How to Choose the Best Hands-Free Breast Pump in 2025: Including Our Top Picks

You’re juggling kids, postpartum recovery, life-admin, and pumping with just one pair of hands. Wouldn’t it be nice to do some of those things and pump at the same time? A hands-free breast pump is the way forward, and it’s a total game-changer. Think “pumping and multi-tasking” because you don’t need to use your hands whilst pumping. Choosing the right pump can feel overwhelming, so we’ve broken it down into clear, simple sections to make the decision easier.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide:

• What is a hands-free breast pump?
• Key features to look for (comfort, suction, capacity, noise, battery life)
• The best hands-free breast pumps in 2025
• Do you really need to be hands-free, or are there alternatives?
• Tips & tricks to get the most out of your pump
• FAQs: hands-free vs. wearable pumps, exclusive pumping, and more

Our promise to you is that by the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what to look for and which models are worth your money.

Understand What a Hands-Free Breast Pump Is

When we say hands-free, we mean just that. A hands-free breast pump doesn’t have to mean a wearable breast pump. A wearable breast pump sits completely inside your bra, whereas a hands-free breast pump is less concealed. There are lots of options available, and some pumps come with accompanying accessories to make top-rated breast pumps hands-free.

Some hospital-grade breast pumps are made hands-free by positioning inside a nursing bra. Some brands have specifically designed a nursing bra to be compatible with their breast pump, therefore making your pumping experience hands-free! There are also some “DIY” hands-free breast pump solutions that you can try without purchasing extra pumping accessories.

Not all pumps are the same: traditional electric pumps are handheld, hands-free pumps use cups or accessories to free your hands, and fully wearable pumps (like Bloome) sit entirely inside your bra for maximum freedom.

Decide on Your Must-Have Hands-Free Breast Pump Features

The best hands-free breast pump is one that you have specifically picked out for its unique features that are tailored to your use and lifestyle. There is no right or wrong way to prioritise breast pump features, as every hands-free breast pump is chosen for different reasons.

1. Comfort & Fit

Consider the size and shape of your breasts to decide whether a hands-free breast pump would be more comfortable than a wearable breast pump. You’ll also want to check which breast flange size you need. Some brands market themselves to include a variety of sizes, or they specifically tailor them to smaller-breasted or larger-breasted pumping mums for a bespoke fit.

Breast flanges made with safe BPA-free materials and soft silicone are your best friend. If it’s going to be against your breast, which can feel sensitive at times when pumping or nursing, a comfortable breast flange is a huge relief.

2. Suction Strength & Modes

A hospital-grade breast pump means it has a minimum suction of 300mmHg. Hospital-grade breast pumps are well known for their efficient milk removal and are often recommended to mums to increase and maintain a milk supply.

Some hands-free breast pumps have multiple stimulation and expression modes, which put you in control of the speed and level of suction during each expression phase. Some breast pump models also mention a memory setting so it remembers your preferred settings each time you power your breast pump.

3. Cup Capacity & Portability

On average, each breast pump cup will hold around 150 ml, though some models go bigger, up to 200 ml. Wearable pumps usually sit in the 140–150 ml range since the cup needs to fit inside your bra. Some hands-free options, however, aren’t limited by bra space and can offer a larger capacity. For example, the Bloome Wearable Breast Pump comes with 140 ml cups, and 180 ml bottles will also be available for mums who prefer more room per session.

You don’t necessarily need to compromise between cup capacity and discretion. Both can work hand-in-hand, though smaller cups (around 140 ml) may often be easier to keep subtle. If pumping on the go is a priority, also consider how easy it is to carry your pump and transport your expressed milk, or whether another portable option would better suit your lifestyle.

4. Noise Level

Is the noise level of your hands-free pump important to you? Think about where you will most likely be using your pump: at work, in the car, or around the house? Some pumping mums prefer to use a quiet motor that operates quietly, like the hush in a library, so they can pump discreetly when they’re at work or after nighttime feeds. If you’re looking for a quieter pump, you need to look for a low decibel number around 45-50 dB.

5. Battery Life

Mums who pump on the go do not want to be searching for plug sockets in public spaces! A rechargeable hands-free pump with a long battery life is essential if this will be your primary use. However, if you’re pumping mostly at home, it may not matter so much if the battery life doesn’t last as long. Ideally, you want a hands-free breast pump that will hold a 2-hour charge so you can get 4-5 pumping sessions without it needing to be plugged in.

Compare the Best Hands-Free Breast Pumps in 2025

After reading up on all the essential and desirable features you would want to look for in your hands-free breast pump, we’ve picked out our favourites that tick all the boxes. Including our very own wearable breast pump, Bloome.

