Medela Vs Spectra S2

Are you trying to decide between Medela vs Spectra s2?

Then let us help you decide which is the best Spectra pump for you and your baby: Medela or Spectra s2!

Whether you’re an expecting mother or have already had your baby, it can be tricky to know which breast pump to opt for especially with so many on the market.

Two you may have come by is Spectra 2 vs Medela.

But which one is better for you?

If you’re trying to decide between the Medela and the Spectra S2 breast pumps, you’re in the right place.

In this article, we will compare the Medela and Spectra S2 breast pumps. So, when it comes to choosing your breast pump, you can feel confident in your decision-making no matter which breast pump you go for!

And if you love this Medela Pump In Style vs Spectra s2 breast pump comparisons guide, make sure to check out our guides on best pumping bra for Spectra, how to power pump with Spectra s2, and Spectra S1 vs Medela. Or even our Medela Symphony Vs Spectra S2 review!

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Medela vs Spectra s2

Let’s dive in and take a look what is the difference between Spectra s2 and Medela.

All About Medela 

There are a variety of Medela breast pumps, but today we’re going to be reviewing the Medela Freestyle Flex.

The Medela Freestyle Flex is an electric breast pump that is designed to fit all shapes and sizes of breasts. 

With a built-in rechargeable battery, you can express absolutely anywhere with this pump entirely hands-free!

The battery life lasts a whopping 2 hours, so you can rest assured when you’re out and about and have the sudden need to pump discreetly.

The Medela Freestyle Flex breast pump is incredibly lightweight, weighing only 1lbs. This makes it super convenient to pop into your bag and travel around with.

It also means that if you want to be pumping whilst you’re doing chores, you don’t have to lug around a heavy pump.

This breast pump is for daily use for women who consistently pump throughout the day. This is made super easy thanks to its patented 2-Phase Expression Technology which produces more milk in less time.

The Medela Freestyle Flex breast pump includes 2 sizes of PersonalFit Flex breast shields with a super soft rim  to make the pumping experience as comfortable as possible.

With a modern design and an easy to use digital display, The Freestyle Flex also features back lighting for when you’re pumping at night. 

This pump conveniently connects to the free Medela Family app, which allows you to track your pumping progress.

A downside to this breast pump is that a few women claim that the suction begins to reduce after only a few months of use.

You may also like our Medela Freestyle Flex vs Pump In Style review!

All About Spectra S2

The Spectra S2 is an electric breast pump designed to support women throughout their breastfeeding journey.

This breast pump allows you to adjust the settings to suit your needs with adjustable suction levels alongside two modes: Expression and Massage.

It can be used as a single electric breast pump or a double electric breast pump depending on your pumping preferences. 

The backflow protector is designed to protect your breastmilk from harmful bacteria.

The Spectrum S2 is quiet and discreet for soothing pumping, and only weighs 3 lbs, making it ideal to carry in your luggage when traveling.

With the ultra-quiet motor that operates at 45 decibels, you can pump in quiet without disturbing your little one whilst they sleep.

In addition to this, you can also pump in public discreetly; it’s that quiet!

The Spectra S2  breast pump has a built-in LED nightlight with 2 lighting levels. Which is useful when you’re pumping in the dark.

The auto-timer and display also offers you visibility and precision to know exactly how long your pumping sessions are and how long you’ve got left.

The downside to this pump is that you are limited by the fact that it has to be plugged into a power outlet to use it.

Medela or Spectra s2

Now you’ve got a better understanding of these breast pumps individually, let’s compare some of the key product features.

Portability 

Both the Medela Freestyle Flex and Spectra S2 breast pumps are both super easy to carry wherever you go meaning that you can pump on the go!

However, if you’re looking for a breast pump that you can use without being plugged in, then the Medela Freestyle Flex might be better suited for you.

This comes down to the fact that you have to use the Spectra S2 breast pump whilst it is plugged into a power outlet, somewhat constricting you when you’re out and about.

Performance & Adjustable Settings

Both of these breast pumps perform well, but which offers the best performance and adjustable settings?

Both the Medela Freestyle Flex and the Spectra S2 breast pump have adjustable settings or pumping modes, to meet your suction and pumping speed requirements.

You have the option to adjust these breast pumps from level 1 to level 9. However, the Medela pump unfortunately doesn’t have adjustable speed settings.

