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This article is going to give you a thorough comparison of Spectra S2 vs Medela Swing Maxi Double, but if you don’t feel like reading the whole thing, you can see our winner here:
If you’re a new mom, you’ll most probably be looking for an electric breast pump for breastfeeding your baby. We have selected two of the most popular pumps, Medela Swing and Spectra S2, that you can choose to provide your baby with a steady milk supply. Depending upon your insurance plan, you can also get any of these breast pumps for free. But which should you choose?
At the end of the day, these are two completely different breast pumps. The Spectra S2 is a hospital grade breast pump that is perfect for at home use. While the Medela Swing Maxi is a portable breast pump that is not hospital grade.
If you are looking for a portable, hospital grade breast pump, you might prefer to look at the Spectra S1, which is near identical to the Spectra S2, but features a high quality rechargeable battery.
But, today we’re going to compare Medela Swing vs Spectra S2.
Don’t feel like reading the whole article? Click here to see our favorite on Amazon
RELATED: Best Electric Breast Pumps 2021
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Table of Contents
What is the difference between Spectra S2 vs Medela Swing Maxi Double?
The biggest differences between the Medela Swing and Spectra S2 is that Medela Swing is a portable double electric breast pump, while Spectra S2 is a hospital grade pump but has no rechargeable battery.
Which is better? Medela Swing Maxi Vs Spectra S2
Medela Swing is a great option if you’re looking for something portable. But if you need a breast pump with highly customizable settings then Spectra S2 might be better. But which pump offers overall better performance? We believe the Spectra S2 takes the prize. Click here to learn more about the Spectra S2 at Amazon.
Medela Swing vs Spectra S2 Comparison Table
Both Medela Swing and Spectra S2 are high-quality breast pumps. We have compared all the features and functions of these pumps for your convenience. It’ll allow you to determine which breast pump will suit you better according to your unique needs.
| Model | Spectra S2 | Medela Swing Maxi Double |
|---|---|---|
| My Rating: | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
| Style | Double electric breast pump | Portable double electric breast pump |
| Display | LCD | No display |
| Vacuum Strength | max 270mmHg | max 245mmHg |
| Hospital Grade | Yes | No |
| Closed System | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | N/A | Yes |
| Battery Life | N/A | 1.5 hours |
| Battery Charger | N/A | USB -C charger included |
| Bag | Yes | Yes |
| Bottles | 2 included | 2 Included |
| Material | BPA Free Plastic | BPA Free Plastic |
| Weight | 3lbs | 0.7lbs |
| Breast Shields | 2x 24mm Breast Shields Included | 4 x breast shields (2x 21 mm & 2x 24 mm) |
| Warranty | 2 Year warranty on pump 90 Days on Accessories | 1 year warranty on pump 90 days on parts and accessories |
| Buy Now | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
Spectra S2 vs Medela Pump: Comparison
Pump Type
Spectra S2 is a hospital grade pump, which means it has a heavy duty motor and is able to be used by multiple users (with new attachments parts, like tubing and flanges). This pump can also be used multiple times a day without stressing the motor. The S2 also comes as a double electric breast pump but you can also easily use it as a single pump.
On the other hand, theMedela Swing Maxi Double is a portable double electric pump. The motor is not the heavy duty strength and durability of the S2, but it does have the exta feature of being portable, with a rechargeable battery.
Older versions of the Medela Swing only offered single breast pump capability, but the new Medela Swing Maxi Double is now a double electric breast pump.
If you prefer a single electric breast pump, Medela also offers the Solo Single Electric Breast Pump which is the same as the Medela Swing Maxi Double but in a single version. This can be cost effective.
The Medela Swing Maxi Double is the upgraded version of the Medela Swing Maxi Flex, which is almost exactly the same, except the new Medela Swing Maxi Double is rechargeable, while the Medela Swing Maxi Flex required 6xAAA batteries to be portable.
Weight and Portability
The Spectra S2 breast pump is a lightweight product and weighs 2.9lbs pounds. You also need to plug this device in the wall before using it.
But Medela Swing Maxi Double takes things to the next level because it weighs only 325g, which is less than a pound. Is it also rechargeable with a USB cable, making it highly portable.
Safety Features
Spectra S2 transfers milk straight to the bottle from your breast, thanks to its closed system. Resultantly, it keeps the breast milk from going through the tubing. It makes the breast pump more hygienic and you won’t need to clean this breast pump between pumping sessions.
Spectra S2 also comes with backflow protection that prevents the breast milk from going into the motor
Medela Swing Maxi Double is also a closed system breast pump, which prevents milk from entering the tubes and the motor.
Having a closed system pump is important because it’s really hard to clean milk from the tubing that leads to the motor, which is unhygenic. Without a closed system pump, you also run the risk of milk entering the motor which will ruin your pump.
Luckily, both of these pumps are closed system!
