My experience in getting an electric breast pump is quite painful. I was in horrible pain from the C-section and then the clogged milk ducts (yes, you read that right. As soon as I got milk, I got clogged milk ducts right away) and I sent my husband to get me the pump.
Neither I nor him knew what to get, so he took the most expensive one from the store, thinking that “the stronger, the better”. And it didn’t work.
Apparently, the most expensive pump is not always the best one.
I wish I had known better and did a little bit of research before having my baby. There are good electric breast pumps that are effective and affordable.
If you need to save some time, I have compiled a list of the best electric breast pumps on a budget so that you don’t have to.
Let’s dive in.
Best electric breast pump on a budget - my top recommendation
If you are exclusively pumping, I recommend using Spectra S2 for its effectiveness.
If you are constantly on the go and need to pump here and there, I recommend using the TSRETE Wearable breast pump for its handiness.
If you have a very tight budget and combine pumping and breastfeeding, I recommend using NCVI Double Electric Breast Pump.
Types of electric breast pump
An electric breast pump normally has different modes and levels, to mimic a baby's suckling and promote letdown.
Depending on the design of electric breast pumps, you can categorize them into different types. However, there are 3 general categories as below.
Battery-Powered and Electric Pumps
Some electric breast pumps only have cords that are required to be plugged into an electric outlet, while the others also have batteries, allowing you to use it while having no access to the power source or you are on the go.
However, even if the batteries are new, when using batteries for your pump, you will notice the suction is lower than using the main power source.
Single and double electric breast pumps
A single electric breast pump only lets you pump from 1 breast at a time while a double electric breast pump allows you to pump both breasts at the same time. Therefore, a double electric breast pump will save you a great deal of time and effort. However, that also comes with a price.
Generally speaking, a double electric breast pump is around 1.5 times more expensive than a single electric pump.
Regular and wearable electric breast pumps
A wearable electric breast pump is wireless and cordless and can be worn inside your bra or nursing bra, which allows completely hands-free pumping. While a regular electric breast pump, even when using the battery mode, still is not cordless and hand-free.
Therefore, a wearable electric breast pump is ideal for moms on the go, to pump while doing house chores, cooking or even driving.
Closed system and open system
A closed system breast pump has a barrier between the pump parts and the cord to prevent breast milk and moisture from flowing back to the motor and destroying it. What’s more, this barrier can also prevent germs and bacteria from reaching the inner parts of the pump.
An open system breast pump has no such barrier, so it is easier to get contaminated.
If you opt for a used breast pump from your friends or relatives, make sure you go for the closed system breast pump.
What to consider when choosing the best electric breast pump on a budget
You are under a budget so you cannot choose a breast pump that is too expensive. However, you will need to make sure you don’t choose a trash one that can break in 2 weeks and cannot get any milk out. In short, consider value for money.
Below are some things you must consider when choosing an electric breast pump, so that you don’t end up buying some trash that breaks in 2 weeks.
Purpose of use
What are you planning on using the pump? Are you exclusively pumping? Are you combining pumping and breastfeeding? Are you a working mom who must pump at work? Or are you a SAHM and only need to pump here and there?
No matter your budget, the best breast pump is the one that fits your purposes of use.
If you are exclusively pumping, then your breast pump must be extremely efficient. Otherwise you will be wasting a lot of time pumping, which causes even further stress.
If you only need to pump here and there when you are not around your little one, a relatively cheap breast pump will get the job done.
If you only need the pump to collect milk when you are breastfeeding your child, a wearable one or a single breast pump would be ok.
Effectiveness
The whole purpose of using an electric breast pump is to pump milk faster. In order to do so, your breast pump must be able to mimic a baby's suckling by having at least 2 or more modes to stimulate letdown reflexes.
One more thing to take note, not all breast pumps with 2 modes are made equal. Many moms can express a lot of milk from a certain breast pump while others can’t. This is due to their milk supply.
Moms with low milk supply tend to take longer time and need stronger suction than moms with excessive milk supply.
Durable
You don’t want to invest your money into something cheap but it breaks down after 2 weeks.
Make sure you check on the guarantee period and the durability of the pump.
Suction and design
According to WIC Breastfeeding, the pump’s fit greatly impacts how much milk you can express. Make sure you choose the pump with the right flange size and suction is at the right level.
Choosing between a single or double breast pump can be tricky. Some moms (myself included) found out that using a combination of a single manual breast pump and a single electric breast pump works better than a double electric breast pump. Mainly because moms with low milk supply might need extra massage and stimulation to have letdown reflexes.
Read more: The massage method to stimulate letdown that works like a charm
Brand
Even if you are under a budget, try finding a good electric breast pump from a popular brand. Good thing is, the competition on the breast pump market is fierce, and almost all popular brands have diversified their product range, and they basically always include some models that are much more affordable.
