The 8 Best Manual Breast Pumps of 2024

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Our favorites are compact and portable, and help you pump anywhere with ease.

Parents

As efficient as electric breast pumps are for expressing milk, having a manual breast pump on hand is also helpful in unexpected situations. This is especially true when you need to pump to relieve engorged breasts or when you find yourself without a power source. Also, some people just prefer a manual pump.

"[Manual breast pumps] don't have any motors or mechanical parts and rely on your hand power to work,” explains breastfeeding counselor Ashley Blankenship. “They shouldn't be painful or too uncomfortable. You're in control of how much suction you create. You only need enough suction to get the milk flowing. More suction will not make more milk and can cause breast or nipple damage.”

To find the best manual breast pumps, our editors tested the top-rated and most popular options on the market in the comfort of their homes. We wore the manual breast pumps for an initial two weeks and continue to use all options for months to determine durability and longevity. We analyzed each breast pump on several attributes, including ease of setup, ease of use, portability, and value, noting our findings below.

Exact instructions depend on the pump style, but manual breast pumps typically create suction by squeezing and releasing the pump while the breast shield presses against the areola and nipple. If you only have one pump, you’ll want to switch breasts about every 10 to 15 minutes during your session. What’s more important, however, is ensuring you’re comfortable using a manual breast pump physically and mentally.

“Breastfeeding is a mental game," Blankenship says. "Sometimes pumping doesn't elicit the same emotions as feeding your baby straight from the breast. If you find the noise of an electric pump too distracting and are having a hard time relaxing, a manual pump can help express more milk than an electric pump. Keep in mind that just because it's a manual pump, doesn't mean you'll need to squeeze it the whole time. You'll squeeze until milk starts to flow, then you can rest until milk flow stops before squeezing again.”

The Medela Harmony is everything you want in a manual breast pump: lightweight, compact, quiet, easy to set up, simple to use, and affordable. We appreciate the nearly effortless setup, minus a little confusion with putting the protective cups on the flanges. Once we put it together the first time, we could do it repeatedly without any struggle or need for the manual. The controls are also super intuitive once you operate the manual breast pump.

What stands out to us the most is the portability of this manual breast pump. The unit fits right in the phone pocket of our yoga pants and even comes with a wrist strap. The ice packs with this manual breast pump are also great for easily getting milk from the office to your home. We don’t feel as free to do things while wearing the breast pump, but overall, it’s a great benefit.

The Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump uses “two-phase” technology to closely mimic a baby’s natural sucking so that it won’t interfere with your regular breastfeeding routine. We enjoyed this feature as it allows you to easily switch from stimulation to letdown mode.

The pump is designed with a handle, diaphragm, and stem with an O-ring to make manual pumping easier. The oval-shaped flexible shield with a padded rim and a 105-degree angle helps you find the right fit for your body. We found that the suction doesn’t feel very strong but is comfortable, even on the highest suction level.

This manual breast pump has a lot of value due to its great features and thoughtful accessories. The set comes with one 5-ounce bottle with extra-wide mouths, a lid and stand, one Harmony connector, one valve, and one membrane.

This breast pump passes the Zoom test—it’s quiet enough that you won’t hear it on Zoom when you’re pumping; however, it does make a soft buzz sound.

The Details:

Parents

This Lansinoh manual breast pump has an easy-to-use design with a handle for pumping and two different-sized breast shields to help you find the best fit. It also has two different modes: stimulation and expression, so it's great for pumping and helps get your milk to start flowing.

We love that you can efficiently pump straight into the brand’s milk storage bags—a game-changer for pumping on the go. One of our editors used this pump on car rides and at a concert with zero issues. In addition to milk storage bags, this breast pump comes with a NaturalWave nipple, cap, collar, and wide-neck bottles compatible with Lansinoh’s electric pump.

