Breast Pump Review: Ardo Calypso To Go
In my first installment of the pump review series, I covered the much beloved Spectra S1.
For today's pump review, I want to cover a pump that most people seem to be unfamiliar with, but one that I think can give the S1 a run for its money.
Yes, I said that.
I genuinely believe that the Ardo Calypso To Go is a rising star that given a few years and a bunch of "brave" souls trying it out, will be a top competitor to the top pump brands like Spectra and Medela.
Just like last time, a disclaimer to start: please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you). As always, I will only share links to products that I stand behind, and that may be helpful to you.
And because I covered some qualities in the Spectra S1 review that also apply to the Ardo Calypso To Go, I have chosen not to include them here. If you want to check out the benefits of being a closed, multi-user system hop on over to review the full S1 review here.
Things I LOVE:
Designed for comfort
If I had to guess one word that represents the mission of Ardo, I would choose comfort and the Calypso to go is designed with that mission in mind.
One of the major complaints about other pump brands is that the highest suction settings can be quite intense and painful, which is a big thing as many parents feel compelled to try to pump on the highest level during their pump sessions.
Though the vacuum pressure rivals other brands (max suction is 240 mmHg single pumping) and is more than sufficient to get the 'job done,' pumping at the highest setting is barely noticeable.
I am serious.
Now for some of you who like to feel as though your nips are seconds away from being ripped off your body in order to feel like you're accomplishing the task of pumping, the Ardo Calypso is going to be highly disappointing.
Especially at the lower settings, the suction strength almost feels too low.
I figure it's a good time to remind everyone that the goal of the pump is to elicit a letdown and not suck the milk out. A pump that is strong enough to provide proper nipple stimulation but never cause pain is quite a gem and something the Calypso does well.
Note: There are reviews saying it doesn’t drain the breast well. Techniques to maximize output, which should be used normally with each pumping session anyways, will resolve this issue. Most users, through no fault of their own, are not using their pump correctly. Stay tuned for a class on pumping!
Very, Very Quiet
There is no such thing as a noise-free pump, but the Calypso to go must come the closest of any pumps on the market due in part to its piston driven motor.
On paper, it would seem that the Spectra S1 is a wee bit quieter (S1 being 45 decibels and the Calypso being 46), but in action, this is not the case.
Noise can come from the actual motor or from the diaphragms in the flanges that comprise the closed pump system, which gives each pump a unique sound.
Once you learn the sounds of Medela, you can easily distinguish it from Lansinoh, Ameda, or Spectra for example.
The Ardo Calypso To Go is quiet in the motor and the flanges which make for a super quiet pumping experience.
When pumping at the lower vacuum and cycle levels, it's almost undetectable, and even on the highest settings, I doubt the noise would be so great as to be easily heard on the other end of a phone call.
That's not possible with other brands including many hands-free pumps. Even the "eh err" of the S1 can be picked up on the phone.
Noise is a significant concern for many parents who pump while actively working or those who pump at night.
For those who are looking for quiet pumps, there's none quieter!
Portability wasn't an afterthought.
When asked, parents report comfort and portability as their top concerns when searching for a pump. As we've already talked about the noise level with the Calypso, I think it's worth noting how Ardo accomplishes portability.
The motor is small and weighs about a pound
It comes with a full carrying case (with normal length straps)
A cooler comes standard
All pump accessories, cooler, pump motor and more can fit in the carrying case with ease
One of the top selling points for the Medela Pump in Style advance (PISA) is that it comes with one of three carrying case options. However, some people find that their solutions to pump portability misses the mark in both design and discreetness.
Anyone who pumps can spot a PISA from a mile away!
Ardo doesn't tie you to using their carrying bag, though they make it great large and functional enough to encourage you to want to.
The pump is only 3 inches tall and 7 inches long so that it can fit comfortably in any purse, diaper bag or backpack.
Then you've got the fact that the cooler, which comes with every pump we distribute, fits perfectly in the bag as well.
For those who don't have to worry about lugging your pump around but may be tight on funds when baby arrives, the Ardo carrying bag can fill in for a fully functional diaper bags.
This Swiss company has thought of everything.
No frivolous features
If you have already read my S1 review, you may have noticed that under my 'love' category I listed multiple convenience features. Now it may be odd to see that one thing that I love about the Calypso is the fact that there are no extras.
The Calypso is a deceivingly simple pump but is very user-friendly. Though there are no frivolous features, aka extra buttons nobody knows what they're for, the pump isn't lacking in anything.
It has a LED display, which many electric pumps on the market still don’t have, and that display is automatically backlit for easy pumping in the dark.
The suction and cycle controls are straight forward and can be controlled independently. With only three buttons to push, it's not overwhelming to look at.
Handpump is included.
As a pump distributor through Military Mommies, it can be hard to know what other people get with their pumps covered by other insurances. For those with Tricare and those who go through us to obtain their pump, a handpump comes standard.
As a lactation professional, this is something I can't love enough.
If I am completely honest, most of the parents I talk to underutilized non-electric means of milk removal. It seems that though hand expression is a powerful skill set to have, many aren't learning or practicing it enough to be able to rely on it in cases of emergency.
Hand pumps fill the gap in cases of emergency (natural disaster, power outage or too long on an outing) thus making them an essential tool.