The Medela Freestyle Flex breast pump is designed for an active lifestyle, with no compromise on pumping performance. The 2-Phase Expression Technology it comes with produces more milk in less time.

However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t mixed reviews. While some women claim that they can achieve over 200ml milk in just 15 minutes using this Medela pump, others complain that the suction reduces after a few months of use.

On the other hand, the Spectra S2 breast pump offers Massage and Expression modes.

When it comes to using the Massage mode, the pump can be adjusted from level 1 through to level 5. Expression mode, on the other hand, can be adjusted from level 1 to level 12.

Ease Of Use

Breast pumps can be overwhelming when you first get them out of the box, especially when you’re a first-time mother.

Both the Medela Freestyle Flex and Spectra S2 breast pumps are praised for being easy to use and are considered user friendly. 

If you’re looking for an easy breast pump that you can use on the go whilst traveling, then many women prefer the Medela Freestyle Flex breast pump over the Spectrum S2, as you don’t require a power outlet!

Battery

As I’ve mentioned above, a primary difference between these pumps is the fact that the Medela Freestyle Flex comes with a rechargeable battery.

This is particularly useful when you’re pumping on the go, whether you’re traveling or simply doing chores around the house whilst pumping.

However, the breast pump will require a minimum of 2 hours of charge before you can use it.

On the other hand, the Spectra S2 breast pump doesn’t have a rechargeable battery. As a result, you will be confined to one spot when you are using this breast pump, as it needs to be plugged into a power outlet at all times to work.

Hospital Grade 

Hospital-grade pumps are generally seen as more powerful and effective at getting milk out than many personal-use pumps.

The Spectra S2 breast pump is widely accepted as a hospital-grade breast pump, while the Medela Freestyle Flex isn’t.

Price 

The cost of these breast pumps depends on where you purchase them from, however the Spectra S2 is much cheaper over the Medela Freestyle Flex.

As a result, if you’re on a tighter budget, then the Spectra S2 is the better choice in terms of price alone.

However, you often get what you pay for when you buy a breast pump, and it’s important to opt for a long-term investment that you can use for years to come.

If you plan on having more children in the future, this could sway your mind when making your choice.

If you’re not too worried about a product that has been opened before, you can also buy Medela Freestyle Flex open box options from certain retailers at a significantly cheaper price. 

Noise Levels

When you’re a new mother, pumping in public can be a daunting prospect.

However, both of these breast pumps have quiet motors, with each brand comparing them to the level of sound you’d expect in a library, or muffled conversation.

As a result, you can pump in confidence and discreetly with either of these breast pumps, giving new mothers the confidence to pump in public!

In addition to this, neither the Spectra S2 nor The Medela pump is so loud that you will wake your sleeping baby as they nap throughout the day or during the night.

Warranty 

Both of these breast pumps are big investments, so it’s natural you’d want to compare their warranties.

Warranties are important to ensure that you’re covered if something happens to your breast pump.

The warranty for the Medela Freestyle Flex is one year, whereas the Spectra S2 offers two years.

That being said, this will depend on the manufacturer that you purchase your breast pump from, so make sure that you’re purchasing it from a legitimate seller.

Which Pump Is Best: Spectra s2 or Medela

Which pump you opt for will depend on your needs and personal preferences.

If you’ve got the budget for the Medela Freestyle Flex breast pump, there are significant benefits to having a portable breast pump with a rechargeable battery.

That being said, if you don’t mind being limited by the need for a power outlet and you’re on a stricter budget, then the Spectra S2 is a much more affordable option.

Final Thoughts on Spectra s2 vs Medela Freestyle

So, those are all the similarities and differences between the Medela Freestyle Flex vs Spectra s2 – but which one is the better product?

Well that really does depend if you need a portable breast pump or not.

Whilst the Medela is a great portable pump, it comes with a much larger price tag.

Thus we had to choose between the Medela vs s2 we would choose the Spectra s2 for the lower price.

We hope this guide on Spectra 2 vs Medela has helped you decide which pump will best suit your needs.

And if you’re looking for more great guides, make sure to check out these guides on Lansinoh Smartpump 2.0 vs Spectra S2, Spectra S1 vs S2, best mini fridge for breast milk, and best bottles for breastfed babies.