Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S1

Trying to decide between Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S1 breast pumps that can deliver an efficient performance, even with low milk production?

Then check out our Medela Symphony breast pump vs Spectra s1 comparison guide, to learn more about what both pumps have to offer.

Moms have come to rely on breast pumps to keep up consistent milk production, no matter how busy life can get. For moms producing less milk than standard, a breast pump can be crucial for ensuring babies have consistent access to breast milk.

The Medela Symphony and Spectra S1 are both powerful pumps, and popular with moms looking to pump regularly. The Medela Symphony is often seen in healthcare settings, while the Spectra S1 is more popular at-home.

If you’re looking for efficiency and consistent milk production, then Medela Symphony and Spectra S1 are two excellent choices, but which one is right for you?

We’ve taken a close look at exactly what each breast pump has to offer, including features, pros, and cons, to help you choose the best pump for you.

And if you love our Spectra s1 vs Symphony guide, then you love these guides on best pumping bras for Spectra, Spectra S1 vs S2 vs S9, Motif Luna vs Spectra S1 Breast Pump, and Spectra S1 vs Medela. Or even our Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S2 review!

This post contains affiliate links. See our full disclosure here

Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S1

We’ll begin by looking closely at the features of each pump.

All About Medela Symphony

The Medela Symphony is a hospital-grade, multi-user breast pump. It’s designed to help new moms start expressing, and to build and maintain high levels of milk supply.

The Medela Symphony is known for a powerful and intuitive suction, developed from years of researching how babies feed. This pump can help moms with low milk levels express as much milk as possible, and to maintain these high levels after the initiation phase.

The Medela Symphony is often found in hospitals and healthcare settings, and so it lacks many of the convenient features you’d expect from a traditional pump. Where the Medela Symphony shines is in its performance — which is why it’s so expensive.

Pros

• A powerful pump that can help even moms with low milk to express fully.
• The Medela Symphony works quickly, helping you to pump more milk in a shorter time period.
• Easy to use, the Medela Symphony has simple functions, so you can let it get to work.
• The Medela Symphony can help initiate milk production, to increase milk production soon after birth.
• As well as initiation, the Symphony has a maintenance phase, to keep a steady supply.

Cons

• The Symphony is big, heavy, and cumbersome.
• Incredibly expensive to buy, most prefer to rent the Medela Symphony for a short time period.

All About Spectra S1

The Spectra S1 is designed to combine a powerful breast pump with a portable breast pump.

Offering strong and adjustable suction from a (relatively) compact package, the Spectra S1 is a popular choice among new moms looking for a premium breast pump performance.

The Spectra S1 is an all-rounder. It’s small enough to be compact, but large enough to deliver on power. The built-in carry handle makes it easier to travel with the S1, while the included night light is convenient for use around the home.

For moms with a lower level of milk, the Spectra S1 does a decent job at suction, but expect it to take longer to get everything out. However, the multiple levels and modes allow you to create a comfortable and more efficient suction.

Pros

• With a maximum suction strength of 270mmHg, the Spectra S1 is a powerful pump.
• A rechargeable battery and carry handle adds portability to the Spectra S1.
• 2 modes and 12 suction levels allow for an adjustable performance.
• A built-in night light, so you can use the pump easily in the dark.
• Easy to control, even first-time moms will quickly learn their way around the pump.

Cons

• By trying to blend portability and power, there’s some sacrifice on either end.
• The Spectra S1 is an expensive home-use pump.

Similarities And Differences Between Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S1

In this section, we’ll explore the differences between the Medela Symphony and Spectra S1, to help you choose the right breast pump.

Suction Power

The Medela Symphony offers one of the most powerful suctions on the market. This is a hospital-grade pump, and it’s frequently used by moms looking to initiate their breast milk supply.

With the Medela Symphony, moms can initiate their breast milk, build the supply, and then maintain the supply. If you have low milk, then the Medela Symphony is an excellent choice.

It can help you provide a breast milk-only diet (or breast milk-majority diet) even when breastfeeding directly isn’t possible. The Spectra S1 isn’t quite as powerful as the Medela Symphony, but it’s still pretty good.

