Once you have decided that you’re going to breastfeed your baby and that you need a breast pump, you’ll no doubt be feeling very overwhelmed by all the options available.
Pumping can make you feel a little bit like a cow. But as moms, we want to provide our precious babies with the best start in life.
If this means that we are going to need to feel like a milking cow for a few hours a week then we are well prepared to do it. Unfortunately, they have yet to develop a breast pump that makes the experience a little less, well, sucky!
Even if you decide that you are going to exclusively breastfeed feed then it is still handy to have a pump around. Why? I hear you ask, well pumping can help to increase your milk supply.
It’ll also offer you the option for someone else to feed your baby so that you can have a break, take some time for yourself or even venture out without them.
And of course, if you are planning on returning to work while still continuing to breastfeed then you will need a pump in order to provide milk for your little one while you are away.
No matter what your reason for needing a breast pump it can still be a little overwhelming. We have taken a look at two of the popular brands of breast pump Lansinoh vs Medela, along with their pros and cons.
In this article
To Save Time – Here Are The Pumps We Reviewed
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Lansinoh SmartPump 2.0 Double Electric Breast Pump | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump, Portable Hand Pump for Breastfeeding | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Medela Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with Tote, Double Electric Breastpump, Portable Battery Pack, Adjustable Speed and Vacuum, International Adaptor | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Medela Symphony Breast Pump, Hospital Grade Breastpump, Single or Double Electric Pumping, Efficient and Comfortable | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Medela Freestyle Flex Breast Pump, Closed System Quiet Handheld Portable Double Electric Breastpump, Mobile Connected Smart Pump with Touch Screen LED Display and USB Rechargeable Battery | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
Types Of Breast Pumps
There are essentially four different types of breast pumps:
Manual Breast Pumps
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These are usually lightweight, portable, and very affordable. But there is a downside and that is that you will be doing all the hard work yourself and as a result, you may not get very much milk.
Battery Operated Breast Pumps
These units are battery operated and as you can imagine they do go through batteries quite quickly.
They also have the advantage of portable and can be used even when you do not have access to an electrical outlet. They are better than a manual pump but they do not pump as much milk as an electric breast pump.
Single Electric Breast Pump
With these units, you can only pump one breast at a time which is going to take longer. But the advantage is that they cost less than a double electric pump.
Double Electric Breast Pump
These pumps are not only powerful and efficient but they also allow you to pump both sides at the same time. Important point if time is at a premium for you.
Closed or Open System Pump
Once you start your search for the perfect breast pump, you will notice that two terms will keep popping up, a closed system pump and an open system pump.
Closed System Pump
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You may also hear this referred to as an “overflow protection”. This kind of pump is one that is sealed off from the milk by a barrier and it is the most hygienic type of pump.
The barrier prevents milk from getting into the machine, which can make the tubes and small parts very difficult to sterilize. These kinds of pumps tend to be more expensive than open system pumps.
Open System Pump
This type of pump does not have any barrier between the milk and the pump.
It allows the milk to flow through the tubes and other small parts into the bottle meaning it may come into contact with the pumping mechanism. These kinds of open system pumps are more economically priced than the closed system pump.
What to Look For In A Breast pump
Every pumping woman has a set of different wants and needs when it comes to the perfect breast pump. What works for one mom may not necessarily be the right choice for you.
When you begin researching the best breast pumps there are a few important factors that you may want to consider.
Weight
If you will only be pumping at home then the weight of a pump is not going to impact your decision, but if you are commuting to the office or are going to be traveling it may be better to look for a lightweight pump.
Noise Level
Some pumps are much quieter than others. So if you plan to be pumping around other people then you may want one that is as silent as possible.
Hands-Free
Some of the newer model breast pumps allow you to pump completely hands free and without any obvious tubes or cables. Some hands-free pumps can even be worn under your clothing.
Price point
While the cost of many breast pumps will be covered under your insurance. But if you are wanting to upgrade or even have a second one for the office for example you will need to be aware of the price point of the pumps that meet your needs.
Lansinoh Breast Pumps
Lansinoh does not offer a huge range of breast pumps, there are only three pumps available, a manual pump, and two double electric pumps.
Their electric pumps are called Signature Pro and SmartPump and as said both are double pumps. They also offer a single manual pump.
Lansinoh Signature Pro Pump
This pump comes with three pumping styles and 8 suction levels. Offering the ability to maximize comfort and milk production. It also has a closed system design ensuring that there is no backflow of milk into the motor and keeping it contaminant free.
It is quiet and quite small in size making it a great choice for moms on the go or those returning to work.
The pump comes with bottles, a tote, breast milk storage bags, disposable nursing pads, an AC power adaptor, 2 breast flanges, and a range of pumping accessories. It also has a LCD screen that aids you in tracking your pumping sessions.
Product Description
- Pump Weight: 3 lbs
- Bottles included: 2 x 5oz
- System: Closed
- Type: Double Electric
- Breast shield size: 25mm
- Warranty: 1 year
Lansinoh SmartPump Double Electric Breast Pump
This pump comes with the same 3 pumping styles and 8 suction levels. But what makes this pump stand out is the Bluetooth feature.
This feature allows you to connect to the Lansinoh baby app and track your pumping sessions. It comes with a backlit touchscreen display with a timer that allows you to time your pumping sessions.
It also comes with a tote bag, a cooler with an ice pack, extra bottles, and lids so you can pump on the go. It can also be powered by 6 AA batteries.
