I have several variations of this valve and there are pros and cons to all them. This valve is my favorite for on the go and traveling. Having one piece just makes it easier. I also feel like I get better suction and I am able to better see how much milk I am producing with this all-in-one. The only downside which I have found to be with all of them is that they aren't the easiest things to clean. Maybe we just have hard water but I find I spend a lot of time washing and sanitizing. My biggest recommendation....stock up on parts when you see a good sale. Especially in the first few months when you are pumping often it's so nice to not have to wash dishes every day! Overall I love everything Medela!

Part of my elvie breast pump, after realising I needed to measure my nipples for the correct shield size and finally finding one that fits, my out put has really increased. I bought some 17mm inserts from the pippeta website and put them into my 24mm shields which works great for me! If anyone reading this ends up doing the same, you’ll have to cut a square out of the tip of the insert so it doesn’t cover the tiny holes on the shield!

I love the Elvie pump. It’s convenient since I work full time. The 21mm was a great fit for me. I just think when you purchase such an expensive pump you should be able to select the size shield you need. Not everyone is standard and It took me a long time after trying to pump after my first baby that I needed a smaller size. Just doesn’t seem fair that if you aren’t the “norm” you have to spend more and essentially have parts you can’t use.

Breast shield

Ordered the 21mm smaller breast shield originally and after sanitizing once as recommended by manufacturer the plastic started to splice after using it. So I returned and in exchange for my return I received my “new” 21mm breast shields with scratches and marks. The shield is easy to clean, not really sure if i would even recommend buying the Elvie. Sometimes it pumps other times it does not. The membrane has to be completely dry in order for it to pump an nipple aligned within shield correctly. I ordered pump for convenience of being able to pump on the go if i had too and that’s basically the only plus. All around it is easy to clean everything that comes with the pump but its very tedious!!

Cracking after one month of use

I needed to buy these smaller size flanges because the ones that come with the pump were too large. They are more comfortable and definitely helped me increase my milk output but after one month of use (3-4 sessions, 5 days a week) they are starting to crack at the bottom edge of the flange. I don't wear them with tight bras or even use a high suction setting and I hand wash everything at night so I'm not sure why they would be breaking already. For how much the pump costs, I would hope the accessories would be more durable and only need replacing every 6 months as expected.

Inadequate Battery Life

I use Elvie while I am at work as my 'on-the-go' pumping system, however, I do not use it as my primary pumping system, sadly. I dislike having to admit that I ended up buying a more efficient pump to use more often than the Elvie.The battery life has let me down on more than a handful of occasions when I was hoping to rely on it for convenience. I would charge the pumps the evening before going to work and find them dead when I was due to pump on a lunch break, just the following day.I would love to rate it higher, but the appeal to this style was to be inconspicuous and convenient and it only checks off one of those boxes for me. I loved being able to hide them in my shirt and multitask while at work.

Product is great but item in box was used

I purchased this online and went to the store to pick it up 24hrs later. Sales Associate was kind enough to look into my order because it still showed as pending on my side when it was picked and ready for pickup on their end. When I arrived home and took the box out it appeared opened. The items were loosely thrown inside and had water marks like it had been used. To avoid another trip and because I needed the correct sized shields, I washed and sterilized them. Otherwise the shields are as expected.

These do not include the silicone parts!

It functions fine and is exactly as expected BUT it does not come with the mint colored silicone part required to make the suction. SO disappointing and not clearly stated. We needed a spare set for home and work and now have everything except the silicone parts for the shield. It feels like I’ve been nickel and dimed by simply trying to buy a spare set of parts. The total for all pieces just for one set of the parts was ~$100! I love literally everything about this product(including the customer service which I have needed to use once), but this particular experience really put me off. If you can stomach the price it’s well worth the purchase.

Warps and looses seal, then pump doesn’t work well

I have had many shields warp and loose their seal with the pump and then the pump doesn’t work. When the shields are new and have a good seal the pump works really well. Elvie replaced shields twice and I replaced shields a couple times. Elvie told me it was from the heat of washing and drying (which in the care instructions says they can be sterilized in dishwasher or bottle washer) but when Elvie replaced my shields they told me to use cold water chemical tablets instead (which I wasn’t crazy about). The customer service was good, but the process of realizing my pumps were not extracting milk, and finally figuring out what the problem was, was very discouraging since I was struggling to pump at work. I never used a Willow, so I can’t compare. I read the bags are ... MoreI have had many shields warp and loose their seal with the pump and then the pump doesn’t work. When the shields are new and have a good seal the pump works really well. Elvie replaced shields twice and I replaced shields a couple times. Elvie told me it was from the heat of washing and drying (which in the care instructions says they can be sterilized in dishwasher or bottle washer) but when Elvie replaced my shields they told me to use cold water chemical tablets instead (which I wasn’t crazy about). The customer service was good, but the process of realizing my pumps were not extracting milk, and finally figuring out what the problem was, was very discouraging since I was struggling to pump at work. I never used a Willow, so I can’t compare. I read the bags are expensive. If I were to do it again I would consider a Willow instead, or make sure you never get your Elvie parts in hot water. I am on a new set of shields that I haven’t washed in hot water or a dishwasher, but I am kind if at the end of my pumping time so I can’t say how long the shield holds up if it is never heated. When my Elvie pumps worked well I absolutely LOVEd them and couldn’t imagine pumping at work without a wearable pump.

very convenient

This is a great hands free pump. I chose this over the Willow because it does not require bags. One thing to bear in mind is that the amount of milk I pumped using the Elvie was 1-1.5 oz. less than my normal amount I pump using the Medela. If you are struggling to increase your supply, this should not be the only pump you use as it does not empty you breasts completely. Overall, I love the convenience of the hands free pump! I think it was worth it as it has made my life a little easier dealing with a newborn and toddler and not having to be attached to a wall for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours out of a day.