If you have a low milk level, the Spectra S1 can still help you express it all, it just might take a little longer. For a breast pump primarily designed for use at home, the Spectra S1 does deliver on power.

Portability

The Medela Symphony is built like a tank. It weighs about 7 pounds, and although it has a convenient carry handle, you won’t want to move around with it. There’s a lot of tubing, and the entire thing is bright yellow.

For pumping on the go, the Medela Symphony is no good. The Spectra S1 is more portable than the Medela Symphony, but this is a low bar to cross. It weighs about 3 lbs, and has a useful handle for carrying.

And with a 3-hour + battery life, the Spectra S1 can last for a while outside the home. The Spectra S1 isn’t ideal for portability. Some portable breast pumps weigh less than a pound, and can fit in the palm of your hand.

However, it is good if you want powerful suction in a compact package. Many portable breast pumps lack efficiency, but the Spectra S1 is a comfortable blend of the two.

Levels And Modes

The Medela Symphony is carefully constructed with 2-phase expression technology to get as much milk as possible, as efficiently as possible.

Designed to mimic the natural feeding of your little one as closely as possible, the Medela Symphony has both an Initiate phase, and a Maintain phase. These phases are designed to suit where you are in your lactation journey.

There’s also a “let-down” button, which interrupts stimulation and brings you straight to expression. You can alter the settings of the Medela Symphony, but not by much.

This is a breast pump that prefers to take control out of your hands, so you can sit back and relax. There are advantages and disadvantages to this strategy. Some parents will love the ease, while others will miss the control.

The Spectra S1 offers two modes, massage and expression, and 12 vacuum levels. This gives you a chance to tailor the experience to suit your needs.

Price

The Medela Symphony is an expensive breast pump — we’re talking a couple of thousand dollars. For most moms, this is not going to be within the budget. However, Medela offers the Symphony as part of their rental program.

This is a fraction of the price, and you can adjust the rental dates to suit your needs. Be aware, even for a monthly rental, this is still an expensive pump.

You may prefer using the Medela Symphony for the first few months of feeding, before switching to a lighter pump. The Spectra S1 isn’t a cheap breast pump, but it’s significantly cheaper than the Medela Symphony.

Purchasing the Spectra S1 outright is cheaper than renting the Medela Symphony for just 3 months. It might not be a budget option, but it is more budget-friendly than the Medela Symphony.

Ease Of Use

The Medela Symphony is relatively easy to use, but it isn’t necessarily built for simplicity. Because it’s frequently used in healthcare settings, it doesn’t have the “at-home” features you might expect from other, more portable pumps.

The Spectra S1, on the other hand, is built with plenty of handy features for busy moms. The LCD screen offers easy to read settings, including the timer, so you can keep track of your pump.

The built-in nightlight allows you to comfortably use the Spectra S1 at night, without disturbing anyone. And it’s super quiet, so you can pump discreetly. Overall, the Spectra S1 is the easier to use pump.

If you purchase a breastfeeding bra, it can even be used hands-free. The Medela Symphony isn’t exactly difficult to use, but it lacks the convenient features of other breast pumps.

Final Thoughts On Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S1

Medela Symphony and Spectra S1 are both powerful breast pumps for moms who want to pump frequently. The Medela Symphony is incredibly strong, and can help moms with low milk to pump more.

A hospital-grade pump, the Symphony supports new moms with initiating milk production, and then building milk production. But the Medela Symphony is expensive, and most parents will have to rent rather than buy.

The Spectra S1 isn’t quite as powerful as the Medela Symphony, but it delivers strong suction from a portable package. Relatively expensive, moms love the premium performance of the Spectra S1.

The Medela Symphony is undoubtedly a high performer, but the large expense means only moms with low milk should really consider this option. For most parents, the Spectra S1 will do enough, especially if you are looking for a pump that you can take on the go.

We hope this guide has helped you understand the benefits of both pumps!

And if you’re looking for more great guides, make sure to check out these guides on best breast pumps for twins, best breast pumps for low milk supply, and best portable breast pumps for travel. Or even our guides on the best lactation supplements and best breastmilk storage bags.