Breast Pump Comparisons

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Hospital grade breast pumps are without question the most durable and efficient of electric breast pumps. Because of their high price tag, they are typically rented. All require the purchase of an individual user kit when they are rented. The individual kits contain the parts that come in contact with the users' milk or breasts. These pumps are designed to be safe for multiple users as long as each user connects to the pump with their own kit. Expect to pay a refundable deposit and a fee of $50 or more monthly, though longer term contracts will usually give one a price break. To find a pump rental location near you, do an internet search for "breast pump rental" or "rent a breast pump" with your city and state. Also you can contact local hospitals or lactation consultants to see if they have rentals or can help you locate one. If there is a particular pump you want to rent, go to that company's website for information on a local rental.

The vacuum strengths given below are plus or minus 20 mmHG*. They all have a vacuum strength recommended for establishing a milk supply. Except for the Symphony and Elite, most users would characterize these breast pumps as too heavy to be carried back and forth to work each day.

Please note the Ameda Lact E and Ameda SMB can be double pumping when used with a double HygieniKit. With recent research about the benefits of double pumping,* single breast pumps are probably not the best choice for mothers with hospitalized babies or low milk supply issues.

For your consideration also: the Avent Isis IQ Duo Breast Pump has the vacuum strength of a hospital grade pump, and Avent claims its suitability for establishing a milk supply. This breast pump is featured on the Best Personal Electric Breast Pumps page.

Recently the Whittlestone Breast Expresser has begun to be available as a rental pump. User reviews of this pump are hard to find, but their rental program may make it possible to try it out before purchase. For info: www.whittlestone.com

*Definitions in our Breast Pump Glossary.

Medela Symphony Breast Pump

• Multiple user,* purchase or rental
• AC adapter, internal rechargeable batteries
• Double breast pumping* or single possible
• Vacuum adjustable to 50 - 250 mmHg*
• 2-phase expression®* cycling adjustable, maximum 120 cpm* for first phase, 64 - 68 in expression mode, speeds auto-linked to pressures
• LCD display indicates the pumping mode, vacuum level, battery status and other handling and service information
• Different size Medela breast shields* and the SoftFit* available but sold separately
• Weight: 6 lbs 7 oz.
• Parts to wash*: 8
• Parts to assemble*: 14
• Can be purchased online between $1200 - $1500

Ameda Elite Electric Breast Pump

• Multiple user,* purchase or rental
• AC or some models have rechargeable battery
• Car adapter optional
• Double breast pumping* or single possible
• Different size Ameda breast shields* and the Flexishield* available but sold separately
• HygieniKit* is the individual user kit.
• Vacuum adjustable 0 - 250 mmHg*
• Cycling adjustable from 30 to 60 cpm*
• More possible pressure/cycling speed choices than any other pump.
• 6 lbs
• Parts to wash*: 8
• Parts to assemble*: 11
• Can be purchased online between $935 and $1000, not including the individual user kit

Medela Lactina Breast Pump

• Multiple user,* purchase or rental
• AC and optional battery pack*
• Converts to piston-type* manual pump
• Double breast pumping* or single possible
• Vacuum adjustable to 80 - 220 mmHg*
• Lactina Select has 7 different cycling speeds. Lactina Plus has one speed of 48 cpm,* speeds auto-linked to pressures.
• Car adapter
• For frequent, long term pumping some users have better milk production with the Medela Classic Different size Medela breast shields* and the SoftFit*
  available but sold separately
• Parts to wash*: 6
• Parts to assemble*: 15
• Can be purchased online for $1100

Ameda (Egnell) Lact E Electric Breast Pump

• Multiple users*
• Rental or can buy pumps refurbished by factory
• Single breast pumping or double breast pumping allowable when Double HygieniKit* used
• Different size Ameda breast shields* and the Flexishield* available but sold separately
• HygieniKit* is the individual user kit.
• Vacuum adjustable 50 - 275 mmHg*
• Maintains constant 48 cpm*
• 11 lbs
• Parts to wash*: 4
• Parts to assemble*: 6
• Difficult to find sale prices for this pump

Medela Classic Breast Pump

• Multiple users* rental only
• AC/ optional battery pack available
• Converts to piston-type* manual pump
• Double breast pumping or single possible
• Vacuum adjustable to 80 - 240 mmHg*
• Best double pumping suction of all large electric pumps; some women with low milk supply have gotten results from this pump when none others have helped.
• One cycling speed of 60 cpm*
• Car adapter
• Different size Medela breast shields* and the SoftFit* available but sold separately
• Fifty-year old design
• Parts to wash*: 6
• Parts to assemble*: 10
• Difficult to find sale prices for this pump

Ameda SMB Breast Pump

• Multiple users,* rental only
• AC cord 
• Single breast pumping or double breast pumping allowable when Double HygieniKit* used
• Vacuum adjustable 50 - 275 mmHg*
• Maintains 48 cpm*
• HygieniKit* is the individual user kit.
• Sixty-year old design
• Parts to wash*: 4
• Parts to assemble*: 6
• Difficult to find sale prices for this pump

*Definitions in our Breast Pump Glossary.

Why are only Medela, Ameda and Avent breast pumps on this web page?

This information was compiled from the manufacturers' websites and telephone contact with the customer service lines, and online retailers of these products. Your corrections to this chart are welcome: please contact us through .

A User's Review of Hospital-Grade Breast Pumps:

Thank you, Lindsay Ogden, for the following e-mail:

"I have used three hospital grade pumps: the Medela Classic and Medela Lactina, and the Medela Symphony. Of the three, the Classic was by far my favorite. It had the most adjustable vacuum, although the Lactina and Classic do not have adjustable speeds. The Symphony had the best adjustability overall, and an almost pleasant suction. I did not care for the Lactina at all. After using it for only a week, I sent it back in favor of getting the Classic again. The Lactina had a sharp, quick suction that was painful, even if turned down quite far. To turn it down far enough to not hurt, it didn't suck hard enough to get any milk out. The Classic and Symphony have a gentler beginning and taper to the suction, rather than just SUCK/DON'T SUCK, the suction builds gently, peaks, and decreases, albeit quickly. The Lactina is simply too harsh.

"When I counsel women on breast pumps, I recommend the Classic, the Symphony, and the Pump in Style, in that order."