Spectra Breast Pumps: Which is best for you?

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.

 

	Spectra S2	Spectra S1	Spectra S9+	Spectra M1
Price	S$348	S$398	S$318	S$248
Weight of motor	0.99kg	1.12kg	297g	297g
Colour	Pale pink	Pale blue	White	Pale blue
Made in	Korea	Korea	Korea	Korea
Grade	Hospital grade	Hospital grade	Personal use	Personal use
Power	Mains only	Built-in rechargeable lithium batteries or Mains	Built-in rechargeable lithium batteries or Mains	Built-in rechargeable lithium batteries or Mains
Vacuum strength	300mmHg	300mmHg	300mmHg	300mmHg
Timer	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Nightlight	Yes	Yes	No	No
BPA free	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Massage mode for letdown	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Double pumping	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Flange sizes available	24mm, 28mm, 32mm or use silicon insert for snugger fit	24mm, 28mm, 32mm or use silicon insert for snugger fit	24mm, 28mm, 32mm or use silicon insert for snugger fit	24mm, 28mm, 32mm or use silicon insert for snugger fit
Cycle speed	5 speed cycles between 38 to 54 rpm, 12 levels of suction	5 speed cycles between 38 to 54 rpm, 12 levels of suction	5 speed levels, 10 levels of suction	5 speed levels, 5 levels of suction
Closed system	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Adjustable speed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Breast shield	Comes with two sets of 28mm wide neck breast shield	Comes with two sets of 28mm wide neck breast shield	Comes with two sets of 28mm wide neck breast shield	Comes with two sets of 28mm wide neck breast shield
Package includes	1x Motor pump unit, 2x breast shields, 2x bottles without teat, 2x white valves, 2x backflow protectors and 2x tubings	1x Motor pump unit, 2x breast shields, 2x bottles without teat, 2x white valves, 2x backflow protectors and 2x tubings	1x Motor pump unit, 2x breast shields, 2x bottles without teat, 2x white valves, 2x backflow protectors and 2x tubings	1x Motor pump unit, 2x breast shields, 2x bottles without teat, 2x white valves, 2x backflow protectors and 2x tubings
Local warranty	One year warranty starting from baby birth date or the day order was fulfilled, whichever is later.	One year warranty starting from baby birth date or the day order was fulfilled, whichever is later.	One year warranty starting from baby birth date or the day order was fulfilled, whichever is later.	One year warranty starting from baby birth date or the day order was fulfilled, whichever is later.
Purchase Now:	Buy Spectra S2	Buy Spectra S1	Buy Spectra S9+	Buy Spectra M1