This is the advice that I've posted elsewhere on the forum:
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I think at the core, in basic functionality, all pumps are essentially equal, in that they all provide basal and a variety of bolus capabilities.
Where these vary is in the increments in which they can deliver insulin and the number of time slots that can be used for basal rates. If you are extremely insulin sensitive, you might, for example, require a pump that can deliver insulin in 0.025u increments, and if your basal requirement is very up and down you may need 48 slots in 24 hours.
In order to work this out though, you need to look at what you do now and do some observation. It's worth doing a
basal test to see how up and down you are on long acting insulin, which should give you an indication of how you will need to break down your basal rate on the pump. Most people are fine with 24.
You'd also need to review how you bolus. Do you only ever need one or two units for a meal? Then you might need to have more flexibility in the size of the increments that the pump delivers, for example, the Omnipod goes down to 0.05u while the 640G goes down to 0.025u I believe (someone can correct me on this).
Then you need to consider how important tubeless is. You've already said that it's not so that gives you more options.
Following that, you're really into what I like to call "add ons". The things that make each pump stand out, and really, only you can choose between these as to what you prefer.
Do you want CGM as part of the pump? If so then you are narrowed down to the Medtronic and Animas Vibe.
Do you want to be able to remote control the pump? Then you are looking at Insight or Omnipod, with some limited remote bolus capabilities from the Medtronic.
Do you want both of the above? Then you will have to select the Medtronic.
Does it need to be waterproof?
Etc.
We had a topic recently where we discussed what we thought an ideal pump might look like and I summed it up
here. What you could do is go through the list, highlight the things you think are best and then look at which pumps offer what you've ticked off.
The other thing to be aware of is the user interface. Getting your hands on each of the pumps you are interested in and using them for 15 mins will tell you which of these you like and which you dislike.
Ultimately, the answer will be partly emotional and partly based on features, and you'll have to decide what you'll compromise in order to get what you need. I'm using a Spirit Combo, as it was what I could get and it does a great job. It doesn't have CGM, But it is a pump. And it gives the basal and bolus flexibility that only a pump can. It is the fact that it is a pump that is important, and not the bells and whistles.
