Pump Comparison

I own both the Ameda Egnell Purely Yours (PY) and the Medela Pump in Style 98 (PIS). I prefer the PY over the PIS, for a bunch of subjective reasons, and a few objective ones.

Advantages of the Purely Yours:

1. (Subjective) It fits me better, and I suspect that will be true for many large breasted woman.
   
2. (Objective) Better controls-- can control speed as well as amount of suction.  (S) I also found the controls easier to operate.
   
3. (O) The engineering of the flanges is better.  The milk and the tubing never meet.   The biggest tangible benefit is the tubing doesn't need to be cleaned as often.    Ameda pushes it as a sanitation advantage.
   
4. (S) The PY flanges  and bottles are made of a harder clear plastic.  The PIS flanges and bottles are a softer translucent plastic.  The PY material has less friction and feel better to me (For both I lubricate my nipples with lanolin before pumping). I like being able to see what I'm pumping.  Also, the Medela bottles began to smell "lemony fresh" just like the detergent no matter how well we rinsed.   Boiling took care of it, but I wonder if anything transferred into the milk.
   
5. (S) Cleanability, the PY parts are slightly easier to wash.   
   
6. (S)  Portability, the PY is easier to haul around  house.  It can be removed from its carrying case.  It can also be powered by ordinary AA batteries.
   
7. (O) Built-in bottle holders.  The holders also work when pumping straight into bags.
   
8. (S)  It's cuter, OK this would be a tie breaker :-)
   

Disadvantages of the PY:

1. I often use the PIS bottles with the PY flanges when I pump.  The PIS bottles are taller, and easier to prop on my lap while I pump, freeing up my hands.
   
2. The PY tubing is about a foot shorter than the PIS tubing.  This is usually not a problem for me but there have been occasions where another couple of inches would have made things easier.
   
3. There was useful information on pumping included with the PIS.  I already had most of it from other sources, but it was nice having it included.
4. I've recently heard that there have been problems with the motor in the Purely Yours, and that the manufacturer hasn't been very responsive.  I'll update this if I find out more. I haven't had any problems, but I'm not pushing it very hard these days.

Note: 

The Ameda Egnell flanges work with the PIS, so if you have a PIS, but aren't sure it is the right way to go for you, try getting a set of the PY flanges.  Having extras is never a bad thing :-).

Conclusion:

YMMV, but it takes me less time to pump with the PY.

Availability:

I know both pumps are available from http://www.mothersnature.com.   You can probably find either at a breastfeeding support center or store near you.

Look at my pumping station to see pictures of both