Spectra S2 Plus Review

After debuting products in the UK and Australia, Spectra began selling its pumps in the US. It is owned and managed by moms who also hold the Registered Nurse and Certified Lactation Consultant title.

Efficiency

While the Spectra S2 Plus shares many similarities with the Spectra S1 Plus, it falls slightly short in efficiency. It averaged a pumping rate of 0.28 oz of milk per minute, resulting in 5.50 oz during a 20-minute pumping session. The S1 Plus achieved the same amount of milk in a shorter period. The pressure gauge reading on the Spectra S2 Plus matched the manufacturer's claim of 270 mmHg.

Unfortunately, the tubing connection feels flimsy and finicky. While we didn't observe any air leaks or disruptions to the pumping process, the tubing's quality is lacking. Also, it took multiple adjustments to find the right angle for optimal suction, which can hinder pumping, potentially impacting efficiency.

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Comfort

The Spectra S2 Plus has plastic flanges, which aren't as comfortable as silicone, but it does come with two flange sizes: 24 mm and 28 mm. Unfortunately, the user manual doesn't mention anything about correct flange fitting, so you may need to ask a medical professional for assistance.

The pump offers the same modes and settings as the S1 Plus, providing multiple suction strengths and cycle speeds to help you find the most comfortable setting. The massage mode is locked at 70 CPM and has five different power levels. The expression mode has five different speed options and 12 different power levels.

Ease of Use

If you're new to breast pumps, assembling and understanding how to use this pump and its parts might take a little work. But the user manual is helpful, and once you figure out the buttons, it's smooth sailing.

This pump has some cool stuff, like a built-in bottle holder, night light, and carry handle. Unfortunately, the display screen doesn't light up, so it's hard to see in the dark, but the night light illuminates the buttons.

Adjusting the settings is easy, and you can select the power level you like without cycling through every power level. The S2 Plus remembers your settings automatically and will shut off after 30 minutes.

The valve blocker is tricky to deal with when switching the pump from single to double pumping. You will need tweezers or something similar to help place or remove this part.

Portability

The S2 Plus shares many similarities with its sibling, including size and shape. However, the S2 Plus doesn't feature a built-in rechargeable battery, so it must always be plugged into an electrical outlet for operation. This feature makes it less suitable for on-the-go use.

The Spectra S2 Plus is a little lighter than its sibling, weighing 2.7 lbs. However, it still remains relatively heavy and bulky compared to other contenders, suggesting it might be better suited as a stationary pump. At the highest suction level, it has a sound level of 44 dB. It produces a low-pitched sound, similar to a purring cat, with a subtle click at the end of the suction motion.

Hygiene

This pump features a closed system design, meaning a barrier exists between the breast milk and the pump's motor. We prefer this design over open systems as it helps maintain hygiene and prevents milk from flowing into the pump's tubing.

Cleaning the S2 Plus is relatively simple, but it does require managing eight parts. A standard bottle brush is effective for this job. While some contenders have dishwasher-safe parts, the S2 Plus does not. This means you'll need to always plan on hand-washing the parts.

Should You Buy the Spectra S2 Plus?

The Spectra S2 Plus is a solid breast pump with a lot going for it, and it costs significantly less than its sibling. While it's not a top performer for efficiency, it's certainly held its own in testing, and we can see why some moms would be compelled by its overall performance. If you have access to a wall outlet and don't need a battery component, this option might work well for you. If you're on a tight budget and the Spectra brand is your preference, the S2 Plus stands out as a commendable option with its balance of performance and affordability.

What Other Breast Pumps Should You Consider?

If you're willing to stretch your budget, we highly recommend the Spectra S1 Plus for its unbeatable performance. This impressive pump has a rechargeable battery, making it more portable, and it demonstrated impressive efficiency results in our tests, expressing milk quicker than most of the competition. If you want to save more money or want something more portable, consider the Baby Buddha. Compared to the competition, this is an excellent pump from our breast pump review that ranks higher than most and offers a nice balance between portability, efficiency, and affordability.

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