've pumped around people who had no idea because the cups are slim and the machine is silent.

Willow is one of the original pioneers when it comes to hands-free pumping. This model comes with 15 levels of adjustable suction, so you can customize your experience. Users rave that the Go is "life-changing" and makes them feel like a human again. While it does come with an app that helps track milk supply, reviewers agree that it's due for some upgrades.

Momcozy wins on battery life. This pump can run for up to three hours! Amazon reviewers love this product, with some even reporting that it increased their milk supply when they were on the verge of quitting breastfeeding.

If you're looking for a pump you can wear during Zoom calls, TSRETE is probably not for you. If you're just bopping around the house folding laundry, who cares that these cups come with lil' motors at the top? Reviewers love this model for its reasonable price and efficiency. The fact that the motor isn't built in to look like a part of the cup might even make it more effective.

Legendairy Milk's latest model, which also comes with motors at the top, has been praised for its comfort and ease of use. Again, this is not the greatest model if you don't want to let people know you're pumping, but it's ideal for the price and users report amazing results.

Medela has produced some of the most beloved stationary breast pumps available, and users seem to really like the brand's new(ish) Freestyle model. While the overall item weight is a little over two pounds, each cup comes in at under three ounces — that's about the weight of a deck of cards. Many reviewers say they started with a more expensive pump and ended up loving this one much more.

This pump has earned positive reviews for its three memory settings, USB-compatible charger, and impressive capacity. Each breast cup can hold up to eight ounces — that's a full bottle! Unlike Elvie and Willow's models, Freemie's Liberty II has an external handheld motor connected to the collection cups with tubes. This might be a dealbreaker for some!

"First and foremost, breastfeeding parents shopping for wearable breast pumps should consider comfort," says Jessica Madden, MD, FAAP, IBCLC, medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps. "If a wearable breast pump does not fit you correctly, this can cause issues with the amount of breast milk ultimately pumped, as well as pain and discomfort. Next, it’s important to consider cost, noise level, and the desired volume of milk to be collected."

"Buyers should should look for good suction and a variety of different flange sizes," says Laura Howells, lactation consultant, postpartum doula, and founder of Woven Lactation. "Some hands free pumps have a motor that has to be worn on your belt, others have the motor on the part that fits into the bra. It's also worth considering if they require special bags which can get expensive or if you can pump directly into the reservoir and decant at the end of the pumping session."

After over a decade as a digital editor, Maggie Panos is navigating freelance writing and full-time parenting. She covered entertainment for POPSUGAR from New York and San Francisco before setting down roots in tree-covered Portland and focusing on local journalism. A self-proclaimed "okay baker", Maggie is interested in all things lifestyle — especially if those things involve Bravolebrities.

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