The WORST Breast Pumps of 2025 🫢 12 Pumps I DO NOT recommend

If you’ve been around here for a while, you already know we talk a lot about breast pumps—and I usually try to keep things positive. But I get so many questions asking which pumps I actually don’t recommend. So today, we’re going there.

Before we dive in, let me say this upfront: if a pump is working for you, that’s what matters most. Just because a pump ends up on this list doesn’t mean it’s “bad” for everyone—but based on my testing (and I’ve tested over 100 pumps now with a custom-built device that gives us real data), these are the ones I almost never recommend.

This is my professional opinion, backed by experience, testing, and conversations with thousands of pumping parents. But I’ll keep it real—and data-driven—because that’s what we do here.

Let’s dive in.

(This post was originally a video. Check it out, here!)

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Spectra Dual Compact

Oh how I want to love this pump. It’s a portable version of the Spectra Synergy Gold (which I do love), but this one totally missed the mark. The cycle speed in expression mode is painfully slow—about 26 cycles per minute—and the suction pattern feels abrupt and ineffective. Even though it’s a dual motor pump, it just doesn’t perform like its big sibling. Bummer.

(If you’re looking for more suction graphs like the ones shared in this blog post, check out our breast pump library lite! You’ll get access to the basic data and information from New Little Life on all the breast pumps we’ve tested!)

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Momcozy M5

Okay, this one… I almost do hate. I rarely say that, but the M5 is at the top of my “no thanks” list. It has a really odd suction pattern—it feels more like a snap or push than a pull. I’ve seen too many moms struggle with supply while using this pump. It’s poor at stimulation and even worse at milk removal. If you’re using the M5 and things aren’t going well, this pump might be why.

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Pumpables SuperGenie

This one stings a little. I love the Genie Advanced—it’s one of my favorite portables. But the SuperGenie? Not so much. Despite all its fancy settings and programmability, I just don’t love the suction pattern. It’s snappy and short, not smooth and natural. I want to like it… but I just don’t. If you do like it, let me know—I’m genuinely curious!

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Medela Pump In Style MaxFlow

No surprise here. This pump has been widely disliked by both moms and lactation consultants. Medela’s Symphony? Awesome. The original Pump In Style? Solid. But the MaxFlow version is just… off. The “micro-vibration” feels more like shark teeth, and there’s no indication of suction level, so you’re left guessing. Plus, the suction maxes out quickly, and the included flange kit doesn’t help.

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Willow 360

Remember when Willow and Elvie were the wearable pumps? I do. And while the idea behind the Willow 360 (formerly Willow 3.0) is super cool, the execution is rough. The constant suction pattern is difficult to get right, and at $500+, it’s just not worth the hassle. I only recommend it if you absolutely need a leak-proof experience—but even then, it’s hard to justify.

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Insurance-Only Budget Pumps

There’s a group of pumps you’ll often see on insurance lists because they’re super inexpensive—and for good reason. They’re cheap. But they’re also lacking.

• Motif Twist & Duo: Weak suction, lackluster performance. Just not great.
• Motif Luna: Used to be a strong Spectra competitor. But after they removed the vibration pattern and weakened suction, it dropped way down my list.
• Mya Joy (or whatever it’s called now): I’ve tested several versions. Still meh. Flange kit is fussy and the pump is just okay at best.
• Unimom Minuet: Quirky and fun for consultants to play with, but the suction patterns change per level, which is super confusing for regular users.

If one of these is your only option, don’t stress. I’ve got other videos to help you maximize what you’ve got.

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Babyation

This one had such promise. Created by engineer moms with working moms in mind, the design is beautiful. The tubes go discreetly from your bra to the pump, the milk collects in a hidden container… it’s sleek.

But… it just doesn’t work well.

You have to replace the tubing if you go more than 6 hours between sessions or every 24 hours, which gets wasteful and expensive. The flange kit is awkward and overly compressive. I love the intention, but the function didn’t live up to it.

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Annabella

Another “great idea, questionable execution” pump. It features a little tongue-like wheel that’s meant to mimic a baby’s tongue. Cool idea in theory—but in practice, it’s just… a lot. Too much happening at once with suction and movement, and it’s bulky and hard to use with most bras. Also, that one-size-fits-all flange? Not my fave.

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All Wearable Pumps (Sorry!)

I want wearable pumps to be the answer—especially for working moms. But wearables are tricky.

They’re harder to clean, harder to position correctly, and they often don’t provide the same suction or milk removal as traditional pumps. If you’re using a wearable as your only pump, and it’s not going well, that might be why.

That said, I do help my clients get great results with wearables—but it’s usually part of a bigger strategy. They’re best used as a secondary pump, not the primary workhorse for maintaining supply.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re using one of these pumps and it’s working for you, awesome! No FOMO necessary. But if you’re struggling, these insights might help you pinpoint why—and find a better fit for your needs.

Also, I’m working on a light version of our Breast Pump Library so even if you’re not a client, you can still explore the data and performance stats behind these pumps. It’ll be available on the New Little Life app very soon (maybe even already, depending on when you’re reading this).

Let me know in the comments: Did I mention a pump you love? Is there one you’d add to this list? Let’s chat.

And if you’ll be pumping—make sure you’re subscribed. That’s what we do here.

Happy pumping, and good luck out there. You’ve got this.