The Spectra S1 Vs The Spectra Dual Compact – Which Pump is Right For Me?
Last Updated: 2 February 2025
Decisions, decisions. If you are considering breastfeeding, heading back to work, or exclusively pumping, you’ve likely heard of Spectra. Spectra is a Korean brand popularised in the USA for its strong, steady, lactation consultant-approved pumps. At the center of their range is the Spectra S1, which has won multiple awards, including The Best Breast Pump in the 2023 & 2024 Mom-Must Have Awards. It’s no wonder these pumps have become cult classics among exclusive pumpers!
In late 2023, Spectra South Africa introduced a new, tiny but mighty pump—the Spectra Dual Compact. The Dual Compact is the little cousin of the Spectra S1. While it’s new and hasn’t built the same reputation yet, don’t underestimate its capabilities.
Price
Both the Spectra S1 and the Spectra Dual Compact are priced similarly, at R3899 and R3999, respectively. This makes them competitive in comparison to other pumps on the market. For the reliability, power, and trusted reputation that come with the Spectra brand, these prices are generally considered reasonable.
Both Spectra pumps come with a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty, ensuring peace of mind. In the rare event that you experience any issues with your pump, the warranty provides coverage, so you can be confident that help is available when needed.
You May Be Able to Claim From Medical Aid
Some breast pumps are classified as essential medical devices, which means you might be able to claim them through your medical aid. To find out if a breast pump is covered, contact your scheme..
Closed System
All Spectra models, including the Spectra S1 and Spectra Dual Compact, feature a closed-system design, ensuring that milk is collected in a secure and clean environment without exposure to external contaminants.
This system prevents milk from entering the pump’s tubing or motor, keeping it clean and safeguarding your pump, milk, and baby from potential harmful bacteria. This design not only protects the milk but also simplifies maintenance by keeping the pump’s internal components clean and free from buildup. Both the Spectra S1 and Dual Compact offer this crucial hygiene feature, making them excellent choices for safety-conscious parents.
Battery Life
The Spectra S1 comes with a 3-hour rechargeable battery, providing approximately 4-6 unplugged pumping sessions, making it ideal for those longer outings. In comparison, the Spectra Dual Compact has a 2-hour rechargeable battery, offering around 2-4 unplugged sessions. While both pumps are designed for portability, the Spectra Dual Compact has the added convenience of a USB Type-C charger, allowing you to easily charge it on the go with a power bank. This is a feature the Spectra S1 lacks, as it requires its own unique charger and needs to be plugged into a wall outlet for charging.
Both models also include a smart auto-off function, which turns off the pump after 30 minutes of use. This feature not only helps you track your pumping time but also prevents the battery from draining unnecessarily, avoiding situations where you might accidentally leave the pump running in your bag and find it dead later.
What about the Spectra S2
The Spectra S2 is nearly identical to the Spectra S1, with the main difference being that the S2 lacks a rechargeable battery, requiring it to be plugged in for use. This makes it less portable, but if you’ll primarily be pumping where reliable electricity is available, such as at home or work, this may not be an issue. For those dealing with load shedding or unreliable power, the S1’s battery is a big advantage. If portability isn’t a concern, the S2 offers the same hospital-grade performance at a lower cost.
Cycle Settings
When it comes to pumping, both suction strength and cycle speed play an essential role in efficiency and comfort. Cycle speed, measured in CPM (Cycles Per Minute), refers to how often the pump mimics a baby’s natural “suckle and release” action per minute. Babies generally suck faster (higher CPM) to stimulate letdown and then slow down (lower CPM) to extract milk efficiently once the milk begins to flow. Similarly, a higher cycle speed on a pump helps trigger letdown, while a slower speed is optimal for extracting milk.
Spectra Breast Pumps use two primary modes to replicate these natural rhythms:
- Massage Mode: Uses fast, light suction to trigger milk flow.
- Expression Mode: Slower, deeper suction to maximise milk extraction.
The Spectra Dual Compact offers fixed cycle speeds, with 95 CPM in Letdown Mode and 26 CPM in Expression Mode. This simplicity can make it more user-friendly. While it doesn’t provide adjustable speeds, it does allow for independent suction control on each breast, adding some customisation to the experience.
On the other hand, the Spectra S1 provides more flexibility with five adjustable cycle speeds in both modes. The cycle speed ranges from 70 CPM to 105 CPM in Massage Mode and from 38 CPM to 54 CPM in Expression Mode. This adjustability lets moms fine-tune the pump to their comfort and pumping needs, which can potentially boost milk output. It’s also particularly useful for techniques like power pumping, which can help establish or increase milk supply.
Ultimately, choosing between the Spectra S1 and Dual Compact depends on your specific needs. If you prefer simplicity, the Dual Compact is a great choice, while the S1’s adjustable cycle speeds offer more customisation. Discussing these options with your lactation consultant can help you determine the best fit for your situation.
