Best Manual Breast Pumps

Are you trying to find the best manual breast pumps to make your pumping journey easier?

Then let us help you decide which is the best manual breast pump for you with our best hand pump breast pump guide!

If you’ve made the decision to pump breast milk, a quality breast pump can be crucial to your convenience and comfort.

While electric pumps can be more effective at pumping all your breast milk during longer pumping sessions, manual breast pumps definitely can be convenient.

Manual breast pumps provide quick relief in unexpected circumstances when your baby isn’t with you, helping you catch extra milk. 

The beauty of these pumps is that they give you complete freedom. Instead of carrying around an electrical system, you can easily fit the compact pump into your bag.

When using the pump you even have more control over the level of pumping.

This all sounds fantastic, but finding the best manual breast pump can be difficult. 

With so many options available, picking the best one can be overwhelming. Don’t worry though, we’re here to help.

We’ve compiled a list of the best manual breast pumps on the market, looking at their best features and what they can do for you.

If you’re on the lookout for a new manual breast pump, be sure to stick around!

And if you love this best hand pump for breastfeeding guide, make sure to check out our guides on manual vs electric breast pump, Haakaa Breast Pump review and best bottles for breastfed babies.

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List of 5 Best Manual Breast Pumps

Best Manual Breast Pump

1. Haakaa Manual Breast Pump

If you’re looking for a simple, yet effective manual breast pump that’s also available at a wonderful price, the award-winning silicone manual breast pump from Haakaa should be right at the top of your list.

This breast pump is hugely popular, and for good reason. For starters, the pump uses natural suction. 

All you have to do is squeeze the pump, place it on your breast, and let the pump do the rest of the work.

Secondly, the Haakaa silicone manual breast pump only consists of one part. 

That means no assembly or disassembly is required. This makes the pump super easy to clean, very easy to use, and unbelievably easy to transport.

Simply place the pump in your baby bag or purse.

Finally, by attaching the lateral breast you can catch any letdown that would otherwise have been lost to nursing pads.

When we took a look at the manual breast pump, we were in general pleased with everything we saw.

Every aspect of the Haakaa pump performs well, offering mothers everything they need from a manual breast pump.

We were also very impressed with just how cheap this breast pump is on the market. 

Pros

• Only one piece – No assembly or disassembly is required.
• Easy to use – Simply squeeze the pump and place it on your breast. The pump will do the rest.
• Great value for money – This pump is incredibly cheap.

Cons

• Can be knocked off – Some reviewers have stated that the pump can be knocked off quite easily.

2. Medela Manual Harmony Single Hand Breast Pump

We kick our list off with the manual harmony single-hand breast pump from Medela.

If you’re looking for an affordable, compact option that can easily be carried around in your bag, this could be a great option.

Weighing very little, this lightweight breast pump uses Medela’s two-phase technology to collect milk.

This two-phase technology is designed to mimic the natural sucking of a baby.

It features a flexible, super-soft rim that helps alleviate excess pressure on the breast from the breast shield. This shield can be rotated up to 360° to ensure optimal pumping.

In terms of usability, when we reviewed this manual breast pump we found it to be very straightforward and easy to use.

We also found it very easy to clean afterward.The bottle attached to the breast pump is capable of holding up to 5 oz of milk.

While this may not seem like a lot, it should be more than enough to make you feel comfortable again until you next see your child.

The only downside to this breast pump is that you may have to purchase an additional O-ring separately. 

Pros

• Features a PersonalFit Flex breast shield – This shield ensures more comfort and flexibility. 
• Compact – You can easily store the single-hand manual breast pump in your bag.
• Mimics a natural sucking motion –  This pump uses two-phase technology to mimic the baby.

Cons

• An O-ring purchase may be required – You might have to purchase an extra O-ring separately.

3. Elvie Curve Manual Breast Pump

Easily the most unique and arguably hassle-free way to collect milk on the go is by using the Elvie Curve.

This manual breast pump has a totally unique design, unlike anything we have ever seen before.

Made from silicone, this soft breast pump is actually worn directly on your breast underneath your bra.

This unique design allows for manual, hands-free pumping whenever your breast is full.

Alternatively, you can discreetly express milk using your hand whenever you feel uncomfortable.

Giving mothers the opportunity to control their level of suction too, this breast pump is capable of holding 4 oz of milk before the bottle will need to be emptied.

After the breast pump has pumped any milk you have in your breast, it has been cleverly designed to sit comfortably and stably without spilling any milk. It does this by sitting on its front.

