We’ve reviewed and tested the best hospital grade breast pumps and found Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump as a clear favourite. But that’s not all we’ve learned!
For starters, there’s now an overwhelming number of breast pumps on the market, and hospital grade pumps pop up in a lot more conversations these days among breastfeeding circles. Therefore, we found more than a few outstanding picks to share with you in this new parenting advice.
Our pumping parents got around to testing more than a dozen hospital-grade breast pumps, and the top-performing brands made a mark in comfort, efficiency, and durability. We’ve also taken into account cost and portability, although we have manual pumps and standard electric pumps as frontrunners in those categories.
Nonetheless, there were a few surprises, let’s have a look!
For more information on the best bottles for babies, read here.
Looking for the best deep freezer for breastmilk, read here.
Best Overall Breast Pump: Spectra S1 Plus
It’s encouraging to have a clear winner in this category because a medical-grade pump is a significant investment for most parents. But is it really worth the hype? While we did say hospital-grade pumps are not known for portability, Spectra S1 Plus is out here looking to establish a new norm.
- Dimensions: 7.9 x 7.9 x 6.7 inches
- Weight: 3.3 pounds
- Suction: Up to 270 mmHg
- Pros: Powerful suction, built-in battery, wide-range of customisation settings, premium-looking design and material, massage and expression mode preset, built-in carrying handle, closed system pump mechanism
- Cons: Bulky frame, hard to get accessories and spare parts
It’s one thing to have a workhorse breast pump at home, it’s another to be able to carry it around with you during your travels—if you choose. It’s also comfortable and quiet. Hence, you can conveniently get to your spots and stay comfortable during your pumping sessions.
Notably, there’s a lot to tinker with in the settings. On one hand, it can take a bit of time to find the setup that works best for you. On the other hand, the product does feel like a lot more premium with all the additional customisation options.
The suction and cycle settings are especially useful, with testers even reporting it as life-changing. From experience, the Spectra S1 has been very effective and efficient when there’s a need to increase breast milk supply.
On that note, everyone responds differently to pumps, so don’t hesitate to play around with the settings until you’re comfortable and your milk production or pumping goals are met. The user interface is simple enough and easy to get accustomed to after a small learning curve.
Spectra S1 is also one of the highest-rated double electric breast pumps we’ve tried, which makes it all the more appealing for working moms or anyone who values a bit more speed. The built-in rechargeable battery is another excellent feature, and it’s quite capable (up to 3 hours) on a single charge.
If there’s an obvious knock to it, then it’s not exactly lightweight. It’s also not cheap, although we find that reasonable compared to other breast pumps in most categories. Spare parts and accessories are either limited or not easy to get, so you’ll often have to rely on the manufacturer if you wish to expand or reconfigure your kit.
Best Hospital-Grade Breast Pump: Medela Symphony
If you’re in the double electric pump market, definitely give the Medela Symphony a look. For some testers, Symphony is the best hospital-grade pump, and there’s a fair argument for that since Medela is no stranger to making good breast pumps like the Freestyle™ Medela manual pumps.
- Dimensions: 9.09 x 6.06 x 5 inches
- Weight: 6.72 pounds
- Suction: Up to 250 mmHg
- Pros: Fast and powerful, widely available for rental, recommended for increasing milk flow and output, surprisingly quiet
- Cons: Expensive, bulky and heavy, no built-in battery
Symphony received great feedback from our testers with low milk supply. By all means, it’s one of the most powerful and consistent medical-grade breast pumps today. It’s also popular in the rental space, so you may want to take a trial session before making a commitment, because it’s expensive.
It’s straightforward to operate. The vacuum adjustment knob is front and center for you to adjust the pressure and ensure pain-free sessions. This combination of power and control is also extremely handy if you are looking to exclusively pump or looking to increase your supply.
Having said that, Medela Symphony is not something you can conveniently carry around. It’s heavy, bulky, and it needs to stay plugged in. It also doesn’t have its own timer, so you have to keep track of the sessions on your own. Lastly, settings are mostly pre-determined, so there’s less room to configure the sessions to your liking.
Best Wearable Hospital-Grade Breast Pump: Elvie Stride
The Elvie Stride wearable breast pump looks so compact that most people don’t take it for a hospital-grade motor. But it does, and it belongs on this list! Historically, medical-grade pumps have a bigger form factor due to their powerful motors, but the smaller Stride gets up to 300 mmHG.
- Dimensions: 4.6 x 10.2 x 8.4 inches
- Weight: 1.2 pounds
- Suction: Up to 300 mmHG
- Pros: High suction power, quiet operation, portable, customise and save settings via app
- Cons: Weaker battery life, reported leak when bending too far, each pump is charged separately
The hands-free Stride is perfect for working and traveling moms as it’s both compact and discreet. Power is also never going to be an issue, and the ten intensity preset levels make customisation a lot easier. Plus, you can control these settings through a phone app.
It’s a runaway top pick when it comes to portability. Testers also suggest that Elvie Stride lends a comfortable and gentle fit, so there’s more to it than simply being a lifestyle choice. After all, comfort is invaluable for pumping moms.
On balance, Stride is an excellent portable hospital-grade pump. However, moms who don’t need medical-grade breast pumps should easily find other electric pumps that are cheaper, more suitable, and more discreet.
Some mothers may also find it cumbersome to have the motor clipped to their waistband or tucked in their pocket, although that’s more of a mismatch in preference.
Summary on the Best Hospital Grade Breast Pump
Before jumping into the hospital-grade breast pump bandwagon, it’s important to consider whether your parenting lifestyle and needs demand a medical-grade pumping system. Most mothers should find an ideal balance between comfort and functionality on electric or even manual breast pumps. Wearable pumps, meanwhile, can accommodate common lifestyle choices.
Otherwise, if a lactation expert recommends a hospital-grade system for pumping milk, then this list already narrows down the best primary pumps for the job. In terms of overall performance, Spectra S1 is a clear favourite among the community. It brings the essential power you expect from its class and is conveniently portable and stylish all the same.
Medela Symphony is the consensus top choice if you plan on renting. Meanwhile, Elvie Stride, a standout in the compact hospital-grade breast pumps section, deservingly warrants a look if you’re in the market for a wearable.
