Best Travel Breast Pump

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If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best travel breast pump is, I’d recommend the IKare Electric Double Breast Pump.

As easy as we try to make life for ourselves post-pregnancy, it’s inevitable that things don’t go exactly our way. Life happens, and there’s a good chance you’re going to have to go somewhere other than your house while you’re nursing and pumping.

But that’s okay!

These days, they have a solution for everything—including breast pumps. Some pumps and kits are designed specifically for travel. Some are convenient to carry around, while others can be used literally while you’re on the move. As in, driving in your car.

While it can be scary to be a new mom, it doesn’t have to be difficult. No worries here, moms, I’m happy to help you figure this one out.

In this article, I am breaking down the best travel breast pumps, and in the end, I’ll choose the winner.

Here are the breast pumps I will be reviewing:

Traveling Necessities

Traveling already involves so much preparation. Between the packing, planning, booking, and actually getting to where you’re going, it seems like the list is never-ending. Add a newborn baby and a breastfeeding mom into the mix, and it seems impossible.

If you’re concerned about upcoming travel and aren’t sure you have a pump that can handle what you need, read on. I’ve got some tips for you.

Easy Operation

When you’re on the move, you want things to be as easy as possible. You already have so much going on with so many details to keep track of, the last thing you need is a complicated machine with confusing operational instructions.

Keep it simple. Find something that you can use quickly whenever you need it. You should be able to get hooked up quickly and be done promptly.

Simple Cleaning

Speaking of simple, cleaning is something that shouldn’t be complicated. Cleaning a breast pump regularly can be kind of a pain, so imagine how much harder it is to do on the road or in an unfamiliar place.

I highly recommend closed systems because they keep the milk from getting to the pump or getting caught up in the tubes. These kinds of pumps require very little cleaning maintenance and would be very convenient for traveling.

Storage

Just like packing anything else you need to bring during travel, you’re going to need good storage space for your pump and pump accessories. This includes things like extra bottles, tubes, battery packs, chargers, lids, and more.

You can find a tote or a bag of your own, of course, but many breast pump kits come with bags that are designed to fit everything nicely in one bag. They also sometimes offer excellent organization and coolers to store your milk while you’re on the road.

Quick & Efficient

The dream would be to make all of our pumping sessions quick and efficient, but if there were ever a time to make that a priority, it would be during travel. Whether you’re on a business trip or vacation with your family, it’s not exactly fun to carve out a huge chunk of time to sit and pump.

Your travel breast pump should work quickly to produce the greatest amount of milk in the shortest amount of time while still being comfortable for you.

Battery Power

When you’re traveling, you never know when you’re going to have access to a power source like an outlet. It’s not very wise to depend on a breast pump that needs a power source. If you want to keep a proper schedule, it makes the most sense to have a battery-powered breast pump.

Extra points if you get a rechargeable battery-powered breast pump. When you do finally make it to your hotel room or your final destination, you can charge up. You can also try charging with car adaptors.

My Top Travel Breast Pump Reviews

In my experience, I have found a few different pumps that work well for traveling. Now that we have a little more understanding of the features we should prioritize, let’s take a closer look at the actual products. You may just find the one you’ve been looking for. 

BellaMa Pro Double Electric Breast Pump

The BellaMa Pro Double Electric Breast Pump is an effective and powerful pump that gives you all the control. With efficient suction power, you’re actually able to control the left and right pumps independently, giving you a customizable experience all around.

The closed system features an anti-flow design, meaning the tubes won’t get stuck up and the milk won’t flow back to the pump. This design is FDA approved and makes your pump safe for your baby and super easy to clean.

Excellent for travel, this pump system is very lightweight and portable. It all fits into the included carrying bag so you can hold all your pumping gear in one place and keep it with you throughout your travels.

Additionally, it also includes four bottles to store milk and a cooler with ice packs.

Pros

  • Small, lightweight, and extremely portable for travel
  • Battery pack compatible
  • Extra long power cord
  • Plenty of storage for milk
  • Carrying bag to hold accessories
  • Includes cooler and ice pack
  • Soft gel padding for extra comfort
  • Easy to use
  • Closed system

Cons

  • Battery pack is not included
  • Lots of parts to clean

Medela Pump In Style Advanced With Backpack

Who doesn’t love a functional backpack that holds everything you could possibly need? That’s exactly what you get with the Medela Pump in Style Advanced breast pump. This double electric pump delivers excellence in more ways than one, starting with its innovative technology.

This Medela pump uses patented two-phase expression technology that serves to produce more milk in less time than other pumps. Because of this, travel is a breeze. You don’t have to sit for a long time with this pump since it works so efficiently.

This pump is also battery operated, meaning you can take it and use it anywhere you go during your travels—even in the car. When you finally get settled in a place with a power source, you can recharge for your next day on the road.

The most unique thing about this Medela pump is that it comes built into a sleek and stylish backpack that conveniently holds everything you need. It comes with two bottles, a cooler and ice pack, two shields, and more. All of this fits in the backpack for easy packing and traveling.

