Pumping Made Easier: My Favorite Wearable Breast Pumps as a Mom of 2

Capacity: 5 oz | Flanges: 24 mm and 28 mm breast shields in the box, 21 mm and nipple cushions also available | Intensity settings: 7 | Noise: 1/5 (whisper quiet) | App: Yes | Battery life: 2.5 hours per the brand, depending on intensity setting | Cost per pump: $299.99

The Elvie was the first wearable breast pump I tried, and I used it postpartum with both of my children. The fact that it's the wearable pump I have used the longest may be why I am partial to it. Still, nothing seems to compare in terms of one thing, and honestly, the most important thing to me: It's whisper quiet, one of the reasons it won a 2023 GH Parenting Award.

If you've used a regular pump, the loud sound is just not pleasant and can be a bit traumatizing. The fact that the Elvie is so quiet is the real game changer here, and it also has a thinner, more discreet profile than other wearables I have tried. Anytime I have used it in public people haven't noticed until I told them. You can't do cartwheels in it but I can pump and do some basic household tasks or sit and play with my toddler while I pump. It also has a little indicator light which you can dim or turn off, which is helpful when out in public so it doesn't shine through your shirt.

I find it pretty easy to put together, and compared to other wearables and other regular pumps, it has fewer parts that I find straightforward to clean and sterilize. I have seen some reviews online saying it has too many parts, but I'm not quite sure what they are comparing this to. Compared to the Willow Go for instance, it has around the same number of parts but the Elvie's parts are more compact.

The app is easy to navigate and essentially is just a timer, with the added bonus of letting you know how much milk is in the container. I have had issues with the amount of milk that the app estimates is in the container, though it has accurately paused when the container was full for me several times to prevent it from overflowing. The bottle itself only holds five ounces, which is standard for a wearable pump but competitors now offer options for even larger containers. Different nipple inserts are available to customize the pump to your needs, though I found the standard size worked for me.

My biggest issue with the Elvie is the battery life — it doesn't hold a long charge, especially if you need to pump for 20 minutes or so at the highest intensity setting. It typically would only last me about two pumping sessions, so keep this in mind and be diligent about charging it. The other issue is that you really need the app to work the pump optimally. You can turn it on and off from the device itself, but to change modes (stimulation to expression) and see the amount of time you have pumped, you need the app. In general, I'm not sure how I feel about these wearables being connected to an app but the convenience is helpful and it will keep track of your pumping sessions which is neat.

The Elvie comes at a steep price but is HSA/FSA reimbursable (as are most pumps). Overall, it's a quality choice that is quiet, discreet and easy to use. It's definitely made pumping a more enjoyable experience for me. Other moms I have spoken to have positive things to say about it as well, with one noting that it was a lifesaver for business trips since she could comfortably pump in the car.

Capacity: 6 oz included (7 oz available) | Flanges: 25 mm breast shield and 17 mm and 21 mm breast shield inserts included | Intensity settings: 9 | Noise: 4/5 (fairly loud for a wearable) | App: No | Battery life: Over 2 hours, per the brand | Cost per pump: $100

I tested the Zomee Fit for our Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards last year. Since I had just given birth to our son, it was perfect timing and I got a ton of use out of it. This wearable is significantly better priced than the Elvie and others on the market, so I was skeptical to see what features it may be missing. The Zomee quickly became my new go-to because of one simple thing — the exceptional battery life! If I pumped with this every morning, I could have a charge well through the whole week. When my other wearable pump died, the Zomee was my tried-and-true backup and quickly became a regular go-to.

At first glance, the Zomee looks less sophisticated than other models, almost robotic. It's not the sleekest design, but I very soon came to appreciate that all of the controls are on the device itself, making it easy to use and without any app needed. This is a great option if you want to avoid wearables that require Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The timer is right on the pump, so you can see how long you have been pumping and the battery status so you know when it is time to charge it. It's also quite powerful for a wearable and has a larger container than most wearable pumps, making it a bit clunkier and louder than others. I noticed this could help me pump more milk in the same amount of time since it's pretty powerful for a wearable.

My biggest issue was in the beginning of my pumping experience when I had a large milk supply, I would overflow the pump frequently and it would not pause or automatically turn off even though it is supposed to have a sensor. That overflow would cause a tremendous mess. This problem soon disappeared as my supply went down over time, and I wonder if I just had a faulty pump sensor. But overall, I highly recommend the Zomee especially for the price — I grew to love it and it was a reliable option for me when pumping at home or work.

Capacity: 5 oz included (7 oz available) | Flanges: 21 mm and 24 mm included | Intensity Settings: 15 (280 mmHG) | Noise: 4/5 (relatively loud for a wearable) | App: Yes | Battery life: Up to three sessions, per the brand | Cost per pump: $174.99

The Willow wearable pump has a lot going for it, which is why it's so popular among many of my mom friends. For starters, the front of the pump is completely clear. This is such a useful feature so you can easily take a peek to make sure that milk is actually coming out of the pump and that it is positioned properly. The amount of times I have sat pumping for 20 minutes only to realize that the pump wasn't properly positioned was devastating, so being able to easily look down at this container is a game changer. It's not as easy to align as the Elvie, but it is more affordable.

You can operate the pump by itself since the controls are all directly on the device, or use the app if that is your preference (though the app itself can be improved). Like most breast pump apps, I found discrepancies between what I pumped and what the app said, but nothing too major. I did not use this early on in my pumping journey so I didn't have overflow issues with it and can't comment on whether or not the overflow sensor truly works. But I do appreciate that the brand sells a larger container so if you have a large supply it can keep up.

This is probably one of the strongest wearable breast pumps I've used, and it generated a bit more milk in the same time during a pumping session than others. If that's the most important thing to you (as it is to most moms), then this choice is a no-brainer. However, this pump can be challenging to align your nipple, and I feel it is more suitable for individuals with a pointier breast/nipple. Every part has to be placed perfectly for the pump to work. It does has a convenient spout that the milk can pour out of; just be careful not to be too mobile while wearing the pump or milk may spill out.

The higher power also comes with more sound — this Willow pump is quiet on lower levels but gets very loud on its most powerful setting. It also feels much larger than other wearable pumps and is not discreet. Note that the charging port is covered by one of the parts, so you must remove a piece to plug it in, which is frustrating. All this being said, I still feel this is a solid offering and has been durable for me over time.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Willow Wearable Breast Pump

Capacity: 6 oz | Flanges: 24 mm breast shields and inserts for 15 mm, 17 mm, 19 mm, 21 mm included, others available | Intensity settings: 9 (280 mmHg) | Noise: 2/5 (relatively quiet) | App: No | Battery life: 90 minutes, according to the brand | Price per pump: $199

I've only been testing the Aura Glow for a few weeks, but it has some special features that make it a standout. The most unique feature is that it has a built-in nightlight with adjustable brightness levels. If you're pumping overnight, that can be a huge game-changer (I've had many evenings trying to awkwardly maneuver the flashlight on my phone to see if any milk is being pumped, so this was a welcome feature).

This model also has a cluster-feeding mode which can be especially helpful in the early stages of pumping to mimic a baby's cluster-feeding pattern. And it's relatively compact which means it isn't as noticeable when pumping in public.

I've found the milk spout cover helpful, as well as the fact that the pump can be controlled without an app (the timer on the device is especially helpful). It's pretty powerful for a wearable and the battery feels on par to other wearables (it can last a few sessions). Some minor pet peeves include having to disassemble the pump to charge it, and some of the parts can be finicky to get into place.