Putting the Lansinoh Hand Pump together and taking it apart for cleaning is as simple as using it. The only issue we encountered was squeezing the handle; it makes a slight squeaking noise, but it's minimal. Moreover, the handle was closer to the bottle, which felt a little unsmooth when pumping, though not a dealbreaker.

The Details:

Parents

Easy to use, soft material, and at a ridiculously great price, the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump will surprise you. It’s a gentle and more straightforward approach to pumping, especially if you’re a beginner breastfeeder. To set it up, attach it to your breast by squeezing the 100% soft silicone bottle at the bottom, rest your breast in the shield, and then release the bottle to create suction. You can repeat this step as needed until you’ve sufficiently pumped.

We love that the Haakaa is entirely silent and makes no sound when used. It can hold up to 4 ounces of milk, is super comfortable, and is dishwasher and hot water-safe.

"The Haakaa can be a great tool if used properly," Blankenship says. "It can also cause a lot of issues. Only use a Haakaa if recommended to you by a breastfeeding professional.”

Setup was a breeze, although finding the right angle when using the pump may take some trial and error. After collecting milk, it could feel like the pump lost some suction, and you may have to correct it so it doesn’t fall off. Also, if you continually use the manual breast pump over time, finding the “right” angle may be more challenging. Otherwise, the silicone and body are very durable, and we haven't experience any issues.

The Details:

Parents

The Elvie Curve is a silicone manual breast pump worn directly on the breast (inside the bra), which allows for hands-free expression. You attach, collect, and go on with your day. This pump is very intuitive and easy to use. To increase the suction level, simply press on the pouch, or use the control valve on top to decrease suction. It has two dishwasher-safe parts, so there aren’t a lot of pieces to assemble and clean. After you pump, you can place the Elvie Curve on its front to prevent spilling milk.

With only a couple of pieces, it’s seamless to transport. The 4-ounce silicone pouch is flexible and can squeeze into your bag without harming any other part of the manual breast pump. Additionally, it maintains its shape after frequent use. Overall, the pump has held up well during testing, and there aren’t any signs of wear and tear after months of use.

It’s still very noticeable under one layer of clothing, so this may not be a manual breast pump you want to wear when leaving the house. On the plus side, it’s simple to use anywhere you go, so you don’t have to stop running errands or take a break to pump.

The Details:

Parents

If you’re looking for a small breast pump you can easily carry around, this is the one. The NatureBond Silicone Breast Pump works like the Haakaa: squeeze the soft silicone, place your breast in the shield, and then release the pump to create suction. The difference between the Haakaa and NatureBond’s Silicone Breast Pump is the many accessories the NatureBond includes. It comes with a pump, a capsule for storage, a stopper to prevent spilled milk, and a carrying strap for the ultimate portability. A marbled silicone stand also keeps the pump upright to prevent further leakage or spilled milk.

This manual breast pump can be top-heavy, so we always recommend using the stopper and capsule to keep milk in.

The Details:

With this manual breast pump, you get a 24.5-millimeter flange and a 30.5-millimeter flange, which is helpful for a person who needs something that will accommodate larger nipples. You can purchase additional sizes separately if those two don't work.

The Evenflo Advanced Manual Breast Pump has a lightweight, compact design with an easy-to-use handle pump that pivots, so it’s comfortable to hold on both the left and right sides.

If you want to clean this manual breast pump thoroughly, you’ll have to take apart several pieces. On the plus side, everything is safe to toss in the dishwasher on the top rack.

The Details:

The 100% silicone breast shield (25mm) on this pump conforms to your body and stays comfortable while you use it. It has a squeeze handle and two pumping modes to mimic a baby’s natural feeding. We appreciate how all of the parts are top-rack dishwasher-safe. Along with the pump, you get one 5-ounce Dr. Brown’s wide-neck bottle with a level-1 nipple, a wide-neck cap, and a cleaning brush for when you need to hand-wash the pieces.

The Dr. Brown’s Manual Breast Pump features a long, narrow handle, which makes it effortless to find when pumping in the dark. However, it may not feel ergonomic depending on how you hold the bottle to pump.

