The Elvie wearable breast pump (also known as the Elvie Original) entered the breast pump market in September 2018 as the second wearable breast pump after Willow, meeting the needs of mothers who wanted to pump discreetly without being plugged into a wall for hours, especially at work.

It quickly gained popularity among mothers and was even recognized by many as the best wearable breast pump, despite its high cost. But today, there are many wearables available at a lower price. So, can Elvie compete with them and maintain its popularity?

In this article, we will take a deep dive into how Elvie performs across different factors, determine if it is the best option for you, find out whether it is still worth spending $500+ on it, and if it remains competitive in the market.

So, let’s dive in!

The Elvie is a hands-free, wireless breast pump that you can wear in your bra, like the Willow. But it pumps into reusable bottles instead of special bags, which makes it way cheaper to use over time.

The Elvie breast pump gives you the freedom to pump anytime, anywhere, without anxiety of needing to find a private space or worrying about being connected to traditional pumps.

Let’s start with the suction. This wearable breast pump has gentle and soft suction in decent patterns (having short breaks) with a strength ranging from a minimum of 40 mmHg to a maximum of 220 mmHg. Where the 220 mmHg is what the company claimed. However, during my research, I found an IBCLC who tested the device and found it reached a maximum of 240 mmHg, which is impressive for this pump. 

If we compare these numbers to other pumps like Spectra and Willow, then these are less than them, but do you know that less suction strength doesn’t mean less milk supply for everyone? It depends on your body. Elvie has gentle suction like a baby, working in a way that a baby naturally does. So if you have made your body used to hard pulling, then this breast pump is not for you. You can use willow, which has a bit higher suction than this, or eufy with 300mmHg, or want even more, then baby budha portable with 300+ mmHg is best for you.

It offers four pumping rhythms, including single-switch, multi-switch, express and collect, and slow and gentle. Let’s understand the purpose and working of each one:

Single-Switch:  This is the standard mode, similar to other wearable pumps. It starts with a stimulation phase to initiate letdown and automatically switches to expression mode once letdown is detected. Most mothers use this mode, and it is a feature common to nearly all wearable breast pumps.

Multi-Switch:  This rhythm switches between two modes: stimulation and expression. It’s perfect for you if you want to boost your milk supply or have multiple letdowns. No need to switch manually in the app—just use this rhythm!

Express and Collect: If you have an oversupply or experience leaking issues because your breasts are producing more milk, this rhythm can help you collect and empty your breasts. It operates in expression mode (long pulls with low frequency) to ensure you extract all the milk.

Slow and Gentle:  This is the final pumping rhythm, designed for mothers with sensitive bodies or those experiencing nipple issues who need a lighter, gentler touch. If you have any concerns and prefer soft, slow, and gentle suction, this rhythm is ideal for you.

Each pumping rhythm has its specific purpose to cater to the different needs of the mothers and help them to extract milk more effectively.  

For optimal performance, the pump should be worn in a snug bra that holds it firmly against the breast to ensure proper suction.

The discreetness of a wearable breast pump consists of two factors, design and noise. Let’s talk about how discreet the Elvie is, knowing how it performs in these factors:

The design of a wearable breast pump determines how it looks and whether it’s noticeable under clothing. The Elvie wearable pump features a sleek, lightweight design with a curved shape that helps it appear natural under clothes. While all wearable pumps are somewhat noticeable when worn, the Elvie pump stands out as the only one with such a discreet profile, measuring just 5 inches in height, 4.3 inches in width, and 2.6 inches in depth, which is almost equal to the height of your iPhone but with greater width and thickness.

One minor concern is the lights on the buttons, which can sometimes be visible through clothing if not covered. However, many mothers don’t realize they can turn these lights off through the app. The only exception is the small lights of the left and right, which cannot be turned off, but they are barely noticeable and unlikely to draw attention.

A wearable pump isn’t truly discreet if it makes noise, no matter how subtle its appearance. Noise plays just as big a role—50%, you could say—in making a wearable breast pump truly discreet. The Elvie wearable breast pump excels in this area over all other wearables, offering an almost silent operation. In fact, the sound is so minimal that it’s barely noticeable during a conversation or in the presence of ambient noise. It’s only slightly audible in a very quiet environment, producing a soft clicking sound at 38 dB. This makes it ideal for use in settings like the office, working from home, or even during Zoom calls—perfect for working mothers who need to stick to their schedules without disrupting their routine.

Some of the reviews of mothers on its noise:

“My husband has been sitting 6 feet away and didn’t know I was pumping.”

“I can use them in public and in front of other people, and they have no idea I’m pumping. I’ve read that other wearable pumps are louder and more obvious.”

This wearable breast pump is easy to use, as there is nothing tricky or difficult in its usage. Even if you are a new user who hasn’t seen any video on it, you just have to download the app, and it will guide you through your first session.

It will tell you how to assemble it and other necessary information. If we talk about its operating, then it can be operated by buttons on the hub and from the app.

