Willow Go offerings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\nI\u2019m a fan of both pumps for the comfort and the fit. Each can fit into a nursing bra, or even a regular soft bra, without forcing me to change into a pumping bra like a standard pump would. <\/p>\n
The Willow Go is larger at 5.3\u2033 x 3.1\u2033 x 4.7\u2033, weighing 13.6oz. The Elvie is 5\u2033 x 4.3\u2033 x 2.7\u2033 and weighs 7.4oz. The weight difference is only noticeable for me if I use the Elvie for a week or more and switch back to the Willow Go. I find them both simple enough to fit to the nipple, though there\u2019s a big difference when it comes to flange size. <\/p>\n
The Elvie comes with 24 and 28mm flanges. For me and many women like me, both of those are too large. You can purchase a 21mm flange, or off-brand flange inserts to make it even smaller. Unfortunately the Elvie doesn\u2019t offer anything smaller than 21mm. Although it\u2019s still workable with off-brand inserts, it would work even better with inserts or flanges made by Elvie for the pump, so this is a ding for me. <\/p>\n
The Willow Go comes with 21mm and 24mm flanges as well as a helpful sizing sheet and guide. I still had to purchase the 19mm inserts separately, but since they\u2019re Willow brand they fit securely and I don\u2019t have to sacrifice any suction. <\/p>\n
If you do go with the Elvie and need smaller inserts, I recommend the Willow ones as they\u2019re softer and nicer than the Maymom brand. <\/p>\n
Winner: Willow Go. <\/strong><\/p>\nSuction<\/h2>\n\n
A persistent rumor with wearable pumps is that they don\u2019t empty the breast. I haven\u2019t found this to be true for me. In the beginning, I used a hospital grade pump and once it was time to return it, transitioned to wearable pumps exclusively because I hate time-out and I get better output with them than my Spectra, believe it or not. However some people do see a dip in output. <\/p>\n
This could be due to the lower suction offered by wearable pumps vs. a plug-in, though the Willow Go boasts hospital-grade suction at 280mmHG, and the Elvie is 220mmHG. To me this is irrelevant because I can\u2019t go that high comfortably. <\/p>\n
Winner: Willow Go has higher suction capabilities. <\/strong><\/p>\nDiscreetness<\/h2>\n\n
Wearing the Willow Go \u2013 Would not call this discreet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nCan we agree that there\u2019s no way for a wearable pump to be truly discreet, since it has to make at least some<\/em> noise and must have room for the motor and milk catchment? <\/p>\nBoth pumps will make you appear to gain seven cup sizes. Your outfit choices will make all the difference here! <\/p>\n
Some complain that the Elvie has lights that will shine through a shirt. While true, if you\u2019re wearing something that thin and form-fitting, the jig will be up either way. I find a scarf or loose jacket solves the visibility issue of both. <\/p>\n
However the Elvie is much quieter. The Elvie can also be controlled by an app while the Willow Go cannot, forcing me to reach into my shirt to adjust the suction. <\/p>\n
Winner: Elvie. <\/strong><\/p>\nThe App<\/h2>\n\nWillow Go\u2019s dumb app<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nElvie\u2019s Robust app<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\nThere\u2019s no contest here. The Elvie app will track your pumps, measure your output in real time, and allow you to control the pump from your phone. This is so helpful for those of us with mom brain \u2014 which is everyone, yes? \u2014 who can\u2019t remember when we last pumped or what we got. <\/p>\n
I can\u2019t fathom what the point is of the Willow Go app, which has a sea of 1-star reviews. It\u2019s essentially a timer with no other functions. My theory is Willow would rather not give it all the bells and whistles so that there\u2019s still a reason to pay for the more expensive Willow 3.0, which has a more robust app. <\/p>\n
Winner: Elvie by FAR. <\/strong><\/p>\nBattery Life<\/h2>\nBoth pumps last me five to six pumping sessions, and both are chargeable with a USB charger. Both take about two hours to reach a full charge, though in a pinch you can still charge partially and pump with either one. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re finding the battery life sucks, reach out to customer service for a replacement. It shouldn\u2019t be necessary to charge after every pump. <\/p>\n
Winner: Tie. <\/strong><\/p>\nSpilling\/Leakage<\/h2>\nAs any pumping mama knows \u2013 we cry over spilled milk! I wish I could say neither pump has a problem with this, but both of them do. Unless you\u2019re pumping with the Willow 3.0 and using the single-use bags, which are no friend to the planet and require constant re-purchasing, you\u2019ll have to be careful about bending over, and you certainly can\u2019t lie down to pump. <\/p>\n
The Elvie sometimes leaks while I\u2019m pumping, especially if I\u2019ve filled a container and bend over too far. The gauge usually catches it before this happens, but if it doesn\u2019t, I have a wet bra which is annoying as hell. <\/p>\n
The Willow Go\u2019s issue is with pouring the milk out of the pump and into a bottle or storage bag. I almost always lost some in the beginning though I\u2019ve gotten the hang of it now. <\/p>\n
Still, there\u2019s got to be a better way to design both to avoid spillage. <\/p>\n
Winner: Nobody wins here! <\/strong><\/p>\nParts and Cleaning<\/h2>\n\n
The extra inserts I purchased<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nBoth pumps have an equal amount of parts that you will have to clean. Both pump parts can go in the dishwasher and I don\u2019t find either one to be difficult to clean. However the Elvie comes with two extra milk containers for easy storage and less frequent cleaning. <\/p>\n
Due to the design of the Willow Go, you have to empty the milk every time into another container in order to use it again. I find this annoying and greatly prefer the Elvie\u2019s milk catchment system. <\/p>\n
Winner: Elvie<\/strong><\/p>\nWarranty<\/h2>\nThe Elvie pulls ahead with a two year warranty versus the Willow Go\u2019s one year. There\u2019s nothing more frustrating than running into an issue a few weeks after your one-year warranty runs out.<\/p>\n
Winner: Elvie<\/strong><\/p>\nPricing<\/h2>\nThis is obviously a huge one. The Willow Go is currently $329 while Elvie is $549.99. If you need a 21mm flange, you can also add that to the cost of the Elvie. <\/p>\n
The big question is whether it is worth the extra $220.99 for the Elvie. <\/p>\n
My Pick<\/h2>\nAs an exclusive pumper who only uses the wearable pumps, I have been very happy to have both. There have been times when I forgot an essential part when on a flight and was glad to have back up, didn\u2019t want to wash the parts while out and about and still had a clean option when I got home, or had one run out of battery.<\/p>\n
I realize most people will want to just buy one or the other. The answer depends on how important the app tracking and control, quieter nature of the Elvie, extra containers\/less frequent cleaning, and longer warranty are for you. <\/p>\n
Knowing what I know now, if I were to buy one, I would probably choose the Willow Go since it\u2019s cheaper. The app is annoying, but I have learned to live with it.<\/p>\n
I hope this comparison helped you figure out which one would be best for YOU. <\/p>\n
Got questions? Feel free to drop them in the comments below. <\/p>\n
Traveling with your baby soon? Here\u2019s a free baby travel packing list for you:<\/em><\/p>\n*If you choose to buy either pump through my affiliate links, you support me and this site at no extra cost to you. Thanks for reading and helping us do what we do! <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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