Conveniently, there are only two pieces that make up this pump.

This makes cleaning a lot easier when you’ve finished. We took a closer look at this pump and found that despite it sitting in your bra, there are no obvious signs that it’s there.

Pros

• Hands-free – You don’t have to do anything to catch the milk.
• Comfortable – This pump sits comfortably on your breast.
• Neat design – The unique design is pretty awesome.

Cons

• Pricey – This breast pump is a bit more expensive than others.

You may also like this guide on the best bras for Elvie Pump.

4. Bumblebee Manual Breast Pump

Another excellent natural suction, manual breast pump is the Bumblebee manual breast pump.

Also available at an incredibly affordable price like the Haakaa manual breast pump, Bumblebee has designed a pump that is effortlessly attached to the breast, naturally expresses milk, and feels extremely comfortable on the breast.

As if that wasn’t enough, this well-designed breast pump is very portable. 

The Bumblebee manual breast pump comes with a lid, stopper, and a neat travel bag. This makes life so much easier when transporting or storing your excess milk.

To attach the breast pump, squeeze the silicone piece and place it on your breast. That is all you need to do. 

The pump’s natural suction will then kick in. The pressure created will express your milk and store it straight into the bottle that holds 3.5 oz of milk.

The only downside we found when taking a look at the Bumblebee manual breast pump was that the flange might not suit every woman.

Admittedly, it does fit most busts, providing plenty of softness and flexibility, however, if it doesn’t fit you, you will have to purchase an additional flange.

Pros

• Consists of only a few pieces – The Bumblebee breast pump only comes with 4 different pieces.
• Travel bag included – The addition of a travel bag is a neat touch.
• Amazingly cheap – This breast pump costs very little.

Cons

• Small storage space – The Bumblebee can only hold 3.5 oz of milk.

5. Lansinoh Manual Breast Pump

The final manual breast pump on our list is the Lansinoh manual breast pump.

A good option for new mothers who seek comfort and reliability in a breast pump, the Lansinoh breast pump features an easy-to-use handle, two flange sizes, and two-mode technology.

To provide mothers with unparalleled comfort, Lansinoh has included exclusive ComfortFit flanges in the breast pumps design. 

This unique comfort feature ensures the product forms a tight seal around the breast to express milk without hurting the mother.

We have the flexible silicone rims to thank for that.

When it comes to expressing the milk, the two-mode technology helps massively. These two modes are expression mode and letdown mode.

Letdown mode helps get the milk flowing first, while expression mode assists in maximizing the amount of milk collected.

Both of these features help to optimize the pumping experience.

Consisting of several parts, you would think assembly, disassembly, and clean-up would be tedious. We did think the same. 

However, the pump is very easy to put together and dishwasher safe. This allows for quick pumping and hassle-free cleaning.

The only real downside with this breast pump is that it takes more effort than others as the mother has to pump the handle.

You may also like our Lansinoh Breast Pump reviews.

Pros

• Hassle-free assembly – Lansinoh’s breast pump is fairly easy to assemble.
• Dishwasher safe – Throw the pump in the dishwasher when you’re done.
• Affordable – This is another very fairly priced pump.

Cons

• Requires more effort – This pump will require the mother to pump the milk out.

Buyer’s Guide on Best Hand Breast Pump

When looking for a manual breast pump, you want to ensure you find one that has everything you need and offers the most convenient and comfortable experience.

If you don’t know what to look for, this can be quite difficult.

To help you out, we’ve put together this short buyer’s guide. In it, you will find all the key things you need to take into consideration when purchasing a manual breast pump.

Taking these things into consideration will help you make a decision you can be pleased with.

Comfort

One of the most important things to think about when looking at manual breast pumps is how comfortable it is going to be.

Manual breast pumps come with a variety of different shields and cushions that make the pump more comfortable. While these are great features, you still need to find one that suits you.

A pump that doesn’t tightly fit onto your breast, or sits on your breast too tightly could be uncomfortable, or even leak milk.

You need to try your best to find one that sits comfortably and expresses milk painlessly. 

With this in mind, we recommend looking for a breast pump that has the capability to fit most breasts. You should also look for one made from soft materials like silicone.

Purpose

It is always very important to think about what you need the pump for before making your final decision.

While this may seem very obvious, one mother might use a breast pump to catch the excess milk, whilst another might use one to nurse their baby. 

Which of these you plan on doing will impact which type of pump you need. If you want to catch excess milk and prevent it from ruining your clothes, a pump with a letdown function is a must.