Using buttons, you can turn it on/off, play/pause, change the suction levels, and change the side at which you are pumping. But only using the pump manually with buttons is not recommended, as you don’t have any idea about the suction level you are on, you have to go to the bottom levels and then increase and count the levels according to need, and remember it.

While using the app, you are not only able to see the level you are on, but you can also see how much milk you have collected in the containers (collectively and on each side). You can change the suction levels, change the modes (stimulation to expression or expression to stimulation), and change the pumping rhythms. You can also check how much you have produced in your previous sessions in a very beautiful way.

And to guide!!! As I said above, they have made the animations to guide you on how to use it correctly to get the most out of it and to save yourself from any issues.

Using the app is highly recommended. As I mentioned, you can operate the pump with buttons, but when you operate the pump manually, you don’t know the suction level, how much milk you’ve collected, or how long you’ve been pumping unless you track these things yourself. Also, since it’s a discreet, wearable pump often used by working mothers, adjusting it manually with buttons can be conspicuous in a work or public setting. That’s why Elvie provides an app to manage and control the pump. However, some mothers have shared concerns about app connectivity and milk-tracking issues, such as the app disconnecting during use or not tracking milk volume accurately.

But the solutions to these issues are also present, so you can use them without any issue.

collectively make 1440 mah for each side. Making it able to pump 5 to 6 pumping sessions in one complete charge. The pumping sessions can be reduced and battery life can be affected, like if you are going to exclusively pump with the pumps or use it at a high suction level than average, according to your needs, then the battery life can be less than expected. But according to my research, the average battery life of this pump ranges from 2 hours to almost 2 and a half hours.

For charging, there is no charging case like some latest eufy or momcozy pumps are offering (which I think Elvie should offer because of its price); there are two USB cables, with no adapter. So you can use any power source like your laptop, pc, powerbank, or phone adapter, etc. Its charging time is also the same as it takes, about 2 to 2 and a half hours from 0-100.

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If we talk about the battery, then it is a custom assembly of 720 mah of two li po cells, which collectively make 1440 mah for each side. Making it able to pump 5 to 6 pumping sessions(according to the manufacturer).

During my research, I have got reviews from mostly mothers, in which they said that the pumps are lasting for almost 2 and 2.5 hours (120 to 150 minutes), in one complete charge. Now lets relate what mothers are saying and what company is claiming:

If your pumping session is about 15 minutes, then you can expect 8 plus pumping sessions, if its 20 minutes then 6-7, for a 25-minute session, 5 to 6; for a 30-minute session, you can expect 4 to 5 sessions.

If we see the average pumping session time, which is 25 to 30 minutes then we can say you can easily get 5 to 6 pumping sessions(claimed by manufacturer).

The pumping sessions can be reduced and battery life can be affected, like if you are going to exclusively pump with the pumps or use it at a high suction level than average, according to your needs, then the battery life can be less than expected.

For charging, there is no charging case like eufy or momcozy (which I think Elvie should offer because of its price); there are two USB cables instead of one, with no adapter. So you can use any power source like your laptop, pc, powerbank, or phone adapter, etc. Its charging time is also the same as it takes, about 2 to 2 and a half hours from 0-100.

No, Elvie doesn’t leak. Yes, I know there are many reviews in which many mothers complained about its leakage. But isn’t it obvious when you lean forward or backward enough to make the way for the milk to come out, or your work requires you to be in a hurry state, like nurses, and milk splashes all the time you are wearing the pump.

Just because of these things, the milk leaks and the mothers consider it a fault of Elvie, while it’s not, and also, it does not use bags like Willow does (which are 100% leak-free), it uses milk containers like other wearables uses, except willow bags. And they all leak if you don’t pump carefully.

A mother suggesting nurses while using Elvie:

“You won’t be able to use it whilst working, it WILL leak on you if you have to bend over patients, etc, or do lots of movements”

Another mother said:

“If you bend over or move too much, it leaks.”

So, while using Elvie, you should not move too much or bend to prevent any type of leaking, or I can say embarrassment, or wet clothing.

Yes, it works for large breasts. This is a common concern for many mothers, especially when using wearable pumps, as maintaining proper placement is crucial for effective suction. So, if the pump is held securely and you avoid excessive or sudden movements, it can be successfully used with larger breasts.

Like a mother with 38 Fs said:

“I just got the Elvie – I have 38Fs (or bigger now lol) and I’m not having any issues with it whatsoever. It’s just a little obvious in my shirt 🤣”

And a mother said:

“My cup size is 40DD so I’m worried I maybe too big to have a pump in my bra. I’m a 44DD and they fit fine in my bra. You may have to empty them mid-session if you’re pumping that much though.”

These reviews mean that Elvie can be used with large breasts if used with precautionary measures.

Cleaning this breast pump isn’t difficult, but it’s not as simple as collection cups with a top-mounted motor (like some other wearables), nor as complicated as a Willow with its flextube. This breast pump has four main parts that need cleaning after each use: the valve, spout, flange, and milk container. There’s also a lid used to store milk directly in the container without pouring it into another bottle. An insert also needs cleaning, but only if you use it.

A significant advantage is that all parts are dishwasher-safe, which is a great help for busy mothers.

