Battle of the Breast Pumps: Willow vs Elvie

Summer vs. winter. Coffee vs. tea. Google vs. Amazon.

Whether you’re choosing between favorite pastimes, companies, or products, every decision comes down to personal preference, and breast pumps are no exception. But finding the right breast pump for you can be a lengthy process that requires research to compare different brands and models. Don’t worry, mama—we’re here to help.

Part of the growing femtech industry, Elvie emerges as a leader in breast pumps, leveraging technology to provide advanced solutions for breastfeeding mamas. Elvie is committed to providing women with new tech-focused features and solutions to improve their breastfeeding outcomes. A few of these forward-thinking features include SmartRhythm and infrared sensors that detect the let-down of milk to provide a more seamless pumping experience.

We love Elvie for the brand’s innovation in breast pumps, bringing comfort to moms and enabling smarter pumping experiences with the Elvie app. Use this app with Elvie’s collection of products to customize settings, monitor milk output, remotely manage your pump, and track pumping history. Compatible with all Elvie breast pumps, the app also offers in-depth guidance for moms.

You might find major differences between brands and products depending on what you’re looking for. So, consider the following when shopping for breast pumps:

Portable breast pumps are great for pumping wherever you are. Are you looking for a wireless pump or a pump with a motor? Do you want a mix of hands-free pumping and pumping with external motors?

What's your budget? Differences in cost and insurance plans may impact the pumps and accessories available to you for free or at a discounted cost through insurance. 

You may be breastfeeding and pumping, or you may be an exclusive pumper. No matter how much time you spend pumping, you should aim to find a comfortable and convenient pump that matches your lifestyle needs and personal preferences. 

And keep in mind any previous experiences you may have had with pumps. If so, what did you like and dislike? It’s also a good idea to ask friends and family members for their recommendations and personal experiences with different pumps. 

Now that you’re more familiar with Elvie and Willow and have a helpful list of questions to guide your shopping, let’s find your perfect pump. Check out the descriptions below to explore the features and benefits of the different Elvie and Willow brands available on the Aeroflow website. Ready to discover the perfect fit for you? Let’s get started!

The Willow 360 Wearable Breast Pump (formerly Willow 3.0) is a leak-proof, hands-free breast pump. This pump prioritizes effortless movement, and its patented latch system enables you to pump freely whether you’re moving or at rest. Featuring a sleek design, the Willow 360 snugly fits in your bra and boasts seven levels of hospital-strength Smart Suction technology.

Convenience is key for this pump, which connects to your smartphone or Apple Watch. This connection allows you to control suction levels and monitor milk output in real time. When you buy this pump, you’ll receive access to 360 Care, an exclusive program that supports moms along their pumping journeys. 360 Care offers a virtual one-on-one onboarding session, sizing support, and more.

The Willow 360 is dishwasher safe and includes two pumps, flanges, inserts, flextubes, and cleaning brushes, as well as 24 BPA-free breast milk bags and a charger.

Are you a mom on the go? Meet the Willow Go, a mobile pump with power. Small, easy to clean, ultra quiet, and discreet, Willow Go prioritizes hassle-free mobility to accommodate any mama’s lifestyle. Customize the Willow Go to meet your needs by choosing between six levels of suction in stimulation mode and nine different levels in expression mode.

With enough battery life to last up to five sessions before recharging, the Willow Go offers travel-ready convenience that allows you to pump anytime, anywhere. Willow Go ensures you can accurately measure your output with clear volume markings on the exterior container. At the same time, you can keep track of your pumping session with the Willow Go™ app. 

The Willow Go comes with two pumps, container backs and bowls, pump diaphragms, duckbill valves, and charging cables. The set also includes two flange sizes: 21mm and 24mm (27mm flange inserts are sold separately, as are flange inserts for 15mm, 17mm, and 19mm).

The Elvie Stride Breast Pump is a great solution for moms seeking a discreet, hands-free way to pump on the move. Designed to fit comfortably under clothing, the Elvie Stride enables mobility, whether mamas are multitasking or relaxing. Hospital-strength power makes Elvie Stride strong, and its ultra quiet settings promote discretion over distraction.

Customize your experience with ten intensity levels and save your pumping preferences with the Elvie app. Charge conveniently at home, in the car, or on the go.

