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This is a detailed review of Spectra 9+ breast pump.
I am intrigued with this little breast pump after I tried its big sister, Spectra S1 (read my full review here) and also the more portable version
Just to let you know, Spectra 9+ is the most portable and slimmest breast pump released by Spectra, and possibly the smallest breast pump I've ever encountered.
If you are considering to purchase this little breast pump, this review will tell you how Spectra 9 plus performs, its pros and cons, plus comparison to Spectra S1 breast pump or vs Medela Freestyle breast pump.
More...
(this post contains affiliate links)
UPDATE: Since this post was published, I've written more detailed posts about other Spectra models, as well as how to use the breast pump. Do check out the following for other Spectra posts:
- Spectra S1 breast pump review (the hospital-grade model)
- Spectra M1 breast pump review (most affordable Spectra model)
- How to use Spectra S1 breast pump (include video & general tips for pumping with Spectra)
- Top 5 Breast Pump Bags for Spectra
- Spectra S1 vs Super Genie | Which One To Choose
- Spectra S1 vs Motif Luna | Which One Is Better
- Spectra S1 vs Spectra S2 | What's The Difference
I hope this Spectra series helps you to determine which breast pump model suits your need the most plus allows you to understand how to use Spectra breast pump =).
Let's continue to the main article.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Spectra 9 plus is the smallest double electric breast pump released by Spectra, having a comfortable yet powerful suction (for up to 300 mmHg). Here's a few specification regarding Spectra 9+.
- Breast pump type: work with AC power or runs on battery (built-in rechargeable battery)
- Single / double: can be used for single and double pumping
- Suction level: 10 different levels
- Speed adjustment: adjust with suction
- Breast shield diameter: 28 mm (other sizes can be purchased separately: 24 mm or 32 mm)
- Dimension: 11.2 cm x 7.2 cm x 4.7 cm
- Weight: 239 gram (super light!!)
- Available at: Pupsik Studio (Singapore/ Malaysia) or Amazon
Note: Spectra 9 plus is NOW AVAILABLE in Amazon.com and spectrababyusa.com.
WHAT YOU GET OUT OF BOX
This is what you get out of the box:
- Pump motor (with built-in battery)
- A pair of breast shields + duck-bill valves
- Two wide-neck Spectra bottles
- A pair of slow flow teats, bottle caps and sealing discs
- One pair of tubings
- One pair of back-flow protectors
- Power adaptor
HIGHLIGHTS OF SPECTRA 9 PLUS
1. The smallest and compact breast pump ever
This breast pump IS SO SMALL, it only measures 112 mm x 72 mm x 42 mm and weighs only 239 gram (very light!), making it very portable and a perfect travel companion.
I took its picture side by side with my Xiaomi phone (it's around the same size of iPhone 6) and look. They have pretty similar length and width! The phone is definitely slimmer here, but this is a proof that this breast pump is very small and compact.
And one more picture, Spectra 9 plus in my palm (I have a small hand, btw).
2. Strong yet gentle suction
Just like other Spectra breast pumps, Spectra S9+ has a gentle suction even in its highest setting. In its expression mode, the
"I don't feel the 'pull' like the Medela did, but surprisingly without noticing I already accumulate 50 ml of milk in just 5 minutes! This breast pump is soo comfortable...Also, my breast feels emptier after pumping with Spectra 9+."
3. 5-level adjustable massage mode and 10 adjustable suction level (in expression mode)
Being small does not mean having less feature. This little breast pump has 5 level massage mode and 10 adjustable expression mode. This is a lot more compared to Spectra M1 (another portable Spectra breast pump, but bigger in size) which only has 5 adjustable suction levels.
4. Closed-system pump
This is a closed-system breast pump, i.e. the pump motor won't be contaminated with the breast milk. This is because Spectra 9 plus has a pair of
The fact that it is a closed system pump also means that it is more hygienic, your pump motor will be more durable and it is safe to share this breast pump with other users (but please make sure each of you has your own milk collection kit, ok).
5. Pretty LED display
This is the very cool feature of Spectra 9+ breast pump. Despite being small, it is equipped with LED display that gives you a complete overview of what your breast pump is currently doing:
- if it is in massage mode or expression mode
- which suction level are you currently using
- timer
- battery indicator (both while the pump is running for expressing milk or while being recharged)
Other features of Spectra 9 plus:
- Built-in rechargeable battery (typically lasts for about 3 pumping sessions, 30 minutes each). The fact that it is super portable and has a built-in rechargeable battery makes Spectra 9+ a great option while you are travelling or pumping on the go. If you solely use this for pumping at work, the battery life is just nice to go through one day of pumping at work.
- Has both let-down mode and expression mode. So you use the massage / let-down mode first to achieve let-down, then after that you switch to expression mode to start expressing breast milk. I found the massage mode pretty effective. I got let down only after 1 minute.
- Auto shut-off after 30 minutes. This is a safety feature which is great for busy mamas that love to multitask while pumping. If you forgot to turn off the pump, this breast pump will turn off by itself after 30 minutes.
