REASONS TO BUY
Portable
On-the-go
Excellent efficiency
REASONS TO AVOID
Complex cleaning
Not intuitive
Baby Buddha Review
A portable breast pump with a powerful suction that may be excessive for some users
The user interface on the Buddha is simple in comparison to others.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Molly Bradac ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ March 11, 2025
Contributions From: Juliet Spurrier, MD
RELATED: The Best Breast Pumps of 2025
Our Verdict
The Baby Buddha is an affordable, efficient, and portable breast pump contender with a closed system, making it a compelling choice for moms seeking stellar performance for a lower price. Its wearable lanyard design offers freedom to move during pumping sessions. While it works up to an hour on a single charge, you can also use it plugged in and charging if needed. However, no pump is perfect, and this contender has some quirks. It's a little bit noisy and has a strong suction that may not suit everyone's comfort level. But, for many moms, the Baby Buddha is a valuable choice that grants them the power to pump on the move without being confined to a specific location or outlet.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Baby Buddha company is dedicated to helping breastfeeding mothers by creating high-quality, user-friendly, and convenient products. They also donate a portion of every purchase to the March of Dimes and remain committed to developing and crafting innovative products for both moms and babies.
The Baby Buddha has all the parts you need to get pumping.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Efficiency
This pump proved very efficient, expressing an average of 0.45 oz of milk per minute, reaching 5 oz of milk around 11 to 12 minutes.
The Baby Buddha has a suction strength of 290 mmHg. Although this falls below the manufacturer's claim, it's one of the highest readings among the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
We measured 290 mmHg suction power, a little less than the manufacturer's claim of 320 mmHg. It's still one of the strongest suctions in the lineup. In fairness, there is such a thing as too much suction. Like the original Buddha, we think the suction is kind of aggressive and fear how it would feel if it were 320 mmHg.
Comfort
The Buddha is relatively comfortable to use. It offers 14 settings, including 5 in stimulation mode and 9 in expression mode. This variety lets moms tailor pumping sessions based on their needs and preferences.
The plastic flange has massage cushions inside with a soft silicone-like feel. Some testers noticed mild indentation circles on their breasts after pumping, which, while not uncomfortable, could be bothersome for sensitive users. Since the pump's maximum suction level is strong, there is an increased potential for discomfort or soreness. However, sensitivity varies among users.
Ease of Use
The Baby Buddha is easier to use than some, but not as straightforward as others.
The user interface on this device wasn't our favorite, and we needed to refer to the user manual to understand it fully. Precise time measurement seekers might find it frustrating that this pump measures time in minutes only. However, given that some contenders lack tracking, this may make minute timing more acceptable.
The LCD screen shows the time and the selected power level, but the black background can make it challenging to see from certain angles or when there's a glare. Also, we thought viewing the screen while wearing the lanyard was tricky.
With a more portable design, the Baby Buddha allows you to move about while pumping, offering flexibility for on-the-go moms. However, some users have noted the system feels slightly bulky.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability
This pump is more portable than others in the lineup, as it is small and lightweight (0.8 lbs).
The Buddha has a lanyard that suspends the bottles and allows you to move about without being anchored to an electric pump or plugged in at a pumping station. However, this pump isn't tube-free, and some users found the system a bit bulky.
The Baby Buddha has a rechargeable battery that gives you over an hour of pumping. It's a game-changer for portability, and even if the battery is running low, you can keep pumping while it's plugged in. We appreciate this convenience because remembering to charge things is not exactly at the top of your mind when you're sleep-deprived.
Our portability assessment includes taking a dB reading for each pump. The Baby Buddha's result is shown in this video.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Unfortunately, the Baby Buddha is noisier than some competitors. While it doesn't produce unusual sounds, it generates levels from average to loud. It's louder than a vibrating phone, and we think it could potentially wake a light sleeper.
Hygiene
The Baby Buddha's closed system is a hygiene advantage, and its disassembly is straightforward.
Cleaning can be a bit more involved due to the many parts. However, it's a straightforward task despite managing a few extra parts. As for post-cleaning reassembly, getting all the parts back together can be finicky. We appreciate that the manufacturer provides clear guidelines recommending changing the silicone diaphragm every 8 weeks and the duckbill valves every 4-5 weeks to keep the pump well-maintained over time.
You can pump both breasts with the Buddha, which can save time.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Baby Buddha?
Compared to top-ranked breast pumps, the Baby Buddha allows on-the-go moms to keep up with their routines, saving them from sitting idle while pumping. While it's not tube-free, and its strong suction may not be suitable for those with higher sensitivity levels, its solid performance and affordable price make it a compelling choice for regular pumping.
The Baby Buddha is a portable breast pump that's efficient in milk expression, and it's competitively priced compared to other pumps with similar features.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
What Other Breast Pumps Should You Consider?
If portability is driving your decision-making process, there are some compelling options in the lineup to consider, such as the Elvie Stride. This pump is more discreet and quieter than the Baby Buddha, making it ideal for pumping on the go without drawing much attention. If you don't need something this portable, then the Spectra S1 Plus is great for regular pumping sessions, and its built-in battery provides the flexibility to take it on the go where outlets might be scarce. The Momcozy S9 Wearable Breast Pump also earned a respectable overall score, plus it fits neatly inside your bra and sells for less than the Elvie.
Manufacturer Video
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