Willow vs Medela Freestyle Hands-free: What's the Difference?

Buying a breast pump can feel like detective work. With countless tabs open, you can spend hours searching for the differences between Willow pump vs other wearable pumps. Instead of letting you spend all that time searching, we are compiling comparisons for you.

Today: Willow 3.0 and Willow Go vs. the Medela Freestyle Hands-free.

Here's the breakdown:

• Willow 3.0 provides 360 degree leak-proof mobility; Medela Freestyle Hands-free is hands free but not meant to be used bending over.
• Willow 3.0 and Willow Go are wireless, tubeless, and fit entirely in-bra; Medela Freestyle Hands-free has container cups attached to an out-of-bra pocket-sized pump by tubes.
• Both Willow and Medela Freestyle Hands-free offer mobile apps to monitor and track pumping sessions.
• Willow 3.0 and Willow Go have milk collection options. With Willow Go, you can choose either 5 oz or 7 oz milk containers. With Willow 3.0 you can choose from ready-to-store milk bags or reusable containers. Both Willow 3.0 options hold 4 oz. Medela Freestyle Hands-free pump includes one milk collection option – 2.7 oz milk collection cups.
• Willow 3.0 is the most expensive option of the three, while Willow Go and Medela Freestyle Hands-free are the same price.

One of the best features of a wearable pump is the ability to move around while pumping. While every wearable pump offers more mobility than a traditional pump, there are ranges of wearable pump mobility.

• Willow 3.0 provides 360 degree mobility, meaning you can pump in any position: laying down, bending over, you name it! Better yet, the pump won’t leak either! The 100% leak-proof capability requires the ready-to-store milk bags. Moms love the milk bags because you won’t spill a drop, and they’re so easy when pumping on the go. You don’t have to worry about transferring milk. You can pop them right in your bag, cooler, or freezer spill-free. Willow 3.0 also has reusable container options
• Willow Go's fully in-bra design allows you to pump discreetly and efficiently, while remaining upright (generally 45° mobility without leaks)Moms choose Willow Go for– you guessed it…pumping on the go, without requiring the 360° leak-proof mobility Willow 3.0 provides.
• Medela Freestyle Hands-free allows you to pump hands free while multitasking. While the cups are hands-free, they are connected to the pocket-sized pump by the traditional breast pump tubes. The cups are not meant to be used when bending over, as milk can spill out of the pouring spout at the top of the collection cups.

Remembering to keep your pump charged is one of the biggest shifts from using a traditional pump. The last thing you want to happen is to sit down to pump and realize you haven’t charged your pump!

• The Willow 3.0 lasts up to 5 pumping sessions.
• The Willow Go lasts up to 3 pumping sessions.
• The Medela Freestyle Hands-free lasts for an average of 8 15 minute pumping sessions or roughly 2 hours.

Both Willow and Medela take approximately two hours for a full charge.

Cost is an important consideration when choosing your pump. If this will be your primary/only pump, you could be eligible for some coverage of your wearable pump through insurance. How much coverage you are eligible for will depend on your insurance. When considering your pump, remember that it is an investment not only in your baby, but in yourself. A good pump makes all the difference in your pumping experience.

• Willow 3.0 - $499.99 for two pumps.
• Willow Go - $349.99 for two pumps.
• Medela Freestyle Hands-free - $349.99 for one pump with two collection cups.

Every pump has a different level of suction and modes available. By switching pumping modes, you are able to enhance or decrease the amount of suction based on your let downs and your nipples’ response to the pump.

Whenever you use a breast pump - traditional or wearable - sizing matters. Be sure to check your nipple size to make sure that you order the proper shield size when you have chosen your pump.

Now, let’s get back to the pumps.

• Willow 3.0 offers 7 levels of adjustable suction. Willow’s Smart Suction technology automatically switches from stimulation to expression mode when you have a letdown and will make adjustments to help optimize your pumping session. Willow 3.0 comes with 24mm breast shields included, with the option to choose inserts or flanges ranging from 13mm to 27mm at check out for an additional cost.
• Willow Go is designed to work with small and larger breast sizes. The Willow Go comes with 21mm and 24 mm breast shields included, with the ability to purchase inserts or larger sizes ranging from 13mm to 27mm. The flange sizes included are 21mm and 24 mm, however, you can purchase inserts separately for other sizes.
• Medela Freestyle Hands-free’s 2-Phase Expression™ Technology mimics the natural rhythm of a baby’s sucking. Each phase offers 9 levels of vacuum. The Medela Freestyle Hands-free includes 21mm and 24mm breast shields.

A key difference between wearable pumps and traditional pumps is milk collection. Rather than pumping into bottles, you will either pump into milk collection containers or pumping bags.

• Willow 3.0 has a 4 oz capacity per breast with the option of using reusable containers or ready-to-store, leak-proof milk bags.
• Willow Go offers the highest capacity of wearable pumps with the option between a 5 or 7 oz reusable container per breast.
• Medela Freestyle Hands-free collection cups hold 5 oz per breast.

• Willow 3.0 does not turn off automatically when the container is full. Milk output can be monitored in the app and by keeping an eye on your pump!
• Willow Go has an auto shut off feature that will end the pump session when your collection container is full. Users are notified by a flashing light on the pump and in the mobile app.
• The Medela Freestyle Hands-free does not turn off automatically when the containers are full. The cups are transparent, however, and have a side scale indicator that allows moms to easily see when the collection cups are almost full.

• Willow 3.0 is designed for easy assembly and two of the parts are dishwasher-safe.In the Willow App, Willow 3.0 moms can monitor their pumping session live! You can also control your pump, with play, pause, and end session buttons from both the mobile and Apple Watch apps
• Willow Go can be assembled one-handed - you already have your hands full! The Willow Go parts are dishwasher safe for added convenience.The Willow App provides Willow Go moms with real-time session timing, app control, personalized services, and expert-backed content to support the pumping journey.
• For both Willow pumps, the app is home to any software updates your pump needs. While you don’t need to use the app to use the pump, if you want to keep your pump up to date, you will definitely want to!
• Medela Freestyle Hands-free is also designed for busy moms with just 3, easy to assemble parts to clean and that can all be placed in the dishwasher. When connected to the Medela Family app, you can track your pump sessions!

Willow and Medela are well-known and reputable breast pump companies. The ultimate difference between the two is Willow being fully tubeless and in-bra, and Medela being connected to an out-of-bra pocket-sized pump with tubes.

When making your decision, consider your life and pumping needs. If you need any more convincing that Willow is the right fit for you, check out our blog filled with resources for mamas. We’ll be waiting!