If you’re looking into breast pumps — which are an essential for most nursing moms — you’ve probably found yourself researching the difference between the Spectra S1 vs S2.
We’ve laid it out below so that you can find the Spectra pump that is right for you.
In this article:
Spectra S1 vs S2: What’s the Difference?
All breast pumps accomplish the same basic function: expressing milk when you’re not able to nurse baby directly. But these days, the best breast pumps also come with convenience features like portability or discreet pumping options.
The main difference between the Spectra S1 vs S2 is the battery.
The Spectra S1 has a built-in rechargeable battery that means you can pump for three hours without needing to plug in. The S2 must be plugged in each time you pump.
How We Rated the Spectra Pumps
Before we dive in, we wanted to give you a quick overview of how exactly we are rating these two pumps. The right pump for you will obviously decide on what you need the pump for—a parent who just wants a manual pump may not need a double electric pump, for instance.
But overall, we rated the Spectra S1 and S2 pumps based on their:
- Suction quality
- Portability
- Battery life
- Ease of cleaning
- Price
As you’ll see, the Spectra S1 get stars in all 5 categories, while the Spectra S2 was dinged one star for lacking a portable battery. But if you only plan on pumping while plugged in, the S2 is cheaper, so keep that in mind.
Spectra S1 Plus Electric Breast Pump Hospital Strength
The Spectra is one of the #1 hospital grade breast pumps chosen by pumping parents for a few reasons: it's incredibly powerful, it's covered by almost all insurance plans, and it's easy to use. You can customize your own settings and save them once you establish a pumping pattern that works for you and thanks to a closed system, safety and cleaning is a breeze. The rechargeable battery is built right into the unit, which makes charging and taking it places a breeze and it's lightweight to boot. The Spectra S1 comes with: the pump, a 12 volt AC power adapter, detachable power cord prongs, wide neck bottle, back flow protector, Spectra duckbill valve, tubing, and two different flange sizes (24mm & 28mm).
A Closer Look at the Spectra S1
The Spectra S1 is a double electric pump, meaning that it can express milk from both breasts at once. However, it also has a setting that allows you to pump from just one breast. This is convenient if you are nursing baby on one side, but still want to express from the other.
Battery power baby
The standout feature of the Spectra S1 is a rechargeable battery pack that is built into the pump. This lets you pump on the go — say, in the car waiting to pick up your older kids from school — which is essential for busy moms. The battery pack makes the Spectra S1 more convenient than the S2.
The battery lasts for three hours, which will get you through a day or more of pumping sessions without needing to recharge. Although in an ideal world we would all be able to sit and pump in peace and quiet, that’s just not the reality for many moms. If you consider that the average pumping session takes about 15-20 minutes, that battery life becomes impressive: even if you forget to charge your S1 one night, you’ll still have enough battery to get through the next day.
Mimics baby at the breast
While the battery pack is important, the S1 has many more features that you should be aware of. The Spectra S1 aims to imitate the way that your baby engages with the breast. The massage setting on the S1 mimics suckling in order to stimulate a letdown. Then, the expression mode steps in with vacuum pressure.
Customized for your letdown
In addition to the two modes, the Spectra S1 is highly adjustable. You can control the cycle speed, meaning how many times the pump sucks each minute. There are 6 cycle speed options. You can also control the suck strength, with 12 different settings. With all that customization available, you can find a pumping setting that is comfortable and effective for you.
Finally, you should consider the accessories and convenience features that come with the S1. One of our favorites is the night-light feature, perfect for those late-night pumping sessions that can be a serious drag. The LCD display screen comes with a timer feature, so you’ll know exactly how long you’ve been pumping. The two different flange sizes ensure that you get the right fit.
Highlights of the Spectra S1
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- with 3-hour life
- 12V power adaptor
- 6 cycle settings; 12 pressure settings
- Up to 270 mmHg of suction pressure
- Auto timer
- LCD display
- Comes with 24MM and 28MM flanges
- Nightlight feature
- Backflow protector
- 45 decibel motor is comparable to a computer noise level
- Weighs 3 pounds
- Comes with two bottles
- 2-year warranty on pump; 90 day warranty on parts
- Quiet motor
Pros & Cons
Pros
Battery lasts 3 hours
Night light feature
2-year warranty
Cons
Heavier than competitors
Doesn’t come with travel bag
More expensive than S2
Before You Buy
Many people shop for their pump through insurance, since insurance providers are required to provide a breast pump. Since the S1 is more expensive than the S2, your insurance provider might not cover it.
