Customer reviews from medela.com
Medela - Freestyle Hands-free Double Electric Breast Pump - Gray
Average customer rating
4.2
(368 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 368 reviews
5 Stars
204
4 Stars
98
3 Stars
22
2 Stars
13
1 Star
31
74%of customers recommend this product.
(
119 out of
161)
Customer Reviews for Medela - Freestyle Hands-free Double Electric Breast Pump - Gray
Customer Rating
4
Efficient and super small! No plug!
on December 4, 2019
Posted by: Amanda S.
from Akron, OH
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I am an exclusively pumping mama and was excited to try the Medela Freestyle Flex Pump. I have used other pumps before, and I really liked the Freestyle Flex.
Pros:
- Very small system! No bulky actual pump. I could pump while playing with my kids, cooking dinner, and tidying up. Awesome!
- The pump is a closed system unlike other Medela pumps. This means milk won’t back flow while you pump in more comfortable positions.
- Extra pieces/parts commonly available at big box stores. No hard-to-find or online-only parts and accessories.
- Easily fits in a diaper bag without needing to tote around a diaper bag and a pump bag. (Although a plain black bag is included)
- Connects to an app! I love this feature!
- Holds charge for 2 hours which will get you roughly 8 pumping sessions. Once you pump free from a plug, you’ll never want to go back! Road trips, days at amusement parks, outdoor events.... so much more is possibly when you aren’t tied to an outlet every couple of hours!
- Very small system! No bulky actual pump. I could pump while playing with my kids, cooking dinner, and tidying up. Awesome!
- The pump is a closed system unlike other Medela pumps. This means milk won’t back flow while you pump in more comfortable positions.
- Extra pieces/parts commonly available at big box stores. No hard-to-find or online-only parts and accessories.
- Easily fits in a diaper bag without needing to tote around a diaper bag and a pump bag. (Although a plain black bag is included)
- Connects to an app! I love this feature!
- Holds charge for 2 hours which will get you roughly 8 pumping sessions. Once you pump free from a plug, you’ll never want to go back! Road trips, days at amusement parks, outdoor events.... so much more is possibly when you aren’t tied to an outlet every couple of hours!
Cons:
- Pump only comes with two sizes of flanges (21mm and 24mm) so you may have to purchase an additional set depending on your size. (27mm and 30mm are also available.)
- It would be nice to be able to purchase the actual pump and main parts separately as many parents will already have a cooler, Medela bottles, and bottle stands from previous pumps.
- The pump has a let-down button, as well as up/down buttons but it’s hard to know where to start on the settings for both let-down and pumping. I know everyone is different, but a guideline on the app or something would be nice.
- Medela advertises this being a quiet pump, but it definitely is not.
- Pump only comes with two sizes of flanges (21mm and 24mm) so you may have to purchase an additional set depending on your size. (27mm and 30mm are also available.)
- It would be nice to be able to purchase the actual pump and main parts separately as many parents will already have a cooler, Medela bottles, and bottle stands from previous pumps.
- The pump has a let-down button, as well as up/down buttons but it’s hard to know where to start on the settings for both let-down and pumping. I know everyone is different, but a guideline on the app or something would be nice.
- Medela advertises this being a quiet pump, but it definitely is not.
Overall, I really like this pump, but due to the flange sizing, misleading advertising about the noise level, and the fact that the total cost for this pump can actually be significantly higher than the MSRP of $379.99 (which is, in my opinion, not cheap) I can’t give it 5 stars. I received this product through the Stellar Product Testing Panel to review. All opinions are my own.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, December 5, 2019
Hi Amanda S.--- We love that you were able to still spend time with your little ones and get things done and still do all the fun things you wanted to do while using the Freestyle Flex Breast Pump. We appreciate you giving your suggestions on breast shield sizing and offering just the pump as a separate purchase. We take this feedback seriously and will pass your review along to our product team. As stated in your review, every mom is different at what setting they pump at so there is no right or wrong setting to pump with. You want to find your maximum comfort vacuum. This is the highest setting that you can pump at without feeling uncomfortable while pumping and this will vary from mom to mom. We want to apologize for the confusion on the pump being quiet. We do advertise that it is quieter because compared to the old freestyle and our Pump in Style pump it is quieter however, compared to Sonata it is not as quiet. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions and it is through your feedback that we can take steps towards change. We're happy that you have enjoyed using the pump and wish you the best in your breast milk feeding jouney!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
4
Powerful pump for on-the-go
on December 4, 2019
Posted by: chirunner12
from Chicago, IL
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This pump is a great option for on-the-go, as it packs a punch while taking up less room than a traditional pump. However, I wouldn't use it as my everyday pump because of suction and noise, and it's less innovative than some of the newer options that allow you to pump hands-free in your bra.
