Choosing a breast pump can be overwhelming.
I can remember looking all over the internet when I was pregnant with my first baby looking up various pumps and their features in hopes of narrowing down my search. It can be like going down a rabbit hole with so many pumps to research.
Two pumps that I have personally used and am asked about a lot here at The Pumping Mommy, are the Motif Luna vs Spectra S2.
These two popular pumps are gaining even more traction thanks to the availability of breast pumps through insurance companies whose lists often include both the Motif Luna and the Spectra S2.
So how does the Motif Luna vs the Spectra S2 compare?
Which pump is better?
Which should you choose?
You will find these two pumps are so similar that it can be hard to find a clear winner but I do ultimately have a favorite!
Motif Luna vs Spectra S2
When comparing any breast pump, I tend to focus on a few select categories to help me narrow it down. With that in mind, in this Motif Luna vs Spectra S2 showdown, here are the categories we will be looking at:
- Overall Key Features
- Pump Strength
- Pump Noise
- Weight and Portability
- Closed System vs Open System
- Pump Features
- Availability of Replacement Parts
- Established Brand/Price
So let’s get to it!
Overall Key Features of the Motif Luna vs Spectra S2
You will notice many of the key features that are advertised for both the Motif Luna and the Spectra S2 are so similar that you would not be able to tell the pumps apart by this information alone.
Key Features of the Motif Luna
- Closed System
- Single or Double Pump
- Digital Controls with Massage and Expression Modes
- Strong Pump – up to 280 mmHg
- Ability to customize your preferred pump settings
- Backlit LCD Screen
- Night Light with three settings
- Quiet Pump Motor
- Lightweight at just 2 lbs
- Auto Shut-off after 30 minutes
- 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty
Key Features of the Spectra S2
- Closed System
- Single or Double Pump
- Digital Controls with Expression and Massage Mode
- Memory Mode to save preferred pump settings
- Hospital-grade
- Backlit LCD Screen
- Strong Pump – up to 270mmHg.
- Quiet Pump Motor
- Very light – weighs as much as 4 apples!
- Nightlight with Two Settings
- BPA Free parts
Pump Strength
When talking about pump strength, most moms are really asking which pump will yield them more milk. You might be surprised to learn there is an actual measurement for pump strength.
You will typically see it listed as mmHG (millimeters of mercury) which is the standard unit that measures vacuum pressure. This range is usually somewhere between 220 to 350 for breast pumps.
The listed measurements for the Luna and the S2 are as follows:
Motif Luna: 280mmHG
Spectra S2: 270mmHG
As you can see, the Motif Luna boasts a more powerful pump motor, even if only slightly.
Does this mean the Luna will yield more milk?
Yes and no. Sorry, that wasn’t very direct… Let me explain.
You rarely pump for a long period of time at the highest vacuum setting (some moms never even reach it).
Milk yielded does have a lot to do with suction strength but also how you use your pump and the settings. There’s more to it than just pumping on the highest setting. Both pumps have strong pump motors and will yield close to the same in most moms.
But with that said, on paper, the Motif Luna is slightly stronger than the Spectra S2.
You can read more about the basics of pumping and using pump settings, here.
Pump Noise
Both the Luna and the S2 are relatively quiet pumps. They are neck and neck here.
If you need a pump that is on the quiet side, either of them would be a great choice.
Weight and Portability
When it comes to weight and portability of the Motif Luna vs the Spectra S2, there is one key difference.
So let’s discuss what is similar.
Weight:
Motif Luna: Less than 2 lbs
Spectra S2: Less than 2 lbs
No difference in weight here. Both very light when talking about breast pumps and also happen to weigh basically the same.
Battery Option?
Motif Luna: No Battery Option. Uses AC Adapter only.
Spectra S2: No Battery Option. Uses AC Adapter only.
Both pumps need a power source for them to be used. It makes portability limited in that you don’t have a battery option.
