Lansinoh Affinity Double Electric

Bottom Line

The Lansinoh Affinity is a popular choice for moms who want to save a few dollars and don't have to pump frequently, yet want the convenience of a double electric pump. At half the price of the higher-end double electric models, it includes all the bells and whistles, including a letdown stimulation feature that gets good reviews. However, one expert source says its suction is measurably weaker than pricier pumps.

Performance

Not as strong as pricier models. The Lansinoh Affinity Double Electric gets good reviews for effective, efficient pumping, with some moms saying they get full emptying from both breasts in 15 minutes or less. This will vary among women, especially those with very small or very large breasts, since the pump includes only the standard 25 mm flange. A larger 30.5 mm flange can be purchased separately, but there's no smaller flange option.

Although the Affinity isn't hands-free, Lansinoh says it's compatible with any generic hands-free bra or bustier. It has a timer, multiple suction and cycle settings, plus a letdown feature that moms say helps stimulate the letdown reflex so they can pump more efficiently. One expert source says the Affinity has about 10 percent less suction than more expensive models.

The biggest fault users find with the Lansinoh Affinity is it's very loud, with one mom saying it "sounds like a dying animal." Even its fans say they have to take it as far as possible from any sleeping family members and muffle it with a pillow. There are concerns about durability, as well, with many users saying the unit stops working within a fairly short period after purchase. Some moms add that the main suction continues to work but the letdown button doesn't, affecting their ability to pump effectively.

The best reviews for the Lansinoh Affinity seem to come from moms who don't have to pump on a regular basis versus working moms who may have to pump more than once per day.

Ease Of Use

Simple to use, more challenging to clean. While the Lansinoh Affinity Double Electric gets generally good reviews for ease of cleaning, a number of users say it has more parts than other breast pumps and takes longer to clean. The pump is a closed system, meaning breast milk can't get into the tubes so they don't have to be cleaned. However, this doesn't make it a safe option for more than one user; it's still considered by the FDA to be a personal, single-user system and cross-contamination is a risk. The closed system is merely to prevent milk particles from coming in contact with the tubing and pump diaphragm, making the pump easy to clean.

Owners report that the Affinity is easy to set up, disassemble and use. Moms say the timer feature makes it even easier because they can set it and forget it. It doesn't come with a carry bag, but one is available as an optional purchase, along with a freezer pack and insulated cooler bag. Moms who pump on the go will need to find a suitable carry tote as well as options for storing breast milk until it can be refrigerated.

Customer Service

Good response to breakage issues. Lansinoh gets universally good reviews for helpful, responsive customer service; some users say parts or replacements are sent via overnight mail. The Affinity is covered by a one-year warranty on the pump and a 90-day warranty on other materials.