Compare Spectra Pumps

You’ll probably need some explanation of terms to help you compare breast pumps as well, so here goes:

Grade – all Spectra breast pumps have a closed system, which means they’re hygienic for use by multiple users, but spectra hospital grade breast pumps have a bigger motor, so they bear up under heavy use. Think V8 vs 4 cylinder – while both will tow well on a flat road, the V8 will perform better going uphill. In the same sort of way, both personal use and hospital grade breast pumps are fine for normal use, but if you’re relying on your breast pump for exclusive pumping or to build supply, get a hospital grade breast pump.

Suction strength – this is measured in mmHg. All Spectra breast pumps are extremely strong and you’re unlikely to use them on maximum setting. The Dew 350 does have the strongest suction, but you will find when double pumping that there doesn’t seem much difference in strength between the Dew 350 and S2. In fact, because the S2 has extra cycle speed settings, you may need a lower suction strength.

Note – because the hospital grade pumps have a bigger motor than the portable pumps, they will maintain suction strength better.  For example, although the S2 and the S9+ both have suction strength over 300mmHg, the S2 may give you a better performance if you’re double pumping on a higher suction level.

Cycle speed – this is how often the pump ‘sucks’ per minute. For some women, varying the cycle speed can make a big difference, especially if you’ve been breastfeeding for longer and your body is very used to your bub.

Letdown mode – Some Spectra pumps have a ‘massage mode’ to encourage letdown. Letdown is the physiological process that occurs when your body responds to your baby’s signals and starts the milk flow. Babies tend to have a light, quick suckling pattern when they’re telling mum to get things started, and the massage mode of Spectra pumps copies this. Once milk is flowing, you swap to regular expressing mode, which is slower and stronger.

Closed system – this means that there’s a complete physical barrier between your milk and the pump motor. This is very important and is a feature missing from many very well known brands. If the pump has an ‘open system’ then milk particles and moisture can travel down the tubing and enter the pump motor, where it is impossible to clean properly or sterilise. Over time, this can lead to mould inside the pump, and it also means that sharing a pump with an ‘open system’ is a possible source of virus transmission (this is why you should never buy a second-hand breast pump with an open system, even if you buy a new milk collection kit, you cannot sterilise the actual pump!). Spectra has this covered – all our pumps have a closed system to protect your breastmilk and the pump motor.

 

Spectra Breast Pumps are made in Korea since 1999, and has been exported to various parts of the world like Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, US, UK, Australia, China and etc since 2013. There are three types of pumps available from Korea – hospital grade breast pumps, portable/personal pumps & manual pumps. Locally, we have the distributors bringing in 4 models – S1, S2, M1 and S9+. In this article, we hope to bring to you the features, pros and cons of each of these models.

SPECTRA S1:

Key features –

This is a hospital grade double electric breast pump, which makes it more durable.

At a lightweight of 1.12kg, it is very portable.

The pumping strength is strong at 280mmHg.

There are two modes – massage mode and expression mode. Both modes can be adjusted individually, so moms can switch it back and forth between the two. It is well liked by mommies who find the suction speed and rhythm gentle and effective, mimicking how the baby suckles to trigger a letdown after massaging, and subsequently to express the breast milk which helps empty the breasts, stimulating more milk production. Moms can digitally control and save the favourite setting for pumping speed and rhythm as a program.

The best feature for most moms is how quietly it pumps! The nightlight feature allows one to clearly see the display screen and controls in the dark. Late night pumping would be so easy!

All the parts are BPA-free.

As a double pump, it is time saving to pump both breasts at the same time. It also works well as a single pump, suitable for pumping the other breast while latching baby on one.

It is also a closed system where the pump/motor will not be in direct contact with the breast milk, so it is easier to clean and the breast pump stays sterile and lasts longer.

If these are not enough for you to get the Spectra S1, you might want to know that it comes with an in-built rechargeable battery, which allows pumping to be done anywhere even when there is no power plug!

 

In summary:

Pros:

– Hospital grade

– Closed system

– Can be used as a double or single pump

– Lightweight

– Very quiet pump

– Nightlight

– Value-for-price

– In-built rechargeable battery

– Timer function & auto power off after 30 mins

– Comes with 1 year local warranty

 

Cons:

– Breast shield sizes are quite narrow (24mm to 32mm)

– Wide neck bottles required (an adaptor can be purchased separately)

 

SPECTRA S2:

Key features –

S2 model has all the amazing features of Spectra S1, except that S2 does not have any in-built rechargeable battery and works only on an AC power plug. This may be a huge point for consideration, especially if you need to pump anywhere. However, if this hospital grade double electric breast pump is for home use, the savings on the cost of getting S2 instead of S1 would be great, making the S2 very affordable.

