Choosing the correct breastfeeding pump is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a new parent.
It needs to give your baby the best, natural milk source to maintain their development, but equally important, it needs to be healthy and comfortable for you.
The Spectra brand is one of the front runners for amazing, natural milk at your convenience.
However, they do have a couple of different versions on the market and there are some subtle differences between the two.
Being in the know about the two variations could really help you in making the right choice to suit your baby and lifestyle.
What’s The Difference Between The Spectra S1 & Spectra S2?
One of the main differences, or at least the one that everyone notices straight away between the S1 and S2 versions is the color.
Unfortunately, each Spectra only has a single color option, which does spark some controversy.
The S1 only comes in white and blue, while the S2 only comes in white and pink.
Not ideal if you’re looking for a breast pump that can easily match your nursery accessories.
If you feel bound by color, that small variation may have already made the decision for you.
One of the other main differences is chargeability.
The S1 has a rechargeable battery built-in, so it’s an excellent choice if you need your breast pump to be portable, while the S2 requires you to plug it into an outlet.
They may give it more functionality and power but isn’t the best if you’re on the go.
Overall, both the S1 and S2 versions are excellent choices for your first step into breastfeeding, but if you’re looking for some insider knowledge to make sure you’re absolutely making the right choice – let’s take an even closer look:
Spectra S1 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Portability – The S1 has a rechargeable battery and doesn’t need a power source to use it. The battery power can last for up to 3 hours of use from being fully charged. It’s a great idea if you travel a lot or if you need to express on a busy schedule.
Cons
- Blue Is For Boys – If you’re old-fashioned and consider color as part of your choice as you want all of the accessories in your home to match, then you’re out of luck if you have a baby girl, as the S1 only comes in blue.
- Chargeability – The S1 is an excellent choice if you need your breast pump to be portable. However, because it’s battery-powered, you’ll need to remember to take your charger with you if you’re going away for a longer period. Because the S2 needs a power source and has an attached cable, it’s not as flexible, but might be more reliable if you’re forgetful.
- Price – The S1 is slightly more expensive than the S2 at around $200, however, this is because it offers much more flexibility due to its battery-powered technology.
Spectra S2 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Insurance – Breast pumps are expensive – there are no two ways about it. For this reason, some mothers like to insure the breast pump, just like any other electrical item, so that you can get free repairs or replacements if something goes wrong.
The S2, being the newer Spectra version, is known to be much longer-lasting and is, therefore, much more insurable.
Lots of companies will fully insure the S2, but will only partially insure the S1, so if you’re on a budget, the S2 might seem like the more sensible choice.
- Suction – The S2 is slightly more powerful than the S1 simply because it’s the newer version of the technology, but also because it’s outlet operated. The S2 allows you to change the settings to boost the suction when it feels comfortable to you, meaning you can get a more efficient expressing session without it feeling too overwhelming.
- Size – Despite the issues with portability from the S2, it is very slightly smaller than the S1. It won’t help you when carrying it around, but it might save you a little space in storage in your home.
- Price – The S2 is around $159, so it’s the cheaper of the 2 versions possibly because of the lack of flexibility in this version in comparison to the battery-powered S1.
Cons
- Pink Is For Girls – Similar to the S1, the S2 only comes in pink, meaning it might look a little odd in your blue-decorated nursery if you have a boy.
- Portability – The S2 requires an outlet to plug into when you’re expressing. This means it’s really not the best choice if you plan to do it on a busy schedule, whilst doing the housework, or if you need to have a quick top-up of the milk while you’re out at work.
What Do The Spectra S1 & Spectra S2 Have In Common?
The S2 is simply the slightly newer version of the S1 and despite their differences, they do have a lot of similarities too.
For example, the majority of the parts for the S1 and S2 are the same, meaning that if you ever did get a fault, the repairs won’t be too difficult, and parts won’t be hard to find. They’re mostly interchangeable.
- Modes – Both versions have multiple modes to use that you can control throughout your expressing session. This means you can start steadily and build up to a stronger suction if necessary. This is an excellent option for new mothers while they get used to the sensation.
- Natural Feel – Both versions emit low vibrations, mimicking natural nursing, so even if you aren’t with your baby when you need to express milk, you won’t feel too much like you’re missing out.
- Timer – The S1 and S2 both have a timer function built in which helps you keep track of your expression. It also allows for a safety timer that will automatically switch off the pump after 30 minutes of use. If you’ve had a long day and happen to fall asleep while expressing, then there’s no danger to you because the machine will switch off by itself.
- Night Settings – Both Spectra variations pride themselves in being extremely quiet and both have a nightlight option. This allows for expressing during the night if you need an emergency supply and it means that you won’t wake your baby up in the process. Those precious few hours of sleep are so important.
So, Should You Get The Spectra S1 Or The Spectra S2?
When making your final decision, you should consider the two most important things; your budget and your intended usage.
If you’re on a budget and, let’s face it, a breast pump isn’t a cheap item to buy, then you can’t really afford to buy it twice.
You know that the S2 is fully insurable and cheaper to begin with, so this might be the most sensible option for you.
On the other hand, if you’re intending to use your breast pump while you’re out and about, then the S1 will undoubtedly be the better choice for you.
The S1 is much more portable, has a long-life battery charge, and can be used on vacation and at work.
Whichever version of the Spectra you decide to go for, you’re making a great choice as they are one of the highest-rated breast pumps on the market today.
Using a Spectra will make your baby happy and healthy while maintaining your schedule and giving you the natural nursing experience.