An in-depth review of the Willow 360 wearable breast pump: Is it worth it?

Fathercraft has spent a lot of time with the Willow wearable breast pump: four years, with several testers, and multiple versions of the pump. This year, we re-tested the third-generation Willow breast pump (recently re-named the Willow 360). 

Our goal is to bring you the most in-depth review of the Willow 360 pump available on the internet (after all—$499 for a pump is no small investment), but if you want to skip ahead, use the links below:

• How we conducted this review
• Which Willow pump is the best for you (with some clarification regarding which pumps are currently available, as of 2024) 
• How does the Willow 360 pump work?
  • What’s Willow 360 care?
• Pricing and where to buy
  • How to save!
• First impressions: considerations & benefits
• Willow vs. the competition 
• Our verdict
  •  The awesome 
  •  The wish-it-were-different 
• Willow FAQs

Editor’s note: Is Fathercraft the best site to write a review on breast pumps? Fair question. We want to create content that’s helpful for all parents. So, for gear like the Willow 360 breast pump (which we can’t test personally), we get help from trusted friends of Fathercraft. This review is written by our friend, Jodie, who’s been compiling years’ worth of Willow feedback from multiple testers in the Fathercraft community. Also, Fathercraft is reader-supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more.

How we conducted this review

I pumped for a year with my first daughter using a Medela Pump, and I pumped for a little less than a year for my second daughter until she started refusing bottles. 

I brought my pump to work every day, sat near an outlet in the early morning and late at night, and washed all of the parts each night.  Frankly, it was always a production.

Enter the hands-free pump.

All of a sudden, I started hearing about hands-free, cordless pumps. Over the last several years, they haven’t just gotten more popular—they’ve also continuously improved as a new models are released.  

We’ve been following Willow for a while.  So, to update this Willow breast pump review, I spoke with Brooke—a second-time mom who used the Willow 360 with her second child in 2024. I used Brooke’s experience (along with the opinions of some of our past Willow pump testers) to make sure this review is as up-to-date and helpful as possible.

Which Willow breast pump is best for you?

There are currently two Willow pumps to choose from when you shop the Wilow site. Both are wearable: 

• Willow 360 ($499): This used to be called the Willow 3.0, and it’s their third-generation pump. Willow recently re-named it to be the Willow 360, highlighting its leak-proof capabilities. The freshly named Willow 360 also comes with an updated app experience and access to Willow 360 Care (more on that below).
• Willow Go ($349.99): The Willow Go doesn’t have the same “smart” capabilities as the Willow 360 and isn’t leakproof from every angle—but it holds more milk. Also, it’s only compatible with reusable containers, unlike the Willow 360, which gives you the option to use bags. 

Note: The Willow 2.0 is no longer available through Willow’s website. 

This review focuses on the Willow 360. Since its launch, Fathercraft has asked a few friends to test the Willow 3.0/Willow 360, with our most recent tester using it in the spring of 2024. 

How does the Willow 360 pump work?  

The Willow 360 Pump is a completely hands-free, base free, cord-free breast pump that fits in your bra and goes where you go. Named appropriately, the Willow 360 pump advertises a 100% leak-free fit from any angle and access to “360 care,” which provides personalized onboarding and coaching. 

With this Willow wearable, you have the option of pumping either directly into Willow freezer bags or the reusable cups:

• If you use the freezer bags, they can go directly from the pump into your refrigerator or freezer. They are not reusable. 
• If you use the reusable cups, you pour the milk into your own storage containers after pumping. 

Some of our past testers preferred the Willow freezer bags for their convenience. Plus, I felt like they reduced spills (have you ever spilled breast milk? I won’t lie, I cried). However, Brooke—our most recent reviewer—saw the bags as an additional cost to keep up with, especially since the only milk bags compatible with the 360 pump are Willow-branded bags (and these are more expensive than the generic brands you can find on Amazon).

That said, we all found the ability to choose between the reusable cups and the bags to be a perk. 