Other differences between the S1 and S2 are the colours, and minimal differences in the weight.

 

In summary:

Pros:

– Hospital grade

– Closed system

– Can be used as a double or single pump

– Lightweight

– Very quiet pump

– Nightlight

– Value-for-price

– Timer function & auto power off after 30 mins

– Comes with 1 year local warranty

 

Cons:

– No in-built rechargeable battery and works only on mains power plug

– Breast shield sizes are quite narrow (24mm to 32mm)

– Wide neck bottles required (an adaptor can be purchased separately)

 

SPECTRA S9+

Key features –

Weighing only 297g, this is one of the lightest good quality, affordable breast pump for personal use.

Similar to all the other Spectra breast pumps, S9+ has the massage mode and expression mode, but the settings cannot be saved as a program like the S1 and S2. The LCD display screen has its own nightlight feature which allows late night pumping.

Like all other Spectra breast pumps, this one adopts the closed system.

A main selling point of the S9+ is that it has built-in rechargeable batteries, so mommies can pump anywhere, at your convenience.

 

In summary:

Pros:

– Closed system

– Can be used as a double or single pump

– Extremely lightweight

– LED display screen

– Value-for-price

– In-built rechargeable battery

– Timer function & auto power off after 30 mins

– Comes with 1 year local warranty

 

Cons:

– Breast shield sizes are quite narrow (24mm to 32mm)

– Wide neck bottles required (an adaptor can be purchased separately)

– Not as quiet as the S1 and S2

 

SPECTRA M1:

Key features –

Similar to S9+, the M1 is incredibly lightweight at 297g. It is highly suitable for personal use, anywhere, anytime, since it also has in-built rechargeable batteries.

The M1 set is possibly the most affordable pump compared to the other models. Having the features like all other Spectra breast pumps, the only difference is that M1 does not have any nightlight or display screen. This, however, does not affect the selection and customization of the suction and pump level with the buttons.

 

In summary:

Pros:

– Closed system

– Can be used as a double or single pump

– Extremely lightweight

– Very quiet pump

– Value-for-price

– In-built rechargeable battery

– Comes with 1 year local warranty

 

Cons:

– Breast shield sizes are quite narrow (24mm to 32mm)

– Wide neck bottles required (an adaptor can be purchased separately)

– No nightlight

– No timer, auto switch off after 30 mins

 

Hope the above analysis of the 4 models of breast pumps could help you make an informed choice of a suitable Spectra breast pump. We have a summary of the 4 models in the table below.

 

 

MODEL		S2	S1	SPECTRA 9 PLUS	M1
Grade		Hospital Grade	Hospital Grade	Personal Use	Personal Use
Inbuilt Battery		No, mains only	Yes	Yes	Yes
Vacuum strength		320mmHg	320mmHg	300mmHg	300mmHg
Cycle speed		5 speed settings between 38 and 54 rpm	5 speed settings between 38 and 54 rpm	Adjusts with suction	Adjusts with suction
Adjustable speed		Yes	Yes	Adjusts with suction	Adjusts with suction
Massage mode for ledown		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Timer		Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Nightlight		Yes	Yes	No, backlight display	No
Double kit		Yes, comes with everything needed for double pumping	Yes, comes with everything needed for double pumping	Yes, comes with everything needed for double pumping	Yes, comes with everything needed for double pumping
Colour		Pale Pink	Pale Blue	White	Pale Blue
Closed system		Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Breast shield		Comes with 24mm Wide Neck Breast Shield	Comes with 24mm Wide Neck Breast Shield	Comes with 24mm Wide Neck Breast Shield	Comes with 24mm Wide Neck Breast Shield
Flange sizes available		20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 32mm or use silicon insert for snugger fit	20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 32mm or use silicon insert for snugger fit	20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 32mm or use silicon insert for snugger fit	20mm, 24mm, 28mm, 32mm or use silicon insert for snugger fit
Weight of Base Unit		0.99kg	1.12kg	297g	297g
Size (base in cm)		20cm	20cm		12cm
Warranty		1 years	1 years	1 years	1 years
Shop now		Buy S2 now	Buy S1 now	Buy Spectra 9 Plus now	Buy M1 now