Compare Best Electric Breast Pumps: Philips Avent or Medela?

​​Author: Maurice Savaryego, M.Sc.Eng.
Philips Avent Breast Pump(Photo Credits: PHILIPS AVENT)
It is well known that there is no better food than mother's milk to ensure normal and healthy baby growth. Mother's own milk contains the exact nutrients required by her unique child, including all that is necessary to strengthen the infant's immune system.

A breast pump can be of great help in making sure that the baby gets the full benefits of mother's milk. 

​Here are some of the most important advantages in using a breast pump:
  • It allows collection and storage of breast milk for later use, if the mother must be away for reasons such as sickness, work, etc.
  • It allows sharing of the baby-feeding task by letting the father take over the job, using the stored breast milk.
  • It can stimulate the formation of milk when the breast does not produce sufficient quantities, and it can relieve the breast when it is engorged with large quantities of milk.
  • As the infant grows, it can help transition the baby from breastfeeding to the bottle.

There are manual and electric breast pumps, but unless it will be used in rare occasions, an electric pump is preferable, because it can easily produce more milk in much shorter amount of time. Given that nowadays most mothers are quite busy with all sorts of activities including work, electric pumps have become extremely popular. Also, a mother who needs to increase milk formation in her breasts would benefit much more using an electric breast pump. 

Thanks to medical innovations, using a breast pump today is completely painless. Modern breast pump designs respect the female body and have in mind the relief of any pain that breastfeeding may cause. Thanks to compact and portable designs, these pumps can be tossed in a bag for travel or easily stored away when not in use.

In summary, electric breast pumps offer the comfort and convenience of fast, easy pumping at the touch of a button. The mother basically sits and relaxes while the pump does all the work.

Of course electric pumps are more expensive than manual pumps, but if you are a busy mom and plan to feed your baby exclusively breast milk, the electric pump will be well worth the price.



You will find below a comparison of the most popular two electric breast pumps sold on Amazon at the time this article was written: Philips Avent Comfort and Medela Swing. Note that these two electric breast pumps were not just best sellers, but had also received raving reviews from Amazon customers (at the time this review was written, each of these breast pumps had received an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars).

If you're in a hurry and wish to see Amazon price information for the selected electric breast pumps, please click the following link:
Selected Breast Pumps on Amazon


Comparing the Philips Avent and Medela Swing Electric Breast Pumps


1. Philips Avent Comfort Electric Breast Pump

PHILIPS AVENT COMFORT Breast PumpPHILIPS AVENT COMFORT
(Photo Credits: PHILIPS AVENT)
The Philips Avent Comfort electric breast pump transforms the task of pumping milk into an easy, convenient, comfortable, safe and fast procedure that is initiated at the touch of a button.

The pump comes with a natural breast-shaped nipple that makes transition to bottle easier, and a soft massage cushion that mimics your baby's natural suckling patterns to stimulate milk flow and make pumping more comfortable. There are three operational settings to let you choose the one that suits you best, and the pump's angled neck lets milk flow naturally from breast to bottle. To prevent any wastes, the milk container that connects to the pump also works as a bottle when used with the breast-shaped nipple.

With this breast pump, you don't have to lean forward to get it working properly as it allows you to sit comfortably as you pump. That is important, because being comfortable and relaxed while pumping encourages the quantity of milk that is produced. As soon as you turn on the pump, the cushion starts automatically to gently stimulate the breast to encourage milk flow. Note that the stimulation cushion fits most moms, but a larger size is also sold separately.
Women pumping breast for milk.(Photo Credits: PHILIPS AVENT)
The breast pump has a compact and portable design. It can be tossed in a bag for travel or simply stored away when not in use. It can run on batteries as well (needs 4 "AA" batteries). It is also compatible with other Philips Avent products, such as the Philips Avent bottles and milk storage containers, which means that you can pump anywhere and anytime and save milk for later use. 

Philips Avent Comfort electric breast pumps have a strict sanitary design. All parts (including pump, nipple, bottle and cushion) are BPA free. Cleanup is also very easy: all non-electric parts can be sterilized in the dishwasher or by using the Philips Avent steam sterilizer.

When you purchase, the box will include one Philips Avent Comfort Single Electric Breast Pump with all its parts including the power adapter, one standard-sized cushion, one 4-ounce Natural bottle, and one Natural newborn nipple. There is a two-year limited warranty.

Finally, note that if a double electric breast pump is required, the Philips Avent Double Breast Pump is also available and comes with the same features as the single unit, except that it does not run on batteries and needs to be plugged in to work (see below Amazon section for product offerings).


2. Medela Swing Single Electric Breast Pump

MEDELA SWING Electric Breast PumpMEDELA SWING
(Photo Credits: MEDELA)
Medela electric breast pumps are considered by many as the gold standard, but being on the expensive side they are not affordable by all. Here comes their Medela Swing electric breast pump which is not only affordable, but also packed with all the well known Medela features which make a breast pump so easy to use.

