This post is about what is the difference between Spectra S1 and S2.
I had my heart set on exclusively breastfeeding my baby when she was born, so my naive self learned very little about breast pumps during my pregnancy.
But, because of how renowned the Spectra brand is, I chose the Spectra S2 as my free health insurance pump.
I remember being so overwhelmed by options and not understanding all these different words I had never heard of, like “hospital grade strength” and “speed cycle.”
And all of these terms ARE important, specially if you are trying to learn which breast pump to choose between the Spectra S1 and S2.
What is the Difference Between Spectra S1 and S2
The breast pumps buy Spectra Baby USA are some of the most popular and well-known pumps in today’s market.
But due to the amount of breast pumps now available, it is important to note how the Spectra S1 and S2 differ from one another, and why you might prefer one over the other.
READ MORE: Spectra vs Medela (Spectra S2 vs Medela Pump in Style Review)
What is the Difference Between Spectra S1 and S2
The Spectra S1 and S2 have 5 key differences.
As for similarities, the Spectra S1 and S2 have the same pump settings, night light, LED display, and pump parts.
Now, the five key differences are as follows:
Spectra S1 and S2 Differences: Price
There is about a $50 USD price difference between the two Spectra breast pumps. Some people consider that pretty significant and wonder if it is worth the price. Well, that depends on how you intend to use it and how often you intend on using it.
Spectra S1: $216 USD
Spectra S2: $172 USD
Spectra S1 and S2 Differences: Covered by Health Insurance
As mentioned above, these two breast pumps have about $50 difference. I have found that if your insurance does cover the Spectra S2, they will require you to pay that difference if you want to get the Spectra S1.
For me, when I was pregnant, I did not know much about these pumps, so I opted for the Spectra S2 because it was completely free, but again, it may very well be worth paying for the Spectra S1 at a reduced price via health insurance as compared to its full price of $216 USD.
Spectra S1: Most health insurances cover it 100% (free)
Spectra S2: Most health insurances offer it at a reduced price
Spectra S1 and S2 Differences: Portable
One of the key differences between the Spectra S1 and S2 is that the Spectra S1 is portable due to having a rechargeable battery.
Once fully charged, it offers 3 hours of pumping. If each pumping session is 25 minutes, then that’s 7 pumping sessions without having to recharge it.
Due to this feature, many working moms choose the Spectra S1 despite the higher price tag.
The Spectra S2 is wall-powered and cannot be used once unplugged.
Spectra S1: Yes; has rechargeable battery
Spectra S2: No; wall-powered
READ MORE: Best Portable Breast Pump
Spectra S1 and S2 Differences: Color
Due to their many similarities, Spectra Baby USA opted to have the breast pumps have the same design, but a different color.
The Spectra S2 is more easily identifiable due to its pink color, and the Spectra S1 being blue.
Spectra S1: Blue
Spectra S2: Pink
Spectra S1 and S2 Differences: Weight
One things that I encourage you to think about when choosing your breast pump, is how much they weigh.
The S1 weighs 3 lbs due to the added rechargeable battery, whereas the S2 weighs 2.5 lbs. While the difference in weight may not seem much at first, if you will be carrying your breast pump with you and walking with it, it is something worth noting.
Spectra S1: 3 lbs
Spectra S2: 2.5 lbs
Overall Differences: Conclusion
| Spectra S1 | Spectra S2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $216 USD | $172 USD |
| Settings | Vacuum suction up to L12 | Vacuum suction up to L12 |
| Covered by Health Insurance | Most health insurances offer it at a reduced price | Most health insurances cover it 100% (free) |
| Hospital-Grade Strength? | Yes | Yes |
| Portable | Yes | No |
| Color | Blue | Pink |
| Weight | 3 lbs | 2.5 lbs |
READ MORE: How to Use the Spectra S2 Breast Pump
The Spectra S1 and S2 are essentially the same breast pump with the exception of one key difference, which is the rechargeable battery. But in terms of settings and breast pumping options, they offer the same quality pumping.
What is the Difference Between Spectra S1 and S2
The main differences between the Spectra S1 and S2 is their price, whether they are covered by insurance, portability, color, and weight.
After you have taken into consideration their differences, it is my hope you find which breast pump is right for you. And if you now want to know more about all the features and settings of the Spectra breast pumps, learn How to Use the Spectra S2 Breast Pump in this Spectra guide.
P.S. If you would like to know about and/or are considering using cloth diapers for your baby, read more here: Cloth Diapers for Beginners and Everything You Need to Know About Using Newborn Cloth Diapers.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which Spectra Breast Pump is Best for Working Moms?
I 10/10 recommend the Spectra S1 for working moms. I used the Spectra S1 as a stay at home working mom. And despite working from home, as a working mom, my office would change places often around the house, so it was convenient to always have my breast pump available.
I am on a budget. How Can I Make Pumping Affordable?
I personally found many great deals on Mercari. I bought breastmilk bags and even the Spectra S1 through the Mercari app. This app single-handedly saved my wallet and my exclusively pumping journey. I was able to get many pumping necessities through this app whenever I ran out. I highly recommend you browse through the app to see if you find any good deals.
NOTE: If you are buying a Spectra breast pump through Mercari, I recommend you send them a message to have them take a picture of how many hours the breast pump has been used for. Anything less than 200 hours is good (think car mileage, but for breast pumps).
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