Pros: much smaller than a traditional pump, fewer accessories to drag around, very powerful given size, closed system unlike previous Medela pumps
Cons: less effective at expressing milk for me than with the Spectra S1, makes very loud, annoying noise (could never get away with on a conference call)
Cons: less effective at expressing milk for me than with the Spectra S1, makes very loud, annoying noise (could never get away with on a conference call)
I'm excited to have this as an option when I'm traveling or grabbing dinner with friends after work. I'm glad I got to try it through the Stellar Product Testing Panel.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, December 10, 2019
Hello Chirunner12--- Thank you so much for your honest and open review. We love that you found the Freestyle Flex Breast Pump to be great for on the go and times away from baby. We're sorry to hear that you found it to not express milk as well as your other pump. Some moms will have certain pumps that their body reacts to better than others. Our Customer Service Team is available to help you with some trouble shooting to see if we can figure out where the trouble is. Please consider calling our toll free number at 800-435-8316 and the team will be happy to assist you. Your reference number is 273888. We're happy that you have enjoyed the pump and look forward to assisting you. Have a lovely day!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
4
eriously Amazing LITTLE pump!
on December 4, 2019
Posted by: Ktcrazy14
from Charlotte, NC
Gender:Female
I started casually pumping when my son was about 1 month old to start building up a supply before I went back to work. When I went back to work, it literally became part of my full-time job. My pump was portable enough, but honestly, lugging it and all the parts and milk back and forth was an annoying amount of baggage.
That is why I wish I had this little powerhouse pump when I first started back! Not only is it light as air but it fits in my hand, not much bigger than a cell phone! It’s also nice and quiet and I can carry the bag and cooler everything without feeling like I’m packed for an overnight trip every time I go to and from the office. I was nervous that because it’s so small, it couldn’t possibly be as strong or efficient as the pump I’m used to, but I was pleasantly surprised. I have been using this pump for a few weeks now and I pump as much, if not even more than my previous pump!
One con that I think might have more to do with my familiarity level with it and comparison to the one I’m used to, is that I find the disassembly of one of the pump part a little awkward, I keep thinking I’m going to break it. But I might just need more practice!
Everything is super easy to clean and sterilize which is also huge. And the phone tracking is an added bonus. I so look forward to many more pumping sessions with this pump! Thank you to the Stellar Product Testing Panel for giving it to me and allowing me to test!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, December 10, 2019
Hi Ktcrazy14--- It is wonderful to hear that the Freestyle Flex Breast Pump has been so much more convenient for you when going to and from work. Pumping is definitely a full time job for some so minimalizing what you need and making that time easier is always a win! We're thrilled that the pump has exceeded your expectations and we can't thank you enough for taking the time to share your experience. We know you will continue to enjoy all the great features of this pump and we look forward to assisting you in the future. Have a wonderful day!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Best pump EVER
on December 4, 2019
Posted by: jenngranzin
from Belton, TX
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have a Willow, and even though the Freestyle isn’t cordless, I much prefer it. The suction is amazing; I got 5 oz out of both sides in about five minutes! Not only is it portable, it’s super user friendly and easy to use. I also loved all of the extras that come with the pump like the bottle cooler and bag. I would recommend this pump to anyone, and it’s by far the best one I’ve ever used.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, February 5, 2020
Hi jenngranzin--- We are so happy that you are enjoying the Freestyle Flex Breast Pump and all the accessories that come with it. It is great that you found it easy to use and that you were able to successfully express your milk in such a short time. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. Have a great day!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Great portable pump
on December 4, 2019
Posted by: AmberG
from Everett, WA
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I received this product as part of the Stellar Product Testing Panel and I really enjoyed using it. I have been pumping for almost a year and have used several different pumps. I like the portability of this pump and how easy the parts are to clean. It charges really fast and has pretty impressive power for a portable pump. The only two small issues I have with it are I wish the massage function didn’t automatically turn off after 2 minutes and that the bottles had a wider opening for easier cleaning.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, December 5, 2019
Hi AmberG--- We love hearing that you have enjoyed using the Freestyle Flex Breast Pump and that you found it to be very easy to clean. The stimulation phase is set to switch after 2 minutes to mimic the way a breast fed baby will eat. You are able to switch back to the stimulation phase if you would prefer to have it in that phase a bit longer, just press the let down button again and it will go back. We appreciate your feedback on the bottles and we will forward your review to our team in charge of continuous improvement. Thank you so much for sharing your honest feedback with us. We wish you all the best!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Spectacular pump!
