Super Genie Vs Spectra S1 Breast Pump

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Some mothers have been asking me the difference between Super Genie vs Spectra S1 breast pumps. So in this article, I try my best to explain the comparison of both breast pumps, the similarities and differences. You’ll find the video below if you are particularly concerned about the noise level of these two breast pumps.

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This article is part of Pumpables breast pumps series. Other articles in this series include:

• Super Genie breast pump review from Pumpables (hospital-grade)
• Milk Genie breast pump review
• Super Genie Vs Milk Genie breast pump – detailed comparison
• Milk Genie vs Spectra S1 Breast Pump | Which One You Should Choose
• How To Use Super Genie Breast Pump | A Beginner’s Guide

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Similarities between Super Genie vs Spectra S1 Breast Pumps

1. Both of them are heavy-duty, hospital grade breast pumps.
2. Allows adjustments of vacuum strength and cycle speed separately.
3. Built in battery for long pumping hours (no need to charge in between pumping sessions).
4. Both are closed systems with back-flow protection systems.
5. Both use wide neck bottles (and narrow neck ones if you use a bottle adapter).
6. Both are heavier and bigger than portable pumps.
7. Both have night-lights.

 

Differences between Super Genie vs Spectra S1

1. Pump Settings

Super Genie has much more pump settings than Spectra S1.

Spectra S1 has 5 vacuum levels in massage mode (with constant speed at 70 CPM), 12 vacuum levels, 5 speeds (38-54 CPM) in expression mode.

Super Genie has 9 speeds (72-104 CPM), 5 vacuum levels  in massage mode, and 16 speeds(40-70 CPM), 16 vacuum levels in expression mode.

Talking about the cycle speed specifically, Super Genie is more suitable for moms responding to fast cycle speeds. They may pump much faster with Super Genie.

On the other hand, Spectra offers slower cycle speeds (as slow as 38 CPM in expression mode – which for some moms – works great in drawing those last bits of milk).

2. Memory function.

Super Genie has memory function so you can store your exact pumping program minute by minute (up to 2 programs stored). This is great when you have found your perfect pumping program because all you need to do is load your program and Super Genie will run automatically for you. 

Spectra S1, on the other hand. can only memorize the last used pump setting, but there is no way to store your own pumping program.

3. Pumping App

Super Genie has its own pumping app that you can use to control pump setting and save your pumping program. Spectra S1 does not have any app.

The pumping app that Super Genie has make it easy for pumping moms to share their pumping program with each other. All you need to do is sharing a link, and import it as a new program. This is great for beginner pumpers as they learn various pump settings that work for other moms. I have created a video tutorial on how to use Super Genie app, including how to import pump programs from other pumping moms. Click here to learn the details.

4. Soft Flange / Liquid Insert

Super Genie comes with a pair of liquid shield kits (soft silicon flange inside the hard flange) that expands all the way until the valve. That makes pumping more comfortable because it really mimics how a baby suckles from the breast.

A lot of moms swear with liquid inserts in boosting their pumping yield and comfort. Spectra S1 only comes with hard plastic flanges. It also offers silicon massagers (sold separately), it has different shape (thus different effectiveness) compared to liquid insert.

PS: in Super Genie, the duckbill valve is attached together to the liquid insert. Consequently, you will need to change this liquid insert more frequently compared to other types of silicon flanges. Expect to change the liquid insert regularly (every 2 months for light use or up to every 2 weeks for exclusive pumping. You can read more details here).

5. Support group

Super Genie has a great centralized community support from Pumpables. There is a Facebook group for Pumpables pump users as well as Pumpables fitting room  for checking flange size. I have yet to see similar support from Spectra. Yes, there’s a Facebook group available, but limited to certain countries, cmiiw.

6. Noise level

Both of them are quieter than other breast pumps in the market. But in my opinion, Super Genie is slightly noisier than Spectra S1. You can check it yourself in the video below. For fair comparison, my Super Genie is 3 months old, my Spectra S1 is more than 3 years old. 

7. Shape and Portability

In terms of shape, Super Genie is more compact than Spectra S1. Thus, it will take less space in your pumping bag.

8. Battery life

Spectra S1 has better battery life than Super Genie. With Spectra S1, the battery can last up to 3-hour pumping (so you only need to charge every 2 days for working moms) and the suction is still strong even when the battery is low.

In Super Genie, after a few months usage, you may need to charge your pump after 3-4 pumping sessions, so it’s like half battery life of Spectra S1.

 

RELATED POST:

1. Super Genie breast pump detailed review
2. Spectra S1 breast pump detailed review

 

Conclusion

Both Super Genie and Spectra S1 have similar features, with Super Genie outperforming Spectra S1 in terms of the number of available pump settings, the comfort of liquid inserts, the  memory function, as well as the support group.

If you haven’t invested in any of these breast pumps yet, I’d recommend you to go with Super Genie. 

Having said that, if you already have Spectra S1 and wondering if you should upgrade to Super Genie, here are my suggestions:

•  Think first, what makes you want to upgrade (do you need to increase milk output, better pump comfort?)
• If comfort is your issue, you can try investing in liquid insert first and using it with your Spectra S1. Remember that you need to purchase the whole system (Liquid Shield Kit), not just the liquid insert. Some moms experience better comfort once switching to liquid insert even when using Spectra S1.
• If your problem is long pumping time and inability to empty breast properly and you think that more flexibility in pump setting may help you to pump better, then invest in the whole Super Genie system.

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I hope this quick article helps you to decide which hospital-grade breast pump you should choose, whether it is Super Genie vs Spectra S1.

As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment and I try to reply as soon as possible.