The Willow 360 uses smart technology and an app to track your milk production. Here’s a bit of info on how to set it up:

Setting up the Willow 360 pump

The Willow 360 pump uses an app to give you information about each pumping session. According to our most recent tester, setting up the app was easy and only took a few minutes. 

During initial setup, the app guides you through all directions on using your pump for the first time and inserting a pump bag into the pump, which our reviewer found helpful. 

After that, you can use the app to see how many ounces you’re pumping in real-time—and even how much milk came from each side. Our reviewer loved this feature! 

What’s Willow 360 care?

Officially launched in March 2024, Willow 360 care is a complementary online service that provides personalized onboarding and support throughout your pumping journey. According to Willow, moms can get help with sizing, pump set-up and cleaning, and feeding milestones (e.g., establishing breastfeeding, learning to pump, supply management, introducing formula, combo-feeding, and returning to work).

So, when you purchase the Willow 360, you also get 24/7 access to Willow’s coaches and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs)… which is pretty cool. If you’ve pumped before, you know the right fit and proper usage can make a huge difference in your production. I personally liked the idea of 360 care because if I’m going to spend money on a pump, I want to make sure I’m getting the most of out of it that I can.

Willow 360 pricing and what’s included:

The Willow 360 pump retails at $499.99 and includes the following:

• 2 Willow 360 Pumps
• 2 24mm Flanges
• 2 21mm Inserts
• 2 Flextubes™ (these are the things that carry milk from pump to bag) 
• 24 BPA-free 4 oz. Milk Bags
• 2 Cleaning Brushes
• Nipple Sizing Guide
• 1 Charger
• 1-year warranty
• Access to 360 care
• Access to the Willow app
• Apple watch compatibility

At minimum, you’ll need to replace the Willow pump bags if you choose to use them. These retail at $23.99 for a pack of 48. 

Willow also recommends replacing your pump parts every three months to maintain your pump’s performance. That cost breaks down like this:

• 2-pack of reusable containers $49.99 (replace every 3 months)
• 2-pack of Milk Container Inserts $19.99 (replace every 3 months)
• 2-pack of Flanges $29.99  (replace every 3 months)
• 2-pack Flextubes $29.99 (replace every 3 months)

Finally, if you need to replace your charger, that will cost you $29.99. 

It’s worth noting that our testers didn’t necessarily replace their pump parts as often as recommended. But if you start to notice your output decreasing after three months, it’s worth looking into pump parts as the cause.

How to save money on a Willow pump:

Let’s face it—$499 is pretty stiff. But Willow offers several ways to save. 

1. Insurance verification program

Willow offers an insurance verification service to help you get coverage or reimbursement on the pump. You may have some out-of-pocket expenses, but depending on your insurance, you may be able to get up to 40% of the cost covered. Definitely worth a shot!

You can also work directly with your insurance to determine how much they’ll cover for Willow. It’s also worth figuring out what else they may cover (for example, you’re likely eligible to get a corded pump 100% free… so you’ll have to decide if paying a bit extra is worth it).

2. HSA/FSA

If you have a health savings or flexible spending account through your employer, you may be able to use these funds to purchase your Willow pump or pay any out-of-pocket expenses after insurance.

3. Preferred pricing

If you’re in one of the following professions/careers, you’re eligible for 10% off:

• Teacher
• Military
• First responder
• Health care
• Airline employee
• Personal care
• Early childhood educators
• Real estate
• Veternarian 

4. Refer a friend

If you refer a friend, your friend gets $100 off, and you get $40 off your next purchase of $80 or more. 

5. Affirm

Pay in installments using Affirm directly through Willow’s website.

Where to buy

If you purchase directly through Willow’s website, you may be eligible for some of the cost-saving benefits above.

Alternatively, you can purchase the Willow pump on Amazon.

