6 Best Hands-Free Breast Pumps, Tested & Reviewed
Who said you can't multitask while pumping?
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If you plan on breastfeeding your newborn, a hands-free breast pump can be a lifesaver. Not only do these wire-free breast pumps free up your hands so you can tackle some chores while multitasking, but their compact design makes them an excellent option to bring to the office or on the road. While hands-free breast pumps may not be totally silent or hidden, they’re a more discreet alternative to the average pump and don’t require you to hold the containers or pump while in use. Some models can be inserted directly into your bra or shirt, while others give you the freedom to wander around without being tethered to the wall or an external power source.
The parenting experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test all types of breast pumps and maternity gear, including nursing bras, hands-free pumping bras, maternity clothes and everything expecting parents could need or want. When choosing the best hands-free breast pumps on the market, our pros reviewed each pick for factors like ease of operation, comfort, effectiveness, design and battery life. We also reviewed feedback from our consumer tester panel, including real moms who reported their experience using some of the most popular pumps. Below you’ll find the best hands-free pumps of 2024 for days when you’re on the go or want to go wireless while still collecting milk.
Pros
- App is intuitive for adjusting intensity and monitoring milk levels
- Quieter than some other options
- Comfortable and discreet
Cons
- If pump isn't properly aligned, it won't work at all
There's something about the Elvie that moms simply adore. Aside from being wearable, hands-free, dishwasher-safe and electric, it's also comfortable and discreet. Our testers report that they could do three pumping sessions on a single charge and love how easy it is to use the Elvie app to adjust pumping intensity and monitor how much milk they've expressed. Thanks to its sleek design that's neither bulky nor heavy, you can easily wear this pump while walking around your house.
One thing to keep in mind is that if the pump isn't properly aligned, it won't work at all. You may end up wearing it for a few minutes before you notice that nothing is coming out because there is no notification in the app to alert you of misalignment. But the Elvie's motor is quieter than other options, which makes it fairly inconspicuous. One of our testers said, "Sometimes when I'm wearing it under my shirt I feel like it's obvious, but no one else can notice which is pretty cool."
| Weight | 7.9 oz. |
| Dimensions | 2.68" x 4.33" x 5.04" |
| Battery life | Approximately 2.5 hours |
| Milk capacity | 5 oz. per pump |
Pros
- No electricity required
- Can be used anywhere
- Valve helps control level of suction
Cons
- Better as a milk catcher than strong pump
- Sold separately instead of as a pair
Forgot to charge? This battery-free Elvie Curve doesn't require any electricity, apps, battery packs or other technology to get it up and running, making it great for road trips or anywhere you may find yourself off the beaten path. This manual option can be used at any time, and you'll never have to worry about a dead battery getting in the way of your pumping.
While this pump is better for milk catching than strong pumping, it provides gentle, natural suction that helps express milk. With a single press on the pouch, you can increase the natural suction, and it features a valve that controls the level of suction. It only holds up to four ounces of milk and can take a bit more time to get used to, but our testers love its flexibility. Plus, it's easy to clean since you can pop it right into the dishwasher. And unlike most other manual pumps, it can be worn directly in your bra.
| Weight | 4.23 oz. |
| Dimensions | 4.45" x 4.17" x 2.24" |
| Battery life | N/A |
| Milk capacity | 4 oz. |
Pros
- Top marks from testers for high-quality construction
- Sleek, slim design
- Variety of nipple shield sizes included
Cons
- Capacity may be less than 6 oz. according to testers
Pump anytime, anywhere with this hands-free breast pump that should comfortably fit inside your bra. At under $200, it costs significantly less than most other hands-free double electric wearable pumps. It features three pumping modes for effective expression and offers more than two hours of battery life. Testers gave it top marks for its high-quality construction, sleek design and being easy to put together, with one tester pointing out that its thinner design makes it less noticeable than other hands-free breast pumps when wearing.
Our pros also appreciate the built-in fullness sensor, which detects when the containers are full to prevent spilling as well as the various nipple shield sizes provided to ensure you have the right fit.
| Weight | 2.14 lbs. |
| Dimensions | 12" x 6" x 3” |
| Battery life | 2+ hours |
| Milk capacity | 6 oz. |
Pros
- 9 pumping levels
- HSA- and FSA-eligible
- USB charger compatible
Cons
- Higher pumping levels are quite loud
Pump efficiently and effectively with the HSA- and FSA-eligible Willow Go wearable pump that's as easy to clean as it is to use. Its dishwasher-safe parts make it a breeze to wash once finished, and we found it to be a valuable addition to any multitasking mom's arsenal. Our testers love how much the Go can hold, making it great for high producers: up to 7 ounces per side if you choose to purchase the larger containers separately. We particularly like the sleek design of the pump which features a clear front section so you can see how much milk you've accumulated.
The biggest draw for this pump are the nine exceptional pumping levels. "It's really nice to have the ability to adjust, and level nine is very high powered for a cordless pump," says mom Stefani Sassos, Good Housekeeping's Director of the Nutrition Lab. While the higher pumping levels can get a bit loud and the app doesn't do quite as much as some of the others (it only really tells you how long you've been pumping and the suction level you're using), this is a good option for the on-the-go mom since it's one of the least obvious under your clothes and it can be used with any USB charger.
