BellaBaby Double Electric Breast Pump Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
BellaBaby Double Electric Breast Pump | |||||
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Awards | Budget-friendly Expressing Buddy | Best Manual Pump | |||
Price | $80 List $59.00 at Amazon | $190 List | $33 List $24.94 at Amazon | $42 List $28.72 at Amazon | $23 List $12.94 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | An affordable choice with great portability and practical accessories, but some user interface challenges raise | Despite occasional reports of strong suction, this portable pump provides portability and efficient milk expression | Offering simplicity and convenience, this affordable and portable choice performs well in our tests | A portable option for on-the-go moms or those who don't frequently pump, though it does demand more effort compared to electric pumps | A cost-effective option designed for passive letdown pumping to collect milk or provide relief from breast engorgement |
Rating Categories | BellaBaby Double El... | Baby Buddha | Lansinoh Manual Bre... | Medela Harmony with... | Haakaa Gen 1 |
Efficiency (35%) | |||||
Comfort (25%) | |||||
Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
Portability (15%) | |||||
Hygiene (10%) | |||||
Specs | BellaBaby Double El... | Baby Buddha | Lansinoh Manual Bre... | Medela Harmony with... | Haakaa Gen 1 |
Measured Milk/Min | 0.13 oz | 0.45 oz | 0.28 oz | 0.13 oz | 0.19 oz |
Measured Suction | 260 mmHg | 290 mmHg | 200 mmHg | 240 mmHg | n/a |
Suction Settings | 4 modes and 9 suction levels | 14 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Power Source | Rechargeable Battery | Rechargeable Battery | Manual | Manual | Manual |
Available Flange Sizes | 21mm, 24mm, 27mm, 30mm | 21mm, 24mm, 28mm, 32mm | 21mm, 25mm, 30.5mm, 36mm | 24mm | 30mm |
Measured Weight | 1.4Ibs | 0.8Ibs | 0.3 Ibs | 0.3 Ibs | 0.2 Ibs |
Measured Weight of Pump with Two Bottles | 1.2 Ibs | 1.1 Ibs | 0.2 Ibs (one bottle) | 0.4 Ibs (one bottle) | 0.2 Ibs (one cup) |
Open/Closed System | Closed | Closed | Closed | Open | Open |
Capability | Double | Double | Single | Single | Single |
Manufacturer Claimed Battery Life | Up to 3 hours | Up to 1 hour | n/a | n/a | n/a |
App | No | No | No | No | No |
Night Light Feature | No | No | No | No | No |
Included Bottle Holder or Base? | Yes - bottle base | Yes - bottle base | Yes - bottle base | Yes - bottle base | No - n/a |
What's in the Box | 2 Dust Covers (Discard when received) 2 21mm Flanges 2 24mm Flanges 2 27mm Flanges 2 Tee-Joints 2 Membrane caps 2 Membranes 4 Valves 2 Bottles 1 Pump unit 2 Bottle stands 1 Tubing set 2 Screw-caps 2 Overflow caps 2 Nipples 2 Bottle lids |
Baby Buddha Rechargeable Breast Pump Unit (Black) 2 24mm Flanges 2 Sets of Duckbill Valves 1 Pair of Silicone Diaphragms 2 Bottles 2 Bottle Bases 2 Bottle Storage Caps 2 Bottle Hygiene Covers 2 Pump Covers 3 detachable tubes & T-connector. USB-C Charging Cable (charge to full in 4 hours) Lanyard Carrying Tote |
2 ComfortFit® flanges (25mm & 30.5mm) 1 Lansinoh® breastmilk storage bottle (5oz) 1 Manual Pump Body, stem, handle, silicone diaphragm 1 White valve 1 Bottle stand 1 Bottle cap and bottle collar 1 NaturalWave® slow-flow nipple 1 Bottle storage lid |
1 Harmony Breast Pump 1 PersonalFit™ (24 mm) Breast Shield 1 5 oz/150 mL Breast milk bottle with lid and stand 1 Valve 1 Instructions for use and Breastfeeding Information Guide |
Cup |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The BellaBaby company is dedicated to providing quality and affordable pumps to every mom. However, at this time, we couldn't find much background information regarding the company.
