Freemie Vs Willow Breast Pump

Are you trying to decide between Freemie Vs Willow breast pumps?

Then let us help you decide which electric pump best for you and your baby: Freemie breast pump vs Willow!

For new moms that always have their hands full, having a hands-free device is a godsend.

With many breast milk pumping devices now being made hands-free, new moms can get on with their exciting day with their newborn, and not have to wait around bored while they pump. 

But with so many pumps out there, how can you find the best one? Well, that’s what we’re here to help you with! Today, we will be reviewing the Willow vs Freemie breast pumps. 

These two brands are very popular due to making high-quality and easy-to-use products that new moms love.

In this review, we will talk about how these pumps differ, if you should buy one, and discuss the features, pros, and cons of each.

And if you love this Willow pump vs Freemie breast pump comparisons guide, make sure to check out our guides on Freemie vs Elvie, Elvie vs Willow breast pump, and best bras for Willow pump. Or even our guide to the best portable breast pumps.

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Freemie Vs Willow

Let’s dive in an look at both brands and their breast pumps.

All About Freemie Pump

The Freemie Liberty II Deluxe is a patented, light weight, wearable breast pump.

It’s concealable collection cups are design to fit inside your bra to allow you to pump anytime, anywhere.

What we love about the Freemie collection cups is that if you already have a compatible pump, such as a Medela Pump in Style or Medela Symphony, you do not have to buy a whole new pump to be able to use them.

Instead you can connect your Freemie cups to pump for a comfortable, hands-free pumping experience.

But if you don’t already have a compatible pump for the Freemie collection cups, then you have the option of the Freemie Liberty II Deluxe pump.

The Liberty II Deluxe features a programmable sleep timer so you can conveniently pump while you sleep. The noise reduction technology also makes this a super quiet pump so you won’t be kept awake or disturb your sleeping baby.

It also has a rechargeable (USB) battery, which typically lasts for about an hour, give or take, so you can also pump while on the go.

It has a large storage capacity with each cup collecting up to 8 ounces of milk.

And whilst the pump might be lightweight and portable, it is still powerful! It has a suction power of 280mmHg which can easily be adjusted to be suit you. You can even use the three memory buttons to save you favorite setting for a one-touch instant recall.

After each pump session simply remove the cups and transfer your milk to storage – reuse again and again!

Freemie is made with food-safe, medical-grade plastic and is latex-free, BPS-free, BPA-free and DEHP-free.

You can learn more in our full Freemie breast pump review!

Pros

• Quiet – after you have finally got your newborn down for a nap, the last thing you need is a loud noise that could wake them up. Luckily, the Freemie pumps are very quiet while also being very comfortable to wear
• Cheap – compared to other breast pumps, including Willow, the Freemie pumps are an excellent deal. 
• You can pump and nurse at the same time – if you wanted to, you have a pump on one breast and your baby on the other at the same time to make the pumping process even more efficient
• Powerful – 280mmHg suction power with adjustable settings
• Compatible – The Freemie collection cups can be used with compatible pumps to transform your existing pump

Cons

• Cannot store your milk in the cups – you should not keep your milk in the collection cups, rather it should be transferred to a bottle as soon as possible after pumping 
• Cords – While it is hands free, you still need to be connected to the pump
• Large – the unit is pretty big compared to other pumps, which may make it harder to fit under your shirts

All About Willow Pump

The Willow breast pump is also a hands-free, cordless, double-sided pump that fits neatly into a nursing bra. It is quiet and discreet, allowing you to express milk without feeling self-conscious or having to leave the room. 

One of the main differences between the Willow breast pump and the Freemie breast pump is that there are no cords to connect the Willow pump to the collection cups. The pump and collection cups are in a single unit.

The Willow can be controlled using an app on your smartphone. From the app, you can switch between the 7 different levels of pumping to find out which suits you best. It has a maximum suction power of 245 mmHg.

We also love that with the Willow, you can choose between using milk containers or milk bags.

Both the containers and the bags attach easily to the pump to form one unit, so there are no long tubes or external items for collecting the milk. 

However, the milk containers for the Willow cannot hold as much milk – 4 ounces for each side as opposed to the 8 ounces that the Freemie collection cups can hold, which could be an issue for mothers who can produce a lot of milk at one time.

The pump comes with the bags as standard but the containers have to be purchased separately which makes the Willow slightly more expensive. 

One of the best features of the Willow breast pump is that it is designed to work very well even when you are lying down. This is ideal for mothers who like to express milk whilst they are taking a nap.

The Willow pump is a little more discreet because it doesn’t have any lights on the display. 

Like the Freemie, the Willow is re-chargeable and it takes approximately 2 hours for it to reach its full charge and will last up to 5 pumping session or approximately 2 hours of pumping. It comes with a one-year warranty so you can have peace of mind. 

Pros

• Cordless – this pump runs on a battery that can last you hours so you do not need to plug it in while you pump
• Choice – You can use a milk container or a milk bag depending on your preference 
• Cleaning – Some of the parts are dishwasher safe which makes it very easy to maintain 
• Discreet – The pump is quiet and there are no lights on the display which makes it very discreet if you want to use it in public or with company 
• Bluetooth – The pump connects to an app on your smartphone which makes it easy to control and monitor
• Suction feels similar to breastfeeding – the suction of this pump is designed to resemble the feel of a baby breastfeeding, which makes pumping quicker and easier for you
• Secure – The pump will stay in place even while you are lying down, which makes it convenient for mothers who like to express themselves whilst they are sleeping. 

Cons

• Capacity – The pump has an overall capacity of 8 ounces compared to the Freemie which has 16 ounces. 
• Reusable containers sold separately – while this will keep costs down in the long run, if you cannot afford it in one go you will have to keep using the disposable bags
• Expensive – compared to many other breast pump products on the market, the Willow is very pricy

Similarities and Differences Between Freemie breast pump vs Willow

Now that we have an overview of both pumps, let’s look more closely at their similarities and differences.

