Spectra vs Medela hospital grade pump

[Anonymous]

I have been renting the Medela hospital grade pump through Kaiser but now they are no longer going to pay for it. I can either rent it myself for $50 or I can buy a Spectra. My question is: is the Spectra as good as the Medela pump?

[Anonymous]

Spectra is better. Quieter, more comfortable, and more efficient. I have had three kids and nurses for all so I know. Spectra and be done with thinking about it.

[Anonymous]

Spectra is better. I also rented at first and then could not believe how much better Spectra was... This was 3.5 years ago, Spectra was brand new on the market, and no one had told me. Invest in the one that comes with the battery, so you can move around the house unplugged. (I think that's the S1.)

[Anonymous]

I LOVE my Spectra pump! It is my third pump, and it is by far the best one I've owned!

[Anonymous]

Agreed with all pps, spectra is lightyears better!

[Anonymous]

OP is talking about Medela Symphony the hospital grade pump that costs $2000. I highly doubt Spectra is “light years” better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is talking about Medela Symphony the hospital grade pump that costs $2000. I highly doubt Spectra is “light years” better.

This exactly. I got much more from the medela symphony than the spectra, and I found it more comfortable as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is talking about Medela Symphony the hospital grade pump that costs $2000. I highly doubt Spectra is “light years” better.

[Anonymous]

I had both at the same time and spectra is way better!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP is talking about Medela Symphony the hospital grade pump that costs $2000. I highly doubt Spectra is “light years” better.

Actually I did find it light years better for me! I rented a symphony for 2 months and then bought a Soectra and was shocked how much more comfortable and efficient it is. I also love that it’s a closed system, so less cleaning to deal with. For me, the $150 pump is better than the $2000 one, and I know many people who have had the same experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is talking about Medela Symphony the hospital grade pump that costs $2000. I highly doubt Spectra is “light years” better.

Actually I did find it light years better for me! I rented a symphony for 2 months and then bought a Soectra and was shocked how much more comfortable and efficient it is. I also love that it’s a closed system, so less cleaning to deal with. For me, the $150 pump is better than the $2000 one, and I know many people who have had the same experience.

The Medela symphony is also a closed system and the amount of cleaning between it and the spectra is identical-you sure you’re talking about the symphony?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is talking about Medela Symphony the hospital grade pump that costs $2000. I highly doubt Spectra is “light years” better.

Actually I did find it light years better for me! I rented a symphony for 2 months and then bought a Soectra and was shocked how much more comfortable and efficient it is. I also love that it’s a closed system, so less cleaning to deal with. For me, the $150 pump is better than the $2000 one, and I know many people who have had the same experience.

The Medela symphony is also a closed system and the amount of cleaning between it and the spectra is identical-you sure you’re talking about the symphony?

Yes, I know what pump I had. I’m an exclusive pumper and have spent a lot of time pumping. The Symphony may technically be a closed system but the tubing still got milk in it sometimes and requires cleaning, which, because of the Spectra backflow protector has never happened. Since you seem very skeptical that I could know what I’m talking about, I’ll elaborate on my preference for the Spectra over the Symphony:

- as mentioned, Spectra’s backflow protector means no moisture in the tubing so less cleaning
- Spectra pumps let you adjust both suction speed and intensity, while the Symphony just has a dial and you have less control over settings
- Spectra has a pumping timer and a light, which I find surprisingly helpful (especially for middle of the night pumping)
- I, like many people, find the suction of the Spectra far more comfortable than that of the Symphony
- I can completely empty in 15 minutes of pumping on the Spectra, but it was more like 25 with the Symphony
- Spectra has a rechargeable option and the unit is a lot lighter than the Symphony

[Anonymous]

I also rented the Symphony and FAR prefer the Spectra. It was more comfortable and more efficient. It took me 40 minutes with Symphony and 30 minutes with the Spectra.

[Anonymous]

I used both and found them to be the same. Spectra parts are easier to clean.

[Anonymous]

I rented the symphony for a month and then switched to spectra. Much prefer the spectra. It's more comfortable and I get just as much as when I used the symphony, if not more. Plus, I have the spectra s1, and it's so nice that it's portable!