When you’re getting a breast pump through insurance, it’s common to be given a choice between a Medela Pump in Style or a Spectra S2. Here’s a detailed overview of Medela vs Spectra.
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Buying a breast pump can be a little overwhelming – both because you may not know exactly what kind of pump you’re looking for, and because you can’t try a few out before you make a decision.
Two pumps that you might have to choose between are the Medela Pump in Style and the Spectra S2, because they are often fully covered by insurance.
Below is a quick overview of each pump, and then a summary of the differences and the pros and cons of each.
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 examples of 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 in the tubing 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. The below stories show how it’s put together and works:
Spectra S2
The Spectra S2 is one of Spectra’s personal, hospital-grade breast pumps.
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.
Another popular Spectra breast pump 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.
Differences between the Medela Pump in Style or Spectra S2
Here’s how the pumps compare at a glance:
| Medela Max Flow | Spectra S2 | |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Image |  |  |
| Built-In Battery | No | No |
| Timer | No | Yes |
| Night Light | No | Yes |
| Cycle Speed Setting | No | Yes |
| Pump Parts | 3 (breast shield, connector, valve) | 3 (breast shield, duckbill, backflow protector) |
| Closed/Open System | Closed | Closed |
| Auto-Shutoff | Yes (30 minutes) | Yes (30 minutes) |
| Size | 1 lb | 3.3 lb |
Below are more details on these features and the differences between the two pumps.
1. 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. Letdown/Massage mode is fast, light suction that is designed to help your breast milk 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 stronger 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.
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.
2. 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.
The night light 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 when you’re done.
3. Sound
The S2 is a little quieter than the Pump in Style.
Less noise can be better for pumping during nap time, in the middle of the night, or at work if you don’t have a lot of privacy.
4. 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 pump is that more than one mom can use it safely. Additionally, some moms like knowing that bacteria can’t get into the pump motor.
5. 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). The backflow protector 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.
Breast Pump Bags
6. 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 is mostly exclusive pumpers whose babies are on the older side.)
7. Size
The Spectra S2 is on the larger side and is a little 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?
References
- Spectra Baby Australia. “What is a hospital grade pump?” https://spectra-baby.com.au/what-is-a-hospital-grade-breast-pump/
- Spectra Baby USA. “FAQ.” https://www.spectrababyusa.com/contact/faq/#toggle-id-11
- Medela. “Pump in Style Advanced On the Go Tote.” https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/1038/pump-in-style-advanced-on-the-go-tote#tabs-horizontal2
Comments & Chitchat
Spectra are advertising the breast pumps as “hospital grade”. Please note that the FDA does not recognize this term, it does not mean Spectra pump is any better or safer (see it on the FDA site under key points). Here is what I know from the inside, the pump will continuously shut off throughout pumping and there is no rhyme or reason. Customer complaints are on the rise including report of small fires on the S1 / S2 AC power adapter and minor explosion on the S1 Lithium-ion rechargeable charger. And to this day the cause is uncertain because Spectra Pump serial numbers are not registered anywhere within the Company and they’ve been in business since 2011. Also, not all customers complaints are reported to FDA. Please be on the look out and report any complaint to FDA directly and not just to Spectra.
https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-know-when-buying-or-using-breast-pump
Thank you for this post! I have an S2 and love that it’s so quiet. I can pump right next to my baby when he’s napping and he won’t wake up. I also got the car adapter and it worked like a charm when our power went out the other night and I had to pump in the car. I actually bought the pump before I gave birth and didn’t know that I would be EPing. Made the choice based on NYT’s Wirecutter reviews and have wondered if I should have gone with a Medela since I used both Medela and Ameda in the hospital and came home with all their parts. But now I’m confident the S2 was the right choice. The timer is very helpful! Only wish there was also a clock. I’m seriously considering also getting a Willow for when I go back to work. I want to keep this up for a year and I’m now nine weeks in and it’s getting tough to maintain my pumping schedule and stay on top of everything else!