Design

Both the Freemie and the Willow have wearable, collection cups designed to be concealed within your bra.

But where they differ is that the Willow houses collection cup, battery, motor, charging port, and controls all within the one unit, where as the Freemie has a separate pump that attached to the collection cup via tubing.

This tube means that the Freemie is less discreet than the Willow. It can also means the Freemie may be more uncomfortable if you tuck the tubes beneath your shirt for discretion.

However, the fundamental benefit of Freemie’s tube design is that it is compatible with a wide selection of appropriate pumps. The cups and motor are also available separately.

So, if you have an existing, compatible pump you can purchase the cups separately to transform your current pump into a hand-free pump.

Size

Both breast pumps are very lightweight. The Willow pump weighs only 0.76 lbs.

The Freemie Liberty pump is rather small and could easily fit in the palm of your hand. It’s also lightweight, weighing only 0.5 pounds, and is coupled with a clip that enables hands-free use.

Performance 

No matter what pump you choose, you will be glad to know that they both are very simple to operate and use, even if you are a beginner.

Following the manufacturers, instructions carefully will help you to quickly put together these devices and to learn how to use them. 

Willow is the simplest to assemble due to its absence of tubes and translucent breast shields.

A transparent flange simplifies nipple positioning, which is crucial for optimizing milk output and preventing stiffness and discomfort.

The Willow pump has 7 different levels of pumping and a maximum suction power of 245 mmHg.

The Freemie is more powerful with a suction power of 280mmHg with 11 different speed settings which can easily be adjusted to be suit you. You can even use the three memory buttons to save you favorite setting for a one-touch instant recall.

Functionality

The Willow comes with its own app so you can easily control your pump via bluetooth and your phone. This again can make using your pump extremely discreet.

The Willow Generation 3 app tracks milk flow in real time and includes new features like app control (play, pause or adjust suction from your phone), fast, easy pairing, step-by-step onboarding, and personalized pumping tips.

This can be extremely helpful throughout your pumping journey.

The Freemie does not have an app.

Battery 

The battery is an important factor to consider when buying breast pumps.

You will want one that can last a long time and one that lets you move around without being tethered to a wall. 

Willow is recharged by a standard wall outlet. You get the charger with purchase, but you only get one which is quite inconvenient as each pump needs its charger, so you will only be able to charge one at a time. However, you can purchase a second charger.

If you choose the original Freemie Liberty motor, it charges by USB. When using the Freemie cups in combination with another electric pump, the pump’s cables must be used.

The Willow battery will last up to 5 pumping session or approximately 2 hours of pumping. Where as the Freemie battery typically lasts for about an hour, give or take, so you can also pump while on the go.

Milk Storage 

Willow 3.0 provides the option of pumping into a milk bag or a collecting container. Willow comes with a batch of 24 single-use bags to get you started.

If you pump regularly, you will require a large number of disposable milk bags, which can become rather expensive.

Additionally, you may purchase a pair of reusable collection containers, which will save you money over time.

Consider the frequency with which you will express milk and whether or not to keep going with the bags.

Once the pumping into the collecting containers is complete, you must “flip to finish.”

This is accomplished by rotating the pump to ensure that all milk in the flex tube is delivered to the container. 

Following that, pour the milk into a bottle or a storage bag for storing. Transferring milk is a straightforward and relatively clean procedure.

Freemie eliminates the need for throwaway milk bags, allowing you to pump into reusable cups.

The cups have a flat bottom, allowing them to be set on a level surface without tipping over. 

Additionally, they include an easy-pour spout. This makes moving the milk to another bottle or bag a breeze.

However, as these cups cannot be used to store milk in the refrigerator, separate storage bottles or bags must be kept on hand. 

Another big difference is in the amount each cup can collect. Each Freemie can collection cup can collect up to 8 ounces of milk, whilst the Willow can only collect up to 4 ounces per cup.

Accessories

Each of these pumps is ready to use right out of the box and includes replacement parts for nearly every component.

Starting with Willow, with the purchase of the pump you also get disposable milk storage/pumping bags.

Bear in mind that these bags will last approximately one week of average pumping though. 

So if you choose to exclusively pump, you must buy more bags or change to the reusable container, which will be a more cost-effective long-term option. However, this is sold separately. 

Also, you may purchase an additional charger, as the package only includes one and each pump needs two hours to charge entirely. 

The hardest part of cleaning any breast pump setup is washing out the flex tubes.

To do this right, you need to use a specific brush tool, which is also included with the purchase. 

However, the brushes themselves get dirty as well, so you should replace them every three months or so. You can buy more on the Willows website. 

The valves are the most prone to failure when it comes to Freemie pumps, particularly if they are not cleaned properly.

As a result, you may want to keep an extra pair on hand. The manufacturer also recommends replacing the tubes if they get clogged with milk residue that is difficult to clear.

While Willow attachments are sometimes the most costly, they have the advantage of requiring the fewest replacement components.

Final Thoughts on Willow vs Freemie Pumps

When it comes to choosing a pump, it will come down to what best suits your needs.

Both are great pumps that will give you hands-free pumping.

But, if we were to choose between Freemie pump vs Willow? We would choose the Willow Pump. While it is more expensive than the Freemie, the wireless experience and additional benefits of the app more than compensates for the higher price.

We hope this guide on Willow pump vs Freemie breast pumps has helped you decide which pump will best suit your needs.

And if you’re looking for more great guides, make sure to check out these guides on best mini fridge for breast milk, Elvie Breast pump review, and Philips Avent breast pump review.