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Best Wearable Breast Pumps of 2025, According to Experts and Parents
Best Wearable Breast Pumps of 2025, According to Experts and Parents

Wearable breast pumps are changing the experience of pumping milk for your baby. While not perfect, they’ve turned what used to be a task you’d have to do sitting down tethered to the wall into something you can knock out while changing a diaper, cleaning up dinner or working at your laptop.

After testing multiple wearables, talking with lactation experts and considering feedback from thousands of parents, we recommend the Willow Go as the best wearable breast pump for most pumpers. It outperforms the competition and offers value, efficiency and customization options to maximize on-the-go pumping sessions.

We know everyone responds differently to a breast pump, especially a wearable. For more options, we’ve included four additional picks across categories like the best affordable wearable pump, the most discreet and more.

Why Trust Babylist?

Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands annually via our Best Baby Products online survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.

  • Firsthand professional and personal experience. I’ve used a small army of breast pumps over the years, including multiple wearables. As a mom of two, I’ve pumped for a total of four years and exclusively pumped for two of those years. I used several wearable pumps along the way, and I drew on those experiences to choose my top picks for this guide. I’ve also reviewed and tested a host of wearables in my role as Babylist’s gear editor and written extensively about nursing and pumping.

  • Expert POV. I spoke to several lactation experts in my research for this guide. Dianna Dixon, CLC, DPA, CBS is a certified lactation counselor and founder of Pump With Purpose. Tamari Jacob, founder of One with the Pump, is also a certified lactation counselor. I also interviewed Emily Spaeth, a physical therapist and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and founder of Be Well Baby PDX.

  • Breast pump data. I regularly analyze which baby products our users are adding to their baby registries the most (and which ones they aren’t) and what our team of Merchandising experts—our buyers who are responsible for ensuring the Babylist Shop is stocked with the best and newest gear—is excited about. Studying this kind of data helped us choose the best wearable breast pumps to narrow in on and which ones to recommend to new and expecting parents.

  • Feedback and reviews. I reviewed comments and feedback from Babylist’s annual product survey of thousands of Babylist parents, read customer reviews from hundreds of Babylist users and spoke to parents on our Babylist staff about their real-life product experiences.

How We Judged Wearable Pumps

Suction and efficiency
Everyone responds to a breast pump differently, especially wearables. Our top picks performed the best across the board in removing milk effectively and efficiently according to our tests, experts and Babylist parents.
Fit
How a wearable breast pump fits—both against your breast and in your bra—is important for performance and aesthetics, so our top choices prioritized these two factors.
Ease of use
There’s a learning curve with most wearable breast pumps. We chose wearables that were easier to operate and maintain than most.
Price
Insurance will pay for a pump in most cases, but some plans don’t cover wearables and many pumpers choose to purchase a wearable breast pump as a secondary option. We wanted to be mindful of this when making our top picks.

The Best Wearable Breast Pumps

Best Wearable Breast Pump Overall

Willow Go Wearable Hands-Free, Cord-Free Electric Breast Pump - Double

From $349.99
Buy
Buy

Pros

  • Hands-free and wireless
  • More affordable than many similar wearables
  • Not (too) bulky under clothing

Cons

  • 45º of mobility (milk spills out the top if you lean over too far)
  • Heavy

The Go was the second pump released by Willow, an innovator in the world of wearable breast pumps. (Their Willow 360 is their original pump that started it all.) And while it lacks a few features compared to the 360, it more than makes up for them in functionality, ease of use and value—and it’s the best-performing wearable I’ve ever used.

Convenience and performance are two of the best things about the Go, both in my opinion and according to many parents we polled in our Best Baby Products survey. “[The Willow Go] absolutely made my pumping journey so much easier and has made it so that we are still going strong,” one parent told us. “Game changer” is another popular user comment. That’s because while the Go may not perform quite as well for some pumpers as a traditional pump like the Spectra might (you can read more about the whys behind that below), it makes the often arduous task of pumping so much easier—and that’s a really big deal. The Go is compact enough to toss into a small tote and be on your way. While it’s not completely discreet, it slips into your bra and makes it possible to pump out in public or on a Zoom call without most folks even realizing what’s going on under your shirt.