Pros

  • Discrete traveling storage
  • Rechargeable battery operation
  • Two-phase expression technology for efficiency
  • Single knob adjustments for easy use
  • Stylish and convenient backpack storage
  • Double pump
  • Several accessories

Cons

  • Not as easy to clean
  • Loud pump
  • No dual controls

Spectra Baby USA 9 Plus

Traveling is all about packing the most while taking up the least amount of space. The Spectra 9 Plus Pump lets you do just that. This little pump is roughly the size of the average cell phone and weighs less than a pound, making it super convenient to pack for traveling.

Like other pumps, you get what you need included in this package: two bottles, backflow protectors, valves, tubing, and flanges. While you’re using this pump, you can easily see your settings and options on the LCD screen. With features like advanced massage and expression, you can adjust your suction levels and control the timer and cycles.

Many moms love this pump because it’s so tiny and easy to use anywhere—especially in the car. Its rechargeable battery lasts about three hours, giving you plenty of time to pump before your next charge.

It also includes a power cord, so you don’t have to use up the battery while you’re in your hotel room or connected to a car adapter.

Pros

  • Extremely portable, lightweight, and small for travel
  • Easy to operate
  • Rechargeable battery power
  • Great for the car
  • Easy to read and view LCD screen
  • Powerful for its size

Cons

  • Fewer options than standard pumps
  • Single pump only
  • Best for travel, not everyday use

IKare Electric Double Breast Pump

The IKare Electric Double Breast Pump is a hospital grade product, which tends to make nervous moms feel better. FDA approved and BPA free, this product is incredibly safe to use with high-quality materials.

This pump uses piston-driven technology that works to separate the pumping unit from the milk flow, keeping everything clean and uncontaminated.

Highly customizable, the pump has five modes with nine suction levels each. All these options let moms choose what works best for them, rather than having to deal with a one size fits all situation. Not only can you pick your favorite setting, but the memory function will record and remember it for your next use.

This IKare product is so compact and lightweight that you’ll love traveling with it. It makes packing easy, and it has a rechargeable battery pack so you can use it anywhere—from in your car to pit stops along your travels. Additionally, it comes with a manual kit, so if you run out of charge you can still pump!

Finally, the pump uses noise-proof technology to significantly lessen the amount of noise your pump makes while you use it. You won’t disturb your traveling companions, especially when you have to pump in the hotel room in the middle of the night.

Pros

  • Closed system for easy cleaning and hygiene
  • Hospital grade material
  • Powerful suction with customizable settings
  • Memory feature
  • Efficient for more milk in less time
  • Rechargeable battery for anywhere use
  • Manual pump option included
  • Noise control technology
  • Compact and lightweight

Cons

  • Only include two bottles
  • Does not include a carrying bag
  • Additional accessories not yet available

Bellababy Double Electric Breastfeeding Pump

If you’re into new technology, you should definitely try the Bellababy Double Electronic Breastfeeding Pump. Not only is it excellent for traveling, but it features high-tech qualities that make it all the rage.

The Bellababy pump uses a high definition touch screen display to showcase and control timers, levels, and modes. There are several setting options to customize the pumping experience for every mom who uses it, ensuring efficiency and comfort for everyone.

With a large capacity battery, you can confidently take this pump on the road knowing you can use it anytime, anywhere. It also includes USB and adaptor power supply when you’re in one place as well as an emergency power bank for when you’re stuck without a power source.

The low noise feature is a must-have when traveling with others, as you know you’ll likely need to pump in the middle of the night. This feature is also great for use in nurseries around your sleeping baby.

The pump holds a petaling massage cushion that makes mom comfortable and supplies you with two bottles and several storage bags for your milk on the road.

Pros

  • Comfortable with many adjustable settings
  • Easy to use touch screen operation
  • Large capacity rechargeable battery
  • Includes emergency backup battery and power cables
  • Closed system for cleanliness
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Includes several storage bags
  • Low noise

Cons

  • Only includes two bottles
  • Only comes with one size flange
  • No carrying bag

The On-The-Go Winner

I honestly had a hard time choosing my favorite options, since there are so many great choices. I narrowed it down to two: the Bellababy and the IKare. Both of these systems are great for travel because they include reliable, rechargeable batteries.

They’re also super lightweight and compact, making them easy to pack and take along wherever you have to go.

Although I was highly intrigued by the technology involved in the Bellababy, the classic mom in me decided to go with the IKare system as my number one choice. 

The IKare has so many customizable options with five modes and nine levels for each mode. Any mom can find their perfect setting with this pump, and the memory capability will remember the setting for future pumping. 

Additionally, I love the fact that it is a hospital grade product. It’s very safe, FDA approved, and BPA free. When it comes to our babies, you can never be too safe.

The closed system keeps it clean, making maintenance easier on you. The rechargeable battery pack is the right choice for travel too, but the power cords make it easy to use when you’re in one place. With innovative noise reduction technology. I love this breast pump, and I think you will too.

Cristin is a co-founder of Smart Parent Advice, and the loving mother of two wonderful children. In her free time, she can often be found in a yoga studio or catching up on her favorite shows.