The verdict in 10 seconds
Best Medela
Medela Harmony Manual Breast PumpA gentle, affordable manual pump that suits occasional pumping bestSuits you if
- You pump now and then and want a simple backup
- You travel or often pump where there's no outlet
- You want a quiet, gentle pump on a tight budget
Best Willow
Willow GoA comfortable, budget-friendlier wearable pump that often falls short on suctionSuits you if
- You want a hands-free pump for top-ups between main sessions
- You mostly pump sitting down or walking around
- You make plenty of milk and want roomy containers
Which brand wins?
Medela is the stronger brand for breast pumps right now. The best single model of the two is the Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump, which suits you if you pump now and then and want a simple backup.
We researched 8 expert reviews, analyzed 4,319 owner ratings and comments across 9 sources for every Medela and Willow model we cover, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
Show me the receipts
Brand scoreboardAverage score 76 vs 54 · reliability 59 vs 42
| Medela | Willow | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 76 | 54 |
| Experts | 84 | 73 |
| Parents | 76 | 41 |
| Reliability | 59 | 42 |
| Models scored | 1 | 1 |
| Most reliable model | Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump | Willow Go |
Averages across scored models. ● marks the better number on each row.
Questions people actually ask
Which is better, Medela or Willow?
Medela, on balance. Its models do better overall.
Based on: Average Product Review score 76 for Medela vs 54 for Willow.Which brand is more reliable, Medela or Willow?
Medela. Its models are less likely to give you trouble.
Based on: Average reliability 59 vs 42.What is the best Medela breast pump?
The Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump. It suits you if you pump now and then and want a simple backup.
Based on: Highest Product Review score among Medela models (76).What is the best Willow breast pump?
The Willow Go. It suits you if you want a hands-free pump for top-ups between main sessions.
Based on: Highest Product Review score among Willow models (54).