Make breastfeeding more convenient with our guide to the best breast pumps in Canada. We've reviewed top models from brands like Medela and Bellababy for efficiency, comfort, and portability.
Moms go through a lot during pregnancy. That’s a given. But things only get more demanding once the baby is born. If you’re expecting a new baby (or have a newborn at home already), you may have already decided to breastfeed or use formula. If you are breastfeeding, you’ll still need to express some milk yourself, and if you aren’t breastfeeding, you’ll have some milk to deal with before you stop producing.
As a result, pretty much every pregnant mom will need a breast pump once the baby is born. Breast pumps mimic a baby’s natural sucking to stimulate milk production and express milk. Some are electric, and some are manual. They’re all very easy to clean and can be customized to suit your breast shape and sensitivity. Almost all of them can be used hands-free, too! Doesn’t that sound great?
If it does, and you’re ready to buy, we’re here to help you find your perfect fit. Breast pumps can vary in things like price, weight, power type, ease of cleaning, milk capacity, suction levels, modes, and more. And trust us, you’ll want to think about every single aspect of a breast pump before you commit to it. It’s the only way to get the best match!
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best breast pumps in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
The Best Breast Pumps Right Now
Top Pick: Medela Pump in Style Plug-In Breast Pump
Upgrade Pick: Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump
Budget Pick: Bellababy Electric Breast Pump
Manual Pick: Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
Also Great: Medela New Harmony Manual Breast Pump
Our Top Pick for The Best Breast Pump
Medela Pump in Style Plug-In Breast Pump Review
What We Think of the Medela Pump in Style Plug-In Breast Pump
The Medela Pump in Style Plug-In Breast Pump has so much going for it. And we’re so excited to tell you about all of it that it’s hard to know where to start. How about performance? This thing is as effective as a hospital-grade pump, so you can be sure it’s fully emptying your breasts and won’t give you any problems with clogged ducts. You can still adjust the suction strength to match your sensitivity. Isn’t that nice?
This thing doesn’t cheap out on breast comfort, either. The cups are anatomically designed and super lightweight, so you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing them. At least until the pumping starts. The milk collection cups have an easy-pour spout and stand up by themselves, so there’s no risk of spills either. Thank goodness.
The only thing you might not love about this one is its bulkiness. The motor unit runs with a power cord instead of a rechargeable battery, and it’s housed with the collection cups, so it’s pretty bulky overall. Although it does come with a power bank to be used while you’re away from an outlet, it still isn’t the most travel-friendly option out there. If that’s a priority, you might want to keep looking.
All in all, the Medela Pump in Style Plug-In Breast Pump is a pretty flawless option. It isn’t the most portable choice because of the large motor house and reliance on an outlet, but that’s really the only concession you have to make for impeccable performance, comfort, and user-friendliness.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Medela Pump in Style Plug-In Breast Pump
Reviewers have nothing but good things to say about the Medela Pump in Style Plug-In Breast Pump. The cups are incredibly comfortable to wear and easy to pour from (no spills!), and they’re easy to take apart for cleaning as well. They all agree that it works as well as hospital-level pumps (or even better) and are able to find a suction level that matches their needs and preferences.
Medela Pump in Style Plug-in Breast Pump Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You want to bring a hospital-worthy pump home with you
A high-end cup design is a priority
You want a pump that maximizes breast comfort and milk expression
You’d appreciate an adjustable suction level
Don’t Buy If…
Portability is important
Medela Pump in Style Plug-in Breast Pump Specifications
Weight: 0.17 lbs each
Hands-Free: Yes
Suction Levels: 10
Modes: 2
Power Type: Electric
Milk Capacity: 150 ml each
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Our Upgrade Pick
Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump Review
What We Think of the Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump
There are lots of things to admire about the Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump. Let’s talk about breast comfort first. Since this pump comes with two flange sizes on breast shields that are lightweight, anatomically designed, and have rims flaring away from the breast, you seriously could not find a more comfortable breast pump. And since it disassembles into three parts, it’s super easy to clean and sanitize.
When it comes to performance, this option is still a winner. It offers a natural two-phase sucking action that simulates a real baby — it will encourage milk letdown so you don’t have to prep with a warm cloth or massage, and it expresses milk deeply and completely. Perfection, in other words. It also comes with a companion app so you can set a pumping/feeding schedule and track your virtual milk storage. How cool!
Honestly, the only people we wouldn’t recommend this pump to are the ones who are shopping on a budget. This is one of the more expensive options currently available, and since you can get great quality at a lower price, it won’t be worth it for everybody. But if you truly want the best in every feature and portability is important, this is the best option.
