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- The Elvie Pump is a hands-free breast pump without any cords, wires, or tubes.
- This wearable breast pump was a life-changing purchase after my baby struggled to breastfeed.
- For the convenience, I bought the Elvie Pump Double, but you can also purchase a single pump.
When my daughter was born prematurely, feeding her was a challenge. She couldn't seem to get the hang of breastfeeding, so I pumped in the hospital during her stay in the NICU and continued to try to nurse her at home without much success.
Every day and night soon became an exhausting blur of trying to nurse her, then pumping, then feeding her the expressed breast milk. After about a week of this, I broke down and spent $500 on the Elvie Pump Double — the first wearable, hands-free breast pump I've ever owned.
Turns out, it's exactly what I needed.
Our Elvie Pump review
I went from spending hours pumping, tied to a wall, to being able to hold my baby during pumping sessions, or make breakfast for my other kids, or drive them to school.
I've been using the Elvie Pump successfully for the past four months. Here's my experience with it, and why I think it's worth considering this wearable electric breast pump.
Design and specs
I opted for the Elvie Pump Double, but you can also buy the single — the only difference is that you get one pump instead of two.
The pump is an all-in-one seamless unit that easily fits in your bra. The design is sleek and minimal, with simple, straightforward controls.
Each unit consists of three parts: 1) the Hub, which houses the electronics and actual pumping apparatus, 2) the detachable milk bottle with spout and valve, and 3) the breast shield and seal that houses your nipple and breast.
What's included with the Elvie Pump Double
- 2 Hubs
- 4 5-ounce milk bottles with storage lids — all BPA free and dishwasher-safe
- 4 seals, 4 spouts, 4 valves
- 2 24mm breast shields and 2 28mm breast shields.
- 4 bra adjusters
- 2 micro USB charging cables
- 2-year warranty for the Hub, 90-day warranty for the washable parts
- 2 carry bags
Key features
- 2 modes (stimulation and expression) and 7 suction intensity settings
- Infrared (IR) energy sensor monitors milk volume in the bottle
- Automatically starts in stimulation mode and switches to expression mode after two minutes or if the sensor detects let-down
- Sensor detects when the milk container is full and automatically stops pumping
- Free app links to each pump through Bluetooth so you can actively monitor milk while pumping, see your stats for past sessions, and check output levels. The app also works as a remote to start or pause pumping, switch intensity settings, and change to expression or stimulation mode.
- Manual controls on each pump to start and pause pumping and change intensity levels
- Though it's marketed as a "silent" breast pump, the sound is noticeable — though significantly quieter than other pumps.
- FSA/HSA funds-compatible and reimbursable by many insurance companies
What it's like to use the Elvie Pump
Out of the box, it took me less than a half-hour to get everything set up. Both pumps were fully charged in about two hours.
The first time I used the Elvie, it took me a few tries to get the nipple alignment right, but now I can literally assemble and place it on in the dark. When I started pumping, it felt too good to be true. Compared to the traditional electric breast pump I'd been using, the Elvie felt downright invisible.
It's incredibly effective. I went from pumping for 15 to 20 minutes every two to three hours to pumping a full feeding of 5 ounces on each breast in around five minutes. While I prefer to use the manual controls on the Hub, the app is handy if you need to switch back and forth between stimulation and expression modes, which cannot be controlled manually.
One of the most clever features is the IR energy sensor that automatically pauses pumping when the milk container is full. Knowing I can just pop the pump in and let it do the rest has been invaluable. It's also easy to switch out the milk container when pumping is paused and the easy-pour spout prevents messes. I also like that you can easily see the milk container on the Elvie (unlike the Willow Pump), so I can peek to make sure the milk is actually flowing and readjust the pump or settings to ensure milk flow.
The battery charge lasts me through almost a whole day of pumping, which is typically four times a day.
How to clean the Elvie Pump
Aside from the Hub, everything is dishwasher safe on the top rack or can be cleaned and sterilized in boiling water or a microwave sterilizer. Just make sure all of the parts are completely dry before using them again — I've found that if the breast shield seals are even slightly wet, it will affect the suction.
The Hub itself should only be wiped clean with a damp cloth. I occasionally have some milk splash up onto the Hub and into its crevices but have found a soft toothbrush works to gently remove any dried milk.
Notes on milk overflow
Initially, I had some issues with milk overflow. Milk would back up into the plastic on the Hub, making it difficult to clean. After reaching out to customer service via email, I learned the brand released a firmware upgrade (1.7.0) in October 2019 to improve the milk volume algorithm and increase the accuracy of the overflow sensor. Since upgrading my firmware, my overflow issue has completely resolved.
If users experience overflow, aside from getting in touch with customer service, the representative suggested wearing a dark-colored bra or shirt, as the color contrast helps the auto-sensor detect the lighter-colored milk.
Data privacy
A company representative said all data is kept totally private and not shared with third parties. Their website provides full details on how the data is stored anonymously. If you choose to operate the pumps manually without the app, be sure to open it periodically to check for software updates.
The cons
The downsides are very small in relation to how much I love this pump. I wish it came with a sturdy carrying case instead of two small velvet-like drawstring bags that aren't at all practical for carrying the pumps.
Second, the Elvie isn't completely discreet. The pumping sound and the lights on the hub — which can't be turned off — are definitely noticeable. The lights shine through most of my shirts, and while it's a lot quieter than any other pump I've used, if you've ever pumped before and happen to be sitting near me, you'll definitely know what's going on. I'd feel comfortable using it in a noisier location where the sound would be masked, but not in a quiet setting.
The bottom line
If you'll be pumping for any regular amount of time, the Elvie wearable breast pump is worth the investment. It truly gave me my life back, taking the hour-long feeding process with my baby down to minutes and giving me the freedom to pump on the go. I can enjoy the extra time I have with my baby and provide her with breast milk with confidence — a win-win.
If it's within your budget, I recommend getting the Elvie Pump Double, for convenience's sake. However, a single pump is fast and efficient enough that you could get away with simply switching sides to pump both breasts.