I'm really torn here. I used a Medela PISA with my daughter. I had two - one for home, one for work. I have all the parts, bottles for pumping, etc. I'm tempted to get another Medela PISA for this baby because I know what to expect, have everything, it worked for a year. But I've heard good things about Spectra? The "perks" I've heard of Spectra don't really apply... I don't need it to be quiet - I have a pumping room and rarely am on calls while pumping. I don't need to travel with it (at least I don't plan to?). So sell me one way or the other... Do I really NEED the Spectra this time? Should I just stick with what works?
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I have never used a PISA, just an Ameda, but I really like the massage function of the spectra to get your letdown. Also, I don't pump as long.
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So, everyone told me to get the Spectra if I could. My insurance offered either. I had the PISA last time and it was fine for my needs (exclusive pumping for a few months, then pumping at work until 12 months). But too many people have said the Spectra is the jam, so I went that route.
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I'm getting a Spectra because I've heard such great things about it. I also figure since I already have two PISA, if I end up disliking the Spectra I can always go back to my PISA.
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I have had both and I love the Spectra s2!
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I’ve had both and the Spectra is far more comfortable with greater output. It was almost as good as the Symphony I rented. You can get an adapter to use all your Medela bottles—that’s what I did.
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I haven't tried the PISA but I've heard from other moms who have tried both that they got more milk output from the Spectra. And as @Hypatia: says, you can get a super cheap adapter (under $10) from Amazon and use all your Medela bottles and parts!
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I stuck with the PISA, I had great success with it the first time and figured why switch it up. I have been happy with it, I do still wonder about the spectra but did not want to deal with adaptors etc.
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I have a Medela and my LC just convinced me to invest in a spectra (comes in later today and am excited to try it out). The main reason why I ordered it was the quality of the pump’s motor. My LC believes (based on her professional experience - not a formal study) that the spectra’s motor outperforms and outlasts the medela’s motor. I’m an EP so motor longevity/reliability is a big factor for me as I use my pump a lot.
Here are the parts that I needed to order to make my Medela parts compatible with my spectra
https://www.amazon.com/Maymom-Changer-Converter-Spectra-Lifefactory/dp/B01EUNA96W
https://www.amazon.com/PumpMom-Backflow-Connects-Breastshield-Protector/dp/B07D1XLSWR
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I had a PISA for my first two and just got an S2 for my third. Like others are saying, output is better and my pump times have decreased. It's much bigger, but even though I have an office to pump in and loudness isn't a factor, it being quieter is nice because I can focus more easily on work while pumping. With PISA, I was always putting singsongy words to the tune of the pump, haha.
I didn't buy an adapter - I purchased an extra set of S2 parts (one came with the pump) and I pour pumped milk from S2 bottles into the Medela bottles just because I have so many.
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I had the medala at first but switched to spectra at the recommendation of an IBCLC, to boost supply. It did help, though not a magic bullet. Actually, it just bit the dust this morning (LO is 10 months) and I had to run out between meetings and get another one. But no regrets - that is after many, many, many hours of pumping (again due to my not great supply)... I use generic brand bottles and parts from Amazon - so not that expensive and they work just like the ones that came with the pump.
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@periwinklebee: and others encouraged me to try the spectra this time and I LOVE IT. ask much as one can love a pump. I had the medela freestyle last time and have used it a couple of times this fall—it is not nearly as good as the S2. I hated the spectra parts, though, and easily hacked mine to be able to use all the (imo) way superior medela parts on it. So double win: I only use my interchangeable medela parts in either pump and didn’t have to buy anything new (except the $6 tubing to hack) and have a much better pump/output. My insurance paid for the S2 outright.
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@periwinklebee: that sucks that yours died though! I’m surprised
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@LCTBQE: The main complaints I saw in the reviews are that it dies sometimes - that's basically the difference between the price of the spectra versus thousands of dollars for a medical grade pump. So I wasn't shocked. But I use it a *lot*. Like 2+ hours a day.
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My SIL had the Spectra and couldn't get much out so I offered her to try my PISA from my first and it worked so much better for her. I think it just depends on the person. She does have implants so that may have been a factor as well, It just wasn't strong enough to pull it all out.
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Spectra. I was in the same boat - had 2 PISAs with a million parts for each, but going into pregnancy #2 I got a Spectra with insurance and I can't believe how much better it is. Now when I have to use the PISA it feels like an ancient dinosaur.
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Pumps are such a personal item they work differently for each of us. I heard so many great things about spectra s2. I used it last time and wasn't at that impressed did this time i decided to try The new medela sonata. The one awesome thing about spectra is how quiet it is. Aside from that nothing stood out to me. The quality of the bottles is so low that the markings fade off quickly.
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Just wanted to chime in that I got a Spectra9 this time around and the bottles I received have raised markings, not printed, so they won't wear off like mentioned here and on some other threads/reviews I saw which had concerned me. I also purchased an adapter like others mentioned so I can use my Ameda bottles if I choose.
Typically though I just pour my milk from bottle to storage bag immediately after pumping so that I only use one set of bottles each day - refrigerating them after use so I don't have to wash as much or as often.
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With my first I had a Medela Freestyle and I liked it a lot. When LO2 was born 2y9m later, I wanted a second pump and the Freestyle was no longer covered, so I got a Spectra S2.
It was a lot bigger, but I ended up loving the Spectra. I don't know if the motor on my Freestyle started to go, or if the Spectra was just that much better. But I tried to the Freestyle again after using the Spectra and it was nowhere near as effective or comfortable. And again, the Freestyle could have started to go since it was close to 3 years old at that point. But regardless, I really liked the Spectra. I did have to kind of hack it though to use the parts I liked.
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@Hypatia: Exact same on all.
I really prefer the spectra, it feels way more efficient than the PISA. Also I had a ton of Medela storage bags that I had pumped directly into, but I got adapters for the Spectra so I can pump from the spectra into the medela bags.
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@ShootingStar: Exact same on all
I'm so glad I listened to you about getting the S2 this time. I've used my old Freestyle (which got heavy, heavy use the first time for a full year) a handful of times and it feels like it's doing a 60% job, even with the level turned way up. and PSA, if anyone wants to hack their S2 to be able to use Freestyle parts, wall me. I found a ton of hacks for PISA/S2 compatibility but had to really dig to find a way for the Freestyle. It was super simple though.
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@periwinklebee: that's still a bummer that it just died--was it your work one or your home one? I'm on the fence about buying a second one for home/office. I guess it's next-level convenient if at 10 months you're replacing yours?
OP sorry for thread jack
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@LCTBQE: Work one - I haven't used the home one in awhile because I don't pump in the mornings anymore (lord knows what destruction a very mobile LO would wreak on our house in the time it would take to pump), so I just brought the home one to work.
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@LCTBQE:
I'm glad it worked for you. And congrats on LO2, btw.
I'm so glad I listened to you about getting the S2 this time. I've used my old Freestyle (which got heavy, heavy use the first time for a full year) a handful of times and it feels like it's doing a 60% job, even with the level turned way up. 
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