Things to consider vs. the benefits

A few things to note before we dive into our personal review: 

Things to consider:

• Brooke said there was no pain with the right size flange, but the Willow website says some people may need to adjust to the leakproof latch. To help, they offer free consultation calls. 
• While the pump is quieter than a traditional pump and doesn’t have bottles hanging off your chest, it’s not 100% discreet. 
• Willow 360 claims to be 100% leakproof, but Brooke didn’t find this to be totally true. She notes she may have needed a more supportive pumping bra [note: Willow sells their own pumping bra, but it has mixed reviews. We haven’t personally tried it here at Fathercraft].
• The Willow 360 isn’t typically 100% covered by insurance, although it is HSA/FSA eligible and you’ll likely save something. [NOTE: Fathercraft reader Amanda wrote to let us know she was able to get $250 of her Willow Pump Gen 3 reimbursed by her insurance company].
• Brooke mentioned she’d recommended getting a hospital-grade pump to plug into the wall if you’re exclusively pumping or need to pump to maintain supply. Even though Willow 360 claims to be hospital grade, she noticed she got more suction out of her corded pump (note: you might be able to get a corded pump for free through insurance!). 
• Willow bags are BPA-free and work directly with the pump, but they’re more expensive than a generic brand you might find on Amazon. 
• Brooke mentioned it would be best to charge the pump every day if you pump daily.

Willow 360 benefits:

• Pump anywhere without being tied down to an electrical outlet—Brooke and I both agreed this could have a positive impact on mental health and is a solid perk for moms with a toddler already running around
• If you use the Willow bags, you don’t have to worry about spilled milk—it’s all self-contained!
• The parts are dishwasher-safe 
• There are seven suction levels, and while the pump feels different than a traditional pump, there shouldn’t be any pain
• The rechargeable battery lasts for 5 pumping sessions
• It’s BPA-free—which is great because BPA can leach into breastmilk
• Watch your output in real time on the app 
• Apple watch compatibility allows you to control your pump from your watch (great if you’re on the go)

Willow vs. the competition

The Willow 360 certainly isn’t the only wearable pump on the market. For example, the Elvie is a similarly priced and equally as popular option that some of our reviewers have preferred (read our full Elvie review here). The biggest difference we’ve found so far? Elvie doesn’t use the branded freezer bags, reducing long-term costs and shortening the learning curve.

And if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly wearable, you might try something like the Momcozy wearable pump, which retails for $199.99 on Amazon. If you don’t have an insurance program that helps out with the Willow, you could go this route to save some money and still have a wearable… but you’ll be forgoing benefits like 360 care and the Willow app (Momcozy uses buttons on the pumps themselves).

Our verdict: Is the Willow 360 pump worth the cost?

The answer to this is, of course, it depends. Brooke found the cost to be a bit steep, but there were a few scenarios where she thinks a wearable pump would be absolutely worth it:

• If you travel a lot: If you know you’re going to be traveling a lot either for work or for leisure, the ability to pump on a car, in a plane, or, well, anywhere is invaluable. Plus, the freezer bags work with the pump and go where you go.
• If you’re an adventurer: We see you, cool hiking moms. If you know you’re going to want to hike, camp, or otherwise spend a lot of time outdoors, this is the pump for you.
• If you’re mentally struggling with being “attached to a wall”: If you know pumping is hard because of how limited you feel, or if you have other children you’re trying to keep up with, the Willow 360 can free you up. 
• If you know you’re pumping for the long haul: One of Brooke’s biggest hesitations came from not knowing how long her breastfeeding journey would last—motherhood is so often unpredictable. But if you’ve been at it for a while, or you already know you’re an exclusive pumper, the Willow 360 can add some much-needed ease to your life. 

Editor’s note: Brooke’s maternity leave recently ended. She reached out to us after her first week back at work, hoping to emphasize how helpful her wearable pumps are now that she’s returned. She says she gets ready every morning while pumping and brings them to work with her to easily and discreetly pump. So, we’ll add “If you’re a mom who works a paid job” (because all moms work) to this list!