Best electric breast pump on a budget
Considering all factors above, we suggest you should choose an electric breast pump that is within the price range from $50 to $150.
Spectra - S2 Plus Electric Breast Milk Pump for Baby Feeding
The Spectra brand has been going all over the market for a while, but for a good reason. Their breast pump is really something.
The Spectra S2 is an affordable option for a closed system breast pump, that mimics the experience of natural breastfeeding as closely as possible. Therefore, many moms experience letdown much faster with this pump and they are able to express more milk in a shorter time. It also comes with different tubes and parts, allowing you to either turn it into a double or a single breast pump.
Depending on the vendors, you can purchase this breast pump somewhere from $140 to $210.
What we like
What we don't like
Evenflo Advanced Double Electric Hospital-Strength Breast Pump
Another affordable option from the Evenflo brand is the Envenflo advanced double pump. This pump features unique angled flanges that allow you to lean back while pumping, so that you can reduce the risk of back pain and shoulder ache. What’s more, similar to the Spectra, you can also change it into a double or a single pump. You can also purchase a separate set of batteries or car adapter to either pump on the go or in the car.
Depending on the vendors and the E-commerce sites, you can purchase this breast pump somewhere from $100 to $150.
What we like
What we don't like
Dr. Brown’s Customflow Double Electric Breast Pump
Dr. Brown’s products are well recognized by moms because of their quality. This electric breast pump is an average pump within its price range.
It allows you to basically customize everything, from increasing to decreasing both the cycle and vacuum settings so you can find the perfect pumping rate for you. However, a drawback on this is that, with too much settings and customization, sometimes you will feel like you are not really optimizing the pump and your breasts.
It has a silicone flange, which is gentle for moms, reducing the pain while pumping and the risk of cracked nipples.. However, it can also reduce the suction once it has milk all over it and make it wet.
Depending on the vendors and the E-commerce sites, you can purchase this breast pump somewhere from $140 to $160.
What we like
What we don't like
Lansinoh SignaturePro Double Electric Breast Pump
This is the #1 selling brands in the US in terms of breastfeeding products. Lansinoh breast pump has hospital power suction and 8 easy-to-adjust suction levels for efficiency. For optimized milk expression, you can choose from 3 pumping styles to mimic a baby’s feeding patterns.
Each breast pump comes with comfortFit flanges with soft, flexible rims. It cushions delicate skin for comfortable pumping. The breast pump electric LCD display, easy-to-use buttons, portable design. And three power options are customizable and make pumping more convenient. Use a pumping bra for a hands-free, convenient breast pump experience.
You can purchase this with a budget from $70 to $90 for the pump only.
Read more: Best pumping bra to wear all day
Every pump is compatible with breastmilk storage bags and bottles without any more adapters.
What we like
What we don't like
TSRETE Wearable Breast Pump
Instagram ads and KOLs have been raving about the hands-free Momcozy Wearable Breast Pump. However, while it is an expensive option, there is another that is much more affordable yet also wearable: Tsrete Wearable Breast Pump.
Imagine you don't need to attach to a wall to pump your milk. You will still be able to get dishes done, run the vacuum, cook something while pumping.
Especially if you have an older child at home that requires your constant attention, not needing to sit down and attach to a wall, being able to play with your older child while producing milk for your little one is so neat!
This pump has 2 modes with 9 intensity levels, allowing you to customize all the way. What's more, going through what people have experienced with this pump, there are a lot less moms complaining about getting lower milk amounts during a pump.
You can purchase this with a budget around $110 to $130.
What we like
What we don't like
NCVI Double Electric Breast Pump
NCVI electric breast pumps come with 4 modes and 9 levels so that you can freely try out to see which modes or levels work best for you. To produce normal milk, you can use multitronic suction, Suck Stimulation Mode or Express Pumping Mode. Mothers can choose the best pumping intensity by using comfort mode.
It has the battery-operated option, which you can use for around 3 times before charging.
NCVI breast pump provides a hygienic closed system to prevent breast milk from backing up to the pump, prevent infection, and keep the milk fresh.
You can also choose to use it as a single or a double electric breast pump, which will be very handy when you are out and about, or just when you are breastfeeding your little one.
You can purchase this with a budget around $50 to $70.
What we like
What we don't like
Final thought - my recommendation
The fact that you are on a budget doesn’t mean you have to go for the cheapest breast pump on the market. Consider value for money before purchasing anything.
If a pump that is $50 more expensive than the others, but it can drain you quickly and save you 10 minutes each session, that is a hell of 1 hour or so in a day. Imagine you can get that 1 extra hour for yourself to finally get something done!
Do yourself a favor, consider what you really need the pump for to select the best one. The best electric breast pump on a budget is the one that fits your needs.