One Key Difference?
The Motif Luna and the Spectra S2 weigh the same and both are limited when it comes to portability in that they need to be plugged into a power source.
But one key difference for me is the size of the pumps.
They are both about the same size and weight but the Spectra S2 has a raised handle at the top. This gives it a larger profile by about 4 inches. That is fairly significant when you are talking about carrying it around.
The Motif is slimmer.
The Motif still has a handle but its flush with the pump, whereas the Spectra S2’s handle is raised.
If you plan to carry your pump around, the slimmer profile is something to consider.
Open System vs Closed System
Both the Motif Luna and the Spectra S2 are Closed System pumps meaning they contain a barrier between the milk collection kit and the pump motor. This ensures no moisture enters the pump motor or tubing which can lead to mold if not properly cared for.
You can read more about Open and Closed System pumps, here.
Pump Features
As outlined in the Overall Key Features above, both pumps have digital screens, Expression and Massage Modes, option to set your preferred pump settings (memory mode).
Both of these pumps operate very similarly.
You have a lot of control when it comes to setting the suction strength and the suction speed. But you also have the option to switch between Massage Modes (fast, low suction setting to simulate a let down) and Expression Mode (high suction with low speed to express milk) with the press of a button.
Motif Luna Controls
Both have backlit digital screens with nightlights. As a pumping mom, you will appreciate these features immensely, trust me.
Again, I find the Motif Luna and the Spectra S2 to be neck and neck when it comes to the pump features.
Availability of Replacement Parts
Being able to easily get replacement parts for your pump is something to consider. Newer brands often only sell them through their website. This means you need to plan ahead when ordering.
How accessible are the Spectra and Motif replacement parts?
While both can be purchased off their respective websites, you can also purchase both of them off Amazon through Prime shipping which is huge.
Spectra parts are also sold out of stores like Target. In the past, this wasn’t true but they are popping up in more stores making their parts more accessible than the Motif.
Established Brand/Price
Spectra
Spectra has been around for a while internationally. It is newer to the US but in the last several years it has been earning a name for itself.
It is a trusted brand that moms have grown to love and recommend by the raving reviews you will find across mom groups and message boards. Moms LOVE Spectra pumps.
It is a well-established brand with great customer service and is definitely one you can invest in and trust.
The price point for the Spectra S2 has remained fairly consistent over the years which is a point that I love. Despite its popularity, it remains affordable.
You can see the current retail price for the Spectra S2, here.
Motif
Motif Medical is a newer company and the Luna is their newest pump.
As far as brand reputation, Motif hasn’t had long enough to create a concrete name for themselves. They don’t have the brand recognition that Spectra has, yet.
Despite being newer, I am very impressed with the quality of their pumps. Often it takes time for newer companies to come into their own but Motif Medical seems to be doing great out of the gate. I loved the Motif Duo which was the first Motif pump I’ve tried and have loved the Motif Luna even more.
I think given time, Motif will carve out their place in the breast pump world with quality breast pumps.
While the Luna is pricier than the Spectra, I suspect over time, they might settle around the same price point as the S2.
You can see the current retail price for the Motif Luna, here.
Which is better: Motif Luna vs Spectra S2
It is hard to narrow it down between these two amazing pumps.
On one hand, you have the Motif Luna who is slightly stronger at 280 mmHg and it has a slimmer profile for easier storage.
On the other hand, you have the Spectra S2 which is slightly cheaper, replacement parts are now available in stores, and is a more established brand.
With them being so similar and having nearly identical features, the deciding factor for me comes down to using the pumps.
My winner? The Motif Luna.
The Motif Luna just barely wins this showdown for me. It all came down to actually pumping with it.
The Spectra S2 is a very comfortable pump to use and for me is sometimes too gentle. For moms who are extra sensitive to pumping, the S2 is a great choice. But for me, that’s not a concern and I like the way the Motif Luna preforms.