One concern mothers have shared is that the milk container’s shape is like “boat-shaped,” which makes it a bit tricky to get all the milk out of the corners. However, users generally find that it becomes less of an issue once they get used to it.

Elvie’s customer service is highly regarded for its responsiveness and commitment to ensuring customer satisfaction. Many users note that their support team is quick to address inquiries or concerns, whether it’s regarding product functionality or compatibility.

They can be reached through multiple channels, including email and live chat. I have also seen the Elvie customer support answering the queries of mothers on Reddit, and they often provide personalized solutions for each customer.

Additionally, Elvie offers comprehensive resources, such as user manuals and troubleshooting guides, to help customers maximize their experience. This dedication to service has further solidified Elvie’s reputation as a trusted brand in the market.

There are several options from which you can buy the Elvie wearable breast pump. Let’s see which is most suitable for you:

If you buy the Elvie wearable breast pump directly from Elvie, the double pump costs $549.99 and the single pump costs $299.99.

Keep an eye out for discounts, as they are often available. For example, as of this writing, a 30% discount has brought the price of the double pump down to $384.99 and the single pump to $209.99.

Purchasing from Elvie has several benefits, including a 2-year warranty on the hubs and a 90-day warranty on washable parts. They also offer 24/7 customer support.

If you buy from Amazon, the prices are the same as on Elvie’s official site, but there are also discounts offered here, and at the time I am writing this review, the double pump is $412.49, and the single one is $224.99 with a 25% discount. There are three plans that Amazon also offers, giving you the option to pay from and to make it easy for you.

But buying from Amazon, you do not have a 2-year warranty, but you have a return policy, which is a free 90-day refund/replacement.

For a 2-year and 3-year protection plan, Amazon asks for $24.99 and $33.99.

(Note: If you’re buying from Amazon, be cautious of third-party sellers—many moms have reported issues like faulty pumps, damaged parts, or no return policy.)

If you buy from Walmart, then the original prices are almost the same as on the Elvie’s official site, but here you can also see some discounts which I think are almost the same as on Amazon, like you can get a double for $412.49 and $224.99 for a single one.

You can also pay with Affirm with as low as $28/month, but with interest. The policy they give is as follows:

And you are also not getting any kind of 2-year warranty under this price. You have to pay an extra amount of $38 for a 3-year or $49 for a 4-year protection plan. And the guidelines for these protections are as follows:

On the Babylist, the prices and discounts are the same as on Walmart, but with the following differences:

At Target, the double pump is priced at $549.99, consistent with the official Elvie site. The single pump, however, is available for $224.99 with a 25% online discount – a price that many retailers offer, but Elvie’s own site does not.

When purchasing from Target, you also receive a 2-year warranty on the hub and 90 days on all other components. Additionally, you can pay with Affirm as follows:

Also, check your insurance for coverage if available for the Elvie. Many mothers got Elvie for a certain amount, and some got it for free.

Like a mother said:

“Call your insurance too to ask. The online insurance sites told me the Elvie was an upgrade, and I would have to pay $350! But I called my insurance and found out it’s covered 100% so I got the double Elvie for free.”

So, is the Elvie wearable breast pump worth buying? Is it worth the high price tag compared to other pumps?

Yes, it is, mainly due to its discretion. Other wearable pumps don’t offer the same level of quiet operation and subtle design as the Elvie.

For a working mother, this feature is invaluable. It allows her to stick to her pumping schedule without needing a separate room, missing meetings, or worrying about exposed nipples, wires, or other visible parts. This pump keeps everything almost private, and does its job; even mothers said that people around us don’t notice that they are pumping.

This pump is best suited for mothers who primarily work at a desk or at home and move around gently, like walking. If your work keeps you in a constant rush, or you need to do chores that involve more strenuous movement, other options might be better for you. It’s not designed for running or vigorous activity.

If you have bought it, here are some further tips as a bonus for you, which will help you pump efficiently through your pumping journey:

• I would suggest joining the Elvie pump support group on fb for tips and tricks.
• Using the Elvie, make sure the rubber part of the flanges isn’t folded or kinked when you push them in. 90% of the time, the pump hasn’t pulled anything; it was because of this. The rest was because it wasn’t sitting properly.
• To get the correct measurement of milk from your app, make sure not to move and stay stable, also wear a black bra, and lastly, check for updates if any are available.
• If it starts having connection issues, don’t unconnect it from Bluetooth and just reset it by holding the + – at the top. If you forget it from your phone, it might be problematic for you.
• If you have an Android, you go into settings, search reset wifi, and you’ll find a reset wifi and Bluetooth setting, and you select that and do it (you will have to reconnect all your Bluetooth devices and re-enter wifi passwords). This will make the pump show up again when you scan for Bluetooth devices
• A mother said, “I had the same issue, and deleting the pumps within the app and trying to reconnect did not work. Had to go into Bluetooth and forget the pumps, forget the pumps in the app, and then reconnect them. Working again”

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. This review is based on thorough research of product specifications and customer feedback. Always consult with a lactation consultant for personalized advice.