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6 of the best breast pumps for 2023
We’ve rounded up the best breast pumps for 2023 to help you find the right one for you
Whether you want to exclusively breastfeed or you plan to combine breastfeeding and formula feeding, you will want to have a breast pump on hand.
Inevitably, you’ll need to be away from your baby and this is when breast pumps come in.
Pumping can not only help you save time and store milk for later, but it can also make it easier to share responsibilities with your partner.
With so many types and models to choose from, it can be hard to know the right option for you. Our top picks are here to help.
Ardo
The Ardo Alyssa is a medical standard breast pump which is portable and rechargeable and can be used for either single or double expression.
Compact, light, and easy to use, the USB rechargeable integrated battery allow for maximum mobility, meaning the breast pump can be used anywhere, at any time. A fully charged battery allows you to pump up to eight times.
Ardo Alyssa is the world’s first breast pump with an automatic power pumping programme. This imitates the baby’s cluster feeding, and with this behaviour naturally stimulates milk production. The unique Power Pumping function is a method recommended by healthcare professionals to help increase breast milk quantities.
The memory plus invaluable button saves the entire pumping history and automatically recalls it the next time you express. Once you have found the ideal settings that make your milk flow best, you can save them by pressing the Memory Plus button.
The free app helps you control the pump from your smartphone and includes tips and tricks on pumping. The Alyssa is a MadeforMums gold awarded from the UK’s biggest parenting site.
✔️ Verified review – “Compact and convenient! Fab pump! Power pumping setting is fabulous especially for increasing supply! The fact you can charge it up and not be tied down with wires is great and it’s very easy to use! Storing it is tidy as its compact and lightweight! Can be controlled by an app too which is a great idea and has memory so is ideal for baby brain. Highly recommended” – Emily
BabyBuddha
BabyBuddha is a fully rechargeable pump that is small enough to take anywhere. Equipped with an impressively quiet mechanism, the breast pump keeps the whole process discreet.
Operating BabyBuddha is easy, simply recharge it and use the trackball to navigate through the 15 different modes, and land on the perfect one with a simple swivel of the thumb. The unique suction pattern in stimulation mode mimics the suction pattern of a baby to increase breast milk production.
Through this innovation, BabyBuddha Products has achieved the INC 5000 Award as one of the top 100 fastest growing consumer products in America. They are also a recipient of the Parent Tested – Parent Approved Best Products Award.
BabyBuddha is always innovating to offer the best advantages in the smallest pump. Recently, they added an additional setting to add comfort for mums who prefer a softer experience.
Don’t worry, this little powerhouse still achieves that one of a kind top end strength that made BabyBuddha so famous.
Overall, this breast pump is the best on the market with it comes to size and performance. Mums are raving fans!
✔️ Verified review: “I’ve been using this pump for about a month now and WOW! The suction strength is amazing. I can produce the same amount that I pump with my spectra for 30 minutes, in 15 minutes with this one! I bring this pump to work as it’s quick and efficient. Highly recommend.” – Brittany
Medela
Designed by experts and featuring Medela’s researched-based technology, the new Freestyle Hands Free in-bra double pump has been adapted to further support the modern mother.
The wearable pump not only adapts to fit each mum’s individual shape for maximum comfort, but it also produces more milk in less time, thanks to its 2-Phase Expression technology, which mimics baby’s natural sucking rhythm.
Designed with multitasking mums in mind, the latest pump is compact, discreet, and easy to use, ensuring it seamlessly fits into mum’s daily routine. Whether pumping on a daily walk, whilst playing with their little one, when working or reading a book, the USB chargeable Freestyle Hands Free adapts to fit around the user, supporting every breastfeeding journey whether at home or on the go.
Fitting within most nursing bras, the cups are created to maximise milk expression whilst offering comfort by reducing compression of breast tissue.
✔️ Verified review: “After struggling with the manual pump for a while now, I believe Medela pump was a godsend. It did improve my life in so many ways and I can now do my chores and move freely when I use it as it’s so comfortable and lightweight. It cleans up really easy and I can take it with me everywhere.” – Lucy
Spectra
A hospital grade breast pump, the Spectra 2, compared to its previous iteration, comes with a rechargeable battery so you can move around with ease and, for women with bigger breasts, the flanges are slightly larger than normal.
