Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S2

Trying to decide between Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S2 powerful breast pumps that will provide fast and efficient pumping, even with regular use?

Then check out our Medela Symphony breast pump vs Spectra s2 comparison guide, to learn more about what both brands have to offer.

When it comes to choosing a breast pump, you want to know the brand you pick is going to perform.

A bad, weak breast pump will feel uncomfortable, and leave you waiting for ages for barely a spoonful of milk. This is a particular concern if you want to pump frequently, or have low milk.

In these situations, a good breast pump can completely transform your experience. Which is why you might turn to Medela or Spectra, two of the biggest names in breast pumps.

The Medela Symphony and Spectra S2 are both known for a high powered performance, But which is right for you?

in this guide, we’ve taken a deep dive into the Elvie Pump vs Freemie, including their features, pro, and cons so you can easily decide which is the right breast pump for you!

And if you love our Spectra s2 breast pump vs Medela Symphony guide, then you love these guide on Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S1. Or even our guides on how to power pump with Spectra S2, best pumping bras for Spectra, Medela Pump In Style vs Spectra S2, and Medela vs Spectra S2.

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Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S2

Let’s start by taking a look at both the Medela Symphony and the Spectra S2.

All About Medela Symphony

The Medela Symphony is a powerful pump often used by moms with low milk production. Hospital-grade and multi-user, the Symphony offers an Initiation stage to increase breast milk production, and a Maintain stage to build on this level.

The Medela Symphony is frequently used in healthcare settings, and the sturdy and durable design offers few benefits for around the home. Heavy and clunky, the Symphony is not portable, and the lack of a screen can be frustrating.

However, that really isn’t what the Medela Symphony is designed for. It’s been created to provide a powerful suction for moms looking for consistent milk production. At this, it performs incredibly well.

In fact, the Symphony helps initiate and maintain milk supply with Medela’s patented, research-based 2-Phase Expression Technology, designed to closely mimic a baby’s natural nursing rhythms and is proven to express 18% more breast milk when double pumping.

It is also whisper-quiet to ensure discretion during late night or early morning pumping.

Pros

• The powerful suction can help even moms with low milk improve their production.
• The expression technology has been designed to mimic babies feeding, for a comfortable, more efficient pump.
• With a simple design, the Medela Symphony is easy to use.
• If you’re struggling to produce milk after giving birth, the Medela Symphony can help get things started.
• Can be used for single or double pumping.

Cons

• Bulky and heavy, the Medela Symphony is not a portable pump.
• Very expensive to buy, and even the rental service is pricey.

All About Spectra S2

The Spectra S2 is a popular choice among moms who want to pump frequently. The powerful pump can help with consistent milk production, and the various modes and levels help create an efficient pump.

The Spectra S2 offers hospital grade suction from a personal pump design. While it isn’t the most portable pump, the lightweight and compact build is decent for traveling, and comfortable to use around the home.

Features such as a night light and LCD screen add exceptional convenience. Blending personal convenience with hospital suction power, the Spectra S2 is a premium model that supports regular pumping.

It doesn’t have the power of the Medela Symphony, nor the portability of other personal pumps, but it does have an impressive blend of the two.

Pros

• At 270mmHg, this pump has hospital strength suction.
• 2 modes and 12 levels allow you to create a comfortable and efficient pump.
• A built-in night light and low noise level allows for discreet pumping, even in the dark.
• A clear screen to easily monitor settings and timings.
• Quiet, and with a built-in handle, the Spectra S2 is reasonably portable.

Cons

• Without a rechargeable battery, the Spectra S2 can’t be used on the go.
• The Spectra S2 is powerful, but it lacks the strength of the Medela Symphony.

Similarities And Differences Between Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S2

There are some similarities between the Medela Symphony and the Spectra S2, but it’s the differences where these pumps set themselves apart. Read on to learn more.

Suction Power

The Medela Symphony is a hospital-grade, multi-user breast pump, known for offering a powerful suction to initiate and maintain milk production.

The Symphony is often used by moms with low milk levels, to help them consistently produce more milk, and to maintain milk production.