The Details:

The Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump creates optimum comfort. The angled breast shield has a soft, textured cushion to make a secure fit and stimulate the nipple for feeding. It has an ergonomic handle for pumping and comes with a 4-ounce Avent bottle. According to the company, there are fewer parts to assemble and disassemble for cleaning than previous models. Initially, attaching the pump lever to the flange was a little confusing, but once we did, it was a piece of cake each time. Taking the pump apart to clean it is just as simple.

We appreciate how compact and lightweight the Philips Avent Manual Breast Pump is for portability. Our editors stored this pump in a diaper bag, took it on an airplane, and carried it to the office.

Although this pump only includes one 4-ounce bottle and a nipple, its wide neck is compatible with all Philips Avent Natural and Anti-Colic bottles, which was helpful when we needed to swap bottles to feed the baby with the freshly expressed milk while pumping the second breast.

During the Zoom test, we found that there was a slight squeaking sound when the handle was released, but it wasn't too bothersome. Note also that some retailers sell a basic kit that includes only the pump, cushion cover, bottle, and sealing disc with the screw ring, while others also include a nipple and disposable breast pads.

The Details:

To choose the best manual breast pumps, we researched and reviewed more than two dozen breast pumps on the market and spoke to experts, including a breastfeeding counselor and our editors who are or were breastfeeding. Our editors tested the manual breast pumps at home for an initial testing window of two weeks, followed by a months-long real-world testing period. First, our editors unpacked the breast pump from the packaging, sanitized them properly, and breastfed and pumped as usual. They switched between breasts, mimicking a baby’s suction patterns until done. When finished, they cleaned and sanitized the product and noted their findings regarding noise, setup, durability, ease of use, portability, and value.

For manual breast pump suggestions and advice on how to use them safely, we spoke to the following expert:

Before using a breast pump, the first step is to read the manufacturer’s user manual. You’ll learn how to assemble and use the pump correctly, and it may come in handy to have the company’s customer service line for any questions. Once you’ve read through your manual, wash and dry your hands, assemble the pump, and find a comfy position to attach the breast shield. You shouldn’t pinch or pull your breast to adjust the breast shield as it may irritate your nipple or breast tissue. While using a manual pump, find a speed that’s comfortable for you.

I recommend speaking to a breastfeeding professional before starting a pumping routine. There are many things to think about when pumping, and it can save a lot of trouble down the road if you come up with a plan that works for your particular issues ahead of time. More milk is not always a good thing.

“If you're pumping often or solely pumping, an electric one may be better because to use a manual pump, you need to squeeze a handle of some sort, and it can tire out your hands,” Blankenship explains. “Same goes for issues with carpal tunnel, which is very common after having a baby. However, if you're using it only once a day or sporadically, a manual pump can be a great option! They're much less expensive than an electric pump and take up less room.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends removing the pump completely (if applicable) and thoroughly rinsing each piece. If your breast pump is dishwasher-friendly, pop it in there. If it isn't, you can wash it by hand using hot soapy water. If you’re hand-washing, use a brush only for cleaning bottles, then rinse the pieces again and let them air dry.

To further sterilize it, you can place the pump in a pot of boiling water for five minutes before letting it air dry or use a bottle sterilizer (however, check your pump manufacturer’s guide before you do this).

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 3-year-old and a 5-year-old. She has personal experience researching and purchasing products essential to motherhood. Key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include functionality and personal experience.

Additional reporting by:

Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She spent several years in broadcast journalism but found her true passion in writing about the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her in the beautiful outdoors of Oklahoma with her husband and 3-year-old son. Katrina started with an electric wearable breast pump but struggled to get a good fit. Instead, she switched to the Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump, which created better suction than her electric pump and felt comfortable to use.

Using a Breast Pump. Food and Drug Administration. 2023.

About breast pump hygiene. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2024.