Best Hands-Free Breast Pumps

checked mark Fact-Checked by Haley Jena
Updated: August 17, 2022
best wireless breast pumps: Willow 3.0 breast pump and Baby Buddha pump

When you’re shopping for a breast pump, you might search for something covered by your insurance or one that’ll express milk most efficiently. But whether you're going back to work or simply emerging from the newborn haze, you might realize you need a pump that’s a little more mobile. Enter: hands-free breast pumps. 

“There are many parents who attribute their continued breastfeeding to the fact that they use a hands-free pump,” says Chrisie Rosenthal, an international board-certified lactation consultant and consultant relations manager with The Lactation Network. 

If you’re on the hunt for a hands-free option that can come with you wherever you go, here’s what to consider, as well as some stand-out picks. (And if you want to see more options besides just hands-free options, check out our complete list of the best breast pumps.)

What are hands-free breast pumps? 

Breast pumps are fairly simple machines, consisting of a pump engine, tubing and flanges connected to collection containers. Many standard breast pumps plug into the wall for power, which usually requires setting up in a chair near a power outlet for a pumping session. You also often have to hold the flanges and collection containers in place, or use a pumping bra to support them.  

“Almost any pump can be ‘hands-free’ if you use a pumping bra,” notes Suzanne Juel, a Houston-based international board-certified lactation consultant. Traditional breast pumps include a bottle to collect breast milk that’s attached to a flange, and when you use a pumping bra, you can tuck those flanges into special holes in the bra and secure it against your breast, which keeps everything in place. The downside? It still protrudes outside your bra.

Fortunately, wearable pumps can help. These pumps fit entirely inside your bra — no tubes, no external attachments. That means you can pump not only hands-free, but also more discreetly. 

Benefits of a hands-free breast pump

Do you really need a hands-free pump? Not necessarily, Rosenthal says. “They are not necessary for every parent,” she explains. “Most pumping parents do great with a traditional high-quality double electric breast pump.” That said, there are many benefits of having a hands-free option available. 

These types of pumps are great because they’re portable and allow you to multitask or pump on-the-go, says Jacqueline Kincer, an international board-certified lactation consultant and founder of Holistic Lactation. “For the mother who truly needs to be multitasking, a wireless pump will allow her to continue to produce milk for her baby where this otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.”

Considering that a typical pumping session takes about 20 minutes, sitting near a power source for that much time can feel frustrating (plus a little boring and lonely) when you have so many other things to do. If you like to multitask, a hands-free pump can be just what the doctor ordered. “Parents who find these pumps most helpful are parents who have multiple children, and parents who have jobs that make taking scheduled pump breaks difficult,” Rosenthal says. 

Other benefits of wearable pumps include:

  • They’re more discreet: Wearable pumps and in-bra collection cups make pumping easier when it’s less obvious. For instance, you can feel less worried about someone walking in on you pumping with these devices, Juel says, or even wear them while you commute.
  • They may feel more comfortable: You might find yourself hunched over a lot when you’re pumping. In some cases, this can cause back pain, so some parents find that a hands-free pump can actually make pumping less painful. 

The downside of hands-free or wearable pumps is that some moms find the suction not as strong — or that leakage and other issues can crop up if you’re moving around. That’s why many experts still recommend using a standard breast pump in addition to a hands-free option.

What to consider when buying a hands-free breast pump

There are more wireless and wearable pumps on the market than ever, but that means there are a few factors to consider before purchasing one, experts say. Start with these key questions:

  • How much does it cost? Wireless pumps tend to be more expensive than plug-into-the-wall units, notes Kincer. “Most of these pumps also have custom milk storage bags that are more expensive than the other ones on the market, so your upfront and long-term costs will also be higher than other pumps." Consider your budget before investing.
  • Is the pump hands-free, wearable or wireless? Remember that there are multiple ways to go “hands-free.” When shopping, be sure to look at all the features and understand how the pump works so you can make sure that it aligns with your expectations. If you really want a wearable pump, you won’t want to purchase one that is simply wireless.
  • Do I need to pump both breasts at the same time? “Double wireless pumps are significantly more expensive,” says Julie Cunningham, M.P.H., R.D., an international board-certified lactation consultant. If you don't think you’ll need to pump both breasts at once, you can buy a single wireless pump to save on costs — although, this means you will have to add more time to your session to express milk from both breasts.
  • Will I be able to express milk while doing other things? “Just because the technology will allow a mom to pump while clothed and without much noise doesn't mean that mom's body will cooperate,” notes Cunningham. “Many moms find that they need to take a minute or two to relax, look at a picture of their baby or smell a piece of their baby's clothing before they are able to get their milk to ‘let down.’” Since wireless pumps can be pricier, consider whether or not you think you’ll be able — or want — to successfully pump while multitasking before buying.
  • What is the suction level? The suction level of newer-age, wireless pumps isn’t always the same as a traditional, hospital-grade pump, says Kincer, so if you’re trying to increase your milk production, or just had a baby and are trying to get your milk to come in, wireless pumps may not be right for you. Make sure to confirm the pressure on the company’s website or product label before purchasing.

