Spectra S1 vs S2: differences and getting one through insurance

Two notes on the table. First, Spectra's S2 Plus page gives its weight in two places, as "3lbs" and as "2.5 pounds," so we show both rather than pick one ^[2]. Second, Spectra's S1 Plus page doesn't give a battery run time ^[1]. Other websites quote figures, but we couldn't confirm one on Spectra's own page, so check the manual in the box or ask Spectra.

Is the Spectra S1 stronger than the S2?

No. Spectra lists the same 270 mmHg maximum and the same top suction level, L12, for both pumps ^[1][2]. The battery changes where you can pump, not how strongly the pump pulls.

It also helps to know that maximum suction is a ceiling, not a target. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine notes that pumps can injure breast tissue and the nipple when flanges don't fit, suction is set too high, or sessions run too long ^[10]. Most people find a comfortable setting well below the top. If pumping hurts, talk to your provider or a lactation consultant rather than turning the pump up.

You'll also see "hospital strength" on both product pages ^[1][2]. The FDA says the related term "hospital-grade pump" isn't recognized by the agency and has no consistent definition, so companies can mean different things by it ^[6]. Treat it as marketing wording, not a regulated category.

Why does the Spectra S1 cost extra through insurance?

Because of the battery. Byram, an insurance breast pump supplier, puts it plainly: "Because of portability, the S1 often requires an upgrade fee, while the S2 is commonly fully covered" ^[3].

Here's how the tiers work. Byram explains that most plans cover pumps up to a certain value as "fully covered," and that "the upgrade fee is the difference between the covered amount and the price of the pump" ^[3]. A pump priced at or below what your plan pays costs you nothing. A pump priced above it costs you the difference.

Byram's 2026 lists show where the two Spectra models usually land ^[3]:

• Most common fully covered pumps: Spectra S2, Lansinoh DiscreetDuo Flow, Zomee Fit, BabyBuddha 2.0 and Ardo Melia.
• Most common upgrade pumps: Spectra S1, Elvie Stride, Willow Go, Zomee W1 and Willow Sync.

Byram doesn't publish its upgrade fees in dollars on that page, and the fee for the same pump can differ from one plan to the next ^[3]. That's why we don't list one here. Ask your supplier for the exact amount for your plan, in writing, before you order.

Can I pay the upgrade fee with an HSA or FSA?

Usually, yes. Byram says upgrade fees "are not reimbursable by insurance," but they may be eligible for FSA or HSA funds ^[3]. The IRS says you can include "the cost of breast pumps and supplies that assist lactation" in medical expenses ^[7].

A few practical points:

• Check with your plan administrator before you pay, as Byram suggests ^[3]. Some FSA administrators ask for an itemized receipt.
• A health care FSA is different from a dependent care FSA. A dependent care FSA pays for child care, not medical supplies. Our guide to the dependent care FSA explains that account.
• Keep the receipt that shows the upgrade fee separately from what insurance paid.

What does insurance cover for a breast pump?

Most plans must cover a breast pump, but each plan sets the details. HealthCare.gov says "your health insurance plan must cover the cost of a breast pump," and that it "may be either a rental unit or a new one you'll keep" ^[4]. Plans can also decide whether it's manual or electric and whether you get it before or after birth ^[4].

The requirement applies to Marketplace plans and most other health plans, but not to grandfathered plans ^[4]. If your employer's plan has been around a long time without major changes, ask whether it's grandfathered.

Insurer policies add their own rules. Aetna's clinical policy, for example, covers the purchase of a manual or standard electric pump for plans subject to the federal requirement, and a replacement pump for each later pregnancy ^[5]. It covers hospital-grade pump rental during a newborn's hospital stay, and it does not consider the purchase of a wearable, battery-operated pump medically necessary ^[5]. The S1 Plus isn't a wearable, but this is a good example of how insurers draw lines by pump type, so read your own plan's rules.

For insurer-by-insurer details, see our guides for Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente and Tricare. If you're on Medicaid, coverage depends on your state: see Medicaid breast pump coverage by state.

How to get a Spectra pump through insurance

With most plans, you order through an in-network durable medical equipment (DME) supplier rather than a store. The supplier checks your plan, shows you which pumps are $0 and which carry a fee, and ships the pump. Our step-by-step guide to getting a breast pump through insurance covers the process in detail.

