Whether you’re pumping at work or at home (or while working from home), a hands-free pumping bra can help make the process a lot more comfortable. Betty Greenman, an internationally board-certified lactation consultant, or IBCLC, says that a hands-free pumping bra is a necessity because it “allows you to have time to multitask and work while you pump.” But the best bra for pumping is different for every mom, ranging from a low-tech Velcro option to something that’ll massage your breasts while they pump.

Best pumping bra for spectra

To help you find the best hands-free pumping bra for your specific needs, we rounded up all the bras that lactation specialists, parents, and other pregnancy experts have recommended to us in previous Strategist stories. Then we consulted our data to determine which hands-free pumping bras our readers have purchased the most over the past three years. The bra that had the most expert recommendations and was among our most-sold products was named the best overall. All of the hands-free pumping bras below were either recommended to us by experts or bought at least 1,000 times over the past three years. They’re organized by the attribute experts and reviewers mentioned the most about the bra, whether that be an easy-to-use zipper closure or a nonirritating seamless design.

What we’re looking for
Nursing and pumping versus pumping only: Some bras have a two-in-one design that lets them function as both nursing and pumping bras, meaning you don’t have to put a separate bra on when you want to pump. Others are made only for pumping and must be worn either alone or over your nursing bra.

Type of closure: Closure type is a personal preference. If you’ll be fitting in pumpings during the workday (and don’t want a two-in-one nursing and pumping bra), you may want a closure that makes putting the bra on and taking it back off quick and easy, like a zipper or Velcro closure. If you’ll be wearing the bra all day, you may be fine with a classic hook-and-eye closure. Some bras have other closure types such as buckles.

Simple Wishes Signature Hands Free Pumping Bra

Two lactation experts — Greenman and Meema Spadola, a certified lactation counselor and postpartum doula — recommend Simple Wishes’ pumping bras. “Simple Wishes is a good brand that works with many different pump brands, since all of the flanges don’t work in the same way,” Spadola said in our previous reporting on how to pump at work. In that same article, Greenman says, “This bra has an impeccable design with maximum support. It helps you to be more productive while pumping.” It’s a favorite among Strategist readers with nearly 4,000 purchased between 2019 and 2022. (But if you’d like a bra that works for nursing and hands-free pumping, Greenman also likes Simple Wishes’ All-in-One Nursing & Pumping Bra, which costs around $10 more.)

Momcozy Hands-Free Pumping Bra

This was the bra our readers purchased the most over the past three years with over 9,500 bought from 2019 to 2022. (That’s over double the quantity purchased of our next-most-purchased bra, which sold just under 4,000.) The two-in-one bra provides a secure fit for hands-free pumping, but it comes with convertible straps and a detachable clip design that make it ideal for nursing too. Amazon users who have purchased the bra note that those straps make it ideal for anyone nursing at work or on-the-go, as they can wear this bra all day and not need to change into a strapless pumping bra. At half the price of our best overall, this bra is an affordable, crowd-pleasing option.

Bravado Designs Womens’ Clip and Pump Hands-free Nursing Bra Accessory

Bravado’s Clip and Pump bra was the second-most-purchased bra among Strategist readers between 2019 and 2022 with just under 4,000 bras purchased. It’s ideal for people who don’t want to switch bras when they pump but don’t want to wear a pumping bra around all day either. The Bravado gets attached over your regular nursing bra so that when you’re ready to pump, you can just pull your nursing bra down, insert a bottle into the Bravado, and pump in privacy. The Clip and Pump is meant to be worn over Bravado’s nursing bras, but users who have purchased it note that it works with just about any nursing bra.

Medela Easy Expression Hands-Free Pumping Bra

For a strapless bra that’s easy to quickly put on when it’s time to pump, this zippered one is a well-liked option. It was our fourth-most-purchased bra over the past three years with over 2,500 of them bought by Strategist readers. The stretchy material and front zipper make it quick and easy to put on and comfortable to wear. The brand notes that the bra is meant to have a snug fit, so while it may initially feel tight, it provides a strong, secure fit to keep the bottle in place while you pump.

Pump Strap Hands-Free Pumping & Nursing Bra

Another hands-free pumping bra that’s well liked for its ease of use is this strapless velcro bra from Pump Strap, which was our fifth-most-purchased hands-free pumping bra — 1,566 bought — since 2019. The one-size-fits-all bra is about as simple as they come: just a nylon strap with slits for pumping bottles. The velcro closures let you adjust the bra’s tightness according to your breast size and make it easy to take on and off. It also comes with a neck strap to help keep the bra in place while you pump. And if you’re looking for color, this bra comes in five colors: beige, black, pink, purple, and turquoise.

Simple Wishes D Lite Hands Free Pumping Bra

If you don’t know your bra size, already have a nursing bra you love, or want a pumping bra that works with just about any breast pump, the D Lite bra from expert-approved brand Simple Wishes checks all three boxes. The bra, which was our sixth-most-sold bra with 1,535 purchases, has a Velcro back panel that lets you adjust the size up to ten inches — great for adjusting to the body’s changing shape during breastfeeding. For an even better fit, order the zip-in one- or two-inch center panels (the brand says the panels are free but must be ordered and shipped separately). The D Lite bra slips on over your existing nursing bra and, according to the brand, is compatible with all breast pumps including Medela, Spectra, Lansinoh, and Ameda. The bra can be worn strapless or with the included straps for additional support.