REASONS TO BUY
Portable
On-the-go use
Offers excellent efficiency
REASONS TO AVOID
Complex cleaning
Non-intuitive interface
Baby Buddha Review
A portable breast pump with a powerful suction that may be excessive for some users
The user interface on the Buddha is simple in comparison to others.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: Best Breast Pumps of 2024
The Skinny
Compared to competitors in our best breast pump review, the Baby Buddha is an affordable, efficient, and portable contender with a closed system, making it a notable choice for moms seeking stellar performance without the high price tag. Its wearable lanyard design provides freedom to move during pumping sessions, and it works for up to an hour on a single charge. You can also use it while it's plugged in and charging if needed. However, no pump is perfect, and this contender has some quirks to consider. It's a little bit noisy and has a strong suction that may not suit everyone's comfort level. But, for many moms, the Baby Buddha is a valuable choice that grants them the power to pump on the move without being confined to a specific location or outlet.
Editor's Note: This gear review was updated on November 15, 2023. With the addition of new products in the breast pump review, we share how this contender fares when compared to others in the lineup.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Baby Buddha | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $190 List $189.99 at Amazon | $216 List $199.99 at Amazon | $33 List $24.94 at Amazon | $42 List $23.94 at Amazon | $23 List $12.94 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Despite occasional reports of strong suction, this portable pump provides portability and efficient milk expression | A superior breast pump that's high-quality, efficient, and easy to use | 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 | Baby Buddha | Spectra S1 Plus | Lansinoh Manual Bre... | Medela Harmony with... | Haakaa Gen 1 |
| Efficiency (35%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (15%) | |||||
| Portability (15%) | |||||
| Hygiene (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Baby Buddha | Spectra S1 Plus | Lansinoh Manual Bre... | Medela Harmony with... | Haakaa Gen 1 |
| Measured Ounces per Minute | 0.45 | 0.55 | 0.28 | 0.13 | 0.19 |
| Measured Suction | 290 mmHg | 250 mmHg | 200 mmHg | 240 mmHg | n/a |
| # of Suction Settings | 14 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Measured Weight of Pump with Two Bottles | 1.1 Ibs | 3.1Ibs | .2 Ibs (one bottle) | 0.4 Ibs (one bottle) | 0.2 Ibs (one cup) |
| Available Flange Sizes from Manu | 21mm, 24mm, 28mm, 32mm | 20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 32mm | 21mm, 25mm, 30.5mm, 36 | 24mm | 30mm |
| Open/Closed System | Closed | Closed | Closed | Open | Open |
| Capability | Double | Double | Single | Single | Single |
| Power Source | Rechargeable Battery | Rechargeable Battery | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Manufacturer Claimed Battery Life | Up to 1 hour | Up to 3 hours | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| App | No | No | No | No | No |
| Night Light Feature? | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Measured Weight | .8Ibs | 2.9 Ibs | .3 Ibs | .3 Ibs | .2 Ibs |
| Included Bottle Holder or Base? | Yes - bottle base | Yes - one built-in bottler holder | Yes - bottle base | Yes - bottle base | No - n/a |
| What's in the Box | 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 24mm Spectra Breast Flanges 2 28mm Spectra Breast Flanges 2 Spectra Tubing 2 Spectra Duckbill Valves 2 Spectra Backflow Protectors. Includes silicone membrane, uppercase, and lowercase for each Backflow Protector 2 Spectra Wide Neck Storage Bottles. Includes nipple, disc, cap, and cover for each bottle 1 Spectra 12V AC Power Adapter/Charger |
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 |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Baby Buddha company is dedicated to helping breastfeeding mothers by creating high-quality, user-friendly, and convenient products. They also donate a portion of every purchase to the March of Dimes and remain committed to developing and crafting innovative products for both moms and babies.
Performance Comparison
The Baby Buddha has all the parts you need to get pumping.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Efficiency
In our tests, this pump proved to be quite efficient.
It was able to express an average of 0.45 oz of milk per minute, reaching 5 oz of milk around 11 to 12 minutes. We think it will likely be efficient at emptying for many women.
