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Key takeaways
- Suction: the S2 Plus lists 270 mmHg and 12 vacuum levels. The 9 Plus lists 260 mmHg and 10 levels [1][2][3].
- Weight is the big gap: the 9 Plus is half a pound, while the S2 Plus is 2.5 to 3 pounds depending on which line of Spectra's page you read [1][2].
- Power: the S2 Plus plugs in. The 9 Plus has a built-in rechargeable battery plus an AC adapter, and Spectra doesn't state its run time [2][5].
- Coverage: Byram calls the S2 commonly fully covered. Aeroflow lists the 9 Plus as partially covered with a small co-pay or deductible [5][6].
- The S2 Plus is the current S2. We found no Spectra page selling a separate older S2, and no maker statement of what changed [1][4].
At a glance
Spectra S2 Plus
Suits: Parents who pump at home or at a desk near an outlet and want the Spectra model most often fully covered.
- Strength: Lists 270 mmHg and 12 vacuum levels
- Strength: Commonly fully covered, per Byram
- Strength: Night light and timer, per Spectra
- Trade-off: Plug-in only
- Trade-off: Spectra lists weight as both 2.5 lb and 3 lb
- Trade-off: Not made for pumping away from an outlet
Spectra 9 Plus (S9 Plus)
Suits: Parents who want the smallest Spectra pump for travel or pumping between rooms, and can accept a co-pay or upgrade fee.
- Strength: Weighs about half a pound
- Strength: Built-in rechargeable battery
- Strength: Pairs with Spectra's CaraCups for hands-free use
- Trade-off: Lists 260 mmHg and 10 levels, a little below the S2 Plus
- Trade-off: Battery run time not stated
- Trade-off: Aeroflow lists it as partially covered
The Spectra S2 Plus plugs into a wall and the Spectra 9 Plus, which shoppers call the S9 Plus, fits in a bag. Spectra lists 270 mmHg for the S2 Plus and 260 mmHg for the 9 Plus, and the weight gap is far larger: 2.5 to 3 pounds against half a pound [1][2]. This guide compares the two on Spectra's own pages, adds the S1 Plus briefly, and covers the insurance question that usually decides which one you get.
Spectra S2 vs S9 Plus side by side
Each value comes from Spectra unless the cell says otherwise. Spectra publishes no decibel figure for either pump.
| Model | Max suction | Weight | Power | Closed system | Coverage / where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectra S2 PlusTraditional double electric | 270 mmHg | 2.5 to 3 lb | Plug-in only | Yes | Commonly fully covered, per ByramAmazonAffiliate link |
| Spectra 9 Plus (S9 Plus)Portable double electric | 260 mmHg | 0.5 lb | Built-in rechargeable battery, plus AC adapter | Yes | Partially covered with a small co-pay, per AeroflowAmazonAffiliate link |
| Spectra S1 PlusTraditional double electric | 270 mmHg | 3 lb | Built-in rechargeable battery | Yes | Often an upgrade fee, per ByramAmazonAffiliate link |
| Spec | Spectra S2 Plus | Spectra 9 Plus | Spectra S1 Plus (for reference) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum suction | 270 mmHg [1] | 260 mmHg [2] | 270 mmHg [3] |
| Vacuum levels | 12 [1][3] | 10 [2][3] | 12 [3] |
| Weight | 2.5 lb (3 lb in the description) [1] | 0.5 lb [2] | 3 lb [9] |
| Power | AC adapter [1][4] | Built-in rechargeable battery, plus AC adapter [2][5] | Built-in battery, about 3 hours, per Spectra's guide [3] |
| Backflow protection | "True closed system" [1] | "True closed system" [2] | Closed system [3] |
| Display | LCD [1] | LCD, backlit [2][3] | LCD [3] |
| Extras listed | Night light and timer [3][4] | Pairs with CaraCups for hands-free use [3] | Same features as the S2 Plus plus a battery [3] |
| Warranty | 2-year pump, 90-day parts [1] | 2-year pump, 90-day parts [2] | 2-year pump, 90-day parts [3] |
S2 Plus vs 9 Plus: strength and size
On paper the S2 Plus is the stronger pump, by 10 mmHg and two vacuum levels [1][2]. Spectra calls both hospital strength [1][2]. That gap is a ceiling, not a milk forecast.
Size is where the 9 Plus wins. At half a pound it is Spectra's smallest pump, and Spectra describes it as built for on-the-go single or double pumping [2][3]. The S2 Plus is a countertop pump. If you pump in a car, a lactation room without a good outlet, or on a flight, that matters.
Spectra lists one page weight of 2.5 pounds and a description weight of 3 pounds for the S2 Plus [1]. We show both rather than choose.
Hands-free and battery
The 9 Plus has a built-in rechargeable battery [2][5]. Spectra doesn't state a run time for it, so don't plan a workday on one charge without checking [2]. Spectra says its CaraCups turn the 9 Plus into a hands-free setup [3]. A pumping bra does the same job for the S2 Plus, but it still needs an outlet [4].
If you want a battery but also a full-size pump, the S1 Plus adds a battery to the S2 Plus. Spectra's guide gives it a 3-hour battery and the same 270 mmHg [3]. Our Spectra S1 vs S2 guide covers that pair.
