This post is about a review and comparison on the Spectra S2 vs Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow.
Spectra and Medela are two of the most popular breast pump brands out in the market.
Both of these brands offer a variety of different breast pumps for different needs, but in this article I will be covering their two most popular breastpumps: Spectra S2 and Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow.
Spectra S2 vs Medela Pump in Style: Which is Better?
Typically, these two breast pumps are available at big box stores, such as Walmart and Target.
Not only are they available at these stores, but they always appears on searches for free health insurance breast pumps.
Most likely than not, that is the reason you are here, because you do not know which one will work best and benefit you depending on your needs.
In this article, I will cover different areas that will help you determine which one is best for you, such as price and settings, as well as how to make them 100% portable and discreet, if that is something that is important to you.
Spectra S2 vs Medela Pump in Style: Which is Better?
Spectra vs Medela Breast Pump: Price
The Spectra S2 and the Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow have about $50 price difference, with Medela coming up cheaper than the Spectra.
If price is something that is important to you due to your budget, getting the Medela is a good choice because, after all, it is good quality breast pump.
Spectra: $172 USD
Medela: $125 USD
Spectra vs Medela Breast Pump: Covered by Health Insurance
As mentioned earlier, both Spectra and Medela are covered by most health insurances. This is important because breast pumps can be quite pricey.
But due to their popularity, quality, and low price, you can get either the Medela or Spectra covered by your health insurance for free.
And if not free, it will be at a reduced price.
Spectra: Yes, most health insurances offer it for free
Medela: Yes, most health insurances offer it for free
Spectra vs Medela Breast Pump: Settings
Something that is very unique to every breast pumping woman is their pumping settings. What works for one may not work for another. This is why it is important, in my opinion, for breast pumps to have a wide range of settings so you can find what works best for you.
As seen below, the Spectra has 12 levels of vacuum sections, whereas Medela has 10.
Spectra: Vacuum suction up to L12
Medela: Vacuum suction up to L10
READ MORE: How to Use Medela Breast Pump (Medela Pump in Style)
Spectra vs Medela Breast Pump: Single or Double Pump Capability
This feature is especially important depending on how you will be using your breast pump. I was exclusively pumping for my daughter for 12 months, so it was important for me to have a double pump, which means that it allows for both breasts to be pumped at the same time.
But if you are breastfeeding for the most part and need to relieve engorgement after baby ate on one side, you also benefit from a single pump, which allows for only one breast to be pumped at a time.
Both of these breast pumps offer single or double pumping, allowing every woman to adjust it to their own preferences.
Spectra: Yes, both
Medela: Yes, both
Spectra vs Medela Breast Pump: Hospital-Grade Strength
If you are exclusively pumping, you should aim for your main breast pump to be a hospital-grade strength pump. For a breast pump to be considered to have hospital-grade strength means that it is comparable to those powerful electric suction breast pumps offered in hospitals.
Hospitals are meant to have the best of the best, and that also applies for breast pumps, as many women have raving reviews about their experience using a hospital’s breast pump.
Hospital-grade strength breast pumps, like Spectra and Medela, are both great options as a main breast pump due to their high capabilities of extracting milk.
Spectra: Yes
Medela: Yes
Spectra vs Medela Breast Pump: Portable
A breast pump being portable or not could make or break this comparison.
With our busy lives, and specially as busy moms, finding 20-30 minutes a day (maybe multiple times as day), to be connected to our breast pump can be hard sometimes. This becomes even more difficult when your breast pump is connected to the wall outlet.
The Spectra S2 is wall-powered and cannot be used once unplugged, whereas the Medela comes with a chargeable battery pack that allows for the pump to be portable. It can be used on-the-go or it can be used as the Spectra S2, connected to the wall outlet.
Spectra: No (But Spectra does offer Spectra S1, which is 100% portable)
Medela: Yes
READ MORE: Spectra S1 vs S2: Which is Better for You?
Spectra vs Medela Breast Pump: Weight
You may be wondering why weight is important enough to warrant a place in this list.
The reason for that is because, for example, if you are a working mom that will need to pump in the workplace, you may have to often carry your breast pump. And if you have a long commute via metro or walking, the weight of the breast pump can become pretty significant in the long run.
There is more than one pound difference between these two breast pumps.
Spectra: 2.5 lbs
Medela: 1.18 lbs
Overall Comparison: Conclusion
| Spectra S2 | Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $172 USD | $125 USD |
| Covered by Health Insurance | Most health insurances offer it for free | Most health insurances offer it for free |
| Settings | Vacuum suction up to L12 | Vacuum suction up to L10 |
| Single or Double Pump Capability | Yes, both | Yes, both |
| Hospital-Grade Strength | Yes | Yes |
| Portable | No | Yes |
| Weight | 2.5 lbs | 1.18 lbs |
Spectra vs Medela Breast Pump: Portable and Discreet
Spectra and Medela both offer an alternative to their most popular breast pumps, Spectra S2 and Medela Pump in Style.
Both of these alternatives are allows for portability and discretion.
The Medela Pump in Style Hands-Free Breast Pump is an alternative to the Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow. As mentioned earlier, the Medela Pump in Style is already portable, so when you add the the hand-free collection cups, it becomes both portable and discreet. This is a perfect alternative for people who have been eyeing the Willow and Elvie breast pumps but couldn’t justify the price tag.
Spectra S2 (pink) has its sister Spectra S1 (blue). The Spectra S1 has a rechargeable battery included (as opposed to the Medela which has a battery pack).
READ MORE: Best Portable Breast Pump
If you choose the Spectra S1 due to its portability, and if you also want to make it discreet, Spectra also offers the Cara Collection Cups.
By combining the Spectra S1 and the Cara cups, you get a breast pump that is both portable and discreet.
Spectra vs Medela Breast Pump: Which is Better?
Both the Spectra and Medela are popular for a reason. I am personally a Spectra girlie, but I completely understand the hype around the Medela.
When I tell you that I was so close to getting the Medela cups just to test them out! They hold more milk and are also less parts to clean, which is so so helpful when you are pumping more than three times a day like I was.
I opted to remain loyal to Spectra mostly because I was reaching the end of my breastfeeding journey, but now that I preparing for me second pregnancy, I know I will be definitely be giving Medela breast pumps and products another chance!
P.S. If you are currently pregnant, I recommend reading Why You Should See a Prenatal Chiropractor During Pregnancy to learn all the benefits prenatal chiropractic care provides.
Other Breast Pump Posts:
- How to Use the Spectra S2 Breast Pump
- How to Use Medela Breast Pump (Medela Pump in Style)
- Spectra vs Medela (Spectra S2 vs Medela Pump in Style Review)
- Spectra S1 vs S2: Which is Better for You?
- Best Portable Breast Pumps
- Motif Luna vs Spectra S2
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