I yield close to the same amount of milk with both pumps but I can do it slightly faster with the Luna. Time is my best friend so that matters to me.
I also like the slimmer profile of the Luna. It makes carrying it around a little more convenient.
The price difference is something to consider, however. The Spectra S2 is an amazing pump and if you are on a budget, it will be more than a perfect choice. If you have a little extra to spend, the Motif Luna is a great choice too.
I hope this comparison didn’t make your head spin! I told you they were nearly identical but you will find both to be amazing pumps and you really can’t go wrong with either of them!
You can read my individual reviews of both pumps by clicking the links below:
Have questions about the Motif Luna or the Spectra S2? Stuck on which to choose? Drop me a comment below!
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how about the tubing? Is it the same? I loved the spectra s2 but I hated the tubing because it would constantly pop off either the bottles or the pump itself and need to be reinforced.
How interesting. I’ve never had that issue with the S2… Did you ever contact Spectra about it? Sounds like it may have been a defect. But to answer your questions about the Luna, no, I’ve never had an issue with the tubing popping off or having to reinforce it at all. I hope that helps!
Hi, I have used the Medela pump in style extensively (over a year each) for my last three babies and I am expecting my forth. I know there are adapters for using Medela pieces with the Spectra, do you know if anything similar for the Motif? I have a collection of Medela pieces and would be happy to not have to buy all new flanges and such again.
Also, do both the Spectra and Motif use wide mouth bottles? I can’t really tell from the pictures. Are they easy to use different brands of bottles with? No one wants to spill milk because of bottles that don’t screw into the flange well ?
There is an adapter that converts wideneck bottles to the smaller ones! I just bought one because I have a collection of medela bottles that I don’t want to waste, mor do I want to get more collection bottles. I got it from the website AeroflowBreastpumps.com where I also got the motion Luna pump
Yes, you are correct, there is an adapter that allows you to use the wide neck bottles with the Medela flanges. She wants to use the Medela flanges (not bottles) with the Luna pump and that will require a converter since the tubing and pump connector does not fit the Medela flanges. But, yes, you can use the Medela bottles with a wide-mouth pump like the Luna using the adapter!
Hi Shaina!
Great questions! There is not an aftermarket adapter for the Luna to use the Medela flanges on the market yet that I am aware of. In theory, the adapter for the Spectra might work, but I have not tested that with the Luna. The adapter I recommend for the Spectra to use the Medela flanges is this one, here. Spectra to use the Medela flanges is this one, here.
And, yes, both the Spectra S2 and the Motif Luna are wide-mouth bottles! I have used the Avent bottles with each of them before and didn’t have an issue. I haven’t tried many other brands since that was my baby’s favorite haha. I would say most major brands with a wide mouth design would probably work. There are adapters for the standard nexk bottles that you can buy for the Spectra flanges as well and the Medela flanges for wide-mouth bottles. I hope this helps!
Very detailed and informative. Thank you. I have just called aeroflow breastpump and ordered my free breastpump (with my insurance). I wanted the Spectra S2 plus as I was previously told that it comes 100% free from my insurance, but I had to wait until I am at least 26 weeks to order it. So now I’m 28 weeks and as I was ordering i was told that Spectra S2 is not anymore 100% covered and that I still need to pay my share of at least $29. I asked for one that I do not have to pay, and the agent told me about Motif Luna being comparable to Spectra S2. All that was in it for me is the closed system feature and was told yes it has the closed system feature. So I said ok, Motif Luna it is. After the call, I immediately googled a comparative review of the 2 and I found your blog. I don’t guess I need to read more reviews as yours is sufficient enough for me to like the Motif Luna that I will be getting in a couple of weeks from now. I’m in fact very excited already. ?
Hi Carmina! I am so glad the review put your mind at ease! You will be very happy with the Luna! Huge congrats on your pregnancy and once you pump arrives, feel free to reach out with any questions. Take care!