The Elvie Stride Plus Double Electric Breast Pump is an upgrade to the brand’s beloved Stride model. This model is another popular option for busy moms, as it features a quiet but powerful hospital-grade motor. The Elvie Stride Plus offers two modes and twenty intensity levels for personalized single or double pumping.

Mamas using the Elvie Stride Plus enjoy comfortable, wireless freedom and increased mobility thanks to its hands-free pumping design. For added convenience, this model comes with a 3-in-1 carry bag including a wet bag, cool bag, and an ice pack. The bag is compatible with standard milk storage bottles to keep your bottles cool.

It’s important to note that the Elvie Stride Plus includes upgraded features such as a rechargeable battery and other convenience items. So, keep in mind that insurance can cover a portion of the cost, but you’ll be responsible for the rest.

Experience tranquility with the Elvie Pump, a wearable, hands-free solution that fits seamlessly inside your bra. The Elvie Pump is compact and quiet, perfect for pumping while your baby is sleeping.

The Elvie Pump is powered by SmartRhythm pumping to meet all your breast milk production needs. This model allows mamas to choose from two modes and fourteen intensity levels. Save preferences on the pump and enhance your experience with the accompanying app, which logs pumping history, provides real-time milk volume monitoring, and shows personalized insights. Plus, enjoy the convenience of its smart features, like automatically switching from stimulation to expression mode for let-down and pausing once the bottle is full.

Portable, compact, and manual, the Elvie Curve is designed for mamas seeking a simple, manual solution. The Elvie Curve is lightweight and made with soft-touch silicone for optimal comfort. This wearable pump also fits securely and conveniently inside your bra. Simply press the pouch to create natural suction and begin effortless pumping. The Elvie Curve holds up to four ounces of breast milk during each session.

A recent report found 50% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations made by friends and family. While recommendations from friends and family are always appreciated, they might not meet your criteria or reflect the most up-to-date pumps on the market. This makes online reviews and support networks extremely helpful for mamas who might be the only recent breast pump shoppers in their social circle.

Well, who better to share advice than other mamas in the Aeroflow community? We’ve rounded up a few pump reviews from our collection of Elvie and Willow products and shared them below to help guide your decisions.

“With two kids, a farm, and a new baby, my life never slows down and I don’t have time to sit down all the time to pump. This pump gave me my life back! I can do all the chores and keep up my milk supply!” -Shanna L.

“I was very skeptical about the wearable pump but let me tell you it’s been amazing. So far my journey in breastfeeding has been wonderful. I gotten so much relief while still doing the things I need to do around the house. I can honestly say I very happy with my pump.” -Loni G.

“I wish I had gotten this sooner- makes it so easy to pump while multitasking.” Kimberly N.

“I WISH I had this with my firstborn. Not being tied to a wall has made such a big difference in my bf journey! The pump is VERY effective for me. I am able to pump at work and get enough milk for the day. I am so glad I spend the extra money. I've noticed replacing the valves regularly is essential! Definitely makes a difference!

Super glad I ordered from Aeroflow, they make sure I have replacement parts when I need them!” - CJ

“As a mom of a newborn, one year old and a six year old, being able to pump on the go is a must. While I exclusively breastfeed, building a small supply for instances when I may need to be away from baby was something I know I needed a good pump for. This pump does just that. While there are quite a few pieces, it’s not too much to clean. I’d recommend and buy this pump again and again.” -Alexis K. 

“This pump works so wellI and is so convenient! I get the same output of milk that I do with my Mendela corded pump. The battery’s at for a long time and the parts are easy to clean. Worth every penny.” -Patricia L.

“The Elvie pump works perfectly for those who do not want to be stuck next to an outlet their entire pump session. It is easy to clean and assemble and the fact that it can fit in any nursing bra is outstanding!” -Justine M.

“I am in love with this thing! I never had any luck with a haakaa because I was so clumsy after my c-sections. I would use those once or twice and get annoyed and stop. But I have been using this consistently since coming home and I can’t believe how much I have already added to the freezer. It has also helped with engorgement and making it easier for baby to latch.” -Sara

If you have any questions, reach out to our team of lactation consultants! We’re here to help you every step of the way along your breastfeeding and pumping journey.