The Medela Symphony is all about this power, with 2-phase expression technology designed to mimic the natural suction of babies. Many moms who otherwise struggle to produce milk have found that the Symphony helps them efficiently pump.

It’s often used in healthcare settings, but moms at home have also turned to the Medela Symphony. The Spectra S2 isn’t quite as powerful as the Medela Symphony, but it’s still got a lot of strength in the suction.

It’s hospital strength at 270 mmHg, for efficient pumping sessions. The Spectra S2 can still help moms produce more milk, but not with the speed you get from the Medela Symphony. But for a personal breast pump, there’s good power behind it.

Portability

If you have the Medela Symphony, you’re not going to be taking it anywhere. This is a heavy piece of machinery, weighing more than 7 pounds. Despite the built-in carry handle, this isn’t a great pump for use on the go.

Add in the tubes and cables, and you’ll be best off using the Symphony sat in one place. The Spectra S2 isn’t very portable, either. This is an electric breast pump (unlike the battery powered S1) and requires a cable connection to work.

But it is small, weighing just 2.5 pounds, and relatively compact. The Spectra S2 is more portable than the Medela Symphony, but that isn’t saying very much. However, if you want a powerful pump for frequent use that isn’t a pain to travel with, try the S2.

Levels And Modes

The Medela Symphony offers minimal adjustment options, preferring to let the pump itself do the work for you. A few changes here and there can ensure the Symphony is comfortable, but for the most part, you just have to let the pump get on with it.

The Spectra S2 offers the user more control. It comes with two modes, massage and expression, with adjustable vacuum settings up to L12. You can change and adjust the suction level until it feels right for you.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both styles. Being able to control the setting can improve efficiency, but frequent adjustments can become frustrating.

While a lack of control does mean you can sit back and relax, there’s little you can do if the pump doesn’t feel right.

Price

Very few parents choose to buy the Medela Symphony. This breast pump is designed for use in healthcare settings, and it’s very expensive to buy new.

Instead, many parents prefer to rent the Medela Symphony. The rental system allows you to access the Medela Symphony for a fraction of the original price, although the monthly rental is still an expensive service.

However, if you rent, you can use the Symphony for the first few months to initiate milk production, before switching to a cheaper model. The Spectra S2 is much cheaper than the Medela Symphony, but it’s still an expensive breast pump.

But it does provide hospital level suction, and if you pump frequently, the powerful design of the S2 might be worth the added cost.

Ease Of Use

The Spectra S2 is designed to be used at home, and it comes with many handy features to make pumping easier. For a start, it weighs just 2.5 pounds, and the handle allows you to move it around the home.

The Spectra S2 has an LCD screen, so you can keep an eye on the settings, and check the timings at a glance. It’s easy to lose track of the time as you pump, so this is a really handy feature. We also appreciate that the S2 comes with a night light.

If you need to pump in the dark, the gentle glow means you won’t wake a sleeping baby while you fiddle with bottles and flanges. It’s quiet, too, with just a gentle hum when the pump is in use.

Overall, the Spectra S2 is an intuitive design that you can quickly figure out, with additional features designed for convenience when at home. The Medela Symphony is also easy to use, but that’s because it has simplicity, rather than convenience.

There are no added extras, not even a timer, and just a few buttons and dials. You can quickly figure out how to use the Medela Symphony, but there’s nothing else to make it better at home.

Battery

Both the Medela Symphony and the Spectra S2 are electric breast pumps, and they don’t include a battery.

Final Thoughts On Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S2

For moms with low milk production, or who plan on pumping frequently, the Medela Symphony and Spectra 2 both offer advantages. The Medela Symphony is all about power.

It’s a hospital-grade pump with strong suction and clever expression technology. Expensive and clunky, the Medela Symphony is best for moms who are struggling with low milk, or need to maximize milk production.

The Spectra S2 doesn’t have the power of the Medela Symphony, but it is still a strong performer. If you’re looking for a strong personal pump, the Spectra S2 is much more affordable than the Medela Symphony.

We hope this guide will help you find a breast pump that will deliver the performance you need.

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.