The Baby Buddha has a suction strength of 290 mmHg. Although this falls below the manufacturer's claim, it's one of the highest readings among the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
As for suction power, we measured 290 mmHg during our tests, which is a bit less than the manufacturer's claim of 320 mmHg. However, it's still one of the strongest suction powers compared to other pumps.
Comfort
This pump is slightly above average for comfort.
The Baby Buddha offers a total of 14 settings. This includes 5 in stimulation mode and 9 in expression mode. This variety lets moms tailor their pump sessions based on their needs and preferences.
Inside the plastic flange, you'll find massage cushions with a soft silicone-like feel, although the user manual doesn't specify the material. Some testers noticed mild indentation circles on their breasts after pumping, which, while not uncomfortable during use, could be bothersome for sensitive users. Since the pump's maximum suction level is quite aggressive, this might not be well-received by everyone, resulting in potential discomfort or soreness. However, sensitivity varies among users.
Ease of Use
The Baby Buddha scores above average in this metric.
The user interface on this device wasn't our favorite, and we needed to refer to the user manual to fully understand its operation. While not a dealbreaker, those seeking precise time measurement might find it frustrating, as the pump measures time in minutes only. However, some contenders lack any tracking feature, so the may make the minute timing seem more acceptable.
The LCD screen shows both the time and the selected power level, but the black background can make it challenging to see from certain angles or when there's a glare from overhead lighting. Also, we thought viewing the screen while wearing the lanyard was a bit tricky.
With a more portable design, the Baby Buddha allows you to move about while pumping, offering flexibility for on-the-go moms. However, some users have noted the system feels slightly bulky.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability
This pump is more portable than others in the lineup, but it's not a top choice in this metric.
This pump comes with a lanyard that suspends the bottles and allows the user to move about their day without being anchored to an electric pump or plugged in at a pumping station. However, this pump isn't tube-free, and some users found the system a bit bulky. On the upside, it's incredibly lightweight, weighing 0.8 a pound.
The Baby Buddha has a rechargeable battery that gives you over an hour of pump time. It's a game-changer for portability; no more being tied to an outlet! And, even if the battery is running low, you can keep pumping while it's plugged in. We appreciate this convenience because when you're sleep-deprived, remembering to charge things is not exactly at the top of your priority list.
Our portability assessment includes taking a dB reading for each pump. The Baby Buddha's result is shown in this video.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Unfortunately, the Baby Buddha is noisier than some of its competitors. While it doesn't produce unusual sounds, it generates a range of noise levels from average to loud. It's louder than a vibrating phone, which might not provide the discrete pumping you desire. We think it could potentially wake a light sleeper.
Hygiene
The Baby Buddha is slightly below average for Hygiene.
The Baby Buddha's closed system is a hygiene advantage, and its disassembly is straightforward. Cleaning can be a bit more involved due to many parts, which wasn't our favorite aspect. However, it's a standard task despite a few extra parts to manage. As for post-cleaning reassembly, getting all the parts back together can be a bit finicky. We appreciate that the manufacturer provides clear guidelines recommending changing the silicone diaphragm every 8 weeks and the duckbill valves every 4-5 weeks to keep the pump well-maintained over time.
You can pump both breasts with the Buddha, which can save time.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Baby Buddha?
Compared to other top-ranked breast pumps, the Baby Buddha allows on-the-go moms to keep up with their routines, saving them from sitting idle while pumping. While it's not tube-free, and its strong suction may not be suitable for those with higher sensitivity levels, its solid performance and affordable price make it a compelling choice for regular pumping.
The Baby Buddha is a portable breast pump that's efficient in milk expression, and it's competitively priced compared to other pumps with similar features.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
For those seeking a more discreet pumping experience than what the Buddha cups offer, this pump is compatible with the Freemie Next Generation Cups, which appear like regular breasts under a shirt rather than bottles hanging from your chest.
What Other Breast Pumps Should You Consider?
If portability is driving your decision-making process, there are some compelling options in the lineup to consider, such as the Elvie Stride. This pump is more discreet and quieter than the Baby Buddha, making it ideal for pumping on the go without drawing much attention. If you don't need something this portable, then the Spectra S1 Plus is great for regular pumping sessions, and its built-in battery provides the flexibility to take it on the go where outlets might be scarce.
Manufacturer Video
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD and Molly Bradac
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