Overall, the Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump is a really amazing option for, well, everybody. The price might seem a bit steep, but we promise you’ll get what you pay for. It’s powerful and effective, lightweight and comfortable, and easy to clean and use. What more could you ask for?
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump
Reviewers are raving about the Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump. Many of them purchased it as an on-the-go option since it’s rechargeable, and most of them ended up using it as their main pump instead. It fully empties the milk from each breast, unlike other options, and it’s super lightweight and easy to use. It’s comfortable for everyone to wear, too, which is a great bonus.
Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You’d love the convenience of a companion app
Breast comfort is a priority
Easy cleaning and assembly is important to you
You want a powerful machine to express milk quickly and completely
Don’t Buy If…
You’re shopping on a budget
Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump Specifications
Weight: 0.17 lbs each
Hands-Free: Yes
Suction Levels: 10
Modes: 2
Power Type: Electric
Milk Capacity: 150 ml each
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Warranty: 90 days
Our Budget Pick
Bellababy Electric Breast Pump Review
What We Think of the Bellababy Electric Breast Pump
We like so many things about the Bellababy Electric Breast Pump. It comes with three flange sizes and very soft breast shield rims, so comfort won’t be an issue with this one. It’s quite compact and runs on batteries, so it’s also a great travel companion. It’s got the safety feature you need, too — it will shut off automatically after 30 minutes to make sure you don’t over-pump if you fall asleep or get distracted.
This breast pump also offers an incredibly versatile pumping experience. You can choose from nine suction levels for comfort and four modes for purpose — there’s a massage mode, normal suck mode, continuous suck mode, and frequency conversion mode. One of the best parts is you can use it with one breast or two, and it works with both bottles and milk storage bags! What’s missing? Nothing!
One of the only things we don’t like about this machine is that it restarts at the same suction level that it ended the last session with. Since you’ll likely want to work up to the stronger levels, this will be a bit jarring and uncomfortable if you forget to reset it first. Also, there are a lot of modes and levels to test out/choose from, so it isn’t as straightforward to get started as other options. Just a heads up.
Overall, the Bellababy Electric Breast Pump is a phenomenal option if you want to save a little money without compromising on quality. It has a ton of wonderful features and flange sizes to keep everyone comfortable, and it’s portable to boot.
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Bellababy Electric Breast Pump
Reviewers really like the Bellababy Electric Breast Pump. It can take a bit of time to find the right settings, and some people always start off at the wrong suction level because they forget to reset it. But otherwise, they’re all really happy with the features. It’s versatile and effective, and the battery lasts a long time. The automatic shutoff is a great addition as well.
Bellababy Electric Breast Pump Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You’d love a versatile machine
You’d like a machine that can manage itself
You enjoy using storage bags for milk as well as bottles
You’ll need to pump on the go
Don’t Buy If…
You’ll forget to reset the suction levels each session
You’d prefer a plug-and-go type of machine
Bellababy Electric Breast Pump Specifications
Weight: 1 lb
Hands-Free: Yes
Suction Levels: 9
Modes: 4
Power Type: Electric
Dishwasher Safe: No
Warranty: 1 year
Our Manual Pick
Haakaa Manual Breast Pump Review
What We Think of the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
The Haakaa Manual Breast Pump has a surprising number of benefits considering its affordable price tag and really simple design. Its simplicity gives it two main advantages. The first is the ease of cleaning. You can easily wash it by hand or throw it in the dishwasher, and it can be sterilized in any machine or a pot of boiling water if you want to go the traditional route.
The second is the ease of use. It attaches to your breast in only a few seconds, and you can adjust the suction pressure to your preferences and sensitivity. Once it’s on, your job is done! It’ll draw out the milk without any further input from you. Since it's silent and compact, it’s also really easy to travel with and use in public areas discretely. What’s not to love, really?
Of course, since only one pump is included, you won’t be able to relieve both breasts at the same time. If you’re breastfeeding, your baby can help you out, but otherwise, you’ll have to spend a little extra time pumping each session. Also, the suction on this one can be a bit unreliable, so you might have to reposition it. It’s also a good idea to keep a hand on it in case it lets go — you don’t want your milk to go to waste!
All in all, we’re big fans of the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump. With occasional reliability issues, it might not be your main pump, but it’s really great for catching let down or for relief during travel. You really can’t beat the price, either.