While there is a learning curve with any wearable, I went from popping the Willow Go out of its box to pumping milk in under 10 minutes or so the first time I used it. Nipple alignment—which I struggled with when using other wearables in the past—was surprisingly easy. (Nipple alignment can be tough with wearables because, unlike when you’re pumping a traditional flange, you can’t see what you’re doing. And it’s important because properly aligned nipples equal a tight seal between you and the pump and ensure good suction for maximum milk output.)

I also appreciate the pump’s numerous and easy-to-operate controls. There are two modes, stimulation (mimicking baby’s quick, short sucks to trigger milk flow, called letdown) and expression (stronger, longer pulls to extract milk), and nine different suction strengths, so you can customize what works best for you. Like many pumpers, I did have to pump longer with the Go than with my primary pump, the Spectra S1, to get the same—or maybe even a bit less—amount of milk. But out of all the wearables I tried, it was by far the most efficient. It was clutch when I needed to pump on a plane, at a work event or in my car. I also liked the reusable storage containers rather than dealing with disposable bags.

If you’re comparing the Go to the 360, know that the main difference is you can’t be quite as mobile—the 360 is leak-proof at any angle, while the Go has 45º of mobility. (This was not a big deal to me, though.) The suction pattern on the two pumps is slightly different, and the 360 has two parts per pump to clean versus the Go’s five. You can check Willow’s comparison chart for a head-to-head matchup of the two pumps.

Additional Specs

  • What’s Included: 2 pumps and flanges (24mm), 2 breast milk storage container bowls (5 oz), 2 breast milk storage container backs, 2 diaphragms, 2 duckbill valves, USB charging cable (power adapter not included

  • Dimensions: 5.3”H x 4.7”W x 3.15”D

  • Weight: 0.84 lbs

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Most Discreet Wearable Breast Pump

Elvie Hands-Free, Wearable Electric Breast Pump - Double

From $494.99
Buy
Buy

Pros

  • Super lightweight & slim
  • Ultra quiet
  • Guide lines ensure a comfortable & secure fit

Cons

  • App’s milk volume tracking often inaccurate
  • Bluetooth connection (connecting pump to phone app) can be spotty
  • Spills out the top easily if you’re leaning

Lighter, sleeker and quieter than the Willow Go, the Elvie is the most discreet wearable pump on the market. It's a good choice if you’ll frequently be pumping in public or an office setting and hope to do so without most people noticing.

The Elvie is slim and quiet. It comes in at around 32 decibels, the quietest pump on our best-of list. (You can watch a cool video comparing the decibel level of the Elvie to that of other breast pumps, but keep in mind that they picked some of the louder pumps on the market.) If you’re using it in a space with even a minimum amount of noise, like hushed talking or the sounds of a quiet office, it’s barely audible, a feature many pumpers appreciate. “It’s very discreet and makes little sound…so you’re not confined in a room for 15-20 minutes at a stretch multiple times a day,” one pumper shared in the Best Baby Products survey.

Like other high-end wearables, the Elvie has a multitude of settings (stimulation and expression mode + seven suction strengths) for comfort and output efficiency and uses reusable bottles instead of disposable bags. You don’t have to toggle manually between stimulation and expression mode with the Elvie—the pump detects your letdown and does it for you, a feature I really like. There’s also an app that helps you track milk volume and pump history, although many pumpers report the volume-tracking feature isn’t accurate and the connection can be spotty. The milk tracking bug can get frustrating since it’s not as easy to look down to check your milk volume as you would with a traditional pump.

There are five parts to clean for each pump, which is on the higher side but not far off from many more traditional pumps. Users also report the pump can be finicky and lose suction if all the pieces aren’t completely dry or perfectly aligned. And while you can move around fairly well while pumping, you need to stay upright; the pump will leak if you bend over.

