Medela Freestyle vs. Pump in Style

[pacificrules]

I know the Freestyle is more expensive. Is it worth it? What are the main differences between these two pumps? I tried to compare them on a website (hope this link works) and didn't see much difference.

[Redpoppy]

I used both. I like the size of the freestyle and that it was rechargeable. The membranes are much easier to clean since they are large and flat, not the tiny white ones like the PISA. My freestyle was covered by insurance or I would've gotten the PISA.

[pinkpeony08]

I bought the Freestyle because it was small and could go in another bag besides the one it comes with, and it could be attached to your waist band and allow you to walk around. I used the second feature ALL the time while I was pumping. I would pack my lunch and load the dishwasher before leaving for work while I pumped. If I had the PIS, I would have needed to sit in one place to pump. I thought it was totally worth it. I bought it at awaybabyessentials for the same price as the PIS.

[pacificrules]

Thanks to you both, Redpoppy and pinkpeony6210. That info is super helpful! It seems like moving around would be AWESOME and something I was never able to do with the PISA the first time I BF'd. The PIS (listed on the comparison sheet) would be free to me and 100% covered by insurance. The Freestyle would cost me $180 out of my FSA. I have the money to spend. Is it worth the $180 extra, do you think??

[lostmonkeyatikea]

I love my Freestyle. It's so tiny and efficient and worth every penny I spent on it

[Ashley&Scott]

I really liked my Freestyle. It was light & portable. My favorite feature was the rechargeable lithium ion battery. I didn't have access to an electric outlet in my pump room. I only had to charge it once a week.

[tcu2003]

I like my Freestyle, but it's the only pump I've ever used. If you travel at all for work, it's totally worth it. I do a fair amount of local site visits and one-day plane trips, and not having to plug in the pump has been invaluable. Plus it's so tiny and quiet.

[Velar Fricative]

I bought the freestyle because I commute via mass transit and needed something lightweight. I'm still on maternity leave so I haven't had to use it multiple times a day yet but I like it so far. I wish I could get the hang of the belt/pants clip though; it doesn't feel sturdy enough for me to walk around with it but I could be doing something wrong.

[runner09]

I love my freestyle. It's portable and the battery lasts all week. And I never figured out hands free pumping (I leak no matter what I do).

With #2, I got the PIS for free. I use it to pump in the am at home. It's big and bulky. But it does get better suction.
I still use the freestyle for work.

[bunch]

Love the freestyle. As much as people here post about changing membranes it might be a wash in the end.

[lishie]

I felt the freestyle was worth the additional money. I liked it much better.

[quickstepstar]

I loved my freestyle! I liked that it didn't have to be attached to a bag. I also commuted on the train, so I appreciated how small and portable it is.

[AmyRI]

I change my membranes on the PISA really often (like, every 2 weeks when pumping full time) and all told I'll spend less than $40 on them, and they do qualify for FSA money as well. I do buy on sale or cheap in bulk on Amazon, but it would not be worth it to me to spend $180 on the Freestyle. The only way I'd pay that much for a more portable pump is if I was EPing.

[Deleted]

I LOVED my freestyle, but don't have any experience with the Pisa. But I loved being able to walk around and pump, and not necessarily always plug my pump in when I was pumping in my office at work.

[noodleskooze]

I EPed for 2 months, and in that time used the Symphony, Freestyle, and the PISA.

The Symphony was the best, but it's hospital grade. I used it at home. I found the Freestyle randomly on clearance at Target for $200, so I bought that. Since I was EPing, I could stick it in the diaper bag and put the parts in a wetbag or ziploc and use it when out and about. Then my Freestyle started losing suction and new membranes didn't help. I broke down and bought the PISA (thinking I would EP much longer), and ended up liking it more because I felt like I got more output.

Medela did replace my Freestyle for free, but I never ended up going back to it, so I sold it and stuck with the PISA until I quit.