Read this breast pump review to see if the Ameda Finesse double electric breast pump might be the one you’re looking for, whether you’re a new mom searching for your first pump or an experienced mom who wants to try another one. In this Ameda Finesse review, you’ll learn about the pros and cons of this breast pump and read customer reviews from other moms who’ve tried it before. You’ll also learn about what other breast pumps might be a better option so you can make an informed choice and find a great pump to suit your needs.
Key Features
A breast pump can help you establish your milk supply, deal with engorgement, and keep a stash of milk for emergencies. You can choose a manual breast pump or an electric pump, but why pay when you can get it for free? The Ameda Finesse double electric breast pump is one of the breast pumps you might get for free through insurance from medical supply companies, though it’s currently unavailable on Edgepark and Aeroflow (they sell Ameda Mya Portable; $169.99). But you can get the Finesse directly from the Ameda website or other retail outlets. Here are the key features of the Ameda Finesse:
How Much Is The Ameda Finesse?
This breast pump comes with a price tag of $159. It has the same price as the Spectra S2 and around the price range of other electric breast pumps.
Pump Type: Single Or Double Breast Pump
It’s a double electric breast pump that you can also use as a single pump. To use it as a double pump, you only have to connect the two tubes to the openings for the tubings. For use as a single pump, make sure to put the cap and securely insert one tube.
Weight
This breast pump only weighs 1.1 lbs.
Batteries
This is a portable breast pump that can be used both plugged in and with batteries. It uses six AA batteries, sold separately ($7 to $10 for a pack of six). Unlike other portable breast pumps, the Finesse doesn’t have a rechargeable battery pack.
Type Of Breast Pump System
This is a hygienic breast pump that uses a closed system. The system ensures that your breast milk doesn’t go into the tubing and motor. This closed-system pump keeps the milk safe and free from bacteria or viruses that might be in the tubes. The HygieniKit Milk Collection System has proven FDA-cleared barriers that protect the pump, tubings, and bottles against mold and viruses.
Is Ameda Finesse A Hospital Grade?
Ameda touts this as a personal use hospital-grade pump. It’s designed for heavy-duty personal use, even with regular breast pumping several times a day. The Ameda Platinum ($2,095) an FDA-approved hospital-strength heavy-duty pump.
Settings
This breast pump features separate dials for adjustable speed and suction levels. There are 32 fully customizable options for multiphase pumping.
Display
Unlike bigger pumps such as the Spectra S1, the Finesse doesn’t have a display. It only has two dials for the settings.
Pump Strength
Although sold as a hospital-grade pump, it has a less powerful motor than the Spectra S2, another hospital-grade pump. It only pumps up to 250 mmHg, while the Spectra S2 can reach up to 270 mmHg.
Portability Options
Because you can use this pump with batteries, you can bring it anywhere you go. It weighs just 1.1 lbs, so, you can easily store it in a bag. This can also become a hands-free pump. It is compatible with Freemie cups (a closed-collection system shaped like cups) and pumping bras.
Pump Controls
Unlike digital breast pumps like the Spectra S9, you need to constantly change the dials to switch between the speed and vacuum settings in the Ameda Finesse.
Noise Level
This pump uses Quiet Technology and promises to be quiet even when used for double pumping. It’s not the quietest breast pump, but many moms wrote reviews that the pump didn’t wake their babies. Ameda claims that the Finesse is their quietest personal electric pump.
Warranty
There’s a 2-year warranty on the motor’s reliable performance.
Breast Shields
This double electric breast pump comes with two sets of breast shields. Two different sizes provided in the box: two 25.0mm and two 30.5mm CustomFit flanges.
Bottles And Accessories Included
The pump kit contains the following:
HygieniKit milk collection system Six milk collection bottles Store’n Pour breast milk storage bags sample pack (50 bags) Two silicone diaphragms NoShow premium disposable nursing pads sample pack Two 25.0mm CustomFit flanges Two 30.5mm CustomFit flanges Two extra valves and adapter caps Tubing adapter for single or dual pumping Milk storage instruction card (written in English and Spanish) Plastic storage bag AC power adapter
Compatibility
It’s compatible with any standard-size mouth bottle. It can also be used with Ameda Store N’Pour breast milk storage bags ($8.99 for 20 bags plus one adapter).
Cooler
This breast pump has a Cool’n Carry cooler bag with three ice packs. You also get a small card with milk storage guidelines that help you remember breast milk storage time. The cooler bag fits six milk collection bottles and ice packs.
Bag Options
The Dottie tote bag lets you carry this portable breast pump around. It can fit the pump, dual HygieniKit, ice packs, cooler, and milk collection bottles.
Ease Of Use
This breast pump comes with an assembled dual HygieniKit that’s ready to use from the box. It’s easy to set up and use. Easy-to-clean surface.
Letdown Mode
The breast pump uses Natural Rhythmic Waveform and ComfortFlow technology to stimulate milk production by simulating your baby’s suckling in natural breastfeeding. It mimics the Ameda Platinum multi-user hospital pump waveform for a gentle yet strong pumping experience.
Other Special Features
All the bottles and silicone accessories are free from BPA and DEHP (bisphenol-A and bis(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate) toxic chemicals found in plastic.
Availability Through Insurance
Moms in the US may be eligible for a free breast pump depending on their coverage. But you need to clarify with your insurance company if they cover this particular breast pump brand and model.
