Breast Pumps Review

Most reliable sources for reviews of breast pumps

The best comparison review of breast pumps comes from "Baby Bargains," an excellent baby gear book by Denise and Alan Fields. The authors review 12 breast pumps based on their own research, parent interviews and manufacturer reputation. The book also discusses models that have quality issues or don't perform well.

Next to "Baby Bargains," we found the most reliable opinions on breast pumps at Amazon.com, where moms are invited to rate and review products they've used. Some breast pumps have more than 500 reviews, offering good insight into ease of use, comfort and efficiency. The popular models get the most coverage, but parents also post reviews of pumps that don't work well for them or have reliability problems. We found user reviews at a large number of other websites, including Target.com, BabiesRUs.com and Diapers.com, but the reviews at Amazon.com are better organized and easier to find.

ConsumerReports.org is normally an excellent resource for comparison testing of baby gear, but in the case of breast pumps, editors don't test or rate models. Although the site features a good article comparing types and styles of pumps, there's only a list of representative brands. We found less comprehensive, but still useful, coverage at Cerean.net and Breastfeeding Magazine.

The consensus among lactation experts, "Baby Bargains" and the majority of parent reviewers is that the best breast pumps are made by two companies: Medela and Ameda. Both have good reputations for breast pump technology, customer service and commitment to both breastfeeding and pumping support. Avent, which sells breast pumps along with bottle-feeding supplies and a few other baby-care items, also does well in ratings. Although pumps from baby product generalists like Evenflo and The First Years tend to cost less, reviewers say you're better off spending more for a higher-quality brand.

Evenflo pumps earn especially negative reviews. Hundreds of mothers posting comments to Amazon.com, BabyCenter.com and other sites give the now-discontinued Evenflo Comfort Select Single electric/battery powered breast pump low scores. Some complain that the Evenflo pump breaks down after a few days or weeks of normal use. Many find it noisy and inefficient. Others complain that expressed milk backs up and gets clogged in the tubing, which interrupts pumping and increases clean-up time. Of the nearly 60 reviews currently posted on Amazon.com, more than half give the Comfort Select the lowest rating possible. This pump has been replaced by a similar model, the Evenflo Comfort Select Performance Single (*Est. $45), but preliminary reviews suggest that the newer pump doesn't constitute much of an improvement.

The more expensive Evenflo Elan (*Est. $115) -- also discontinued, but still available at a number of retailers -- receives better scores overall, but still meets with criticism from parents on Amazon.com, Target.com and BabiesRUs.com. Several users complain that the motor is weak and breaks down. When the pump does work, some reviewers say, milk leaks out from between the bottle and the breast flange, making pumping messy and less effective.

Breast pumps from Medela, Ameda and Avent cost more, but, according to both experts and parents, they are well worth it for the improvement in efficiency, comfort and durability. Medela receives especially positive reviews for its heavy-duty double electric breast pumps designed for moms who work full time outside of the home. Ameda has a similar model with fewer extras for a better price. Avent does make electric pumps, but it excels in the manual pump category.