Best Breast Pumps · head-to-head

Spectra S1 Plus vs Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow is cheaper at $144.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Spectra S1 Plus or Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow?

The Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow is the cheaper at $144.99. The Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Spectra S1 Plus Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow
US price $225.99 $144.99
BrandSpectra Baby USAMedela
Released
Type electric_double electric_double
Suction levels 12 10
Max suction mmhg 270 295
Rechargeable battery Yes No
Hospital grade Yes No
Closed system Yes Yes
Weight (oz) 48 18.9
Release

Sources — Spectra S1 Plus: spectrababyusa.com (verified 2026-06-19). Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow: target.com (verified 2026-06-19).

What's the difference between the Spectra S1 Plus and Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Suction levels: Spectra S1 Plus 12 vs Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow 10
  • Max suction mmhg: Spectra S1 Plus 270 vs Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow 295
  • Rechargeable battery: Spectra S1 Plus true vs Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow false
  • Hospital grade: Spectra S1 Plus true vs Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow false
  • Weight (oz): Spectra S1 Plus 48 vs Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow 18.9

What reviewers say

Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.

Spectra S1 Plus

Two whitelisted, hands-on testers reviewed the Spectra S1 Plus: Reviewed (USA Today) lists it among the pumps its editor personally used, and Good Housekeeping names it Best Overall after Lab and consumer testing. Both reviews are qualitative, so neither published lab-measured suction or output numbers. Both praise its quiet, efficient operation and the built-in rechargeable battery that allows cordless pumping; they split on the roughly 3-pound weight. Non-whitelisted sources (BabyGearLab, Consumer Reports, forums) were not used. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)

Praised: Quiet operation; Efficient, powerful suction; Built-in rechargeable battery enables cordless pumping without an outlet.

Flagged: Bulky, odd shape that is hard to store with no carrying case included; On the heavier side for portability at a little over 3 lbs.

Medela Pump In Style with MaxFlow

One whitelisted hands-on source covers this exact model: Reviewed (USA Today), whose tester used it dozens of times but published no lab numbers. It praises the flexible oval shields as supremely comfortable and the pump as strong, intuitive and even enjoyable to use, while flagging it as loud, timer-less and burdened with too many parts to wash. Single-source, uncontested but unverified against a second tester. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)

Praised: Flexible oval breast shields called supremely comfortable, angled for a better fit that helps expression; Strong, intuitive and enjoyable to use; compact and easy to carry.

Flagged: Loud in operation; No built-in timer, unlike competitors such as Spectra; Too many parts requiring repetitive washing.

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