Product Description
- Pump Weight: 3 lbs
- Bottles included: 4 x 5 oz
- System: Closed
- Type: Double Electric
- Warranty: 1 year
Lansinoh Silicone Manual Breast Pump
This pump is lightweight and portable making it a great option for moms who are traveling a lot. The handheld pump comes with 2 flange sizes, natural wave nipple, cap, and collar.
The hand pump also has an easy express handle which is designed to make pumping easier and to reduce fatigue. It comes with two-mode technology, letdown mode which gets your milk flowing and then expression mode maximizes your milk collection.
Pros
- Affordable
- Very quiet while pumping
- Comes with three pumping styles and eight suction levels.
- It is lightweight and a closed system.
Cons
- The Lansinoh Signature is only compatible with Lansinoh’s own bottles.
- Some issues with poor connectivity with the app, meaning that it is not always accurate.
Medela Breast Pumps
Medela is a big name in the breast pump world and they have an excellent range of products that will suit most people. We have looked at three of their models the Pump In Style, the Symphony, and the Freestyle.
Medela Pump In Style Advanced (PISA)
This is one of the most popular breast-pumps available on the market today and is designed for those moms that pump a lot. The PISA is a double electric pump that uses a two-phase expression technology that mimics the way that your baby feeds.
It is BPA free and comes with a great range of kit, its own microfiber bag, four 5 oz bottles with lids, a cooler bag with an ice pack, a double pumping kit, a 9 volt AC adapter, and a battery pack that requires 8 AA batteries.
Product Description
- Pump Weight: 4.2 lbs
- Bottles included: 4 x 5oz
- System: Open
- Type: Single or Double Electric
- Breast Shield size: 24-27mm
- Warranty: 1 year
Medela Symphony Breast Pump
This is a hospital-grade electric breast pump and is popular for its excellent suction power. It can be used by multiple users and is quick and easy to assemble.
The Symphony comes with two separate membrane units meaning that you can conveniently switch between single and double pumping.
It has an LCD screen so that you can monitor your pumping sessions and it has an easy letdown button. This allows moms to return to the stimulation phase while pumping.
This pump also uses the two-phase expression technology which has been proven to achieve faster milk ejection and faster milk flow – which will save you precious time.
Product Description
- Pump Weight: 6.2 lbs
- Bottles Included: 2 x 5 oz
- System: Closed
- Type: Single and Double Electric
- Breast Shield Size: 24-27mm
- Warranty: 1 year
Medela Freestyle
This double electric pump is great for frequent use and its lightweight motor means it is portable and can easily be used outside the home. This pump allows you to pump both breasts simultaneously or at one time, saving you time.
It uses the two-phase expression technology which expresses more milk in less time. It has a closed system that prevents your milk from entering the tubing.
It has an LCD screen that shows you the pumping time and comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts for around 2 hours before needing to be charged. It comes in its own tote bag, a cooler bag with an ice pack, and a 12v AC power adapter.
Product Description
- Pump Weight: 5 lbs
- Bottles included: 4 x 5 oz
- System: Closed
- Type: Single or Double Electric
- Breast Shield Size: 24-27mm
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Most insurance policies will cover it
- Available in different setups
- You can use any bottles that fit the pump
- Can be powered by AC or batteries
- Easy to clean and use
- Some of the Medela models come with memory functions.
- It is efficient at expressing milk
- Comes with 2 phase technology
Cons
- The brand is on the expensive side.
- They are a bit heavier
- The Symphony is quite large
- The freestyle is quite difficult to clean
Lansinoh vs Medela – The Winner Is…
Ultimately the best pump for you will be the pump that meets your personal preferences. All the models that we have looked at are easy to use, efficient but do come in a variety of price points.
So for us, if you are looking for a pump and the price is a huge consideration for you then the Lansinoh models are ideal as they offer you a good pumping experience at an affordable price.
Now if you are looking for a pump that will help save you time on your pumping session while still producing the same amount of milk and a system that can run on battery or AC then the Medela breast pumps will be your best option.
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But you do need to consider that they are priced a lot higher than the Lansinoh pumps and that you often need to buy any extras separately which then adds to the already higher price.
Another point is that most insurers will cover the cost of this breast pump for you.
FAQs
Is Lansinoh a hospital grade pump?
Unfortunately, Lansinoh does not offer a hospital-grade breast pump in either its electric or manual version.
Do they come with a mains adapter?
All the pumps that we have featured come with a mains adapter. The Medela FreeStyle model has a rechargeable battery pack that allows you to pump on the go. The Lansinoh models can be battery powered too.
Are they compatible with supplies from other brands?
The Lansinoh pumps can use other supplies but you would have to check the compatibility. The Medela models are not as adaptable.
How many batteries do I need?
The Medela Pump In Style requires 8 AA batteries while the Lansinoh models use 6 AA batteries. How long they will last depends on the usage. The Medela Freestyle comes with a rechargeable battery pack that can last up to 2 hours on a full charge.
The Final Thought
To be fair both these brands have done their homework and have produced a range of pumps that are portable, easy to use, and intuitive.
Yes some have slightly better features than others and yes the Medela brand does cost more – does this make it a better pump, well only the user can answer that.
If it makes your pumping experience better and you are 100% happy with it then the answer will be yes.
Breastfeeding and pumping are a very personal experience and every woman has her own wants and needs, meaning that the one that meets all these points for you is the best one.
