Customer reviews from medela.com
Medela - Freestyle Hands-free Double Electric Breast Pump - Gray
Average customer rating
4.2
(373 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 373 reviews
5 Stars
206
4 Stars
100
3 Stars
22
2 Stars
13
1 Star
32
74%of customers recommend this product.
(
121 out of
164)
Customer Reviews for Medela - Freestyle Hands-free Double Electric Breast Pump - Gray
Customer Rating
5
Comfortable and Easy to Use
on February 2, 2023
Posted by: MamaBeast
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I got this pump to review as part of the Stellar Product Testing Panel.
So far for all of my children, I have pumped for 2 years and 9 months and have used five other pumps over the years. This is by far the most comfortable pump in terms of the flanges and where the pump touches skin. The flanges have perfectly designed contours that both prevent too much tissue from being pulled into the tunnel and prevent any sort of pinching pain, unlike traditional flanges that have a corner at the base of the nipple.
Setting up the pump was a bit daunting at first. The instruction manual is huge, but it has a bunch of translations in it. There is a handy, image based quick start guide that clearly lays out where and how to plug everything together and it's only three things. Setting up and getting started the first time was very easy.
I work remotely most days so having this portable pump allowed me freedom to move about the house while pumping, unlike my other pumps that tether me to a wall slash force me to sit the entire time. I mostly used these powers to cook while pumping. The tubing is a little bit short and a little stiffer than my other pumps and I couldn't fit the pill shaped pump inside my pants pocket while walking around. So, I put the pump inside my pumping bra between my boobs.
The only item I had trouble with was getting the app to recognize when I was pumping. I really wanted to use the milk log feature in the app but couldn't figure it out. I think the real reason I couldn't get this to work is because of my workplace's security software on my phone.
The milk collection cups are generously sized, easy to assemble, easy to take a part, easy to clean. It was very easy to get every last drop of milk out of the cups.
Overall, out of all six pumps I have used now, this is by far my favorite one. It's small, portable, very comfortable, has ample milk collection, the pump charge lasts a long time, and it's easy to clean. Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this product.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, March 30, 2023
Hi MamaBeast--- We're thrilled that you have enjoyed using the Freestyle Hands-free breast pump and that it has become your favorite! Thank you for your honest feedback. Best wishes!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
4
Convenient and easy pump
on February 1, 2023
Posted by: Tayk
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The convenience of this pump is top notch. With only three pieces per side, I don’t think you can get much more convenient when it comes to washing this pump. Being able to wear this pump has changed my morning routine for the better! I slide the cups in place, push start, and carry on getting the kids and myself ready for the day. On the extra hectic mornings, I love that it makes a noise at fifteen minutes and automatically shuts off after thirty minutes. The pump is super easy to use and to find the right settings. The touch screen is highly responsive, so try not to bump it. I have a pretty large chest anyway, so it is definitely noticeable when I wear the pump. I primarily wear it around the house when I need to multitask while pumping. I can get all the kids, the dog, and myself ready while wearing it. It will spill/leak, but being aware of how far I’m bending over fixed that issue. This picture was taken after twenty minutes of pumping, so I’m pretty happy with the performance of the pump! Thank you Stellar Product Testing Panel for sending me this pump and helping my mornings run so much smoother!
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, March 30, 2023
Hi Tayk--- We're glad to know that you're enjoying the ease of use with the Freestyle Hands-free Breast Pump. Thank you for your honest feedback!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
3
Decent option for hands free pump
on February 1, 2023
Posted by: Leah
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I received this pump to try as part of the Stellar Product Testing Panel after using a different hands-free pump for the last couple of months. This pump was okay, but not my favorite option for a few reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, I felt this pump was very loud compared to others I’ve used and the whole thing vibrated a lot when it was on. Because of this, the pump wasn’t very discreet and I couldn’t use it at work the same way I’ve used others in the past because it would be VERY obvious I was pumping. The pump motor came with a string attached that could go around your wrist but this also made it hard to do certain tasks like wash dishes or fold laundry - I think it would be more useful to have some sort of a clip to attach to my waistband to really free up both hands/arms. The last thing that I didn’t love about this pump was that my output was inconsistent. Sometimes I’d pump and get a lot of milk and others I would put it on, think I was pumping only to check 10 minutes later to find almost no milk expressed. I do wish the pump came with a larger breast shield option. The 24mm worked okay (it also came with 21mm) but I usually use 28mm and wonder if I would have had better output if I had a better fitting shield. Overall I think there is some room for improvement.
