Medela Breast Pump Overview

It’s a controversial topic and only you will know what's best for you and your family once baby arrives and you give it a try. So, where do you start your research about pumping?

Right here is a great place to start!

The Medela Family

We want to make sure that you are armed with everything you need to know about breast pumps and how to choose the right one to complement your breastfeeding journey. Today we are breaking down everything you need to know about Medela Breast Pumps—patience and persistence sold separately.

Purchasing a breast pump can require a lot of research [along with a car seat, stroller, and all the other gear] so we want to help you decide which one is best for you before you buy. We have individual product reviews on our Learning Centre that are full of information about many Medela pumps—we’ve linked them below for your convenience. Today, we are going to take things one step further and break each Medela pump down for you in one quick and convenient article.

Let's start with a handful of terms that you may find confusing when reading multiple product listings...

Pumping Glossary

• 2-Phase Expression Technology: a “two-speed” pumping process that emulates a baby’s natural suckling rhythms by switching from a fast to slow rhythm while the pump is operating.
  
  
• Closed Pumping System: Prevents milk overflowing and leaking into the pump mechanism and helps ensure your expressed milk travels through a hygienic route.
  
  
• Double Electric Pump: Designed for moms who pump several times a day, including pump-dependent moms.
  
  
• Single Manual Pump: Non-electric; ideal for traveling, occasional time away from your baby, or as a back-up to your usual double electric breast pump.
  
  
• MaxFlow Technology: Technology designed by Medela that generates a vacuum with micro-vibrations for increased milk flow and optimal performance
  
  
• Personal Fit Flex Breast Shields: efficient and comfortable breast shields that allow you to express 11.8% more milk per minute faster than traditional breast shields
  
  

Silicone Breast Collector

PUMP STATS:

• Single pump 
• Non-electric pump 
• New Product 
• Usage: Frequent/daily 
• Price: $

The Medela Silicone Breast Milk Collector is a single-handed, manual breast pump that can be easily attached on one breast, while feeding from the other. Its compact design makes it a perfectly portable choice for out of home or travel. Featuring a double-leak proof design and added lanyard and suction base, the Silicone Breast Milk Collector protects every precious drop of milk.

Harmony Manual Breast Pump

PUMP STATS:

• Single pump
• Non-electric pump
• Updated in 2020
• Usage: 5-10 sessions/month
• Price: $

The Harmony Manual Breast Pump is a single hand-powered breast pump. It’s small, lightweight, and portable which makes it a great option for travel or occasional use. This pump also features a PersonalFit Flex breast shield, which means more milk faster. If you need to be away from your baby and don’t want to tote around your electric everyday pump around in your suitcase then the Harmony may be ideal for you. It also is an ideal pump for someone who is pumping very occasionally for that one-off afternoon away from baby.

Pump in Style

PUMP STATS:

• Double pump
• Electric pump
• Updated in 2020, original launch 1996
• Usage: 3-5 sessions/week
• Price: $$$

The Medela Pump In Style® has been redesigned from the ground up! It features an innovative vacuum mechanism that combines research-based 2-Phase Expression® technology with MaxFlow ™ technology. The new advanced motor generates a vacuum with micro-vibrations for effective milk expression. It's straightforward with 4 simple buttons for intuitive use + 10 pre-programmed settings.

To read our full, in-depth review of the Pump In Style, click here!

Swing Maxi Breast Pump

PUMP STATS:

• Double pump
• Electric pump
• Price: $$$

The Swing Maxi Breast Pump comes with a powerful motor [but weighs just 1lb] making it a perfect option for moms on the go. It has a built-in rechargeable battery for up to 6 pumping sessions on one full charge making it a versatile sidekick to complement your breastfeeding journey. There is no light up display [like you would find on the Freestyle Flex] but this pump does offer Bluetooth connectivity so you can easily connect to the MyMedela app to track your pumping sessions and to track your levels.

To read our full, in-depth review of the Swing Maxi, click here.

Freestyle Hands-Free

PUMP STATS:

• Double pump
• Electric Pump
• Smart Pump
• Updated in 2023
• Usage: frequent, daily
• Price: $$$$

The Medela Freestyle Hands-Free is full of technology and boasts a laundry list of convenient features. It is geared towards meeting the needs of the on-the-go modern-millennial-multitasking-mom who values technology and craves convenience. It has a built-in battery, USB port, LED light-up display, and allows you to pump more milk in less time.

However, what really sets this pump apart from the others is its ability to be concealed inside a nursing bra, which makes it a breeze to use virtually anywhere. The Freestyle has an anatomically shaped design for a natural appearance and increased comfort, plus the pump motor is lightweight at only 0.6 lbs., and comes with a lanyard for attaching to your wrist (it’s also small enough to fit in your pocket). Talk about the whole package!?!

For our full review of the Freestyle Hands-Free, check out our Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Product Review!

Sonata Smart

Pump Stats:

• Double pump
• Electric Pump
• Smart Pump
• Launched in 2017
• Usage: frequent, daily
• Price: $$$$

The Medela Sonata Smart launched in 2017 as the first-ever Medela smart breast pump. It is a double electric pump with a rechargeable battery, Bluetooth connectivity, and touchscreen display. It’s a modern-looking pump that can live on your nightstand but has a convenient carry handle so you can move it to any room in your home.

When it launched in 2017, it was the quietest Medela pump on the market—but the new Freestyle Flex is just as quiet. The biggest difference between the Freestyle Flex and the Sonata is the size and shape – the Sonata is round and weighs about 2 lbs.

For an in-depth breakdown of the differences between the Freestyle Flex and Sonata Smart, check out this full comparison!

Solo Single

Pump Stats:

• Single pump
• Electric pump
• New Product
• Usage: frequent, daily
• Price: $$

The Solo Single Electric Breast Pump is perfect for mothers looking for comfort, practicality, and efficiency without all the extra bells and whistles.

Its 4-button interface and 9 pre-programmed settings make this compact single electric breast pump extremely easy to use. While the Solo doesn’t have a light-up display or Bluetooth connectivity, it does feature a built-in rechargeable battery with USB type C connector, allowing you to use it on-the-go, without having to recharge for up to six pumping sessions.

The Solo also uses 2-Phase Expression® technology and comes with PersonalFit Flex™ breast shield that can be adjusted for your comfort.

Symphony 

Pump Stats:

• Double pump
• Electric Pump, Hospital Grade
• Smart Pump
• Usage: frequent/daily
• Price: not available for purchase, rental pump only

We often get asked about the Symphony hospital grade pump, but the truth is – with the re-launch of many of Medela’s double electric pumps that we mentioned above you now have access to similar technology at home. You can rent this hospital-grade pump in the NICU or Maternity ward and decide later which personal pump above to buy. The Symphony is ideal for the mom who needs to initiate and build her milk supply for the very beginning. It is best for moms of multiples or preemies.

What Do You Think?

Once you’ve decided on a pump, you'll need to get fitted for a comfy nursing bra. Medela has an intimate apparel line, and many accessories, that will compliment your breastfeeding journey.

Confused about how to choose? We've got an article just for that – check out Nursing Bra 101 to break down everything you need to know about the many stages of growth you will experience, along with our Related Content below that covers everything Medela!