How we chose the best hands-free breast pumps

There are quite a few hands-free pumps on the market. To find the best pick, we first considered the features that four international board-certified lactation consultants — Cunningham, Juel, Kincer and Rosenthal — shared, from costs to suction level. Because breast pumps work differently from mom to mom, we then turned to the millions of parents in the What to Expect community to see which wireless, hands-free pumps worked best for the majority of moms. We also turned to the moms on our editorial team who’ve tested some of these pumps with their little ones.

Below, check out our list of the best hands-free breast pumps. We included both totally wearable picks and pumps that are hands-free with the help of a pumping bra. Remember: when in doubt, you can always consult a lactation consultant to help you choose the right breast pump for you.

Why Trust Us?

Best Overall Breast Pump

Willow 3.0 Wearable Breast Pump

best wireless breast pumps - Willow 3.0 Wearable Breast Pump
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$500
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$500
See Now Target
Target
$500
See Now Bed_Bath_&_Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
$500
See Now Willow
Willow
$500
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Registry List:
Pros: Sleek design, entirely hands-free and leak-proof, total freedom of movement while pumping
Cons: Not as powerful as some other models, more expensive than other pumps, requires some learning

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

Chic packaging and aesthetically pleasing design aside, Willow makes pumping easy for new moms who live their lives away from outlets. It's pricier than other wireless pumps on the market, but it has a good battery life (one charge gets you five 15-minute pumping sessions), connects to an app, and doesn’t require much work on your end. The Willow has two phases, stimulation and expression, and automatically switches gears when it senses a let-down. What makes the Willow 3.0 really standout, though, is its 360-degree mobility — you can move in any position while you’re pumping without worrying about leaks. Plus, there are only two parts to clean (far fewer than standard breast pumps), which you can wash by hand or pop in the top rack of your dishwasher.

If you’re looking for a less expensive option, you can also check out the Willow Go, which provides decent suction and collects milk in a built-in container. (Check out our executive editor’s full review of the pump for more information.)

Weight: 0.78 pounds per pump

Dimensions: 5.67 x 4.41 x 3.35 inches per pump

Battery life: 75 minutes

Suction: Up to 245 mmHg

Volume: 4 ounces per pump

Community Reviews

“Love my Willow, but as a secondary pump. Was a lifesaver as I was traveling for work, pumping as I was getting ready to leave the house, etc. … Willow is more of a learning curve, but has the only truly leakproof option. You can bend over, etc. while pumping without issues.”

- JellyBellyBaby2019

Best Affordable Hands-Free Breast Pump

Momcozy M1 All-in-One Wearable Breast Pump

Momcozy M1 All-in-One Wearable Breast Pump
Buying Options:
Walmart
Walmart
$80
See Now Momcozy
Momcozy
$90
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Pros: Powerful suction, more affordable than other models
Cons: May occasionally leak milk, not as quiet

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

The Momcozy M1 Wearable Breast Pump is a good choice for two reasons: It’s much more affordable than its competitors, and it’s actually efficient at expressing milk. It offers three modes — massage mode, breast pumping mode and a combo massage breast pumping mode — and nine suction levels designed to allow you to find the right force for getting your milk to let-down. It has a sleek design that makes it fairly discrete, too. While several moms say it’s not as simple or quiet as more expensive pumps are, the less expensive price tag makes up for it big time.

