Medela Pump in Style vs Freestyle

The Medela Pump in Style MaxFlow and the Medela Freestyle Hands-Free are two of the most popular breast pumps on the market.

The Freestyle Hands-Free is compact, highly portable, and includes a built-in rechargeable battery, making it convenient on the go. On the other hand, the Pump in Style with Max Flow is a powerful, efficient option often available at a more budget-friendly price.

But which of these two pumps is the best Medela breast pump for you?

Find out in my Medela Pump in Style vs Freestyle comparison, where I discuss the features, pros and cons of each breast pumps.

• If you prefer to watch your reviews, there’s a video review right below. Then, you can skim the written review for more details.
• If you prefer to read your reviews, scroll past the video, and you’ll find my written review.

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Similarities and Differences

There are definitely more differences than similarities when it comes to the Medela Pump in Style and Medela Freestyle pumps.

Sure, both are made by Medela and focus on comfort and effiency, however they have quite different designs and functionality.

So, let’s take a closer look with my Medela Pump in Style vs Medela Freestyle comparison!

Pump Design

When you look at both the Medela Pump in Style and Freestyle you can easily see that these two breast pumps are very different in design.

Firstly, the Freestyle is built for portability and convenience, featuring a compact, handheld motor unit that can be attached to a lanyard for easy carrying. The motor is also very light weight at just 273g.

The motor attaches to collection cups via tubing. The 5oz collection cups themselves are a great slim fit design that fit comfortably inside a bra. I love that the collection cups also have minimal parts that makes cleaning them nice and easy.

In contrast, the Pump in Style has a larger pump unit that needs to be plugged into a power source during use, though it can run on a battery pack for limited mobility. The Pump in Style also comes with a traditional setup with pump flanges connected to bottles. That said you can use Medela Hands-Free cups with the correct tubing adaptor.

For me, the benefits of the pump direct to bottle design is that you don’t need to transfer your breast milk for storage like you do with the collection cups. You simply add the bottle lid and store your breast milk accordingly. The bottles are 5ox, though you can also purchase much larger 8oz bottles which are fantastic is you’re looking to pumping larger quantities.

Flange Design

Similar to the pump design, the flanges on both these Medela pumps are quite different.

The Pump in Style, with its pump to bottle design, comes with the Medela PersonalFit Flex connectors. These are coupled with the PersonalFit Flex flanges.

The PersonalFit Flex flanges are oval shaped flanges that allow you to pump comfortably in a variety of positions. They also have a 105-degree angle which is designed to mimic your baby’s mouth positioning when nursing. This aids in comfort and better output. They also come with a soft outer rim for a better seal and additional comfort.

In contrast the Freestyle collection cups are made of hard silicone. They have a standard 90-degree angle.

Both pumps have multiple flange insert size options. And being such a popular brand, you’ll find there are also a ton of non-branded flange options too like these that can be more affordable.

Performance and Efficiency

Both pumps can be used as either single or double pumps, giving you flexibility based on your needs and preferences. However, Pump in Style with MaxFlow stands out with its hospital-strength suction at 295 mmHg, making it more powerful than the Freestyle, which has a maximum suction of 245 mmHg.

Additionally, the Pump in Style offers 10 adjustable suction levels for a more customizable pumping experience, compared to the Freestyle’s nine levels.

This added power and control can be beneficial if you’re looking for a stronger suction experience, especially if milk output is a priority. Both pumps are efficient, but if maximum suction strength and control over pumping settings are key for you, the Pump in Style may be the better fit.

Both the Pump in Style and Freestyle breast pumps come with two modes: stimulation and expression.

Portability

The Medela Freestyle pump is designed for portability! It comes equipped with a rechargeable battery that provides up to 2 hours of use per charge. It conveniently charges via USB, so you can plug it into various power sources to recharge on the go. As mentioned previously, the hands-free collection cups also make the Freestyle nice and discreet, which for me adds to its portability.

The Pump in Style, on the other hand, requires a constant power source for standard use, typically a wall outlet. It does also come with a battery pack, but this battery pack takes eight AA batteries and will not recharge them. Instead, you’ll need to remove them and recharge or replace them separately. The battery pack will give you about 2 hours of power so that is great if you need your pump to be occasionally portable.

If you’re frequently on the move and want a rechargeable, plug-free experience, I feel the only real option is the Medela Freestyle Hands Free pump. The Pump in Style is best suited for use at home or places where you can access a power outlet. Sure, the Medela Pump in Style has some portability options to is with the battery pack, but for me this is inconvenient compared with the rechargeable battery of the Freestyle. If you want a portable breast pump, then my thoughts are choose the breast pump that is designed for it, which in this Medela Pump in Style vs Freestyle comparison, it is the Freestyle Hands-Free breast pump.

LED Screen

If you haven’t cottoned on yet, the Medela Freestyle and Pump in Style, are two very different pump.

And the LED screen and control panel is just another example of their differences.

The Freestyle comes with a sleek LED touchscreen that provides an intuitive control panel, making it easy to adjust settings and monitor your pumping session. It also includes a built-in timer and displays the battery charge level, helping you keep track of your session without needing a separate timer or frequent battery checks.

Additionally, the Freestyle connects to the Medela Family app, allowing you to track your pumping history and milk volumes right on your phone for added convenience.

On the other hand, the Pump in Style has a simpler design with four basic operational buttons and does not have an LED screen, timer, or app connectivity. This straightforward setup makes it easy to use, though you’ll need to manually keep track of your pumping time and settings.

If digital tracking and easy monitoring are high priorities for you, the Freestyle’s LED screen and Medela app compatibility might make it the preferred choice.

Noise Levels

I’ll be honest, I don’t think either pump is especially quiet.

However, I feel the Pump in Style is a bit louder than the Freestyle, especially at higher suction levels, which may be more noticeable in certain settings.

Price And Value For Money

It is a little hard to compare the value for money between the Medela Pump in Style and Freestyle pumps as each offer a unique set of features that appeal to different users and justify their price points in distinct ways.

For me the value of the Pump in Style is in its hospital-strength pump, PersonalFit flanges, and the convenience of pump to bottle. It does have limited features such as no LED screen or Medela app integration, which I think is reflective of the lower price point.

The Medela Freestyle, is generally more expensive but I feel this high price is easily justified if you are a pumping mom looking for portability and discretion.

The Verdict

The choice between the Medela Pump in Style and Freestyle ultimately depends on your lifestyle, pumping environment, and personal preferences.

If you’re seeking a powerful, reliable pump for home use with hospital-strength suction, plenty of accessories, and a no fuss pumping experience, then I think the Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow is a solid choice. While it has the battery pack for portability, for me, it’s a bit bulkier and best suited for stationary pumping.

On the other hand, if you need a pump that offers portability and discretion, the Medela Freestyle Hands Free is the best option. With its compact, portable design, hands-free capabilities, and USB rechargeable battery, it’s built for convenience and pumping on the go. The LED touchscreen and Medela app connectivity add modern touches that make tracking sessions easy and give you control at your fingertips.

Bottom line, when it comes to the Medela Pump in Style vs Medela Freestyle breast pumps, I think both pumps deliver a quality performance, which one to choose will all come down to which features matter most to you.