Spectra S2 vs S2 Plus
Shoppers still search for the plain S2, and sellers sometimes list it. We found no Spectra page selling a separate S2 today. Spectra's product page, Aeroflow's Spectra lineup and Byram's FAQ all point to the S2 Plus, and Byram shortens it to "Spectra S2" [1][4][6]. We found no maker statement saying what changed between the two.
If a listing says S2 without Plus, ask the seller for the model number and warranty before you buy.
Does insurance cover the Spectra S2 or 9 Plus?
Federal rules require non-grandfathered plans to cover breastfeeding equipment, but the plan and its supplier decide which pump and what you pay [7]. Byram explains that plans cover a set value of pump as "fully covered," and the upgrade fee is the gap between that and the pump's price [6]. That fee isn't reimbursable by insurance but may be payable with HSA or FSA money [6].
What suppliers say:
- Spectra S2. Byram says the S2 is commonly fully covered, and it lists the S2 among its top fully covered pumps in 2026 [6].
- Spectra S1. Byram says the S1 often needs an upgrade fee because of its portability [6].
- Spectra 9 Plus. Aeroflow lists it as partially covered with a small co-pay or deductible, and says secondary insurance may cover more [5]. We found no Byram statement about the 9 Plus, so ask your supplier.
None of those pages gives a fee in dollars. Ask for the exact amount in writing. Our guide to ordering a pump through insurance walks through the steps, and the 12-model coverage comparison shows how pumps sort into tiers.
Who each pump fits
| If you... | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pump at home or a desk with an outlet | S2 Plus | Highest listed suction, and the usual no-cost route [1][6] |
| Travel or pump between rooms often | 9 Plus | Half a pound with a built-in battery [2] |
| Want a full-size pump plus a battery | S1 Plus | Same 270 mmHg as the S2 Plus [3] |
| Need the lowest likely cost | Ask about the S2 first | Byram calls it commonly fully covered [6] |
| Compare brands | Spectra vs Medela | See our Spectra vs Medela guide |
Flange fit changes comfort and output more than the pump name, and the boxed size may not suit you. See our flange size guide and consider a lactation consultant.
Recalls and safety
We searched FDA's device recall database on October 16, 2026 and found no entries for Spectra pumps [8]. We also found no CPSC recalls under the Spectra name. Recalls can be added at any time, so check Spectra's site for your model.
Where to buy
If you're paying out of pocket, here are the labeled Amazon links: Spectra S2 Plus Affiliate link, Spectra 9 Plus Affiliate link and Spectra S1 Plus Affiliate link. Check price on Amazon, and ask your supplier first, since a covered pump usually costs less that way. For more models, see breast pumps compared and our wearable pump guide.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between the Spectra S2 and S9?
The Spectra S2 Plus is a plug-in pump with 270 mmHg, 12 vacuum levels and a weight of 2.5 to 3 lb. The Spectra 9 Plus (often called the S9 Plus) is a portable pump with 260 mmHg, 10 levels, a built-in rechargeable battery and a weight of half a pound. Both are closed systems with a 2-year pump warranty.
Is the Spectra S9 Plus as strong as the S2?
Spectra lists a slightly lower maximum, 260 mmHg against 270 mmHg, and 10 vacuum levels against 12. Spectra still calls both hospital strength. A 10 mmHg ceiling gap says little about how much milk you will pump, so flange fit matters more.
What is the difference between the Spectra S2 and S2 Plus?
We found no current Spectra listing for a separate S2, and no maker statement comparing the two. Spectra, Aeroflow and Byram all sell or describe the S2 Plus, and Byram shortens it to Spectra S2. If a seller lists an older S2, ask for the model number and warranty.
Does insurance cover the Spectra S2 or the 9 Plus?
Byram calls the S2 commonly fully covered. Aeroflow lists the 9 Plus as partially covered with a small co-pay or deductible, and says secondary insurance may cover more. Your plan and supplier decide, so ask for the exact cost of each in writing.
Is the Spectra 9 Plus rechargeable?
Yes. Spectra lists a built-in rechargeable battery, and Aeroflow lists AC adapter or internal battery. Spectra doesn't state how long a charge lasts, so don't plan around a number.
Have Spectra breast pumps been recalled?
We searched FDA's device recall database on October 16, 2026 and found no entries for Spectra pumps. We also found no CPSC recalls under the Spectra name. Recalls can be added at any time, so check Spectra's site for your model.
Sources
Numbers in brackets in the guide link to these sources.
- 1.Spectra S2 Plus Premier Double Electric Breast PumpSpectra Baby USA, 2026
- 2.Spectra 9 Plus Premier Portable Rechargeable Breast PumpSpectra Baby USA, 2026
- 3.Which Spectra Pump Is Right For Me?Spectra Baby USA, 2023
- 4.Spectra Breast PumpsAeroflow Breastpumps, 2026
- 5.Spectra 9 Plus Breast PumpAeroflow Breastpumps, 2026
- 6.Breast Pumps Through Insurance (FAQ)Byram Healthcare (Byram Baby), 2026
- 7.Breastfeeding benefitsHealthCare.gov (U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), 2026
- 8.Device Recalls (openFDA)U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2026
- 9.Spectra S1 Plus Premier Rechargeable Double Electric Breast PumpSpectra Baby USA, 2026