Additional Specs

  • What’s Included: 2 breast pump units, 2 breast shields (24mm), 2 breast shields (28mm), 4 bottles (5 oz), 4 storage lids, 4 seals, 4 valves, 4 spouts, 1 carry bags, 4 bra adjusters, 2 USB charging cables

  • Dimensions: 5” x 4.3” x 2.7”

  • Weight: .46 lbs

Best Affordable Wearable

Momcozy M5 All-In-One Breast Pump - Double

From $199.99
Buy
Buy

Pros

  • More affordable than other wearable pumps
  • Long battery life (5-6 pumping sessions)
  • Vibration setting

Cons

  • Very bulky (not subtle under clothing)
  • Can be tricky to reassemble after washing
  • Some users experience inconsistent suction and issues with motor

Until a few years ago, a wearable breast pump would cost you a minimum of $300-400. That’s beginning to change, and the M5 is the best option of these lower-priced wearables. It’s a good choice if you don’t have a huge budget or aren’t sure how often you’ll use or how you’ll respond to a wearable pump.

Like all wearables, pumpers rave about the freedom the M5 provides. “I hated being connected to a wall and loved the mobility,” one pumping parent told us, while another said the M5 allowed her to “leave the house and be out and about,” and without it she “wouldn’t be able to dedicate [herself] to exclusively pumping” for her baby.

Unlike some of Momcozy's wearables where the motor sits on the top exterior portion of the cups, the M5's motors are built right into each pump. (You'll pay slightly more for this feature, but it helps make pumping more discreet.) I like the clear cups for visibility—it's easier to see how much milk you've collected than with some other wearables—and the angle of the flange mimics baby's sucking angle. And speaking of flanges, the M5 comes with three different sizes of flange inserts so you can find a custom fit without having to order anything separately.

If you’re comparing the M5 to other more expensive wearables, know that it holds slightly less milk and is more prone to leaks. Some pumpers also report that the pump stops working properly (the most common complaints are that one of the motors starts to lose suction and that the battery is inconsistent), but that isn’t the case for all users.

Additional Specs

  • What’s Included: 2 silicone flanges (24mm); 2 flange inserts (21mm); 2 flange inserts (19mm); 2 flange inserts (17mm); 2 silicone diaphragms; 2 pump motors; 2 USB Type-C cables; 2 valves; 2 milk collectors; 2 flange covers; 2 user manuals; 2 quick start guides; 2 flange size rulers

  • Dimensions: 5.05” x 4.6” x 2.9”

  • Weight: 1 lb

Best Portable Breast Pump

BabyBuddha 2.0 Double Electric Breast Pump Kit

From $189.99
Buy
Buy

Pros

  • Super compact (smaller than a smartphone) + high-powered motor
  • Weighs just half a pound
  • Includes silicone breast shield inserts for extra comfort

Cons

  • Loud
  • Short battery life
  • New, lower suction still too strong for some

A portable pump is a cross between a traditional pump and a wearable. It’s hands-free, but not cord-free—you’ll still need to run tubing from the pump to your flanges. But the motors on most portables are strong and the pumps weigh a fraction of most full-size pumps, so they’re exactly what their name implies: portable. And unlike a wearable pump, you can use one as your primary pump without worrying about output issues.

The BabyBuddha weighs just half a pound, so it’s small enough to wear around your neck or slip into your pocket. The tubing is pretty universal. While not officially condoned by the brand, they devote an entire page to component hacks to show you how to pair it with all different flanges, collection cups and bottles—meaning you can find the combo that works best for you.

While this pump is small, it’s extremely mighty. It has stimulation and expression modes with multiple levels. And the motor is strong. At the highest setting, it’s 320mmHg; the Spectra S1’s max is 270mmHg. (An abbreviation for millimeters of mercury, mmHg is a measurement of pressure and the standard unit of measurement for a breast pump’s suction level.) Pumpers consistently note how efficient it makes pumping sessions and how well the pump empties their breasts.