Weight: 0.86 pounds per pump

Dimensions: 3.07 x 2.24 x 2.17 inches per pump

Battery life: Up to 150 minutes

Suction: Up to 300mmHg

Volume: 5 ounces per pump

Community Reviews

“I have been using Momcozy for few weeks now and I love it. It’s easy and convenient to use. I love being able to move around. It did take me getting use to it first couple of days with settings. … I would recommend it :)”

- Farahmad

“That thing is awesome! I pump more on it then the spectra. Definitely recommend.”

- sbf2010

Quietest Hands-Free Breast Pump

Elvie Pump

Best Wireless Breast Pumps - Elvie
Buying Options:
buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$550
See Now Target
Target
$550
See Now Aeroflow_Healthcare
Aeroflow Healthcare
$550
See Now Elvie
Elvie
$550
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Registry List:
Pros: Super quiet, bottle doubles as storage, helpful app
Cons: Not as powerful as some other models, more expensive than other pumps

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

When looking for a discreet breast pump, noise level is one of the more important considerations — and this wearable pump seriously delivers in this department, emitting just the faintest sound while it works. (Our executive editor who tested the Elvie found that the motor is soft enough to use during Zoom calls.) Just as importantly, it’s small and lightweight enough to wear in your bra for an entirely hands-free experience. Plus, milk drips right into an attached container, so there are no pricey bags to keep buying.

As a bonus for moms who love data, the pump pairs with a high-tech app. You can watch how much milk you’ve pumped in real time, as well as things like your pumping history.

Weight: 0.49 pounds each

Dimensions: 5 x 4.3 x 2.7 inches

Battery life: 2.5 hours

Suction: 40 to 220 mmHg

Volume: 5 ounces per pump

Community Reviews

"I love them and have been using for exclusive pumping. Elvie also has a great customer service. Once one of the pumps started making a slight high pitched sound—not disturbing at all but I was concerned and asked about it. They immediately sent me a new pump although mine was working fine. It is the best investment ever."

- sonshineofmylife

"Let me start by saying I love it. It took me a while to decide to buy it because it’s so expensive but I’m ultimately glad I took the plunge. I’ve heard people say they don’t get much from it, but honestly I find it at least as good as my medela swing. I opted for the double and I’m glad I did as it’s so efficient."

- 124Rachel

Best Wireless Breast Pump With Timer

Freemie Liberty II Deluxe Hands-Free Wearable Breast Pump

best wireless breast pumps - Freemie Liberty II Hands-Free Breast Pump
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$200
See Now Freemie
Freemie
$160
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Registry List:
Pros: High milk capacity, milk collects in bra cups, lots of pump levels
Cons: Motor doesn’t fit in bra

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

The Freemie Liberty II is a small, quiet, hands-free double pump that fits under a bra. Milk collects in reusable cups, meaning you won’t have to spend a fortune swapping out collection bags every pumping session. With a programmable timer that will shut the device off automatically after 40 minutes, you don't have to worry about forgetting when you started a session or forgetting to start the timer on your phone. Something to keep in mind is that the pump motor (which doubles as the control panel) doesn’t fit in your bra; rather, it clips onto your pants and connects to the pump through tubing that runs along on the inside of your shirt, so it’s not quite as low-key. Fortunately, the latest version has an L-shaped connector tube that helps the pump tubes stay closer to your bra for maximum discretion, plus more intuitive pump settings (you can select between 10 cycle and suction levels).

Weight: 0.55 pounds (pump motor)

Dimensions: ‎3.5 x 3.5 x 2 inches (motor casing)

Battery life: 2.5 hours

Suction: 280 mmHg

Volume: 8 ounces per cup

Community Reviews

“I loved it! I highly recommend it if you need both hands. And it’s super discreet as long as you’re sure to wear some type of sports bra and a loose shirt. Everything is easy to keep clean and to clean at work in the sink.”

- STLCardsGirl20

Most Versatile Hands-Free Breast Pump

Spectra 9 Plus

best wireless breast pumps - Spectra 9 Plus
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$189
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$145
See Now Target
Target
$181
See Now Bed_Bath_&_Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond
$145
See Now Aeroflow_Healthcare
Aeroflow Healthcare
$180
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Registry List:
Pros: Compact, great power, works with Freemie cups
Cons: Not entirely wearable or discreet

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

Spectra is an award-winning breast pump brand trusted by experts and new moms alike. The company’s sleekest model yet delivers all the features you love about your traditional Spectra pump (power, reliability and double pump capabilities), but with much more portability. Weighing only half a pound, this wireless pump is small enough to fit in your purse (it’s about the size of a few iPhones stacked on top of one another) but doesn’t skimp on performance. It also works with Freemie collection cups, so you can turn it into a more wearable option.