But, there are multiple wearable pumps on the market to choose from, so here’s what we loved and didn’t love about the Willow 360 specifically:

The awesome

Pump from anywhere: This is probably the biggest benefit to the Willow 360. No need to find an outlet—pump from the car, the trail, or your toddler’s gymnastic lessons. 

Track your ounces in real-time: Use the app to see how much you’re pumping, while you’re pumping. Over the last four years, this is where we’ve seen the Willow pumps improve the most, with trustworthy smart technology that helps you make sure you’re fully expressing. 

No spills if you use the Willow bags…: No need to awkwardly pour milk into freezer bags. It’s all right there for you.

…But you don’t have to use the bags: We like the Willow 360 gives you the option to pump directly into the containers if you’re not into spending $20+ every time you need new bags 

Charge lasts long enough to get you through the day: The charge lasts up to 5 pumping sessions, so you’re good to go through the workday 

The ‘wish it were different’ 

The cost: Obviously, $499 for the pump with more needed for the bags is quite the investment.

Suction strength: Willow claims the Willow 360 is a hospital-grade pump, but Brooke said she needed to “adjust her expectations.” Her corded pump worked more efficiently and got more milk out of each session. 

Not 100% leakproof: Brooke noted she may have needed a more supportive nursing bra, but she didn’t find the pump to be 100% leakproof from any angle. She typically felt like she had to lean slightly forward. If this is a deal-breaker for you, Willow offers “360 care” to help you find the best fit, so you may be able to fix the issue.

The final word

If you can afford this pump, it can make a huge difference during your time pumping.  The Willow 360 allows you to do almost anything while providing milk for your child for a later date.  That being said, The Willow is one choice among many. There are other cordless, hands-free options on the market, some that are not as pricey, and some that are similar in cost.  Look for sales and inquire about whether or not you can use insurance and/or your HSA/FSA to make your hands-free pumping dreams come true. Check out The Elvie or Momcozy pumps for some alternative hands-free pumping options.  

A cordless, hands-free pump is the best of the best when it comes to pumping if you can spring for any out-of-pocket expenses.

Willow Pump FAQ

How much does The Willow Pump Cost? 

$499.99

How long does the Willow Pump battery last? 

The rechargeable battery lasts for five pumping sessions (our tester recommends charging it daily)

What’s the difference between the Willow 3.0 and the Willow 360?

Willow 360 provides the same benefits as the Willow 3.0, but with an updated app experience and (as of March 2024) access to Willow 360 Care.

Does insurance cover The Willow Pump?

Sometimes partially (up to 40%). Fathercraft readers have used a combination on insurance and HSA/FSA funds to pay for the pump fully.  You can read more about insurance company coverage for Willow here.

Can you reuse The Willow bags? 

The bags cannot be reused, because there is a one-way valve that allows milk to be pumped in but not spilled out.  Once you’re ready to use the milk, you must cut the top of the bag. But if you want to stick it in the fridge or freezer, you simply pop it in without a fuss. However, if you want a reusable option, Willow offers reusable containers in addition to bags.

Is The Willow Pump quiet?

Our reviewer noted that the Willow is very quiet but not silent. 

If I need to replace parts, do I pay for them? 

Yes, additional parts are available for purchase.  As advertised, you should replace your parts every 3 months. And you will definitely need additional bags.

How many ounces of milk does The Willow pump hold?

Each bag holds just over 4 ounces.  You use one bag for each breast.

What’s next?

Well, you made it to the end, congrats! Hopefully that was helpful. Here’s what we’d suggest next:

Check out our extensive baby gear buying guide right over here.

Or, check out our free resources for new and expecting parents right here.

Editor’s note: this review was originally published in March 2020, but was updated in July 2020 to include more information about Willow Pump’s 3rd generation offering, and in July 2021 with further updates on Willow Pump, particularly around improvements in getting insurance to pay for a portion of Willow Pump. Finally, we updated it one more time in May 2024 with a re-test of the freshly named Willow 360. Also, please note Fathercraft is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.