But what some see as a pro, others see as a con—many found the original BabyBuddha too strong, myself included. I loved the pump’s size and portability, but even on the lowest setting found that the pump was simply too uncomfortable for me. This 2.0 version tackles this issue, adding a Soft Stimulation mode with six levels to offer more variety and improved comfort. Other flaws include volume (it’s pretty loud when compared to other similarly sized pumps) and a short battery life.

Additional Specs

  • What’s Included: Pump, 2 x 24mm flanges, 2 sets of duckbill valves, 1 pair of silicone diaphragms, 2 bottles, 2 bottle bases, 2 bottle storage caps, 2 bottle hygiene covers, 2 pump covers, 3 detachable tubes and T-connector, USB charging cable, detachable lanyard, carrying tote

  • Dimensions: 5.5” x 2” x 2”

  • Weight: 0.5 lbs

Best Collection Cups

Legendairy Milk Silicone Collection Cups

From $59.99
Buy
Buy

Pros

  • Comfortable silicone cups
  • Compatible with a wide range of pumps
  • Holds up to 8 oz each

Cons

  • May not yield as much milk as traditional flanges
  • Somewhat bulky (may not fit in your bra)
  • Can spill if you lean over too far

Paired with a portable breast pump, collection cups can help you make your pumping session more discreet and offer a more affordable alternative to a wearable breast pump. (You can also use collection cups with a full-size pump, like the Spectra, if you find them more comfortable than traditional flanges.)

Legendairy Milk’s cups feature a breast shield made from food-grade silicone, which some pumpers prefer to a plastic flange. The cups hold eight ounces each and are compatible with a variety of popular pumps, including Spectra, Evenflo, Ameda, Medela and Lansinoh. (There's a "compatibility" section on the product page where you see the full list.) They also come with two flange sizes, so you can choose what works for you. I like the finger grips on the sides; they help you keep a tight hold of the cups to prevent spilling when you pour your milk from the built-in spout.

These cups take a bit of practice to assemble, and there are a lot of parts to clean when you’re done. You’ll need to stay mostly upright while pumping with these to prevent spillage. (A slight lean forward is fine, though.) Keep in mind that similar to wearable pumps, many pumpers report they don’t get quite the same output when using collection cups rather than traditional flanges, something you’ll want to consider if you’re an exclusive pumper or pumping more than once or twice a day and hoping to achieve a certain volume of milk output.

Additional Specs

  • What’s Included: 2 x 8 oz / 240ml Cups, Y-shape tubing, 2 x Membrane Caps, 4 x Silicone Breast Shields (pair of 24 mm and 28 mm), 2 x Valve Bases, 4 x Duckbill Valves, 2 x Tubing Adapter A, 2 x Tubing Adapter B

  • Cup Capacity: 8 oz per cup

Wearable Breast Pumps: What You Need to Know

A breast pump’s purpose might be intuitive, but using one is not. Wearable breast pumps add an extra layer of confusion for most pumpers. Knowing your way around wearable breast pumps and understanding when and how to use one can be key to a successful pumping experience.

What is a wearable breast pump

A wearable breast pump is a hands-free, tube-free, wireless and completely portable breast pump that you can wear right in your nursing bra or pumping bra.

Most wearable pumps consist of a few parts:

  • A motor is housed either inside the main body of the pump or as a separate piece that you clip into the top.

  • Flanges, also called breast shields. These are funnel-shaped parts that go around your nipple and areola and cup your breast while pumping milk.

  • Valves are small, flexible parts that stretch and release each time your breast pump suctions, helping to draw out milk.

  • Membranes attach to valves and act as a barrier between the pump’s tubing and your milk.

  • Collection cups or breast milk collection bags to hold your milk as you pump.

Wearables are more discreet than traditional pumps. It will vary by brand, but because of their slimmer profile and since there are no bottles protruding from the flanges, wearable pumps are a lot less noticeable than traditional pumps. In most cases, you’ll be able to slip your wearable into your bra without taking off or even pulling up your shirt.