Pros & Cons
Pros
This breast pump is light (1.1 lbs). It’s small enough to fit most tote bags but also comes with its own stylish bag. You can use it either plugged or with batteries (six AA batteries). It’s a closed-system double electric breast pump. It’s a personal hospital-grade pump that mimics the waveform technology of hospital-strength pumps to help improve your breast pumping experience. You can get it for free with insurance.
Cons
It doesn’t have a display for the settings.
It’s not the quietest of all breast pumps but still the quietest of all Ameda pumps. Suction strength is only 250 mmHg, while other breast pumps such as the Spectra S2 can do up to 270 mmHg. It doesn’t have a built-in battery pack, only slots for the six AA batteries. There’s no button for letdown/expression mode. You can’t record your favorite settings, unlike other breast pumps such as Medela Freestyle and Spectra S1.
Other Pump Products To Consider
These are some of the other breast pumps you might also want to consider before taking your final pick:
Ameda Mya Portable – $169.99 Ameda Mya Joy – $145 Freemie Independence Mobile Hands-Free – $249.95 Lansinoh Smart Pump 2.0 Starter Set- $219 Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow with AFBP Sydney Breast Pump Backpack – $229.99 Motif Luna with Manual Silicone Breast Pump – $259 Evenflo Advanced – $99.99 Willow Hands-Free Pump Generation 3 – $499.99 Hygeia Enjoye – $267.56
What Customers Say
Positive Reviews
“I see a lot of people giving this pump bad reviews, but I really like mine. The problem a lot of people seem to be having is no suction, and that’s what happens if you don’t put the silicone cups in. It has to have all the pieces on it to work. I thought mine was messed up, too, until I read the instructions and realized I left something off. The really great thing about this pump is that the hoses are nowhere near the milk. You don’t have to worry about moldy tubes, which is a problem with a lot of other pumps.” – Reviewer on Walmart.
Negative Reviews
“I got mine through insurance… Absolutely hate it! The suction sucks, which makes pumping longer. I have both settings on max, and it still won’t put out much milk. Luckily I have another breast pump which works twice as fast!” – Reviewer on Walmart. What Does This Breast Pump Look Like?
It’s a small, rectangular breast pump with the following dimensions: 6.7 inches x 4.25 inches x 3 inches. It’s mostly white, with gray dials for the settings. There’s one button for the speed settings and another button for the suction settings.
How Do You Use Ameda Finesse Pump? You can plug it in, but you can also use it with batteries. There’s no battery pack, but you can opt to buy rechargeable batteries (around $30 for a charger and 10 batteries), so you wouldn’t keep discarding single-use batteries. The breast pump already comes assembled in the box. So, you’ll only have to clean and sterilize the washable parts before first use. All the parts are easy to clean. But make sure to clean after every pumping session to prevent the growth of molds, bacteria, and viruses on these pump parts. Is The Finesse A Double Electric Pump? You can use this as a single electric or as a double electric pump. But make sure to read the instructions so you can set up the tubings properly. Also, make sure to keep the silicone caps closed if you’re using this as a single pump so that air won’t come in through the unused opening. Is This A Noisy Breast Pump? A lot of Ameda Finesse product reviews state that it’s a quiet pump. According to many moms, it’s discreet enough to be used even in public places and quiet enough that it doesn’t awaken their sleeping babies.
Things To Consider In Buying A Breast Pump
Every mom has different preferences, but these are the things that you should consider in buying a breast pump:
Comfort Ease of use Frequency of use Price Special features you prefer (such as hands-free, with batteries, with digital display, or more customizable options) Strength and durability
Is Medela Or Ameda Better? Medela Pump in Style Vs. Ameda Finesse
Pricing
The Pump in Style by Medela costs $249.99 (MaxFlow) and $299.99 to $359.99 (Pump in Style Advanced). The Ameda Finesse costs $159.
Portability
Both pumps are portable. The Medela pump has a rechargeable battery pack (with eight AA batteries) and could last longer. The Ameda pump doesn’t have a rechargeable battery pack but can be used with (six AA batteries). The Medela pump is smaller, but at 7 lbs, it’s heavier than the Ameda, which only weighs 1.1 lbs.
Letdown Mode
The Medela pump has a letdown button, but the Ameda pump doesn’t have one.
Open Vs. Closed System
The Pump In Style uses an open system (breast milk goes to the tubings). The Finesse uses a closed system (lock-tight backflow protectors prevent your breast milk from entering the tubings).
Warranty
The Pump in Style has a 1-year warranty from Medela. The Finesse has a 2-year warranty from Ameda.
Summary & Recommendation
Is Ameda Finesse A Good Pump?
If you’re still unsure whether you’ll get this breast pump or find another brand or model, here are our recommendations: Chose Ameda Finesse If:
You’re looking for a portable breast pump that’s light (1.1 lbs). You need a pump that’s small enough to fit your tote bag or one that comes with a stylish bag (Dottie Tote). You want a pump that can be used both with batteries or plugged in. You prefer a double electric breast pump with a closed system. You seek a personal hospital-grade pump. You want a pump that’s free with insurance.
Don’t Choose Ameda Finesse If:
You want a pump with a display for the settings.
You’re looking for the quietest of all breast pumps. You prefer suction strength that’s higher than 250 mmHg. You want a portable pump with a built-in battery pack. You’re looking for a pump with a button for letdown or expression mode. You want to record your favorite settings for ease of use.
