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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.
Qing says
Hi Rina,
I am a first time mom and am expecting a cleft lip baby which I am unsure if baby is able to latch on a not. Some say yes some say no so it really depends on baby. And if no, likely I will b expressing milk. As such I am confused between Spectra S1 or S9, S1 attracts me cos of the yield and it will become handy should baby is unable to latch on properly and solely depends on expressed milk. However, the bulky size puts me off even though I will be a stay at home mum most of the time but there will be times when I go out too and S9 seems perfect for on the go. Furthermore my friend feedback for S1 was that the suction was too strong and painful for her so eventually she sold it off and got a M1 instead. Which model would you advice for situations like mine?
Thank you.
Rina says
Since you expect cleft palate baby and may not be able to latch, I suggest Spectra S1.
Spectra 9 is gentler, Spectra M1 is slightly stronger.
Later, when your supply is already established and going strong, you may think about getting another portable pump.
Maggie says
Hi Rina,
Thank you for the detailed review. I have low milk supply, and been struggling but surviving with triple feeding. I really want to increase my pump output and am already taking many supplements.
Anyways I’ve been using Pumpables since the start. I thought it’s quite good. However I discovered recently for my right slacker boob, I can hand express sometimes more than what I’ve pumped after a 20mins pump session. Which makes me think maybe it’s not as effective as it can be. Although it seems to get everything out of the left boob. I tried different flange sizes but didn’t make any difference.
I currently pump 40-50mins after breastfeeding, my output is usually 30-60ml combined. I will be going to work in April and I’m wondering if I should try another pump.? I’m looking at spectra S2 or 9+. I wonder if they will give me a better output ? which is the most important for me. Thank you.
Rina says
hi Maggie,
In general, Spectra 9 is gentler than Spectra S2. Spectra 9 is portable while S2 is bigger. Also, with S2 you can adjust the cycle speed separately. For some moms, this tremendously helps in emptying the breast. As for better output, every mom has a different experience. I myself get better output with S1 (only get half of it with Spectra 9), while other mom has a better experience with Spectra 9 because it’s gentle.
Kristen says
Hi! I have used the freestyle medela with my first daughter but wanted to try out the spectra 9 with my second. I enjoy hands free pumping with the bra that I own but find it difficult to do so with my spectra seeing as the flanges are attached and it one big piece- is there a trick to using the spectra with a hands free pumping bra that you know of? Thanks!
Rina says
Hi Kristen.
You can use your Medela flanges with Spectra. You just need a flange adapter to connect them to Spectra back flow protector and tubing.
Estee N Howsare says
Recently, the Freemie Independence was on sale for only $200 (and much to my surprise, Target did a sale for the Nuk Freemie Liberty for only $165!!! By the time I found out, they sold out though.).
I have decreased supply after the baby started solids, and after both his dad’s family and my family pressured me into using formula. Now, we’re kind of formula dependent until my supply returns. He’s 9 months, and my breasts have longggg since regulated (just 2 weeks after birth!)…
I have only been getting at most 4 ounces per day even if I pump all day while I am away (about once every hour for 30 minutes). I love how comfortable the pump is, I love the freemie cups, and I feel let down constantly…but I am not sure what the issue is…I used to pump 4 ounces per skipped feeding (took me 3ish hours to fill breasts up). I also plan to pump every off-hour baby doesn’t feed. So about 6-8 times everyday is my goal, with 6 being the more realistic amount while I am at home and about 9-12 times when I am away from home at least until I get my supply back. Then, I’ll go down to 3-6 times a day while I am at home and 6-9 times a day while I am away. I am away from home about 2-5 days a week.
What mobile pump is best? I plan to replace my PJ’s Limerick Hospital Grade Pump with a mobile all-in-one while I am at home with the baby and at school and work…I just can’t be bothered being tied to an outlet for 30 minutes 3-6 times a day at home!
Is the Medela Freestyle, Medela Swing Maxi, Spectra S9 the best? Or my Freemie Independence (same thing as a Liberty without the LCD screen and auto-shutoff feature) is good for what I need and I just need to adjust or do a few things outside of it?
Rina says
If you already have Freemie Independence, I think it will get the job done, just make sure you have a correct flange size. Freemie has silicon insert for 21 mm or below if needed.
I love how silent Freemie is, and you can multitask ( great for busy moms).
The only thing about Freemie when using collection cup is you cannot do hands on pumping. So just make sure your breast is thoroughly empty after pumping by massaging them before or hand expression after.
Good luck!
Belle says
Hey there… thanks for the comprehensive explanation. Would you recommend a single pump or a double pump? Any difference when it comes to this?
Rina says
If you have the budget, definitely go for double pump. That’s because the breasts get drained at the same time using the same let-down, and thus better for your milk production. It cuts time in pumping, too.