Performance Comparison
Efficiency
The BellaBaby managed to express an average rate of about 0.13 oz per minute, and during a 20-minute pumping session with the Emulait bottle, it yielded around 2.5 to 2.75 oz, which is less than what some other pumps can accomplish.
One of the key issues we noticed was the pump's inconsistent latch; it seemed to lose its grip after a few cycles, requiring some adjustments to regain suction. However, when it had a good latch, it appeared to work well, especially at higher settings. But, on lower power levels, it struggled to effectively extract milk.
Also, our tests show a maximum suction level of 260 mmHg, which is lower than the manufacturer's claim of 300 mmHg. Overall, this pump might not be your top pick if you're aiming for peak efficiency.
Our lactating tester noted that while this product worked, it didn't completely empty her breasts, and she was hurting in between pump sessions. Also, the abundance of settings wasn't advantageous, especially as you have to cycle through the options, and this resulted in a less inefficient pump session.
Comfort
The BellaBaby pump is highly customizable, featuring 4 different modes, each offering multiple suction levels. This versatility lets you fine-tune your pumping experience to your preferences. The pump we tested included a 24 mm flange, and each flange featured a 22 mm silicone petal insert for added comfort. When it comes to comfort, we appreciate the soft silicone material over plastic. If you need a different flange size, you can find other options available for purchase on the manufacturer's website. Our lactating tester noted that the flange assembly felt heavier and hung down.
A significant drawback is that you need to cycle through the more powerful levels before being able to decrease the power level, and the higher suction settings can feel aggressive. One solution is removing the tubes before cycling, but we think that's an inconvenient step. So, while the BellaBaby pump offers a high degree of customization with various modes and suction levels, some users still experience discomfort while using this pump.
Ease of Use
This pump offers more modes and settings than many other pumps, and the abundance of settings can be overwhelming and challenging to understand. The user interface features blue font on a black background. There are five touch-sensitive buttons, and the icons aren't intuitive initially, but you get the hang of it with some practice.
Reaching a specific setting requires cycling through all the suction levels, which is inconvenient. The touch-sensitive buttons are prone to accidental touches when you're on the move. Also, the user manual is confusing and could be more user-friendly.
Portability
The BellaBaby pump is somewhat hands-free. It's battery-powered and can be used while charging. The manufacturer claims a battery life of up to 3 hours.
It weighs 1.4 lbs, which is portable and easy to carry, but it's not the lightest option in our review. It's also relatively loud, with a noise level of 48 dB at the highest setting. You may notice this noise level if you're on phone calls or other tasks.
Hygiene
This pump includes storage bags and a bag adapter so you can pump directly into bags, reducing the need to clean bottles. However, the quality of the bags may not be the best. Cleaning can be quite a task due to the many parts needing washing and reassembling. On the positive side, this pump features a closed system, which is a benefit.
Should You Buy the BellaBaby Double Electric Breast Pump?
The BellaBaby Double Electric Breast Pump is significantly less expensive than most of the competition. It's cheap enough to become a backup option for on-the-go pumping. But it's not an outstanding option. Unless you need an affordable backup breast pump, we don't think there are enough compelling reasons to select this option. With other budget-friendly pumps in the review that offer better performance and portability, we think you're safe to pass on this option.
What Other Breast Pumps Should You Consider?
For a budget-friendly, economical option, the Baby Buddha is similar to the BellaBaby but delivers a better performance. It features a lanyard, and with a compact size, it is easy to carry. But, if you're after the best performance, the Spectra S1 Plus is the leader in our best breast pump review for its exceptional efficiency and comfort. For those seeking a wearable, the Elvie Stride offers a user-friendly app that shares more details about your pumping sessions.