Weight: 1.5 pounds

Dimensions: 2.83 x 4.8 inches

Battery life: 2.5 hours

Suction: 260 mmHg

Volume: Varies by what you pump into: Up to 8 ounces per cup with Freemie cups; 5.4 ounces with bottles

Community Reviews

“I have the s2 and spectra 9 and love both. I get the same output with both but the 9 seems to have a stronger suction for me and empties me faster.”

- JenRMS

Best Hands-Free Breast Pump with Long Battery Life

Medela Freestyle Flex

best wireless breast pumps - Medela Freestyle Flex
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$396
See Now Target
Target
$325
See Now buybuyBaby
buybuyBaby
$341
See Now Aeroflow_Healthcare
Aeroflow Healthcare
$380
See Now Walmart
Walmart
$298
See Now
Registry List:
Pros: Great battery life, lightweight, simple to use
Cons: Not entirely wearable or discreet

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

This top-rated breast pump is a good option for busy mamas everywhere, whether you're looking for a pump to primarily use at home or stash in your bag when you're on-the-go. It's remarkably quiet, and while it’s not as wearable as pumps like the Willow or the Elvie, it can be used hands-free so long as you use a compatible pumping bra or the brand's bustier. Moms are also impressed with the battery life (a full charge provides you with up to eight pumping sessions!), and love that it can be charged with a regular outlet or a USB cord (meaning you could charge it in the car during road trips, for instance).

Weight: 0.63 pounds

Dimensions: 6 x 2.5 x 1.8 inches

Battery life: Eight double-pumping sessions (about 2 hours)

Suction: 45 to 245 mmHg

Volume: 5.07 ounces per bottle

Community Reviews

“The Flex is a much smaller pump and fairly quiet. And yet it still does a great job! … It has a Bluetooth feature that will track the time you pump on the MyMedela app- I love tracking things so this was a plus. It has the 2-phase technology, stimulation and expression. It also has a display that shows how long you’ve been pumping for right on the pump. Charging it is easy and you can pump while it’s charging.”

- laurenskee

Most Powerful Hands-Free Breast Pump

Baby Buddha Single or Double Portable Breast Pump

Baby Buddha Single or Double Portable Breast Pump
Buying Options:
Amazon
Amazon
$250
See Now Walmart
Walmart
$214
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Registry List:
Pros: Powerful suction, compact size, wearable with lanyard and pumping bra
Cons: Shorter battery life, not as discrete as in-bra collection cups

Why We
Love it
Community
Reviews
Why We Love It

This is a powerhouse pump in a tiny package. With five levels of pumping in stimulation mode and nine levels in expression mode, you’re bound to find a level of suction that is right for you. The Baby Buddha makes it easy to switch between single or double pumping mode for extra time-saving and flexibility. To make it hands-free, just wear a pumping bra and use the lanyard to hang the tiny pump around your neck or tuck it in your pocket. This pump can be used with Freemie collection cups if you’d like to make it a bit more discreet.

Weight: 6.6 ounces (pump)

Dimensions: 2 x 5 x 1.5 inches (pump)

Battery life: 60 minutes

Suction: Up to 320 mmhg

Volume: Varies by what you pump into: 8 ounces per cup with Freemie cups; 8.5 ounces with bigger bottles; 4.7 ounces with smaller bottles

Community Reviews

“The babybuddha is TINY and SO powerful. … I empty so fast with the BB. it is really a great little pump! the battery life lasts all day. i use it downstairs during the day so i dont have to keep running up to my room to pump.”

- chelly03
  1. Julie Cunningham, M.P.H., R.D., I.B.C.L.C.
  2. Suzanne Juel, I.B.C.L.C., Houston, Texas.
  3. Jacqueline Kincer, I.B.C.L.C. and Founder of Holistic Lactation.
  4. Chrisie Rosenthal, I.B.C.L.C. and Consultant Relations Manager with The Lactation Network.
  5. University of Utah, How to Let-Down and Strategies for New Mothers to Breast Pump at Work, January 2019.