Medela Pump in Style vs Spectra S2 (2021)

When you’re getting your breast pump through insurance, it’s pretty common to be given the choice been a Medela Pump in Style or Spectra S2. So which one should you get?

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When you’re buying a breast pump, you don’t normally have the ability to try the different pumps out and decide which you like best – you just have to read reviews.

The Medela Pump in Style and the Spectra S2 are two of the most commonly used breast pumps on the market today – and often fully covered by insurance – so lots of people have opinions on them!

Below is a quick overview of each pump, and then a summary of the differences between the pumps and the pros and cons.

A Short Introduction to the Medela Pump in Style with Max Flow

The Medela Pump in Style with Max Flow is Medela’s lowest-cost double electric breast pump. (The Medela Freestyle and Sonata are higher-end pumps that have some features that the Pump in Style doesn’t have.)

This pump has a pretty simple faceplate where you plug everything in and adjust the suction.

It comes with a set of breast pump parts, tubing, a pair of bottles to pump into, and a power cord. Two breast shield sizes (21mm and 24mm) comes standard with the Pump in Style.

A longer review of the Pump in Style with Max Flow is available here, and the older Pump in Style Advanced model here.

Here’s a quick story showing how it’s put together and works:

Spectra S2 Overview

The Spectra S2 is one of Spectra’s two personal, hospital-grade breast pumps.

(The other is the S1. The major difference between the S1 and the S2, aside from the color, is that that S1 has a rechargeable battery. The S2, like the Pump in Style, needs to be plugged into an outlet or an external battery.)

The Spectra is rounded, with a handle, a bottle holder (though I’ve seen moms keep everything from cupcakes to M&Ms in there) with settings that are a bit more complicated but also more flexible.

Like the Pump in Style, it comes with a power cord, a set of breast pump parts, tubing, and bottles to pump into. Two breast shield sizes (24mm and 28mm) come standard with the Spectra S2.

More on the Spectra S2 here.

Medela Pump in Style or Spectra S2 – Differences between the Two Pumps

Here’s how the pumps compare at a glance:

Below are more details on these features and the differences between the two pumps.

Suction Settings

The Spectra S2 has three different settings that you can use to configure your suction, while the Medela Pump in Style has two.

• Mode – Both the S2 and the Pump in Style have two modes: Letdown or Massage mode, and Expression mode. (Medela refers to the first as letdown mode, while Spectra refers to it as massage mode.) Letdown/Massage mode is fast, light suction that is designed to help your breastmilk let down, while expression mode is slower, deeper suction that’s intended to remove the milk from your breasts once it has.
• Cycle Speed – This setting allows you to adjust how many times the breast pump pulls in a minute. The S2 allows you to adjust this, but the Pump in Style does not.
• Vacuum Speed – The higher the vacuum speed, the harder the suction. Both pumps have buttons that allow you to adjust the suction up and down.

Overall, the Spectra S2 gives you more options to find exactly the right settings for you.

However, one thing to be careful of – the suction on the Spectra starts off where you were when you stopped pumping the last time you pumped. This can be jarring if your suction was very high and you usually start off lighter in massage mode. The Pump in Style always starts in letdown mode.

Timer and Night Light

The Spectra S2 has both a timer and a night light, while the Medela Pump in Style doesn’t have either.

Personally, I find having a timer on my pump SO useful. Every time that I sit down to pump, I know how long I want to pump for at a minimum, and having a timer on the pump saves me the step of setting a timer on my phone.

(Or, I’ll forget to set the timer, and have to guess how long I’ve been pumping. And I’m pretty sure I usually overestimate how long it’s been!)

The nightlight is useful for pumping at night in the dark. If you have your pump parts and everything set up ahead of time, there’s no need to turn on the lights, which makes it easier to get back to sleep.

Sound/Noise

Moms who had used both pumps noted that the S2 is quieter than the Pump in Style. A quieter breast pump is better for pumping during naptime, in the middle of the night, or at work if you don’t have a lot of privacy.

Closed vs Open System

Both pumps are closed system pumps. This means that the pumps have barriers to stop moisture from getting into the tubing, and, by extension, the pump motor.

To do this, the Spectra uses backflow protectors, while the Pump in Style connector has a barrier inside of it that keeps milk from getting into it.

The advantage of a closed system is that more than one mom can use it safely. (So, you may be able to sell or donate your pump when you’re done with it.) Additionally, some moms like knowing that bacteria can’t get into the pump motor.

Pump Parts

At first glance, the pump parts look more or less the same, but there are a few key differences:

• Spectra’s breast shields and connectors are one part, while Medela has two separate parts (a detachable breast shield and connector). Most people who have used both prefer two separate pieces, because it is easier to use a hands-free pumping bra, and it is easier to clean.
• Spectra has backflow protectors and Medela does not (its barrier is built into the connector). This is an extra piece to clean.

It tends to be easier to find replacement parts for the Pump in Style in places like Target, but this is changing as the Spectra becomes more popular. Ordering directly from Spectra or from Amazon is also an option.

If you want to use Medela pump parts with your Spectra, here are a few ways to hack it so that you can.

Auto-Shutoff

Both the Spectra S2 and the Pump in Style with Max Flow automatically shut off after 30 minutes.

Some moms like the auto-shutoff because they can pump in an armchair and fall asleep and not have to worry that they will wake up 2 hours later still pumping.

Others don’t like it because they pump for longer than 30 minutes. (Note: Most moms wouldn’t need to pump more than 30 minutes at a time – this would mostly be exclusive pumpers whose babies are on the older side.)

Size

The Spectra S2 is on the larger side and is bulkier than the Medela Pump in Style.

The S2 weighs 3 pounds and the Pump in Style weighs 1 pound.

Medela Pump in Style or Spectra S2: Bottom Line

I used a Medela Pump in Style for years and thought it was fine. But if I were having another baby, and had the choice between a Pump in Style or a Spectra S2, I would get the S2. The ability to customize settings, the timer, and the quieter sound make it a winner for me.

Ready to get your pump? Find out what you’re covered for here. It’s easy.

Have you used a Medela Pump in Style or Spectra S2 (or both)? What did you think?

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