RELATED: Our Step-by-Step Guide on How to Get a Breast Pump Through Insurance
| Weight | 13.6 oz. |
| Dimensions | 5.3" x 4.7" x 3.15" |
| Battery life | Approximately 1.25 hours |
| Milk capacity | 5 or 7 oz. per pump |
Pros
- Carry bag and additional accessories included
- Achieves great output with strong suction
Cons
- Not entirely wire-free
Medela's Pump in Style delivers a lot of power through a small battery pack. This double electric pump uses two-phase expression technology to mimic natural breastfeeding patterns to increase milk extraction in less time. Our testers particularly loved how easy it was to clean this pump and noted that it achieves some of the best output compared to similar Medela models. The MaxFlow micro-vibrations and strong motor help increase efficiency and testers love that it's comfortable, has strong suction and is fuss-free to position so you can get milk flow started quickly.
The pump also comes as a complete kit featuring a portable pump setup, bag, ice pack, bottles and other accessories — and everything packs easily into the shoulder bag for traveling or commuting. One thing to keep in mind is that this pump is not wire-free; it uses an external battery pack to power up and is only hands-free when used alongside a pumping bra. For a completely hands-free breast pump, consider the Medela Freestyle Hands-Free.
| Weight | 1 lb. |
| Dimensions | 13.14" x 6.13" x 9.08" |
| Battery life | Approximately 2 hours |
| Milk capacity | 5 oz. per pump |
Pros
- Features an automatic shutoff timer
- Can purchase different inserts to adjust flange size
- Quiet
Cons
- Battery can drain quickly
This pump packs a big punch, and uses an external motor to keep it going (no phone access required). The external pump can easily be clipped onto your waistband and features a programmable sleep timer for automatic shutoff. It also uses some handy noise reduction tech, so it's as quiet and discreet as possible. The Freemie may look small, but each cup can hold up to eight ounces of milk.
Unlike other similar hands-free pumps, the Freemie Liberty II doesn't use an app to control your pumping process but instead has an external motor with an LCD screen that displays all your important pumping information. This way, you won't have to worry about depleting your phone battery. Although the brand notes this pump has a reasonable battery life of 2.5 hours, online reviewers found that the battery can drain pretty quickly. If it's not fitting right — which you'll recognize if you experience any pain, your nipple is not centered in the tube or you're unable to express all your milk — you can purchase one of the 12 different sized FitMie inserts that help adjust the flange size.
| Weight | 8 oz. |
| Dimensions | 7.6" x 7.36" x 6.38" |
| Battery life | Approximately 2.5 hours |
| Milk capacity | 8 oz. per pump |
How we test hands-free breast pumps
The Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab tests everything new parents need to help welcome your new baby, including bottle warmers, nursing bras and baby formula. To decide on our recommendations, we query new moms on our consumer testing panel about their experiences, do rigorous testing in our Lab and at home, and spend hours reading through dozens of five-star reviews online to help surface the best products you can buy.
For each pump, we consider comfort, ease of use and additional benefits, including how difficult it is to disassemble, wash, transport and store. We also factored in how easy it was to transfer the milk from the pump to a bottle without spillage. Our parenting product experts have tested most of the pumps on this list — in fact, one of our lead testers has personally pumped for over 1,000 hours among her three kids over the past five years.
What to look for when shopping for a hands-free breast pump
There are a few important things to consider when you're picking out the right hands-free pump for you:
✔️ Comfort: Ensuring that your pump fits properly, maintains a strong suction and extracts milk painlessly will make all the difference in your pumping sessions. Many pumps come with flanges, also called shields, in different sizes (24mm is usually considered standard) that allow you to find the right one to fit your nipple. If you're new to pumping, it's smart to get at least two breast flange sizes if you're uncertain which will fit best, in advance of baby's arrival. Flanges are measured in millimeters, so take the metric side of a ruler and measure the width across the base of your nipple (not counting the areola) to find your ideal size. Remember to round up a few millimeters since you don't want any discomfort or rubbing. Some pumps, like the Willow, have a nipple sizing guide to make sure you're using the right one.
✔️ Effectiveness: Aside from selecting a pump that makes multitasking more manageable, you'll want to find one that expresses all of your milk in a quick, efficient manner. Opt for one with strong suction and a variety of settings to choose from so you can experiment to determine which is the most comfortable and effective. Also look for a let-down mode, which is a lighter, quieter setting that helps get your milk ready to flow at the start of pumping.
✔️ Purpose: If you're looking for something that you can get away with wearing out and about, choose a quieter, smaller product. While some of the bulkier pumps can clearly be seen through your shirt, they're still comfortable and convenient for wearing around the house.
✔️ Ease of use: Take into account how easy it is to clean and assemble the pump before and after each use as well as how easily the milk pours into bottles for use or storage. You'll want a pump that is user-friendly and doesn't take too much of a learning curve to work accurately, especially if it comes with an app.
How to get a breast pump through insurance
Before purchasing a breast pump, double-check whether your health insurance provider covers any by visiting their website or calling them. The Affordable Care Act has required most insurance plans to cover the cost of a breast pump, but each provider implements the coverage in its own way. Read our guide on how to get a breast pump through insurance for more tips.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything a new parent needs, including hands-free breast pumps.
This article was originally written by Jamie Spain, a former writer and product analyst who has reviewed many parenting products for Good Housekeeping, as well as BuzzFeed and People. Jamie worked closely with lead testers and real-life moms Rachel Rothman and Stefani Sassos to conduct the research for this article. For more than 15 years, Rachel put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about parenting products for the GH Institute. To this day, mom of two Stefani uses her knowledge as a nutritionist to test and evaluate content on healthy living and has personally tested many of the parenting products GH recommends.
This story was most recently updated by GH Institute writer & analyst Olivia Lipski, who covers everything from tech to travel, fitness, home and more.
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