Features an ultra-hygienic closed system to protect your baby’s milk from anything going on in the motor itself, as well as a night light to make those middle of the night feeds less daunting.
Plus, as a double electric breast pump, Spectra 2 enables postpartum mamas to be more efficient in their new busy lives.
It is extremely quiet allowing you to express even next to your sleeping baby. Customers love it for its great suction power.
✔️ Verified review: “I am in love with this product. The Spectra was recommended to me by my sister-in-law as my baby wouldn’t latch and I wished to express milk for feeds. The pump was a game changer.” – Sharon
Lansinoh
The Lansinoh SmartPump 2.0 Double Electric Breast Pump is the brand’s quietest breast pump yet while still having adjustable hospital strength suction levels.
It has two separate phases which simulate the baby’s natural suction pattern. The ‘let down’ phase delivers rapid suction that initiates milk flow, while the ‘expression’ phase offers slower and deeper suction.
You are also able to tailor the pumping style to suit your own needs with three different effective pumping styles to choose from within the ‘expression’ phase.
The pump has an LCD display that is backlit for easy reading and it is lightweight with an ergonomic carrying handle, which means it is easy for you to take it to work or on your next big trip.
The pump also connects to the Lansinoh Baby 2.0 app to allow you to track your pumping sessions and monitor your schedules.
✔️ Verified review: “I’m so glad I went with the Lansinoh! It is capable of reaching the “hospital strength” suction requirement and is very budget friendly.” – Zoe
Willow
A hands-free option, the Willow is a useful pump for working parents and anyone frequently on the move because it fits inside your bra without the need for cords – an extremely popular option for those who need to pump on the go.
With hospital-grade suction, it pumps quietly and discreetly, so you can do it all without sacrificing efficiency or capacity.
The Willow wearable breast pump is also app-connected, making it easy to control your pumps, chat with experts and access resources.
It is easy to assemble with just one hand and dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup and its rechargeable battery lasts up to three pumping sessions.
✔️ Verified review: “Absolutely recommend to get this pump! I love the adjustable settings of suction and stages of pumping and the ability to control from the app. The parts are so easy to clean and reuse.” – Rose
Former US first lady Dr Jill Biden visited Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London to explore work on women’s health and antimicrobial resistance.
The visit was hosted by professor the Lord Darzi of Denham, who chairs the Fleming Initiative and directs Imperial’s Institute of Global Health Innovation.
Dr Biden, chair of the Milken Institute’s Women’s Health Network, spoke about the impact scientists, clinicians, innovators and investors can have on improving women’s healthcare.
Dr Biden stressed the importance of “collaboration, prevention and education” in improving women’s health globally.
At the museum, Dr Biden and Esther Krofah, executive vice-president of health at the Milken Institute, heard about the worldwide significance of the discovery and the contribution of women who, during wartime Britain, grew penicillin in bedpans to support early experimentation.
The discussion also explored how AMR is a key women’s health issue, with women disproportionately affected in low and middle-income countries, and in high-income settings where women are more likely than men to be prescribed antibiotics.
Dr Biden was shown an architectural model of the Fleming Centre in Paddington, which will bring together research, policy and public engagement to address AMR worldwide.
The second part of the visit brought together Imperial clinicians, researchers and innovators for a roundtable on women’s health priorities, including improving diagnosis, equity in maternity care and support during the menopause transition.
Participants highlighted wide variation in the quality of care for conditions affecting women and called for fairer access to services, with the postcode lottery named as a priority to address.
Professor Tom Bourne, consultant gynaecologist and chair in gynaecology at Imperial’s Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, described how AI could improve diagnostic accuracy for conditions such as endometriosis.
Equity emerged as a central theme.
Professor Alison Holmes, professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London and director of the Fleming Initiative, highlighted persistent gaps in women’s representation in clinical trials, including antibiotic studies, which limits the ability to optimise care and treatments.
Dr Christine Ekechi, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, drew on national maternity investigations to underline the importance of valid data, meaningful engagement with affected communities and rebuilding trust.
Menopause and midlife health were also identified as priorities for clinical research.
Professor Waljit Dhillo, consultant endocrinologist and professor of endocrinology and metabolism in Imperial’s Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, described a new treatment for hot flushes, including for women unable to take hormone replacement therapy, such as those with a history of breast cancer.