Most wearable breast pumps allow you to move around fairly freely while pumping, but there are varying degrees of mobility depending on which brand of wearable pump you’re using. “You’ll always be aware that you are pumping,” says Jacob. “But wearable pumps give you the best chance of keeping your pump in place and not spilling milk while you’re doing other things.”

Wearable pumps versus portable breast pumps

Wearable pumps and portable pumps both offer less bulk and increased portability over more traditional breast pumps; however, they aren’t the same thing.

Wearable pumps are truly hands-free and cord-free. Everything you need to pump—the motor and battery, the flanges, the bag or container that collects the milk—is built right into a wearable pump. Because of this, there are no exterior tubes, wires or collection bottles needed.

Portable pumps are a cross between a traditional pump and a wearable pump. Portable pumps take the body of a traditional pump (think a Spectra or a Medela, for example) and shrink it down to a smaller, more compact size. If you’re pumping with a portable, you’ll still need to run tubing from the pump to your flanges. To collect the pumped milk, you can use either standard breast milk collection bottles or collection cups (a wearable milk collection insert) for extra portability.

Portable breast pumps are also much lighter than an average breast pump. Whereas a traditional pump may weigh around two to three pounds, many portables are weighed in ounces—anywhere from a few ounces for some of the smallest to about 10-12 ounces for larger portables.

It’s important to note that not all portable pumps are created equally. Each brand has different suction strengths and suction patterns, so you’ll want to research as much as possible before purchasing.

Do wearable breast pumps work?

Wearable breast pumps have transformed how, when and where pumping parents can express milk for their babies. Most wearable pumps do work and are a great option for many people. But—and this is a big but—they do have some limitations that are important to learn about before you start using one.

“Wearable pumps should be considered secondary pumps,” explains Jacob. “None of them should be used 100% of the time.”

That’s because wearables don’t fully empty your breasts as well as traditional breast pumps do. Breast milk production works on supply and demand. If you’re not fully emptying your breasts at every pumping session, you’re signaling to your body to make less milk—and that can cause a dip in supply over time, something Jacob warns that most pumping people simply aren’t aware of.

“I have people come to me and say they want to use a wearable all the time, as their primary pump,” says Jacob. “But if you do this, you’re going to lose supply,” she cautions. “Wearables should be used once or twice a day, and never for your morning or night pump,” she says. “If you’re an exclusive pumper or someone who pumps more than three times a day, you still need a primary pump.”

Dixon echoes this advice. “Wearable pumps should only be used occasionally,” she says. “If [they’re] not emptying your breasts effectively and efficiently, the milk that’s left behind is going to tell your body that you don't need it,” which can lead to a dip in supply. 

The experts we spoke to also mentioned fit as a potential issue with wearable breast pumps, especially if you have a large chest. “I tend to steer people away from hands-free wearables, especially larger-breasted pumpers, because they tend not to fit very well,” Spaeth explains. A wearable can compress the chest, which may limit some areas of the breast from fully emptying, she says.

And while wearable breast pumps are much more portable than traditional pumps, most wearables do have limitations on what you’ll be able to do while pumping. “Just understand that what pump brands put out is an advertisement. There aren’t a lot of people who are going to pump and attempt to do yoga. Adjust your expectations,” she says.

How to Choose a Wearable Breast Pump

Like many things when it comes to parenting, what works for one person may not work for another. Figuring out if a wearable breast pump is worthwhile for you will depend on your particular circumstances and personal preferences. Here’s how to think through your decision.

Adjust your expectations

All of the experts we spoke to reiterated the same message about wearable pumps: they can be great, but you need to know how to use them—and when—before you dive in. Adjusting your expectations around wearable breast pumps can be hugely helpful.

“You need to adjust your thinking around wearable pumps,” explains Jacob. “Your expectations of what you’re getting out of a wearable pump should not be the same as with a primary pump.”

Think through how you’ll use your wearable pump 

  • Pumping frequency. Are you primarily nursing your baby and only pumping once a day to build a small stash or boost supply? A wearable breast pump might be a good choice for you. But if you’re an exclusive pumper or away from your baby for long periods and pumping frequently, you’ll want a traditional breast pump or a portable as your primary breast pump and may consider a wearable as a nice-to-have convenience.

