Elvie vs. Elvie Stride: Which one is better? Are you torn between the original Elvie breast pump and the brand new Elvie Stride?
Both Elvie hands-free breast pumps are great. I’ve used both Elvie pumps as an exclusively pumping mother. Click here to check to see if your insurance will give you a free Elvie Stride or how much an upgrade will cost.
Here is a little about me and why you should keep reading. Hi, I’m Hannah. I am an exclusively pumping mother of two. I exclusively pump with the original Elvie pump, except once, maybe twice a day. I use my Spectra Gold (usually at the end of the night before bed). My first child was born in November 2019, and my second child was born in July 2021.
I wanted to try the Elvie Stride to see if the suction strength was any better and if it did a better job emptying my breasts than the original Elvie breast pump. Plus, I wanted to write this Elvie Pump vs Elvie Stride article and compare them side by side. So here we are! Click here to read my full Elvie Stride review.
After reading this article, I hope you can decide which Elvie breast pump is best for you. If you’re looking for more tips, breast pump basics, favorite accessories, and support, or you want to connect with other pumping mamas, make sure to join the Elvie Stride Facebook group here.
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Elvie Pump Price
Both Elvie breast pumps are on the pricier side, but if you travel or are a busy mom who can’t be attached to the wall, they are worth every penny.
- OG Elvie Pump Price: $499 for a set with no insurance (cheaper options may be available or free based on your insurance), $249 single hub option
- Elvie Stride Price: $249 for a set with no insurance (cheaper options may be available or free based on your insurance)
Does Insurance Cover the Elvie Breast Pumps?
This all depends on your insurance. The Elvie Stride is currently covered at 100% by Tricare and most other healthcare plans. Click here to check to see if your insurance will cover all or part of the cost.
Here is our detailed guide on how to get a free breast pump through insurance. It’s crazy easy and only takes a minute!
All you have to do is provide them with your email and your basic insurance details. The company will then let you know what breast pumps your insurance will cover and if there are any upgrade options. If the Elvie Stride isn’t an option for you or you don’t have insurance, you can purchase it at full price from the listed companies. That is what I did. I purchased my Elvie Stride from Aeroflow.
To give you an idea of upgrade pricing, on my most recent pregnancy (this was before the Stride was on the market), my insurance gave me the option of the Spectra S2 for my free pump ( I already own this as it was the breast pump I got through insurance with my first child), a Spectra S1 for a $35 upgrade, a Spectra Gold for $75 (this is what I choose), or the original Elvie double pump for a $250 upgrade ( I already owned it).
Most insurance companies will cover all or part of a breast pump for each pregnancy. My insurance tells me which websites I can order from, and from there, I provided my insurance details and they let me know what electric breast pumps are free and if there are any upgrade options.
Make sure to read our how to get a free breast pump through insurance guide.
Related – The Carseat that will change your life! Carseat & Stroller in One
The Ceres Chill is a game-changer for those moms that pump at work or when you are pumping while out of the house and need to store their fresh breastmilk.
I have tried several bags, and this one is by far the best. I really like this bag holds all my breast pump supplies for the day, has a cooler, and it is affordable!
What are the Main Differences Between Elvie Pump and Elvie Stride?
The main difference between Elvie Pump and Elvie Stride is the original Elvie is 100% a wireless pump, whereas the Stride does have tubing that connects the pump to the cups. The Elvie Pump is also technically smaller and quieter than the Stride. I will add it is not much smaller or quieter.
The Elvie Stride is cheaper, is hospital grade, has more suction strength, and has more stimulation and expression modes.
Noise – Elvie Stride vs Elvie Pump Which is Louder?
The Elvie Stride is for sure louder than the original Elvie breast pump. However, it is still a really quiet breast pump, in my opinion. You can’t hear it over a TV, or if you were working at your desk in a cubical, I don’t think the neighboring cubical could hear it.
The Elvie Stride pump is much quieter, but I do feel you hear the milk trickle down into the collection cup where you don’t hear this with the Elvie Stride.
In my opinion, both electric pumps are quiet. They are much quieter than your standard wall electric breast pump.
Parts – Which Elvie pump has fewer parts to wash?
The Elvie Stride has one less part that has to be washed every time.
- Original Elvie Pump – Has five parts (per side) that have to be washed after every use.
- Elvie Stride- Has four parts (per side) that have to be washed after every use. The cup seal (technically part #5) doesn’t need to be removed for normal cleaning. It can stay on the cup front.
I wash them in hot water with dawn soap and use this bottle brush. For first-time use, make sure to sanitize the washable parts. The same goes for bottles, pacifiers, etc. You should always sanitize them before using them.
I don’t sanitize after every use; some people do, and that is up to them. I use these sanitizer bags. Each bag can be used 20 times, and they are sold in a pack. I feel like they are a good deal. Whenever I am traveling, I always sanitize all parts & bottles, as I don’t know the water and don’t want to risk getting my child sick.
I always travel with this collapsible sink. Sorry, but hotel sinks gross me out…I can’t wash my bottles in there, lol.
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Which Elvie Pump is Stronger?
The Elvie Stride has stronger suction strength than the Elvie pump.
- Orginal Elvie Pump – 220 mmHg
- Elive Stride – 270 mmHg
The Elvie Stride is a hospital grade pump with a suction strength of 270 mmHg.
Stimulation and Expression Mode Differences
The Elvie Pump has seven different intensity levels for both Stimulation and Expression modes. You can increase and decrease the intensity on the Elvie app or on the pump itself.
The Elvie Stride has ten different intensity settings in both Stimulation and Expression modes. You can even save your preferred settings in the app. Depending on your pumping needs, you may not need that many modes.
Noticeable – Which Elvie Pump is More Noticeable While Wearing?