For efficient pumping, the breast pump features Medela's exclusive 2-Phase Expression technology which mimics a baby's natural nursing patterns. It is equipped with a comfortable breast-shield, which, when the pump is turned on, initiates a light and fast stimulation phase followed by a deeper and slower milk expression phase.

The Swing comes with all the accessories you need to get started. This includes a bottle stand and two milk bottles, all housed in a portable drawstring bag. 

The pump works both with an AC adaptor which is included or with 4 "AA" batteries for pumping when you are away (the batteries need to be purchased separately).
Woman Using Medela Swing Breast Pump(Photo Credits: MEDELA)
The breast pump is very compact and portable, it weighs less than 1 lb (about 10 1/2 oz.) and is just 5" in diameter. It is so compact, you can even clip it to your belt, or hang it off your shoulder.  It is also very quiet and therefore represents a good solution for discreet breast pumping.

When you purchase, the box will include one Medela Swing Electric Breast Pump with all its parts (including the a 24mm Personal Fit breast-shield with valve and tubing), two 5 oz (150 mL) milk bottles and two bottle lids, one bottle stand, one shoulder/neck strap, one AC adapter, one drawstring bag, and instructions for use.

All parts are BPA free, and there is a limited 1-Year warranty on the breast pump.

Finally, note that if a double electric breast pump is required, the Medela Pump In Style Double Breast Pump is also available and is offered below in the Amazon products section. Like the Medela Swing, this product can also run on batteries or plugged in.

So which electric breast pump is best to buy?

Both electric breast pumps described above are excellent products built by respectable companies and that have received great reviews from Amazon customers, the average rating at the time this article was written being more than 4 stars for each (out of 5 stars). But obviously, the two products are not identical, and there are certain differences to keep in mind before deciding which to get:

First, if you want to be able to use the pump on the go, you should consider the Medela Swing as it's better designed for carrying along. Not only does it also run on batteries, but it can be clipped to your belt, or hung off your shoulder. Note also that the Philips Avent double breast pump does not work with batteries and needs to be plugged in, while the Medela In Style double breast pump works on batteries as well.

Second, based on Amazon user reviews, the Philips Avent pump is gentler on the nipples. Users have reported that the sucking vacuum builds more progressively, while Medela's builds faster. Also, a number of Amazon customers have found the Philips easier to use. It allows you to sit back and relax, while with the Medela pump, you will need to sit straight or lean forward to avoid leakage. On the other hand, the Medela is more powerful, and will stimulate and express faster more milk than the Philips Avent.

So, choosing between Philips Avent and Medela Swing electric breast pumps is tantamount to choosing between comfort/gentleness and efficiency/speed. This is a personal choice that you will have to make. For instance, we can see busy working moms preferring the Medela, while stay home moms going for the Philips Avent.

Finally, don't forget that there is also a price difference, the Medela being about 25% more expensive than the Philips.


Philips Avent and Medela Breast Pumps on Amazon

When you click the Amazon product links below, you will be transferred to the Amazon.com  site where you can get exact price information or purchase the product or products  of your choice. If some of the prices are not shown on the Amazon link images below, they will be provided once you click the link images.

Philips Avent
Single Electric Breast Pump

Medela Swing
Single Electric Breast Pump
Note:  If double breast pumps are required, you may want to consider the following double breast pumps from Medela and Philips Avent:

Philips Avent
Double Breast Pump

Medela Pump in Style
Double Breast Pump (Backpack)

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INTERESTING ALTERNATIVE:

Another interesting alternative is the Spectra S1 breast pump which is supposed to be one of the most advanced hospital grade pumps available and is designed to meet the needs of new moms who want to make sure that they have a powerful yet gentle breast pump, strong and efficient enough to support effectively milk supply, while incorporating features that make life a little easier.  
Here are some of the features you get with the Spectra S1 breast pump:
  • The S1 is portable and quickly rechargeable for active moms, and also quiet and discreet for soothing pumping.
  • There is a night light allows you to easily pump at any hour.
  • This pump conveniently weighs only 2.9lbs.
  • The maximum suction strength is 250mmHg and can be used as a single or double pump.
  • It has a completely flexible touch button and digital controls that allow you to set the pumping program to the speed and rhythm most effective for your body. The suction is adjustable in both let-down and expression mode.
  • It also includes a timer.
  • It has a very quiet motor, which when in the “massage mode” simulates the natural suckling of baby. Spectra Baby spent years developing features for the S1 like “backflow protection” to keep your breast milk from harmful bacteria. The “adjustable suction levels”  provide a more natural flow of milk.
  • INCLUDES: Spectra S1 Hospital Grade Double/Single Breast Pump, 12 Volt AC Power Adapter, Detachable Power Cord Prongs, (2) Spectra Wide Neck Bottle, (2) Spectra Backflow Protector, (2) Spectra Duckbill Valve, (2) Spectra Tubing, (4) Flange (2-24mm & 2-28mm) ​

For more information and exact price information on the Spectra S1 breast pump or to purchase, please click below:
​

SPECTRA S1 Double/Single Breast Pump

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