- Easily switch between single and double pumping with T-connector. Thanks to the new design of T-connector, you don't need to change tubing to switch between double and single pumping. Simply unplug the unused tubing, and you are good to go.
- Memorizes our last pump setting. If you already settled with your comfortable suction preset, Spectra S9+ is able to memorize your pumping setting for you. That means, no need to adjust suction level every time you pump. This is totally different with Medela Swing breast pump, whereby you always start at the lowest suction level every time and so manual adjustment is always needed.
THE CONS
Now, let's talk about the cons. You don't want to hear only about the good things, right. Here they are.
- This is not a heavy-duty breast pump. If you are pumping 3x a day, this pump is good for you. But if you are exclusively pumping up to 10-12x a day, you better get a hospital grade model like Spectra S1 or Spectra S2, or if you need a portable model, then Medela Freestyle.
- Speed cannot be adjusted independently. Unlike Spectra S1 / S2 that offers fully adjustable speed and suction, in Spectra 9+ the speed is auto-adjusted as you adjust the suction level. That means, the higher suction you choose, the slower is the speed. This is not really a problem for most mothers, considering most breast pumps also work like this (including the popular Medela Freestyle). But if you prefer to combine high suction and high speed, (which I know some moms do), then this breast pump can not do that for you.
- While the pump is considered quiet compared to other breast pump brands (including Medela), Spectra 9+ can get noisier over time. As a comparison, Spectra S9+ is noisier than Spectra S1, comparable to Spectra M1, but it is quieter than Medela Freestyle.
- Strong suction, but not super strong. Some mothers with super strong suction preference noticed that S9+ suction is not as powerful as Spectra S1 and M1. This is not a problem if you prefer a gentle suction but if you are used to use the higher end range of suction level of Spectra S1, then please consider this before buying.
- Limited breast shield size. Spectra only has 3 different sizes available: 24, 28, 32 mm. However, you can use Medela / Maymom breast shield / Freemie with Spectra 9+ using this following hack or use the Maymom yellow adapter to directly connect your Medela shield to Spectra breast pump. Click here to learn more.
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WHO IS THIS BREAST PUMP FOR
This breast pump is perfect for mothers who pump on the go, frequently travel and do not prefer to carry a bulky breast pump.
Is it suitable for working moms?
- Some working moms prefer to combine this breast pump with another heavy duty model, e.g. Spectra S1 to pump at home and Spectra 9+ to pump at work, or the other way around. This is perfectly fine and will ensure the breast pump will not get overused.
SPECTRA 9+ VS SPECTRA S1
Spectra S1 is a heavy duty model from Spectra that has more functionalities, such as fully independent speed and suction adjustment, but with one expense: bulky.
The table below summarizes the differences between them.
SPECTRA 9+
Light and portable
5 massage mode, 10 expression mode
Built in battery: lasts for 1.5 hours
Dimension: 11.2x7.2x4.7 cm
Weight: 239 gram
- No nightlight
- Speed cannot be adjusted independently
- Not heavy duty
SPECTRA S1
Heavy duty and hospital grade
5 massage mode, 12 expression mode
Built in battery: lasts for 3 hours
Dimension: 20 x 20 x 17 cm
Weight: 1.1 kg
- Night light
- Speed level can be adjusted independently
- Heavy duty
SPECTRA 9+ VS MEDELA FREESTYLE
Why compare Spectra 9+ and Freestyle?
Because both of them are portable and offers LED display, which fit the requirement of busy mamas pumping on the go.
SPECTRA 9+
Portable and affordable
No of suction level: 10
Let-down mode: Yes
Built in battery: lasts for 1.5 hours
Dimension: 11.2x7.2x4.7 cm
Weight: 239 gram
- Closed system
- Not heavy duty
- Price:more affordable
Medela Freestyle
Heavy duty and portable
No of suction level: 9
Let-down mode: Yes
Built in battery: lasts for 3 hours
Dimension:12 x 9 x 5.5 cm
Weight: 360 gram
- Not closed system*
- Heavy duty
- Price: more expensive
*A lot of people thought Medela Freestyle is a closed-system pump but it's actually not. Yes, your breast milk may not easily enter the tubing due to the separation layer in its exclusive Freestyle kit, but this pump is not suitable for multiple-user sharing.
Looking at the table above, overall, both Spectra 9+ and Freestyle have very similar features, with only one distinctive difference. Medela Freestyle is suitable for heavy duty pumping (I've met a lot of exclusive pumpers swore by Freestyle) while Spectra 9+ is not.
So, if you are considering whether to buy Medela Freestyle or Spectra 9+, ask yourself, how often are you going to pump every day.
If you are going for intensive pumping 10-12x a day, the answer is clear, Medela Freestyle wins for the most-portable
If you don't mind bulkiness and want to save some cost, then you may consider Spectra S1/S2.