The short version:

1. Find your plan's suppliers. Call the number on your insurance card or check your insurer's website for in-network breast pump suppliers.
2. Give the supplier your details. They usually need your insurance information, your due date and your provider's name. Some plans need a prescription, and many suppliers request it for you.
3. Compare the S1 and S2 on your plan. Ask whether the S2 Plus is $0 and what the S1 Plus upgrade fee would be.
4. Order early. Byram suggests starting around week 30 of pregnancy and says it holds the order until your plan allows shipping, which is often within 30 days of your due date or after birth ^[3].
5. Ask about replacement parts. Byram says many plans cover monthly replacement parts, including tubing and valves, at no extra cost ^[3].

If you'd rather start online, you can check what your plan covers and order a pump Partner through a supplier that works with many insurers. Compare the S1 and S2 tiers there the same way.

A word on used pumps. The FDA considers most breast pumps single-user devices, because there's no way to guarantee one can be cleaned and disinfected between different users ^[6]. It also notes that buying a used pump may violate the manufacturer's warranty ^[6]. Getting a new pump through insurance avoids both problems.

Which Spectra fits your situation?

Neither pump is right for everyone. Since the specs match, the choice comes down to where you'll pump and what your plan charges.

A few questions can help you decide:

• Where will most sessions happen? If the answer is a nursery chair or an office with an outlet, the battery adds little. If it's a car, a shared workspace or a home without a convenient outlet, it can matter more.
• Will you pump often? If you're planning to pump at work or follow a frequent pumping schedule, think through where each session will happen.
• What does your plan actually charge? The fee, if any, is plan-specific ^[3]. Get the number before you decide.

What flange sizes come with the Spectra S1 and S2?

Both pumps come with two 24 mm and two 28 mm flanges ^[1][2]. Spectra sells additional sizes of 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32 mm ^[9].

To choose a size, Spectra's guide says to measure across your nipple, then "add 2-3mm to find your flange size" ^[8]. It gives the example of a 16 mm measurement fitting a 19 to 20 mm flange ^[8]. Spectra also says not to measure your nipples while pregnant, to measure both sides since they can differ, and that your size may change once your milk supply is established, around 10 weeks postpartum ^[8].

That means the sizes in the box may not fit you. If your measurement points to a different size, ask your supplier whether it can send other sizes, or buy them separately. A poor fit can make pumping painful and less effective, and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine lists improper flange size among the causes of pumping-related injury ^[10].

Our breast pump flange size guide walks through measuring step by step and compares sizing charts across brands. If you're unsure, a lactation consultant can check your fit in person. See whether insurance covers lactation consultants.

Does insurance cover Spectra replacement parts?

Often, yes, within limits your plan sets. Byram says many plans cover monthly replacement parts, including tubing and valves, at no additional cost ^[3]. Both Spectra pumps use the same kinds of parts in the box: tubing, duckbill valves, backflow protectors, flanges and bottles ^[1][2].

Limits vary by insurer. Aetna's policy, for example, caps replacement tubing, adapters, shields and locking rings at 8 per year, allows up to 8 replacement bottles and 8 replacement caps or lids a year, and covers up to 4 boxes of 100 milk storage bags a month ^[5]. Other insurers set their own numbers, so ask your supplier what yours allows and how to reorder.

Spectra vs Medela: how do they compare?

Comparing the Spectra S2 Plus with Medela's Pump In Style Pro, two traditional double electric pumps, on what each maker publishes:

The Medela pump is lighter on paper, and it starts with a smaller included size ^[2][11]. Spectra publishes a maximum suction figure and Medela's product page doesn't ^[2][11]. Both makers describe a barrier to keep milk out of the tubing, in different words ^[2][11].

For more models side by side, including wearables, see breast pumps covered by insurance.

For other pumps sorted by how you'll use them, see breast pumps compared.

For all four pumps side by side, see Spectra vs Medela compared.

Questions to ask before you order

Before you settle on the S1 or S2, ask your supplier:

1. Is the Spectra S2 Plus $0 on my plan?
2. What's the exact upgrade fee for the Spectra S1 Plus, and can I get it in writing?
3. Is my plan grandfathered, or does it follow the federal breast pump rule?
4. Which flange sizes can you send besides the 24 mm and 28 mm in the box?
5. How often will my plan cover replacement parts and milk storage bags?
6. When will the pump ship: before birth, or after?

And ask your own provider or a lactation consultant about anything medical, such as pain while pumping, low supply or pumping for a baby in the NICU. They know your situation, and a pump choice is only one part of feeding plans that work.