All of that being said, there were some pros to the pump compared to others I’ve used. The capacity in the collection cups is really great and it held a lot more than my other pumps (5+ ounces). If you are someone who has a high supply this could really benefit you because other brands I’ve tried tend to shut off once you’ve pumped about 3-4 ounces. It also has a small hole at the top of the collection cup that allows you to very easily pour milk into bags which was nice (but be careful, the holes don’t close up at all so if you bend over at all when wearing this you’ll lose most of your milk). The cups were very lightweight and only consisted of a few parts so washing and assembly were easy.
Overall, this pump is okay and will get the job done so if you’re looking for a hands free/wearable pump without paying top dollar this would be a decent option, but I’d just consider the limitations mentioned above prior to investing in it.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, February 8, 2023
Hi LeahH--- We appreciate your honest feedback. Please consider reaching out to our Customer Service team at 800-435-8316 so we can collect some additional information and do our best to help. When calling, just provide reference number 450619. Best wishes!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
3
Overall disappointing
on February 1, 2023
Posted by: Anonymous
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was excited for Medela to utilize current technology and put out their version of a wearable “hands free” pump.
I received the Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Double Electric Breast Pump from Stellar in exchange for an honest review.
I wish I had a different experience, but overall, I am very disappointed. Medela really had the chance to make something to stand out on the market, but this product misses the mark.
First of all, this is not Hands-Free. While the cups may fit inside your bra, there is long tubing that connects to the motor to the flanges, and the motor doesn’t have a strap to wear it around your neck or even a basic clip to wear it on your waist.
Next, the cups do not look the least bit “natural” under clothing. They stick out very far, and if the extremely loud sound wasn’t attention-grabbing enough, the look of your oddly shaped chest will be. I appreciate that each cup holds 5oz, but I think it would be quite a bit far fetched to recommend this pump as something you could wear at work while caring for patients, talking to clients, etc.
One big plus is that each side only has 3 pieces. 2 clear pieces snap together to make the flanges, and instead of a tiny membrane, each side has a larger yellow membrane that makes them easier to keep track of while washing. Cup assembly is intuitive, and washing is simple. No tiny crevices to clean with teeny brushes.
Medela advertises their cups as being clear so you can see what’s going on while pumping, but when you’re wearing them, the cups aren’t really transparent.
Just like most wearable pumps on the market, you won’t get as much output as you would from a freestanding pump, but I expected as much.
I found the cups to be lightweight, but it was just so awkward with the separate motor that had no where to go.
I would not let a good friend purchase this - yes it has a lower price point than other wearables, but it’s a big sacrifice as far as bulk, noise level, output, and trying to discretely wear the cups in public.
* It’s worth mentioning that this pump is now available to buy, yet you can’t buy spare parts, different sized flanges, etc. For those who like a set of parts for home and work, or a few sets to cycle through while the others are washing, even those who need a small or large flange size… So incredibly inconvenient. I sure hope Medela gets within it and releases these items soon.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, February 8, 2023
Hi MrsS--- Thank you for taking the time to share your honest review, we have routed your feedback to our product team. We are working to have the accessories available for purchase, please check our website as new products are released. Best wishes!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Lightweight wearable pump for moms to multitask
on February 1, 2023
Posted by: Rc522
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was so excited to see that Medela created a hands-free pump! My go-to breast pump has always been Medela brand, so a breast pump that is not only Medela but is also hands-free was just icing on the cake! I had extra time I could play with the kids or do housework rather than needing to sit on the couch to pump.
I have never used a hands-free pump that fits inside your bra before, so in that respect I can't compare, but I can tell you that I was impressed! This compact machine is powerful and effective. The containers hold at least 5 ounces, so you don't have to compromise how much you can pump. Additionally there seemed to be fewer parts (only three each) for me to clean compared to previous Medela pumps - a huge plus in my book! The ease of cleaning was definitely my favorite feature (other than being hands-free of course).
I found the pump to be comfortable, however it is not as discreet as I had hoped. The collection cups are rather large and obvious. I also am concerned they may stretch out the bra.
Despite the less discreet look, I felt very comfortable wearing the pump around the house and multitasking.
