Elvie Stride Review

Elvie has spent over 10 years developing cutting-edge tech and breaking societal taboos to level up women's lives.

Efficiency

Elvie Stride faced some challenges for efficiency for everyone.

While some of our testers had positive experiences with the Elvie Stride, it did not perform as efficiently as others during testing. Several factors seemed to influence its efficiency, including nipple shape and size, meaning it could be easier for lactating mothers with smaller breasts to find the Goldilocks fit. We struggled to get a consistent latch with the Elvie Stride, a problem that worsens when the pump's internal channels get wet.

This pump lacks a flange, and the shape of its breast shield made it challenging to achieve a secure latch with our test breast and pressure Gauge. We have a hunch that if your body doesn't match well with the shield, you might not experience full power.

On average, the Elvie Stride pumped 0.12 ounces of milk per minute, and the pressure gauge recorded a maximum strength of 170 mmHg, falling short of the manufacturer's claim of 300 mmHg.

Comfort

The Elvie Stride has some qualities that we believe benefit comfort. It is fairly comfortable while pumping.

The Stride has 24 mm breast shields, but other sizes are available. It offers two modes: stimulation and expression, each featuring 10 suction levels. This wide range of pumping variations allows most moms to tailor their needs and experience to suit their comfort. Also, the manufacturer provides a visual guide for breast shield sizing, which is a valuable resource.

Ease of Use

The Stride is innovative and user-friendly, with a refreshingly simple design. It has only four buttons, allowing easy management of power, modes, intensity levels, and play/pause. We preferred the buttons over the busy app.

The accompanying app elevates the experience for those who enjoy more control, adjustability, or knowledge. It is free and allows remote control of the pump, eliminating the need to reach inside your bra for functional adjustments. It steps in as the pump's screen, tracking time, adjusting settings, and recording data. Going app-free means no data collection; otherwise, you aren't missing much.

We love many things about the app. You can save your preferred intensity settings by using the “personalize” feature, keep track of milk expression amounts, and set a timer to automatically stop the pump when the session ends. Changing intensity levels is hassle-free, with no need to cycle through all the levels. The pump automatically switches from stimulation to expression mode after two minutes and will pause after 40 minutes.

Some users commented that the pump's components feel flimsy, and none of the parts have a rock-solid connection. Also, the plastic used in the nipple chamber is cloudy, which, while not a deal-breaker, can make it tricky to monitor milk expression progress.

Portability

The Elvie is exceptionally portable and convenient. This wearable offers hands-free pumping that tucks into your bra but isn't tube-free.

The cups are worn in your bra with a tube that extends to a white pump that clips to your clothing. The included rechargeable battery takes approximately two hours to charge. According to the manufacturer, a full charge can last for approximately five 30-minute pumping sessions. You can't use the pump while charging, so you must plan and keep it charged.

With a weight of 0.8 lbs, it's lightweight and smaller, fitting easily into most bags. Wearable pumps are usually smaller and lighter than traditional pumps, and hands-free operation is ideal for moms who want to pump while multitasking. It has a quiet operation, even on higher power settings, registering LO on the dB reader. Despite a low vibrating sound, we barely heard it when background music played.

The Elvie can have leaking issues, especially if you bend over for a long time. A form-fitting bra, like a stretchy nursing bra, might help keep it in place. However, the flexibility of walking around while wearing the Elvie makes it a trade-off some consider acceptable.

Hygiene

The Stride features a closed system design, and the clean-up is a snap. Having the right brush nearby is essential to effective cleaning.

A flexible bottle brush or straw brush is particularly helpful for reaching the cup's rounded curves.

Some parts, such as the breast shield, cup, valve, and diaphragms, can be cleaned in a dishwasher, but washing by hand can potentially increase their longevity. Putting the pump together isn't difficult, but every part must be connected correctly.

Should You Buy the Elvie Stride?

If you're willing to pay the high cost, the Elvie Stride is a compelling contender for busy moms looking for portability, hands-free pumping, and a hushed operation. We also like the user-friendly app, allowing easy control and data tracking. However, it isn't as efficient as many competitors, which could be a reason not to buy if your goal is efficiency.

What Other Breast Pumps Should You Consider?

The Spectra S1 Plus is a podium finisher. This pump is strong, efficient, and great for establishing and maintaining a milk supply. While it has a rechargeable battery, making it good for taking to work or pumping away from an outlet, it isn't as portable as the Elvie. But its efficiency is unbeatable. The Baby Buddha is an affordable, portable double breast pump with strong suction power. It costs less than the Elvie and is more efficient. While neither is a discreet wearable like the Elvie, some prefer a cheaper or faster pumping session over discretion.

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