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump
Reviewers have mostly great things to say about the Haakaa Manual Breast Pump. Their only concern is that it’s easy to knock off the breast and it loses suction occasionally. They’re really happy with how easy it is to attach, though, and it pulls a lot of milk quite quickly. It’s also super discrete and easy to travel with — it’s a lifesaver for air travel and long car rides.
Haakaa Manual Breast Pump Pros and Cons
Buy If…
You’d prefer a pump that requires no assembly
Versatile cleaning options would be a bonus
You want the pump to be self-sufficient
You’re looking for a discrete and travel-friendly pump
Don’t Buy If…
You want to pump both breasts at the same time
Reliability is important
Haakaa Manual Breast Pump Specifications
Weight: 0.2 lbs
Hands-Free: Yes
Suction Levels: Adjustable
Modes: 1
Power Type: Manual
Milk Capacity: 100 ml
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Also Great
Medela New Harmony Manual Breast Pump Review
What We Think of the Medela New Harmony Manual Breast Pump
The Medela New Harmony Manual Breast Pump is a really great option for use as a backup to an electric pump or as your number-one go-to. The breast shield rotates 360 degrees, so you’ll be able to find the most comfortable fit for your breast shape. The 105-degree angle of the shield also helps collect milk more quickly, so you won’t have to spend any more time pumping than is absolutely necessary.
We think you’ll also really like the handle. It’s ergonomically shaped for your comfort and allows you to have total control over the pumping process. The short handle stimulates the fast shallow sucks that stimulate milk let down, and the longer side performs the deep sucks that draw milk out. It perfectly simulates a baby’s natural sucking! It even comes with a stand so it won’t fall over when you set it down. How thoughtful.
One of the only inconveniences you’ll experience using this breast pump is the fact that it’s not hands-free. Yup, you’ll have to hold it to your breast the entire time. This isn’t great for multitasking, we know, but maybe it’ll give you the excuse you need to take a rest. It also only comes with one pump, not two, so you’ll have to take a little extra time to pump one breast after the other.
Overall, the Medela New Harmony Manual Breast Pump is one of our favourite manual pumps right now. With a rotating breast shield, ergonomic two-phase handle, and effective milk collection, it’s very likely that this one will become your favourite breast pump ever.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Medela New Harmony Manual Breast Pump
Reviewers have amazing things to say about the Medela New Harmony Manual Breast Pump. Many of them actually prefer it over their electric pumps. Some moms use it as their main pump but most use it as a backup. They all find it really comfortable, effective, and easy to clean. Its power-free design is especially convenient in the first few weeks postpartum when it’s trickier to get around.
Medela New Harmony Manual Breast Pump Pros and Cons
Buy If…
An adjustable fit sounds like a good idea
You’d like a quiet and cord-free way to pump
Ease of use is important to you
You don’t want to worry about tipping when you set the pump down
Don’t Buy If…
You want a hands-free breast pump
You want to pump both breasts at the same time
Medela New Harmony Manual Breast Pump Specifications
Weight: 0.6 lbs
Hands-Free: No
Suction Levels: 2
Power Type: Manual
Milk Capacity: 150 ml
Dishwasher Safe: No
Warranty: 1 year
How to Properly Choose Your Breast Pump
Price
Some breast pumps will cost less than $30 and others will be priced more than 10x that much. Most people won’t need to spend more than $200 or so to get a perfect unit, though. In general, more expensive breast pumps will be electric instead of manual, will offer more suction levels, and will have more comfortable cups.
Suction Levels
Some breast pumps have more suction levels than others (up to 10 in comparison to one or two), and we generally recommend those more since you’ll be able to match your sensitivity level and needed strength to get the milk flowing well.
Power Type
Breast pumps come in both manual and electric styles. Manual pumps will, of course, be more affordable, but you’ll also miss out on some of the convenience and functionality of an automated electric pump. Manual options are also more portable and more discrete, though, so that’s some extras to consider if you pump away from home a lot.
Hands-Free Operation
Most of the breast pumps on the market these days are hands-free, but you can still run into versions that require you to hold the cup to your breast the entire time. While they might be a bit more affordable, you’ll also be stuck with no ability to multitask.
Modes
Most breast pumps will offer at least two modes (some of the manual ones might only have one). The starting mode will stimulate milk production and let down, and the second mode will pull the milk out of the breath. This design simulates the sucking action of a real baby and is the most natural option. Some pumps will offer additional modes such as a massage function to help with let down.
Ease of Cleaning
Since breast pumps need to be cleaned after every use, ease of cleaning is definitely something to consider. Some pumps go in the dishwasher, others don’t, and some are designed to disassemble to make things easier.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.