on December 5, 2019
Posted by: Minnikat_85
from NY
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Thanks to Stellar Product Testing Panel I was able to test this amazing pump for free. It was very easy to use-set up, disassembling, and clean up we’re a breeze. The ability to connect to your phone via the app was really helpful in keeping track of amounts and times pumped as well as last time baby ate. I was able to pump in the car, my bed, my couch, etc. I was even able to walk around and do chores! Having two toddlers and a newborn can be difficult to manage the simplest activities so having this pump was a life saver. A suggestion I would have is to make the brightness of the pump face adjustable because it can be quite bright in the middle of the night but that was pretty much the only downfall.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, February 5, 2020
Hello Minnikat_85--- Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Freestyle Flex Breast Pump. We are thrilled that you have found it easy to use and that it helped give you more freedom to care for your little ones. We appreciate your feedback on the brightness of the pump face and will pass this on to our product team. Have a great day!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
The best pump for working moms!
on December 5, 2019
Posted by: Alerolli1
from Silver Spring, MD
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was given this pump to try as part of the Stellar Product Testing Panel. It arrived my first full week of returning to work after my second child’s birth, when my baby was only 7 weeks old. It’s been almost three weeks now, and my freezer stash has actually grown.
I feel like Medela read my mind and fixed everything that annoyed me most when using my two Medela “pump in styles” from my first son (one for work and one for home because I got sick of lugging one back and forth for a whole year).
The Freestyle Flex is a pleasure to use. It fits in my purse and leaves room for my older son’s snacks! I’m pumping more consistently than before because it’s easy to pump anywhere and anytime without hunting for an outlet or fresh batteries. The pump is lightweight enough that I sometimes have to double check I didn’t forget it.
USB charging means the Freestyle Flex charges on my nightstand next to my phone and is ready for a full day without recharging (four pumps leave it with about a half battery left).
I love the small, ultra-portable size, the built-in timer, and the Bluetooth sync. I also appreciate the change in design of the breast shield and connector (the flex-style breast shield is a much better fit and the connector blocks my view so that I don’t anxiously watch my pump process). I pump in the car without worrying that people see my nipples move back and forth). The reduction and simplification in tubing, the auto shut off at 30 minutes (there is also a gentle chime at 15 minutes), mean I can set up my pump and then focus on typing, driving, putting away dishes, or even pumping one-sided while nursing on the other.
The Bluetooth/phone-sync feature is nice once you get used to it. I like being able to track the time and amount I pump each day and to compare it to how much my little one is drinking at home.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, February 5, 2020
Hello Alerolli1--- We are so happy that the Freestyle Flex Breast Pump has fixed all the concerns you had with pumping before. The fact that you can relax and keep occupied while pumping is great and is so much better for you. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful story with other moms out there that may be looking for a great new portable pump. Have a great day!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
It’s the size of my phone!
on December 5, 2019
Posted by: Missturpak
from Chesapeake, VA
Gender:Female
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This thing is tiny! I was used to dragging around a really big cordless pump so I was shocked when I opened the box and saw how little this thing is. You still have the flanges, bottles etc so it’s not as easy as just walking around with the pump in your pocket but it DEFINITELY reduces the size of the travel bag you need.
The pump holds a charge for up to two hours of pumping which is pretty awesome too! The pumping experience was really pleasant and the flex flanges are SO comfortable and fit so well compared to plain plastic flanges . Letdown mode is really comfortable and works well, and if you hold the start button down it will begin after a delay of 10 seconds which is really helpful when you’re using it as a double pump and need to get yourself situated before starting.
Cleaning this thing was really a breeze. There are NO DUCKBILLS! All you have to clean are the flanges, the connectors and ONE easy to remove/reinstall membrane per side, plus the bottles you pump into. Cleaning the pump is SO MUCH less tedious than it used to be.
This truly is a game changer for pumping moms , especially moms that have to travel with their pump or pump at work! Thanks so much to the Stellar product testing panel for gifting me this pump to try and review!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, February 5, 2020
Hello Missturpak--- We are so happy that you have appreciated all the great new accessories and features of the Freestyle Flex Breast Pump and that you found it to be so much easier to clean as well. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful review with us and other moms out there as well. Have a lovely day!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com