Ardo addresses the 'in case of an emergency' aspect with the fact that their pumps can be battery operated with AA (no need for electricity) but in typical Swiss fashion, goes above and beyond with it's fore-thinking.
I am totally fangirling out here if it's not obvious!
AMAZING Warranty
Ardo is dedicated to making pumps that last, and they've made it very clear during my interactions with their company that should there be any issues, even if outside of the warranty time frame, to encourage people to reach out to them.
But like every product, it has its natural life cycle and a point in time where companies no longer ensure their highest standards.
Ardo has a one year or 400 pump hour warranty (from the time of first pump session) whichever is LONGER. This may sound confusing but let me explain to you how it works and why this is so great.
Let's assume you get your pump before the arrival of your baby. For many pump warranties, the count down begins once you get the pump. For Ardo, this is not the case. Assuming that after baby arrives you are feeding directly at the breast/chest and only need to pump occasionally (2x a month), based on their policy, your pump warranty would cover over three years of use.
If you're an exclusive pumper who pumps at least eight times a day, assuming it just had the 400-hour warranty, you would reach that mark pretty quickly. Ardo ensures that your frequent, daily pumping is still covered under warranty for a whole year of extensive motor usage.
This combination of warranty is noteworthy and something that I especially love about Ardo.
But all good things must come to an end, and though I like the Ardo Calypso to go a LOT, there are things that I think others may find problematic.
Things I don't like so much
No letdown feature
Call me spoiled, but the lack of letdown feature is a letdown (pun intended!)
Medela got us hooked on the letdown feature and since then most major pump companies have followed suit. Even though Spectra and Unimom start of expression mode, they still give you the option to toggle back and forth between preset cycle speeds.
In line with their no-frivolous features, the Calypso gets rid of this feature entirely.
Now it's important to note that this lack of letdown button doesn't mean the pump doesn't function the same way; it just means that you have to use the pump slightly differently.
When you turn your pump on, it starts in the lowest vacuum level and the lowest cycle speed. To replicate the letdown feature, you would increase the cycle speed to the highest level while keeping the vacuum pressure relatively low.
As your milk starts to flow you can reduce cycle speed and increase vacuum pressure.
Easy peasy.
I get what Ardo was going for, with 64 setting combinations and with comfort in mind, they don't want to limit the user or create a setting that users might find uncomfortable. It's something I appreciate, but something that I know will initially get some push back by avid "letdown" users.
Flange sizing is an issue *for me*
Flange size issues are not unique to Ardo, but I will continue to voice my frustration with a lack of diversity in flange sizes.
For some reason, pump brands are trying to convince the public that 24-27 mm is the average size people need. I've seen plenty of breasts and nipples to know this is not representative of most peoples actual sizing needs.
Ardo used to carry smaller flange sizes than a 21 mm but reported that the demand was low for smaller sizes. I am still waiting to hear back on the aftermarket brand that makes compatible flanges, but I use the Maymom 15mm flange ** aftermarket flanges with other pumps. (** Affiliate Links)
Need help with flange sizing? Check out this flange sizing guide, which outlines everything you need to know to find the best flange fit possible.
Bottles are easily tip-able
I know I've been talking about the Spectra S1 a lot and have been comparing the two, but I want to reassure you that this pump rivals all other well-known pumps currently on the market.
My focus on comparing the two only lies in the fact that I've just done a written review of the S1 on my blog.
With that said, one thing that is annoying about the S1 but would solve the issue I have with the Calypso is the fact the S1 takes wide neck bottles.
Standard size bottles have a narrower base which makes them prone to tipping when full, especially when they're top-heavy, as is the case with these.
I have the same issue with Ameda's design so expect to see that on the 'things I don't like as much' review for that one.
Ardo provides a base to set your bottles in, which may be a way they've attempted to resolve the issue, but it's something to note and plan for to avoid any unnecessary spillage.
My Final Thoughts
Ardo has made a pretty good pump, and I am super happy it's now on the US market. I understand it's not a recognized name brand, but it's not a bad pump by any stretch.
I recently took a survey on my Facebook page (you should follow me if you're not already) which asked my followers which pump brand they trust the most.
There was no surprise that Medela and Spectra ranked highest, but I was surprised that nobody seems to know about Ardo.
The thoughtful design and emphasis on comfort, as well as their fantastic warranty, makes it a low-risk investment.
Its price point makes it affordable for many even outside of insurance coverage, coming in at sub $200 ** if you don’t care about the “extras” like the carrying case. (** Affiliate Links)
And just like the S1, the Calypso is a workhorse of a pump, making it suitable for frequent, daily expression. Its portability means it's easy to take to work and back, which is something that makes the S1 not ideal for some working parents.
I do hope to see them bring back smaller flanges if there's not currently an aftermarket option as that is going to be the most significant limiting factor for parents.
No point in investing in a pump that you don't fit or pump effectively with!
After reading this post, what are your thoughts on the Ardo Calypso To Go? I would love to hear them in the comments below!
Ordering a pump with Tricare is easy. Military Mommies offers the Ardo Calypso To Go Pure FREE through insurance. If you're ready to order the Calypso fill out this form, and I will get you started.
** Affiliate Links