REASONS TO BUY
Efficient
Comfortable
Built-in battery
User-friendly
Various settings
REASONS TO AVOID
Cost
Bulky
Multiple parts
Spectra S1 Plus Review
A high-quality, efficient breast pump that's hard to beat
The Spectra S1 Plus has a rechargeable battery with up to 3 hours of operation on one single charge.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Molly Bradac ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ March 11, 2025
Contributions From: Juliet Spurrier, MD
RELATED: The Best Breast Pumps of 2025
Our Verdict
Finally, a breast pump that delivers! We think the Spectra S1 Plus is a top-ranked breast pump that most moms will enjoy. It performs well compared to the competition and shines with remarkable efficiency, consistently delivering notable results in our tests. What's more, it has a user interface that's refreshingly easy to navigate and a range of valuable features. It also has a built-in battery, which we think adds convenience, especially when finding an outlet is challenging. Unfortunately, this pump has a higher price tag than some options. But considering that a pump is contributing to your child's nourishment, we think the Spectra S1 Plus is a sensible investment. It incorporates all the essential elements we expect in a breast pump and does so with excellence. We recommend it as a valuable addition to your baby gear.
Our Analysis and Test Results
What sets the Spectra brand apart is not just its pumps but also its ownership and management. It is proudly owned and run by moms who are also Registered Nurses and Certified Lactation Consultants.
We appreciate the design features the Spectra S1 Plus offers, such as the built-in bottle holder, which adds a nice touch of convenience for users during pumping sessions.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Efficiency
The effectiveness of a breast pump significantly impacts the ability to express milk quickly. The S1 Plus delivered consistent results in our tests, outperforming the others. The positive feedback we received from our lactating testers reinforced our in-lab findings.
The S1 Plus yields the same quantity of milk from the Emulait bottle but within a shorter timeframe than most competitors. It maintained a strong and consistent latch during our testing, pumping at a rate of 0.55 oz of milk per minute. This resulted in 5.5 oz after 10 minutes. Other competitors needed more time, with some taking as long as 20 minutes to reach this amount. The S1's efficiency may be a good fit for moms wanting to get through pumping sessions quickly while maintaining output. As one tester stated, “I am so happy to be done, and this option made that happen a lot quicker than other pumps.”
The Spectra S1 Plus is a popular choice among breast pump users, and we understand why. In our tests, it generated a strong suction, and it consistently and efficiently expressed milk.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Also, our pressure gauge readings matched the manufacturer's claim of 270 mmHg, and this positively impacted the S1's score in this metric. We believe this match matters because it makes users more confident about the pump's performance, increasing the chances that it will deliver consistent and successful milk expression.
Comfort
This metric takes into account factors that we believe increase the likelihood of comfort for a mom. These include the available flange sizes and materials and the pump's ability to offer a diverse variety of settings to accommodate moms' varied needs and pumping preferences.
While testing, the S1 Plus emerged with flying colors. It caused no pain during pumping or any soreness afterward, and the positive feedback from our testers regarding comfort suggests that this pump has the potential to support breastfeeding moms in maintaining their pumping routine.
This pump is equipped with plastic flanges in 24mm and 28mm, and the manufacturer offers additional sizes (20mm and 32mm). The S1 Plus offers a wide range of settings to customize your pumping sessions. Both massage and expression modes have multiple options and a range of vacuum power levels to select from, including an impressive 12 power levels in expression mode.
The user-friendly interface on the Spectra S1 Plus provides information like suction level, cycle speed, timer, and more. The built-in nightlight adds better visibility during late-night or early-morning pumping.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
A user-friendly pump can be a game-changer for pumping moms, especially when time is of the essence. Nobody wants to fumble through complicated settings while juggling a busy day. Compared to the competition, the S1 Plus is straightforward to set up and use.
Navigating the S1 Plus is easy, especially with its user-friendly manual. It's a breeze to set up; just plug in or use the built-in, rechargeable battery. It also features a built-in night light and bottle holder for added convenience. The digital display, while easy to read, lacks a backlight, making it hard to read in the dark. The screen displays information like cycle and suction settings, along with pumping duration. This pump is designed to turn off automatically after 30 minutes and remember your current settings for your next pumping session.
The measurement markings on the Spectra S1 Plus bottle aren't as visible as other contenders, but we don't consider this a deal-breaker.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The pump's screen doesn't have a backlight, which can be a bit challenging to read in the dark, but it's perfectly fine in well-lit rooms. You can also adjust the night light to off, low, or high settings. The pump has a comfortable handle on top for easy lifting, carrying, and positioning on a table. It also comes with a built-in bottle holder for added convenience.
Weighing 2.9 lbs, the Spectra S1 Plus is heavier than most contenders. It does include a handle to make it easier to carry and a built-in night light.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability
The inclusion of a built-in rechargeable battery benefits the Spectra's portability, and it can operate for up to 3 hours on a single charge. However, compared to others, it's bulky and large. Weighing 2.9 lbs, it's heavier than most.
Compared to others, the Spectra S1 Plus is quieter for an electric pump. It produces sounds more like a gentle whisper, and we don't find them disruptive. If someone is particularly sensitive to noise or is a very light sleeper, it's possible that it may wake them. But overall, we think it's relatively quiet for a powerful pump.
The Spectra S1 Plus has several parts to clean. It's also essential that all parts are thoroughly rinsed and dried before reassembling.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Hygiene
The process can require more effort with multiple parts that require cleaning and assembly. This keeps the Spectra S1 Plus from scoring higher, but it has a closed system, and that's a bonus.
This pump has “backflow hygienic protectors” designed to prevent the buildup of condensation in the tubing. This provides users with peace of mind as condensation can potentially become a breeding ground for microbes. While there are eight individual pump parts, which may sound like a lot, they are easy to take apart, clean, and dry. We noticed that a standard bottle brush gets the job done, making the post-pumping routine easy to manage for busy moms.
Should You Buy the Spectra S1 Plus?
There isn't much to dislike about this pump, and for many pumping moms, the Spectra S1 Plus is their ride-or-die. Honestly, we totally get it. It has a solid performance across the board, plus impressive efficiency results in our tests. Also, it's battery-powered, allowing you to feel less trapped when pumping. We appreciate its user-friendly interface, range of pump strength levels and speeds, and handy features, like a night light. So, if you're looking for the absolute best possible breast pump, this is it. We think you will appreciate it again and again.
The Spectra S1 Plus offers a personalized pumping experience with various settings. Though it requires more effort for cleaning and assembly due to multiple parts, it's valued for its efficient milk expression and comfort.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
What Other Breast Pumps Should You Consider?
The Spectra S2 Plus is significantly cheaper than the S1 Plus, and if you don't need a battery pack, it's an appealing choice for those looking to save some money and want the proven efficiency and quality of a Spectra pump. While it didn't score quite as well as the S1, it is still one of the best in the group, and the price is tough to beat for what you get. The Baby Buddha is a competitive option for moms seeking affordability and portability. It's lighter and more compact than the S1 Plus, and it can be worn in a pumping bra, offering more freedom of movement around the house while pumping.
Manufacturer Video
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