• Best Budget-Friendly Option – Medela Swing Maxi Hands-Free
• Best for Quiet Pumping – Spectra S9 Double Electric
• Best for Effortless Operation – Medela Freestyle Hands-Free
• Best for High Volume Mums – Momcozy V1 Pro
• Best for Active, On-the-Go Mums – Elvie Stride Plus
• Best for Comfort & Portability – Bloome Wearable Breast Pump

Do I Need to be Hands-Free?

Not everyone wants or needs to use a hands-free breast pump. In these cases, a compact cordless electric breast pump like our Smart Electric Breast Pump offers hospital-grade suction and quiet operation, ideal for mums who prefer to sit and pump comfortably. Even better still, you still benefit from fewer parts to clean and assemble, and you can switch up your pumping sessions by pumping into a baby bottle or a breast milk storage bag = winning!

Learn How to Get the Most Out of Your Hands-Free Pump

The not-so-glamorous but important tips and hacks you’re going to want to know about so you can max out the potential of your hands-free breast pump. This is what pumping mums have to say on the grapevine:

“To check if my hands-free breast pump is positioned correctly, I tilt my body forward so my breasts hang straight down and centre my nipples like that. With some pumps it’s harder to see if they are on correctly if you’re sitting upright, so this is a great method to overcome that!” - Anonymous

Use dedicated cleaning utensils and brushes for baby bottles and breast pump parts to avoid cross-contamination when cleaning other items. For babies who are younger than 12 months, you will need to sterilise parts after cleaning before they can be used again. - Lola&Lykke

“The most reliable way I’ve found is to measure after I’ve pumped or latched for a few minutes, so the nipple is in its natural stretched state. From that number, you can add 1-3mm to find a good starting flange size.” - Karen, Facebook Breastfeeding Group

Use a hands-free breast pump to pump in between feeding sessions to increase or maintain your breast milk supply. Opt for a hospital-grade breast pump for efficient breast milk expression. Use our Pumping Guide to create your own pumping schedule. - Lola&Lykke

“I found that when I used a breast flange size that was slightly too big for me, I was more prone to leaks. If you’re in between sizes, it can sometimes be worth sizing down to see if this stops leaks. You also need to be mindful of bending forward too much or lying back.” - Anonymous

FAQs About Hands-Free Breast Pumps

Is a hands-free pump the same as a wearable pump?

No, these are two different types of breast pumps, but a wearable breast pump will say that it is hands-free because the whole pump sits inside the bra. There are other hands-free breast pumps that don’t sit inside your bra, but you can pump without needing your hands to hold it in place.

Can you exclusively pump with a hands-free pump?

Yes! Some mums like to switch it up between a hands-free breast pump and a wearable breast pump to give them flexibility. Hands-free breast pumps often have hospital-grade motors built in, which makes them ideal to use for exclusively pumping.

If you plan to use your hands-free breast pump to pump exclusively, consider a larger cup capacity so you can pump for longer without needing to empty the cups.

Are all hands-free pumps hospital grade?

Most hands-free breast pumps use hospital-grade motors, and those that don’t operate with a lower strength. A hospital-grade breast pump will measure between 300-350 mmHg and is designed to be long-lasting as they are used more heavily. Breast pumps with a lower mmHg are not worse than hospital-grade pumps; it just means the suction isn’t as strong, which can benefit some pumping mums.

Are hands-free breast pumps worth it?

Yes! If you want to multitask life and pumping, a hands-free breast pump will be your new best friend. It’s changed the way pumping and breastfeeding mums navigate their feeding journey for the better because it helps to take the load off, mentally and physically.

How to clean a hands-free breast pump:

• Disassemble the parts and check the manufacturer's guide to check which parts need to be cleaned (any part that comes into contact with the skin or breast milk).
• Rinse all parts with cold water.
• Clean thoroughly with warm soapy water and a dedicated brush to avoid cross-contamination.
• Rinse again.
• Place in the steriliser if your baby is under 12 months old.
• Leave to air dry (using a towel to dry parts could contaminate them again).

Final Thoughts

Choosing a hands-free breast pump really boils down to what your lifestyle looks like, how you manage your milk supply, and whether you need modifications to make pumping more comfortable. There is no one-size-fits-all in this department!

Most importantly, the best hands-free breast pump is the model that fits you like a glove. If it’s not the right breast flange size, too heavy, or not positioned correctly, it won’t give you efficient breast milk removal, and it could lead to other complications, such as breastfeeding knots and sore nipples.

Explore a range of hands-free breast pumps and wearable breast pumps to discover which breast pump will work best for your pumping needs. Ask the team, and we would be happy to help, from one mum to another.