On the other hand, if you need a pump to nurse your baby, you might not need a pump with this feature. This could give you the chance to save money and buy a simpler pump.

How The Pump Expresses Milk

Manual breast pumps express milk in different ways. Some breast pumps require no effort from the mother.

Others require all the effort. You should bear this in mind when choosing the type of manual breast pump you want.

Breast pumps with handles, or somewhere to squeeze, usually require the mother to continuously squeeze until all the breast milk is expressed.

Breast pumps that don’t have handles or somewhere to squeeze will naturally express the breast milk on their own.

These work by using the pressure created when the mother attaches the pump to their breast. 

Both of these types of pumps work well, but if there is a certain way you would prefer to express milk, you need to think about this factor carefully.

Personally, we don’t really have a preference, but natural suction pumps are a lot easier to use.

Portability 

Aside from the big drop in costs, the main reason mothers choose to use a manual breast pump instead of an electrical one is because of their size and portability.

Therefore, you will want to find a breast pump that is very easy to transport, fitting in a small bag if possible. 

Owning a breast pump that is small and lightweight will make your life a lot easier when traveling, meeting up with friends, or simply heading to the store. 

Luckily for you, all of the pumps on our list are small and lightweight. However, if you decide to look elsewhere, you have to keep an eye out for how big the pump is.

Generally speaking, pumps with smaller containers and fewer parts are easier to store and more portable. As a result, these are the things we recommend you look out for. 

Milk Collected

Finally, you should always check to see how much milk a manual breast pump can collect.

If a pump can only collect 3 oz of milk, you have to be prepared to fill the pump very quickly. Pumps with capabilities to collect more milk will take longer to fill up, letting you collect a lot more milk.

However, pumps with a bigger collection pot will also take up more room in your bag.

These are two things you need to think about carefully because they are both personal to you.

There is no right or wrong selection when it comes to this factor, but you have to ensure the pump can collect an amount of milk you will be happy with.

FAQs on Hand Pump for Breastfeeding

How Do I Use My Manual Breast Pump?

Every manual breast pump varies from the last so the first thing you need to do when trying to find out how to use your pump is to look at the manufacturer’s instructions.

This is the only way you can know for sure how to use the pump.

Having said that, generally, manual breast pumps work by creating a suction between the pump and your breast.

Usually, you have to squeeze the pump, press the shield against your breast, and then let go.

You will then either need to pump the pump or let it do the work for you depending on the type of pump you’ve bought.

If you only have one pump, you might want to switch breasts every 5 minutes or so.

How Do I Clean My Manual Breast Pump?

Cleaning or sterilizing your manual breast pump is pretty straightforward.

A lot of manual breast pumps are even dishwasher safe. If your manual breast pump is dishwasher safe, after using it just throw it in there.

If your breast pump isn’t dishwasher safe, don’t worry, cleaning it is still very easy.

All you need to do is soak it in hot soapy water before giving it a good scrub. When washing it by hand, it is a good idea to use a brush to thoroughly clean the pump out.

The brush you use should only be used for cleaning bottles and nothing else.

Are Manual Breast Pumps Worth It?

In our opinion, yes, manual breast pumps are totally worth it. They give mothers a much more convenient and comfortable way to express milk on the go.

Whether they’re out with friends or traveling by car, mothers can easily use the small, lightweight pumps to quickly express milk and relieve any discomfort. 

They are also super portable, which can’t often be said about electrical alternatives. They can be slotted into a baby bag, purse, and even some purses. 

Final Thoughts on the Best Hand Pump for Breastfeeding

A manual breast pump might not be your first choice at home, but when you’re on the go or away from your baby, they quickly become an attractive option.

Unlike bulkier electric breast pumps, manual pumps can be conveniently carried around in a purse, baby bag, or purse. 

This makes life a lot easier when traveling light as it gives mothers the chance to discreetly express milk without having too much setup to do or the need for an outlet. 

In this article, we have given you five amazing options. As you can see from our list, manual breast pumps vary quite a lot.

Some use a handle to express milk, while others use natural suction.

Some pumps mimic the natural suction of your baby, and others simply sit on the breast ready to express milk whenever necessary. 

Now you have our list of manual breast pumps and have a good idea of what to look out for, start narrowing down the options available until you are able to pick the breast pump that suits you best. 

And if you’re looking for more great guides, make sure to check out these guides on  best mini fridge for breast milk, best breastmilk storage bags, and how often should I be pumping. Or even out Philips Avent breast pump reviews.