- INCREASED MILK OUTPUT: Express 18% more milk* than a traditional single pump thanks to our 2-Phase Expression technology that simulates baby’s natural sucking pattern
- RELIABLE CLOSED SYSTEM: Closed system design with Overflow Protection to prevent your breast milk from entering tubing providing added reassurance and peace of mind
- EASY TO USE AND CLEAN: Intuitive controls and fewer parts make this innovative pump simple to use and maintain
The bottles, breast shields, flanges, and tubing of both breast pumps are made of BPA free plastic materials for your baby’s safety.
Settings
Spectra S2 offers three different settings that you can use.
- Cycle speed
- Vacuum strength
- Massage mode/expression mode
This breast pump also comes with an LCD screen with a timer, night light, and push buttons to activate different settings.
On the other hand, Medela Swing features 2 phase expression technology and provides you with a one touch let down mode. You can also choose a maximum comfort vacuum setting if you want faster milk expression. Unfortunately, you don’t get an LCD screen, timer, or night light with Medela Swing.
The vacuum and strength settings are not able to be changed independently, so as you increase the speed, you also increase suction strength.
Suction Power
Spectra S2, being a hospital grade breast pump, offers the maximum suction power of 270 mmHg. You can also choose from 12 different suction levels so that you can select the most comfortable option to express breast milk.
Medela Swing isn’t a hospital grade pump and its maximum suction power is up to 245 mmHg.
Noise
Both of these pumps are quiet at just 45db at the maximum vacuum level, which is similar to the noise level in a library.
Accessories and Features Included
It’s one of the areas where Spectra S2 lacks as it doesn’t come with any cooler or a bag. You’ll need to buy Spectra S2 Plus Premier to get some extra bottles, a cooler, and a bag. The standard Spectra S2 package, however, comes with a couple of wide-neck bottles, one 12V AC adapter, tubing, two backflow protectors, two 28 mm flanges, two 24 mm flanges, and duckbill valves.
I’ve linked up the full package in all of the links on this page, but if you would prefer just the pump without any of the optional accessories, here is that package.
Medela Swing Maxi also doesn’t offer a cooler bag and if you need one you might like to buy a breast pump carry bag.
What’s In The Box?
Spectra S2
- 1 x Spectra S2 motor unit
- 2x 28mm Spectra Breast Flanges
- 2x 24mm Spectra Breast Flanges
- 2x Spectra Tubing
- 2x Spectra Duckbill Valves
- 2x Spectra Backflow Protectors. Includes silicone membrane, uppercase, and lowercase for each Backflow Protector
- 2x Spectra Wide Neck Storage Bottles. Includes nipple, cap, disc, and lid for each bottle
- 1x Spectra 12-Volt AC Power Adapter
Medela Swing Maxi
- 1 x Swing Maxi motor unit
- 1 x mains adapter
- 2 x 150 ml bottle with lid
- 2 x bottle stand
- 2 x PersonalFit Flex™ connector
- 2 x PersonalFit Flex™ breast shield size 21 mm
- 2 x PersonalFit Flex™ breast shield size 24 mm
- 1 x IFU Swing Flex™/Swing maxi Flex™
- 1 x Quick Card
Ease of Use
Spectra S2 breast pump provides you with a hands free option for maximum convenience. It can also store your settings so that you won’t need to push different buttons each time you need to pump. It also has fewer pump parts that means it’s also easy to clean.
Medela Swing comes with one touch let-down button and different buttons to select your preferred settings for comfort and faster milk flow. You’ll need to tweak it manually each time as it can’t store your settings.
Price
The Spectra S2 is quite a bit cheaper than the Medela Swing Maxi Double, even when looking at the full package with bag and cooler included.
Spectra s2 vs Medela Maxi Double: Pros and Cons
Spectra S2
What we love
- Hospital grade breast pump
- Comes with a closed system
- Lower priced
- Offers display screen
- Quitter operation than Medela Swing
- Offers both expression and massage mode
- Comes with separate buttons for vacuum speed and suction
What we don’t
- Doesn’t offer a battery option
- A bit heavier than Medela Swing
Medela Swing Maxi Double
What we love
- Extremely portable
- Comes with a battery pack
- Flanges and breast shields are separable
- Comes with a closed system
What we don’t
- More costly than Spectra S2
- No separate adjustment option for vacuum speeds and suction speeds
- Doesn’t have a digital display
Verdict
Overall, we think that the Spectra S2 is a better all-around breast pump than the Medela Swing Maxi. However, there are a few situations where you might prefer the Medela.
- You need it to supplement a second pump
- You are going to be pumping away from home and need a rechargeable battery
- You aren’t concerned about usability
- You don’t need hospital grade features
Overall, we recommend the S2. It’s slightly cheaper, but is hospital grade and can be resold after use.
If you are after a hospital grade pump with a rechargeable battery, it is worth looking at the Spectra S1, which is the battery version of the S2.
However, if you just need a breast pump that’s easy to carry and can run on battery, then the Medela Swing breast pump is still a great breast pump and made by a reputable company.
>> Click here to read more reviews of Spectra S2 and check the latest price on Amazon
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