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Recently a reader asked me the difference between Pumpables Milk Genie vs Spectra 9 plus and S1 breast pump in terms of features and functionality.
Since there are several points to explain, I thought it would be better to create a separate article to discuss them in details.
Are you also curious about the differences between Milk Genie vs Spectra breast pumps? In this article, I discussed the pros and cons of each breast pump so that you have enough information before deciding which breast pump to buy.
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This article is part of Pumpables breast pumps series. Other articles in this series include:
Pumpables Milk Genie vs Spectra S1 and Spectra 9 plus
1. Portability.
In terms of size, Pumpables Milk Genie and Spectra 9+ are very portable - they fit inside your palm and super light-weight (weighing around 200+ grams).
On the other hand, Spectra S1 is bulky (so you need a dedicated storage space) and heavy (1.1 kg).
2. Noise level.
These three breast pumps are considered quiet. But if I can rank them from the noisiest to the most quiet, it would be Spectra 9+, Pumpables Milk Genie and Spectra S1.
If you work in a normal environment where sometimes noise can come from whirring computers, charters and so on, I don’t think other people would even notice you pumping with these breast pumps. But if you need an ultra-quiet breast pump, I’d recommend choose Spectra S1.
3. Setting (what can be adjusted).
Spectra and Milk Genie have different settings.
Pumpables Milk Genie offers 10 different massage modes (to induce let-down) and 10 levels of expression mode. As you increase the suction level, the speed automatically slow down.
Spectra 9+ is similar with Milk Genie. But it has 5 levels in massage mode and 10 levels in expression mode. The speed slows down as the vacuum strength increases.
On the other hand, Spectra S1 allows you to control both speed and vacuum strength independently. That means, it is possible to have a high vacuum strength combined with fast cycle (for example, 54 cycles per minute).
Spectra S1 has 5 levels in massage mode, 12 levels expression mode and 5 cycle speeds.
4. Vacuum strength
In terms of maximum vacuum strength, I would rate Spectra 9+ as the most gentle and Spectra S1 as the strongest, whereas Pumpables Milk Genie falls in between them.
5. Accessories (what comes in the box).
Spectra breast pumps (both Spectra S1 and Spectra 9+) only comes with standard breast shield size (24-mm) in their package. That means, if you need different size, you need to buy them separately.
Pumpables Milk Genie, on the other hand, provides 3 sizes of breast shields: 21-mm, 24-mm and 27-mm. This is a great option, especially for a new mom who needs to try several breast shield size to see which one fits her better.
6. Unique feature
Milk Genie has a memory setting, whereby it can records the way we pump (which levels you are using, the time spend in massage mode and expression mode, and so on). This is very useful feature especially for moms who needs to pump hands-free. They can simply hit the memory button and let the pump works by itself.
Spectra S1, on the other hand, can only memorize what level that we used in the last pumping session. However, as mentioned in the previous point, Spectra S1 has an adjustable cycle speed which is a superior feature for those needing to control their pumping speed.
7. How the suction feels
This.
When it comes to the way the pump works and how the suction feels, Milk Genie is different from Spectra. I would say, Milk Genie’s suction is a simple ‘pulling sensation’ (just like Medela), whereas the Spectra has combination of ‘pulling’ and ‘vibration’.
I personally prefers the way Spectra works, but some moms prefers simple pulling sensation. Again, this is a personal preference.
8. Support
Pumpables have official ‘fitting room’’to help with flange fitting. You simply send your pumping video and your concern, and the Pumpables pumping expert will give you personalised advise based on your info. The good thing is, you don’t need to be a Pumpables user to use their fitting room service, anyone with any breast pump is welcomed. Check out Pumpables fitting room here.
Spectra, unfortunately, has no centralized website for worldwide access. But for you who live in USA, Spectra Baby USA offers lactation service with IBCLCs and you can book it online here.
9. Strength and durability
Spectra S1 is designed for heavy duty pumping (think about 8-12x pump sessions a day).
On the other hand, Spectra 9+ and Pumpables Milk Genie are designed for medium usage (5-6x pump sessions a day). However, this does not mean that they cannot be used for exclusive pumping. It’s just, if you do, the breast pumps may wear out sooner than expected if being used as a sole breast pump.
I summarize the difference among them in the following table.
milk genie
Smart & Portable
spectra s1
Heavy duty and reliable
spectra 9+
Gentle & Light-weight
In expression mode
Which One Should You Buy?
If you are more concerned about getting a portable breast pump which you can use on the go, Spectra 9+ or Pumpables Milk Genie would be your ideal choice. Especially if you need to be mobile and pump handsfree, Pumpables Milk Genie would be your best option.
When to choose Spectra 9+?
When you are already getting used with Spectra ‘vibration while sucking’, because Pumpables does not have this feature. This may sound silly, but if you are already used with certain way to get your let down, other way may not work as fast as you hope.
If you are more leaning towards getting a heavy duty breast pump and does not mind lugging bulky pump around, then Spectra S1 is your best bet.
Spectra S1 is also famous for emptying your breast very well. That’s why some exclusive pumping moms decided to have two types of breast pumps, the portable one (such as Milk Genie or Spectra 9+) for mid-day use, and Spectra S1 for morning and late night pump.
Still feeling undecided or need to read more reviews? Feel free to check out other reviews below:
Detailed Review with Pros and Cons:
Reviews from other moms:
- Spectra S1 breast pump review on Amazon
- Spectra 9+ breast pump review on Amazon
- Milk Genie Review on Pumpables
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I hope this article helps you to understand the difference between Pumpables Milk Genie vs Spectra 9+ and S1 breast pump.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave your question in the comment section. I’ll try my best to help.
Now onto you. Have you tried any of these breast pumps? How’s your pumping experience like?
Charles says
Thank you very much for taking your time to write about this topic, you have really provided great insights into the difference between Pumpables Milk Genie vs Spectra 9+ and S1 breast pump. The only experience I have is with the Spectra S1. It is super good and fine. It doesn’t make any noise to me because hardly will anyone notice when at use. I dont have any prior experience with pumpables milk genie.
Dane says
Hello there, thanks for sharing this really wonderful post. My wife have just put to bed and she is finding it had to breast the baby just yet and wr have got a suggestion to get a breast pump to help her with it and being new to the who stuffs, we don’t know which to get. I’ll inform her of these two breast pump to know which she will prefer. Best regards
Rina says
Hi Dane,
I’m glad this article Is useful for you. There are so many things that new moms need to learn about breast pumping and I hope presenting a detail review like this will help your Wife to choose the suitable breast pump for her.
Shelley says
This is very interesting and insightful when it comes to the pumpables milk. To be honest, being an expecting mom myself, I wish that I can just buy the three together pending the time I would be able to handpick the one that would work much better for me. However, I think I prefer the milk genie more because of the portability and it should surely be worth trying. Besides, if it didn’t work for me as I would have wished, I can always make another purchase. Cheers
Rina says
Hi Shelley,
Lol, I would buy all too if I have the budget, but sometimes you need to choose. Milk Genie would be good if you need it to be super portable.
Chloe says
I kept smiling as I was reading through this post as I could remember my first experience with my kid. It was arealky difficult one as there was little or no milk in my breast to feed him with, and when it comes to having him suckle, he finds it really hard, poor thing. However for new mothers we have similar situation like mine, I’ll advice they get a breast pump for better feeding and for me I’ll go with with Spectra S1 giving to the fact that it empty the breast. Nice being here.
Rina says
Thanks Chloe, yes Spectra s1 is a very good pump, especially if you have milk supply problem on the beginning.