If you have trouble getting the pump covered, see if your insurance company will let you pay the difference.
Spectra S2 Breast Pump
The Spectra S2 is an electric double breast pump that shares many of the great features of the Spectra S1. In fact, the only major difference between the Spectra S1 vs. S2 is that the S2 must be plugged in to use. Although the S2 isn’t portable, it does have plenty of convenience features, including a night light setting, a LCD display with an automatic timer, and a super quiet motor that will help you be discreet (hello, pumping on a conference call). The pump comes with two flange sizes. It has 6 cycle settings and 12 pressure settings, so you can find the pumping method that is right for you.
Seeing What the Spectra S2 Has to Offer
The Spectra S2 has been helping moms feed their babies since 2015. Although the S2 lacks the portable battery pack that the S1 has, it’s actually the newer pump between the two.
A price to love
That — plus the S2’s more affordable price point — make this a pump that you shouldn’t overlook. That’s because other than the battery pack, the S2 comes with all the features that moms love on the S1, for a price that is about 25% lower.
Those adjustable pump settings tho
Need a refresher about what that means? One standout feature of the Spectra pumps is that they’re super adjustable. You simply select one of two modes (“massage,” which stimulates let down; or “express,” which is better for collecting milk after letdown). Then, you can control the cycle speed (how often the pump pulls each minute) and the suction strength. With 6 cycle speeds and 12 suction levels, you might have to do some experimenting, but eventually you’ll find the perfect pump setting that allows you to maximize your output.
What’s that noise? Not your pump! (Because it’s super quiet)
All of that work is done by a motor that creates only 45 decibels of noise. Spectra compares that to the ambient noise in a library, but what you really need to know is that it’s quiet enough for you to pump next to your sleeping baby or while on a work call without disturbing anyone.
The Spectra S2 comes with two flange sizes: 24 and 28 mm.
If those aren’t quite right for you, the company sells compatible flange sizes in 20 mm and 32 mm, and even maintains a guide to getting the right fit. In addition to two sets of flanges, your Spectra S2 comes with a plug, a set of tubing, backflow protectors, valves and two bottles.
Highlights of the Spectra S2
- 6 cycle speeds
- 12 suction strengths, up to 270 mmHg
- 45 decibel motor
- Nightlight setting
- LCD display with auto-timer
- Weighs 3 pounds
- Massage setting stimulates letdown
- Express setting draws out milk after let down
- 2 sets of flanges
- Backflow protectors, valves and tubes included
- 2 bottles included
- 2-year warranty on pump; 90 days on parts
- Cheaper than the S1
Pros & Cons
Pros
Quiet motor
Night light
Highly adjustable suction
Cons
No battery pack
Only available in pink
Doesn’t come with travel bag
Before You Buy
Many people shop for their pump through insurance, since insurance providers are required to provide a breast pump. Since the S1 is more expensive than the S2, your insurance provider might not cover it.
If you have trouble getting the pump covered, see if your insurance company will let you pay the difference.
Final Verdict
If you’re trying to decide between the Spectra S1 vs S2, you have two good options. Both pumps have highly customizable suction settings that will help you find the setting that works best for you. They also have convenience features, like a nightlight setting and automatic timer that makes it easy to keep track of exactly how long you’ve been pumping.
To choose between these pumps, think about where and when you will be pumping. If you’ll mostly be pumping at home or at the office with access to an outlet anytime you need to pump, the S2 offers great features for a lower price.
However, if you’ll be pumping on the go, it’s worth paying for the convenience of the battery pack that comes built into the Spectra S1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Spectra pumps hospital grade?
Spectra says that both the S1 and S2 are hospital grade pumps. However, there’s no one definition for what a hospital grade pump is.
What is better, Spectra S1 and S2?
The pumps have identical suction settings, motors and features, which means they work equally well at extracting milk. The only difference is that the S1 has a battery pack with three hours of life.
When you click on some of our links, you support our community. To learn more click here.
