Take it from this mama- pumping is literally a full-time job! When you’re picking the right pump for your lifestyle, it’s so important to understand what each pump can offer because you’re going to be spending a LOT of quality time with your pump.

Between pumping, cleaning pump parts, and prepping to pump I spend a good 4-5 hours a day exclusively pumping for my little guy. I use a combination of pumps to help me be successful and I’m sharing with you what I wish I had known before I made some significant investments, both time and money, in breast pumps. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Spectra S1 Overview

The Spectra – S1 Plus Premier Rechargeable double breast pump is a portable hospital strength electric pump with adjustable suction levels and a convenient rechargeable battery. It can be used as either a single or double pump and easily switches between the two. Despite weighing only 3 pounds, it still offers a suction strength of up to 270 mmHg, a built-in night light, LCD screen, and battery. The milk and pump are separated by a physical back flow protector- ensuring a more hygienic pumping environment.

The Spectra S1 and Spectra S2 are essentially the same pump except for two main differences. The S1 is blue while the S2 is pink, and secondly, the S1 comes with a rechargeable battery whereas the S2 requires being plugged into a wall outlet for power. This makes the S1 superior to the S2 if you prefer a more portable but still powerful pump.

The Spectra S1 comes with two of each of the following items in the box:

• Bottles, with caps and nipples
• Back-flow protectors
• Pump tubing
• 24 mm flanges
• 28 mm flanges

The Spectra S1 comes fully equipped as a perfect starter pump for both first time moms and beyond.

Must Have Accessories

• Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags
• Maymom Flange Inserts – Be sure to accurately measure your nipples and splurge on a few sets of these! They can seriously increase your milk output and feel so much better than just the plastic flange alone.
• Pump and Diaper Travel Bag – You’re going to want to take this pump when you travel, and this bag makes it super cute and convenient.
• Replacement Duckbill Valves and Backflow Protectors – In order for your pump to continue working effectively, you need to regularly replace the white pump pieces that come with your Spectra. I usually keep one or two spare sets on hand. You can find the full Spectra accessories store here.

Pump Production Rating

The Spectra S1 is powerful and can be used as your only pump. It has multiple massage and pump settings you can use to more closely replicate actual breast feeding. The bottles hold over 5 ounces of milk and are generally sufficient for even my largest pumping sessions. Check out Pinterest for some Spectra pumping techniques to maintain or increase your own supply. You should feel “empty” after using your Spectra.

Noise Rating

The Spectra S1 is relatively quiet compared to other pumps. You can certainly pump at night without fear of waking up your partner or (Heaven forbid!) sleeping baby. Unless I have the pump base close by, people usually cannot hear the pump while I am on the phone (definitely a win for anyone working from home!). Once, someone asked about a strange sound like a frog on the line, but I just moved the pump base as far away as I could stretch it.

You can hear the Spectra pump sound here at level 7.

Travel Rating

This pump was made with portability in mind. I can do dishes, do my makeup, walk around, and fold laundry while pumping. It’s so convenient to have the option to stand up and pick up your phone across the room while pumping! I have also used this pump while on week-long traveling trips with absolutely no issues. The battery lasted for almost an entire week without charging for one of my trips while I was pumping several times a day.

Compared to a wearable pump, I would not recommend using this pump while you are driving. The bottles and tubing would definitely get in the way or steering and seems unsafe. However- this pump is awesome to use while you are being driven. In this situation, I wear a large shirt that hangs over the flanges and hides anything from view.

Technology Rating

I give this pump three stars mainly because of it’s battery capabilities and adjustable pump settings. The rechargeable battery makes it so easy to move around even in the comfort of my own home. I honestly put on my pumps in the morning and then have the freedom to go make a cup of coffee or do the dishes (huge win!). Obviously, it is not as convenient as a wearable and you have to carry the base around as you move, but it’s a huge step up from literally plugging into a wall outlet and sitting there for half an hour. After getting a taste of this freedom, it’s hard to go back to being stuck near an outlet.

The adjustable pump settings “allows comfortable suction levels that mimic the experience of natural breastfeeding as closely as possible” according to the manufacturer. The pump allows you to switch between massage and pump cycles and has 12 levels of vacuum power. I love that it displays a 30-minute countdown clock right on the face and even has a nightlight built into the handle. The Spectra S1 automatically stops after 30 minutes has passed.

While I give it some credit, there are no “fun” frills here. If you’re looking for a pump to connect to an app to keep track of your pumping schedule or your output, this may not be the pump for you.

Overall Rating

At the end of the day, if I could only have one pump, I would be choosing this one hands down. The Spectra S1 is one of the best pumps on the market and has a huge fan following because of it! It’s a versatile, powerful pump that you can use as your only pump or in combination with a wearable. It has all the benefits of the Spectra S2 without the need to be attached to a wall all the time. If this is the one pump you can purchase or you’re looking to add to your breast pump bench, the Spectra S1 is a phenomenal option.