Having had both the Avent Isis manual pump and the Medela Mini Electric Plus, the Pump In Style is so much kinder on my nipples and so much more the 'complete package' I was needing for my return to work. It still extracts as much milk but after pumping I barely feel like I've been pumping at all other than my nicely emptied breasts! It works just as well pumping one side as both together, and is considerably quieter than the Mini Electric Plus, although not as quiet as my friend's Avent Isis Uno electric one. The backpack certainly isn't lightweight but it contains a lot and has a few pockets just for your own items unrelated to the pump. While I've only had this pump for a week, I'm very happy with it and have been from the first pump. My only criticism is that it is hard to switch from the 'let down phase' to the 'express' phase while holding both sides onto your breasts, but it automatically switches after 2 minutes anyway, so I just wait for that, which is about the right time for my letdown anyway. I think it is well worth the money!