Thank you to Stellar Panel for gifting me with this breast pump.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, March 30, 2023
Hi Rc522--- We appreciate you taking time to share your honest feedback. Thank you for choosing Medela!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Way to Go Medela
on February 1, 2023
Posted by: Ginny
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Wow! This pump exceeded my expectations for a wearable pump. Way to go, Medela. It was easy to get started using right out of the box. It charges fairly quickly, which made it nice for getting started and for day-to-day use. It was way more effective than my other wearable pump, which was a pleasant surprise. The fact that I didn't have to get used to the pump in order to get good output was awesome and not super common for wearable pumps. The size was pretty on-par with other wearable pumps, so no complaints there. I like the lanyard for the motor--it was better than the clip that my other pump has. I am able to use it pretty much anywhere and at any time, as long as I don't bend over (which is what I expect). The motor is a smidge louder than my other pump, but not enough to be self-conscience of it. As a mom to newborn twins this pump has really been amazing and has exceeded the expectations that had been set with my other wearable pump. One of my favorite features is the minimal parts for cleaning. I don't have much time on my hands, so the fewer parts to clean, the better. My other favorite feature is that I can use it while it's plugged in. This may seem like a small feature, but my other wearable pump (which is a popular brand) cannot be used while it is charging. Again, I have newborn twins, which means that I am sleep deprived to the next level, and remembering to charge the pump isn't always easy, so being able to use it while plugged in is *amazing*. My only complaint is that there are some confusing instructions regarding the tubing. The manual says that if there's condensation, you can wash and dry the tubing, but an insert says not to clean or rinse the tubing under any circumstance. Not really sure why there are contradictory instructions, but I plan to just default to new tubing if condensation occurs.
Thanks to the Stellar Product Testing Panel for providing me with this breast pump.
Thanks to the Stellar Product Testing Panel for providing me with this breast pump.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, March 30, 2023
Hi Elizabeth--- It makes us so happy to hear that your experience has been so great! Our team has some wonderful resources available, so don't hesitate to reach out to us if you need help or have questions. Best wishes!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
4
Ideal for exclusive pumping
on February 1, 2023
Posted by: RAD3
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was excited to receive this pump as I am an exclusive pumper. The pump is lightweight and easy to use and I thought the instructions were pretty straightforward. I appreciated how small this pump is which makes it easy to use on the go. I was nervous about doing activities, while pumping for the risk of spilling now, but was pleasantly surprised when I didn’t. For me this meant that I can multitask, which makes a difference for moms with little ones. This was my first time trying a hands-free pump and the suction overall was great. I did notice a slight decline in output, but I think it could be attributed to the flange size. Either way the decline was relatively small and I just made up by pumping a little longer. I’d be interested to test a larger size if it’s an option.
I was given this breast pump to try as part of the Stellar Product Testing Panel.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, February 2, 2023
Hi RAD3--- We are excited to know that you found it easy to use! If you ever have any questions about your breast pump, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800-435-8316. We'd be happy to help!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Little Pump with a Big Punch
on February 1, 2023
Posted by: CaiYou
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have exclusively breast fed twins so I am frequently feeding a baby. I also have a bit of an oversupply so I use a pump a few times a week when the babies sleep a little longer than expected. This pump is easy to put on for a quick and effective pump session before they wake up. It’s super easy to wash after using too!
I had the unfortunate experience of an older family member unexpectedly in the hospital and this pump allowed me to be around for his last days and with family as needed after. It was so easy to carry in my purse and I was able to use it while sitting bedside. I could not be more thankful for this pump during this time!
My only real request would be a way to use it as a single pump rather than needing to be a double pump. I have one twin that sleeps through the night and one that does not. It would be nice to be able to pump one side while one twin is eating on it he other side.
I had the unfortunate experience of an older family member unexpectedly in the hospital and this pump allowed me to be around for his last days and with family as needed after. It was so easy to carry in my purse and I was able to use it while sitting bedside. I could not be more thankful for this pump during this time!
My only real request would be a way to use it as a single pump rather than needing to be a double pump. I have one twin that sleeps through the night and one that does not. It would be nice to be able to pump one side while one twin is eating on it he other side.
I received this pump through Stellar Product Testing Panel
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, March 30, 2023
Hi CaiYou--- We're so glad to know that you're enjoying the portability that it offers! To single pump, you can Insert the unused tubing end into the tubing holder, this is the small hole in yellow piece that breaks off into a Y shape. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you need help or have questions. We'd be happy to help!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com