Suction Setting
Both the Spectra S1 and Spectra Dual Compact are hospital-grade breast pumps, capable of delivering powerful suction with a maximum vacuum of around 300-320 mmHg. However, the Spectra Dual Compact stands out with its unique feature of having two independent motors, which allows you to control the suction on each side separately.
This can be a game-changer for moms with a “slacker boob” (where one breast produces more milk than the other) or if your baby prefers one side. The independent control enables individually adjustable two-phase pumping, helping you optimise milk output without creating an imbalance.
The Dual Compact offers 12 adjustable suction levels for each side, with 5 levels in Massage Mode, ensuring you can find the perfect setting for your comfort and milk production.
In comparison, the Spectra S1 features a single motor, meaning that any adjustments to suction levels affect both sides simultaneously. It also offers 12 adjustable suction levels and 5 levels in Massage Mode.
So to put it plainly, the S1 applies the same suction to both breasts, while the Dual Compact can apply different suction strengths to each breast.
Weight & Dimentions
The Spectra Dual Compact is crafted with portability in mind, weighing only 700g, which makes it extremely convenient to transport. In comparison, the Spectra S1 is slightly heavier at 1.3 kg, but still portable enough for everyday use. In terms of dimensions, the S1 measures 20 cm x 20 cm x 17 cm, while the Dual Compact is more compact at 9 cm x 9 cm x 18 cm. Despite their compact sizes, you will likely need a separate bag to carry your pumping essentials, including parts, a cooler, and ice packs to keep your breast milk fresh while on the go. Both pumps are designed to accommodate the busy lives of pumping moms, whether at home or on the move.
Flange/Breast Shield Sizing
Both the Spectra S1 and Spectra Dual Comapct come standard with a 24mm flange size, which works well for many users. However, if you require a different size, you can get Spectra Loose Breast Shields in 20mm, 28mm, and 32mm to better suit your needs. Additionally, you can try silicone flange inserts that allow for more precise customisation by fitting inside the standard 24mm flanges. These inserts can help you find a more specific fit, ensuring maximum comfort and optimising milk output.
Though these custom-sized flanges and inserts are sold separately, finding the correct flange size is one of the most impactful decisions you can make in your pumping journey. It is highly recommended that you measure your nipples to ensure the flange size matches, as an improper fit can cause discomfort and potentially reduce milk output. The right size can make your pumping experience more comfortable and efficient.
Availability of Space Parts & Accessories
When buying a breast pump, it’s important to remember that it isn’t a one-time purchase. Regular use leads to wear and tear on parts, which need to be replaced approximately every three months to ensure your pump continues to operate at peak efficiency. This is where the Spectra range really stands out. All Spectra parts and accessories, such as valves, flanges, and hands-free collection cups, are interchangeable across the entire Spectra range, including the S1 and Dual Compact. This compatibility makes it easy and convenient to maintain your pump, as you can swap parts between models or easily find replacements when needed.
Other Features To Consider
Both the Spectra S1 and Spectra Dual Compact feature an LCD display, but the Dual Compact’s sleeker design and touchscreen function gives it a more modern look and feel.
Both pumps have a memory function, allowing you to save your preferred settings. Both pumps also have a timer function built in.
The Dual Compact’s LCD screen illuminates the area for late night pumping settings, but the S1 has a built in nightlight with 2 brightness options.
The Dual Compact has a mute function for late night feeds, or for when you need some extra quiet.
So, Whats the Verdict
Go for the Spectra S1 if ...
- You are exclusively pumping and need a reliable pump to sustain and boost your milk supply.
- You want to establish and increase your milk supply using power pumping or cluster pumping techniques.
- You have a preemie or ill baby and need to start pumping right from the beginning to maintain supply.
- You don’t mind carrying a slightly heavier pump
Go for the Spectra Dual Compact if ...
- You plan to use your pump on the go frequently, so portability and ease of transport are essential.
- You have different milk outputs from each breast and need the flexibility to adjust suction strength independently on each side, particularly for one breast that requires more suction than the other.
In conclusion, both the Spectra S1 and the Spectra Dual Compact offer powerful, hospital-grade performance, but each has unique features that cater to different needs. If you’re looking for flexibility in suction control between breasts or a more compact, on-the-go option, the Spectra Dual Compact is ideal. On the other hand, the Spectra S1 provides adjustable cycle speeds and a longer battery life, making it perfect for those who need a versatile, reliable pump for both home and travel. Your choice ultimately depends on your lifestyle, preferences, and specific pumping needs. Either way, with Spectra’s trusted quality and innovative design, you’re assured of a comfortable and efficient pumping experience.
Our Guidance Pledge
We’re dedicated to providing you with practical, evidence-based information to help you make the best choices for your growing family. All content is medically reviewed by our in-house doctor and/or experts such as OB-GYNs, doulas, and midwives, and is based on the latest international guidelines, peer-reviewed studies, and reputable sources from academic institutions and medical journals. Learn More