If you are pumping less often, like 3x a day and need the portability, then Spectra S9+ is the way to go.
FINAL CONCLUSION
Spectra S9+ breast pump is an impressive breast pump with a lot of features despite its compact and slim size.
It is very recommended to have for mothers planning to pump at
Please be reminded that this is not a heavy duty model (use Spectra S1 instead), and therefore if you overuse it too much, the breast pump may wear out very quickly.
I hope this review helps you to determine whether Spectra 9+ breast pump is suitable for your need. I try my best to lay out all the pros and cons so you can have an unbiased view of Spectra 9+ breast pump.
Feel free to ask me if you have any question regarding this little pump.
If you want to learn more about this breast pump, click here to read more reviews about Spectra 9+ breast pump
If you are living in Singapore / Malaysia, you can get Spectra 9+ breast pump from Pupsik Studio.
Update: Spectra S9+ breast pump is NOW AVAILABLE
And if you are still undecided, you may want to check some of these breast pump reviews.
Angel says
Hi Rina,
Thanks for the thorough review and I’m considering s9.. I will need to bring to work however I may need to pump at my desk. Would appreciate if you can share if its quiet enough not to draw attention?
Thank you.
Rina says
Hi Angela,
You can listen how quiet it is in my video here.
IMO, quiet is relative and I don’t know how quiet your office is.
Spectra in general (Spectra 9, Spectra S1) is much quieter than Medela, lol.
But if you want to compare Spectra 9 and S1, S1 is quieter, Spectra 9 is slightly noisier (especially after a few months of usage, the new one will be quiet of course).
For me, if quiet is far more important than size, choose Spectra S1 (it essentially only vibrates).
But if portability matters, you can always put your pump in your drawer or cover it with jackets, stuff like this.
Hope this helps.
Siya says
Hi Rina,
Really do love the way you review the breast pumps. Very detailed and informative.
The problem is I live in Dubai and it is hard.to get a
spectra. So was thinking of getting Ardo “double breast pumps, to go” to be exact. Is there any chance that you have come across them. Any word.of.advise would ve good.
Regards
Siya
Rina says
Hi Siya,
I haven’t used Ardo before. Perhaps you can find more detail about it on my friend’s blog: https://thepumpingmommy.com/ardo-calypso-breast-pump-reviews-is-this-a-pump-to-consider
One important point raised by her: there’s no let-down / massage button. So you need to experiment which suction / speed setting works best to stimulate your let-down.
Maggie Co says
Hello,
Thank you for this very detailed review. It makes the breast pump choosing experience easier for me. ; )
Can I check if you have already tried the Cimilre F1 and its handsfree expression cups and what do you think of them? Thanks!
Maggie
Rina says
No, I haven’t, but heard that F1 works very similar to Spectra 9. As for the Cimilre hands-free setup, some moms like it better than freemie because the milk is collected in bottles instead of cup. But I guess, having the ‘cup+bottle’ under your blouse would be more ‘revealing’ compared to just freemie cups. Perhaps would work fine under a nursing cover?
Kerry says
Hi Rina,
First, thank you SO much for your detailed reviews and all your info – I’ve spent hours researching pumps and this is the most informative and helpful site I’ve come across! Also so pleased to see you’re still answering replies here years later! I was going to email spectra to help confirm my choice in pumps, but after reading here I thought better to ask you instead!
I’m a FTM to an 8 day old boy. Milk is in and he’s eating and growing well. I’ve been pumping 1-2x day, first to help supplement him (with a tube while on the breast) in his first couple days, then to help maintain supply / empty breasts after feeding / start building a freezer stash. My goal is to pump a little – maybe daily, or as needed – such that my husband (and others) can bottle-feed my baby after the 6 week mark. (NOT exclusively though – he will still be on the breast – bottles will be 50% or fewer of his feedings.) I think that the S9 will be sufficient for this kind of scenario – and i very much like the size/portability factor! Do you think the S9 will suffice for this, or should I play it safer and go with the S1?
Thank you so much for your insight!
Rina says
Hi Kerry, sorry for the late reply.
For your current use, I believe Spectra 9 will suffice.
The only reason you may consider S1 is that you get a lot more customisation (as in controlling speed and vacuum strength)
Liz says
Hi Rina, thank you for your detailed review on the pumps!!
I will be a first time mom in 2 months and im planning on BF for only the first 3 months that ill be out of work.( i wish i could continue pumping when i return to work but that would probably not happen due to my job description)
so my plan was to breast feed and pump at home to start building a freezer stash. Since it will be my first time, i am not sure how much would i have to pump a day to develop a stash for when i return to work… i guess im stuck in between the S1 and S9 because my insurance covers the S9+ 100% and the S1 id have to pay a little less than 50% of what its worth… would the s9+ suffice for my situation or would you suggest investing on the S1?
thank you !
liz
Rina says
I think Spectra 9 would be sufficient for you, unless you are interested in Spectra s1 specific feature (eg
Controlling the speed independently).