  • Pumping goals. “Everyone has certain things that they want out of a pump. Not everyone’s goal is supply,” says Jacob. Think this through as you consider whether or not you need a wearable.

  • Lifestyle. Are you on your feet a lot for work or plan to be pumping while also taking care of other children? Wearable pumps are convenient for expressing milk while you’re on the go; just remember you can’t rely solely on your wearable if you’re pumping many times each day.

Consider features

When comparing wearable pumps, think through these features:

  • Comfort and fit. The wearable breast pump you choose needs to be comfortable and fit correctly. Look at the pump’s size and shape and think about how discreet (or not) you’d like your wearable to be. And be sure to measure your flange size for the correct fit. Each brand will have its own sizing guide to follow. (Here’s an explainer on how to measure flange size from Willow, for example.)

  • Suction. A pump’s suction level is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). It’s hard to anticipate the suction strength you’ll need/want before you start using the pump, but look for a wearable with a high maximum and a wide strength range so you’ll have options.

  • Ease of cleaning. Most pumps have a lot of parts to clean, and wearables are no exception. Some have fewer parts than others, however, so if you know you’ll be using your wearable frequently, this may be something to consider.

  • Budget. Wearable pumps range in price, but many are fairly expensive. Consider your budget and how often you think you’ll use a wearable when making your decision.

Tips on How to Use Wearable Breast Pumps

Learning how to use a wearable breast pump properly is key to being sure you’re maximizing milk output and protecting your nipples from pain and damage.

“The two things to focus on with a wearable breast pump are the flange size and your bra,” explains Jacob.

To find your proper flange size, you’ll need to measure the size of your nipple, as recommended above. As for your bra, because a wearable needs to form a tight seal around your breast to work correctly, a full coverage, tight-fitting bra is a must.

“You need to find a bra that keeps your wearable pump in place. You can’t have the pump shifting,” explains Jacob. A few of our favorites from our Best Pumping Bras guide include the David & Adley Amelia Pumping & Nursing Crop Cami, the Momcozy Wearable Breast Pump Bra and the Kindred Bravely Sublime Hands Free Pumping Bra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are wearable breast pumps covered by insurance?

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, health insurers must cover the cost of a breast pump. However, what type of pump your insurance will cover differs depending on your particular health insurance plan. Each plan has its own set of guidelines around whether the covered pump is manual or electric, whether you’ll be able to keep the pump or rent it and whether you’ll receive the pump before or after you give birth.

You can go to Babylist Health to get your free breast pump. Costs will vary depending on your plan. You can also check whether any of the replacement parts are covered by insurance. If so, you can use Babylist Health to order those replacement parts.

You may also be entitled to reimbursement for a breast pump if you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA). Be sure to reach out to your insurance provider or your employer’s human resources department to check.

Can wearable breast pumps overflow?

Most pumpers don’t have to worry about their wearable breast pumps overflowing. Many wearable pumps either run on an auto shut-off timer or link to an app that indicates when the pump’s storage is nearing capacity. If you’re an oversupplier, you’ll want to factor in storage capacity when deciding which wearable pump is right for you. You’ll also want to avoid using collection cups for your first-morning pump.

Do wearable pumps decrease milk supply?

There’s no definitive answer to whether wearable pumps decrease milk supply as it can vary greatly from person to person. However, for most pumpers, a hands-free breast pump does not fully empty the breast, which can signal to your body to make less milk and cause decreased supply over time. This is why most lactation experts recommend using a wearable breast pump as a secondary pump instead of a primary. It is always recommended to consult with a lactation specialist or healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on maintaining milk supply while using wearable pumps.

How long do you have to pump with a wearable breast pump?

Every pumping person’s body responds differently to wearable breast pumps. In general, though, most people report that they need to pump for a longer period when using a wearable as compared to when they use a traditional pump.

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