The discussion then turned to bringing innovation into health systems. Innovators shared how data and technology are being used to close gaps in women’s health, while noting challenges in accessing funding to grow and scale.
Dr Helen O’Neill and Dr Deidre O’Neill, co-founders of Hertility Health, described predictive algorithms using self-reported data to help diagnose gynaecological conditions at scale.
Embedded into clinical workflows, the technology could reduce waiting times, identify conditions earlier and improve outcomes. They noted how “we have cures for the rarest genetic conditions but don’t even have the answers to common women’s health issues.”
Dr Lydia Mapstone, Dr Tara O’Driscoll and Dr Sioned Jones, co-founders of BoobyBiome, outlined work creating products that harness beneficial bacteria found in breast milk to support infant health.
By isolating and characterising key microbial strains, BoobyBiome has created synbiotics, combinations of beneficial bacteria and the food that nourishes them, to make these benefits accessible to all babies.
Speakers throughout the visit stressed the need to reduce variation in care quality and outcomes for women, strengthen prevention and education, and address power and equity in women’s health.
Professor the Lord Ara Darzi said: “It was a privilege to welcome Dr Biden and the Milken Institute to Imperial to meet some of the outstanding researchers, clinicians and innovators advancing women’s health.
“Imperial’s unique combination of clinical excellence and world-leading research positions us at the forefront of tackling the biggest health challenges facing society and the UK’s ambition for innovation demands nothing less.
“For too long, the health needs of women and girls across their life course have not received the attention they deserve.
“By working together across borders and disciplines, we can transform equitable access to care, accelerate the detection and treatment of disease, and ultimately improve health outcomes for millions of women in the UK and around the world.”
Fashion, beauty and lifestyle retailers have joined the American Heart Association to raise awareness of heart disease in women.
The Go Red. Shop with Heart. campaign launched at the New York Stock Exchange on 30 January.
Retailers will ask for donations at checkout in February or donate a percentage of proceeds from selected items.
More than four in 10 women in the US have some form of cardiovascular disease, a term for heart and blood vessel conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
Heart disease and stroke kill more women in the US each year than all forms of cancer combined.
Brands taking part include Away, Commando, Lafayette 148, Michael Kors, Reebok, ShopSimon.com, Summersalt, Torrid and White & Warren.
More than 40 other nationwide retailers are also inviting customers to support the organisation this February through its Life Is Why campaign.
Nancy Brown is chief executive officer of the American Heart Association.
She said: “Nearly 1 in 3 women die from cardiovascular disease each year, yet women are still profoundly under-represented in the clinical research, science and medicine that could save their lives.
“Retailers and consumers are uniquely positioned to turn everyday moments into meaningful change through Go Red. Shop with Heart.”
According to the American Heart Association 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US and stroke is the number four cause of death.
The organisation projects that at least six in 10 US adults will have cardiovascular disease within the next 30 years and related costs are expected to triple.
However, approximately 80 per cent of cardiovascular disease is preventable through lifestyle changes.
Mindy Grossman is a volunteer board member at the American Heart Association and partner and vice chair of Consello.
Grossman said: “Retail has always been a powerful connector.
“Shop with Heart gives our industry a shared platform to lead with purpose and unite consumers in support of heart health.”
Milken Institute has launched the Women’s Health Network digital platform with Velir x Brooklyn Data to speed collaboration and investment across research, care and technology.
The new website creates a hub for members to share content, connect and coordinate projects, with branding and the first public Drupal build delivered by Velir x Brooklyn Data. A launch video premiered on 4 November 2025 at the inaugural steering committee and member luncheon in Washington DC, then featured at the Milken Institute Future of Health Summit.
Phase two is scheduled for February 2026, adding member log-ins for networking and content exchange. Phase three in April 2026 will add advanced collaboration tools and expanded community features.
“This launch represents the type of mission-driven, cross-sector digital work we are incredibly proud to support,” said Eliza Pare, vice-president of client services at Velir. “The Women’s Health Network is poised to transform collaboration in women’s health, and we’re honoured to help build the digital infrastructure that will make that possible.”
Chaired by former first lady Dr Jill Biden, the Women’s Health Network brings together leaders from industry, startups, investors, health systems, patient groups, academia and philanthropy. More than 100 members have joined, with a steering group that includes organisations such as the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Amgen, Deloitte, GE Healthcare, Merck, Microsoft, Northwell Health, Organon and others.
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