In the photo above, I am wearing one of each pump. As you can see, the differences are very minimal. I think the Stride makes me a little larger, but not by much.
Any wearable breast pump will make you larger in the chest. I feel like the Willow Go breast pump makes you look even larger. This never seems to bother me because I am typically pumping in my own house, in my car, or if I am out in public, I throw over a sweatshirt or jacket if I am worried about it.
Battery – Which Elvie Pump Battery Lasts Longer?
They are equal in battery life and charging time.
- Elvie Stride Battery – A full battery will last about five 30-minute pump sessions and takes two hours to charge when it is fully dead.
- Original Elvie Pump Battery – A full battery will last about five 30-minute pump sessions and takes two hours to charge when it is fully dead.
Size – Which Elvie pump is Bigger?
Side by side, they are almost identical in size. You can’t really tell the difference between the two breast pumps, but on paper, the original Elvie pump is larger.
- Elvie Stride. Pump Specs
- Dimensions: 4.6′” (L) x 2.6″(W) X 1.7″(H)
- Weight: 1.2 lbs
- Elvie Pump Specs
- Dimensions:5″(L) x 4.3″(W) x 2.7″(H)
- Weight: 7.9 oz (for one breast pump)
Elvie App
They both can be linked to the Elvie app, where you can control the pump. Change intensity, turn it on & off, see how long you have been pumping, store pumping sessions, etc.
Which Elvie Replacement Parts are Cheaper?
Both the Elvie Pumps have parts that need to be replaced about every six months and after long storage between children.
- Elvie Pump Parts to Replace:
- Elvie Stride Parts to Replace:
- Breast Shield $29.99 for a set
- Cup Front
- Diaphragm
- Valve for 3, or you can purchase this brand that works just as good for cheaper and a pack of 4
- Cup Seal – included with the purchase of cup fronts
- Waist clip (doesn’t need to be replaced)
- Elvie Stride Connect Kit (doesn’t need to be replaced)
Elvie Warranty
Both breast pumps have the same warranty, which is a 2-year warranty on the pump motor and 90 days on the accessories.
I have had to deal with Elvie’s customer service, and they have been great. I have reached out to them via email and Instagram message, and both responded within 24 hours.
Click Here To See If You Qualify For A FREE Elvie Stride Breast Pump
Other Must-Have Products for Breastfeeding & Exclusively Pumping Moms
- Best Elvie Pumping Bra – I have tried a TON. For me, super tight ones work. If I am in a pinch, a sports bra will work.
- Best Elvie Pump Bag – I have tried several bags, and some have been better than others, and some just sucked. I really like this bag, the GOGOSO pumping bag with a cooler from Amazon. It holds all my double pumps and all my breast pump supplies for the day, and it is affordable!
- Best Bottle Drying Rack – It’s super cheap and compact. I have one in my suitcase for travel, two in my kitchen, and one in my cabin.
- Nipple Cream – Don’t forget to put this on every time! I have used all different brands, and they all have been fine. I just most recently bought the one linked there and really liked it.
- LaVie warming Lactation Massager – This thing warms & massages, which helps improve milk flow and makes pumping faster. It REALLY helps with clogged ducts and engorgement. I am speaking from a painful experience. I have two of these, but you can buy just one and switch sides.
- Breast pads – Again, any brand will work. I typically get this cheap brand from Target, and it does the job. NOTE: I am not a big leaker.
- Hot & Cold therapy packs – For under $10, these are great because they can be thrown in the freezer for cool relief and put in the microwave to warm up your breasts. Bring these to the hospital. These really helped me when my milk first came in, and it is one of the products I swear by.
- Clogged Duct Relief – Legendairy Milk sunflower lecithin helped me and several friends loosen clogged ducts and then help prevent them. I took this daily after my first clogged duct.
- Help increase milk production – If you are struggling with your milk supply, I suggest trying Legendairy Milk Liquid Gold.
- Breast milk storage bags – I honestly haven’t had an issue with any other brands I’ve used. I like the price point of the Dr. Browns bags, so I buy them the most.
- Haaka – Yes, you really need one or two (I have two). Yes, they really work. When you get out of a hot shower and are leaking, you can just throw this on to catch the milk.
- Cheap Bottle Warmer – I have tried several, and this cheap one is my favorite. The Dr. Browns bottle warmer was terrible…Once you go to 100% formula, I cannot recommend the Baby Brezza enough. We love this thing. Now, with baby number two, we have two of them, one in the kitchen and one in our bedroom. Click here to read our Baby Brezza Formula Pro review. We swear by it!
- Sterilizer Bags – You’ll want these to sterilize new bottles, parts, pacifiers, etc. I also use them when traveling. They are cheap, and you can use each bag twenty times.
Softest PJ’s Ever – Bamboo Baby Clothes are worth every penny!
Do you have the Elvie Stride? I’d love to hear about your experience with it. What is your favorite electric breast pump? Please leave a comment below.
Make sure you put some of our other favorite baby items. Here are a few other items we personally own and swear by that you might want to add to your baby registry:
- Doona Car Seat Stroller All in One – Our #1 baby item
- Joolz Aer – Best Travel Stroller
- Snoo Bassinet – Our daughter slept 11 hours straight at six weeks
- Baby Breeza Formula Pro – Automatic Formula Dispenser makes a perfect warm bottle in seconds
- Bamboo Baby Pajamas – The softest ever and great for babies with sensitive skin or eczema
- Zoe Double – Best Travel Double Stroller
- Slumberpod – Must have for hotel rooms
- Evenflo Shyft DualRide – Doona Dupe
If you travel often, here are some of our flying with toddler tips. Planning a Disney trip? Make sure you know the Disney stroller rules first!
