The smart speaker market is more crowded and competitive than ever, but Apple is betting it can stand out with the surprise release of the 2nd generation HomePod. This new $299 model resurrection of the original HomePod comes nearly two years after Apple unceremoniously discontinued its flagship smart speaker, leaving us with just the smaller and cheaper HomePod mini.
Now Apple once again has two horses in the smart speaker race, covering both ends of the market. But is the new HomePod a meaningful upgrade over the mini, or just a reheated version of its maligned predecessor? How exactly do these Siri siblings stack up in terms of audio quality, smart features, and value?
As an audiophile and smart home aficionado who has tested just about every smart speaker on the market, I‘m here to break it all down. By the end of this deep dive, you‘ll know exactly which HomePod deserves a spot in your home (if any). Let‘s get into it.
HomePod 2 vs. HomePod Mini: Tale of the Tape
Before we get into the qualitative differences, let‘s see how the new HomePod and HomePod mini compare on raw specs:
| Specification | HomePod (2nd Gen) | HomePod Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $99 |
| Size | 6.6" H x 5.6" W | 3.3" H x 3.9" W |
| Weight | 5.16 lbs | 0.76 lbs |
| Colors | White, Midnight | White, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Space Gray |
| Audio | 5 tweeters, 4" high-excursion woofer, advanced computational audio | Full-range driver, dual passive radiators, computational audio |
| Amplifiers | High-performance with custom power supply | Not disclosed |
| Frequency response | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Supported audio formats | HE-AAC, AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio | HE-AAC, AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF, WAV |
| Streaming services | Apple Music, iCloud Music Library, radio stations, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, TuneIn | Apple Music, iCloud Music Library, radio stations, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, Deezer |
| Siri | Voice-activated, 4 far-field mics | Voice-activated, 3 far-field mics |
| Multiroom audio | AirPlay 2, Stereo Pair | AirPlay 2, Stereo Pair |
| Networking | 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Thread, Ultra Wideband | 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Thread, Ultra Wideband |
| Smart home | Siri, HomeKit hub | Siri, HomeKit hub |
| Sensors | Temperature, humidity, accelerometer | Temperature, humidity |
| Touch controls | Multitouch top surface | Multitouch top surface |
| Audio in/out | None | None |
As you can see, the new HomePod has a significant edge over the HomePod mini in the audio department, with a much larger driver array, more powerful amplifiers, and advanced features like Dolby Atmos support. That extra size also allows it to fit in more microphones for improved voice pickup.
But the two speakers are remarkably similar when it comes to smarts and connectivity. They both offer access to the same Siri capabilities, smart home integrations, streaming services, and multi-room playback options. As we‘ll see, the differences really come down to sound quality, price, and intended use case.
Supersized Sound: HomePod 2 Audio Performance
Let‘s start with the HomePod 2‘s headline feature – big, room-filling, hi-fi sound. With 5 horn-loaded tweeters, a 4-inch high-excursion woofer, and a custom amplifier design, the new HomePod is equipped to deliver a sonic experience that punches above its size and price.
In my listening tests, the HomePod 2 produced clear, detailed, and expansive audio with excellent separation of instruments and vocals. The bass goes impressively deep and remains tight and controlled even at high volumes. But it‘s the wide, immersive soundstage that really sets it apart. On tracks mixed in Dolby Atmos, the HomePod conjures up a convincing 3D audio experience that seems to envelop you, placing instruments and effects precisely in space.
Much of this is thanks to Apple‘s advanced computational audio chops. The HomePod uses an array of six microphones along with advanced echo cancellation and filtering algorithms to constantly analyze the acoustics of the room and dynamically tune the sound for optimal performance. And it works – to my ears, the HomePod 2 delivers the fullest, cleanest, most well-balanced sound of any smart speaker in its size class.
That‘s not to say it‘s perfect. Like most small single-cabinet speakers, it can‘t quite match the stereo separation and precise imaging of a good pair of bookshelf speakers. And while it gets respectably loud, it may not have enough oomph to power a large party or fill a really cavernous space. But for its intended purpose of everyday listening in small to mid-sized rooms, the HomePod 2 leaves little to be desired.
Mini but Mighty: HomePod Mini Audio Performance
With a single full-range driver flanked by dual passive radiators, the HomePod mini can‘t hope to match the big HomePod‘s acoustical authority. But it makes the most of its pint-sized form factor, delivering audio performance that consistently surprised me in testing.
On first listen, what stands out is the HomePod mini‘s impressively full and clean midrange. Vocals come through with presence and clarity, never sounding harsh or tinny even at high volumes. Instruments like guitars and pianos have a natural warmth and weight to them. The passive radiators do a good job providing a solid bass foundation without overwhelming the mids or introducing distortion.
The overall soundstage is understandably narrower and more directional than the HomePod 2, but still spacious enough to provide some welcome stereo separation. And like its big sibling, the mini takes full advantage of computational audio to punch above its weight. Advanced algorithms dynamically modulate the driver output to reduce distortion and maintain balanced frequency response at all volumes.
Of course, there‘s only so much you can do with a single 2.5-inch driver. physics is physics. The mini can‘t match the HomePod 2‘s bass extension, max volume, or spatial imaging. More complex passages can sound a bit congested, and there‘s an overall sense of the sound being a bit "small". But these limitations are only really apparent in direct comparison. In isolation, the HomePod mini remains one of the most capable compact smart speakers I‘ve tested.
In short, the HomePod mini‘s audio performance is exemplary for its size and price. It‘s an overachiever that will more than satisfy anyone looking for an affordable smart speaker for casual listening, background music, or a bedroom/office audio setup. Just don‘t expect it to power your next house party or deliver a truly high-end audiophile experience.
Smart Speaker Showdown: Siri on HomePod 2 vs. HomePod Mini
When it comes to smarts, the HomePod 2 and HomePod mini are pretty much identical. They provide access to the exact same Siri capabilities, covering everything from music playback to smart home controls to general knowledge queries. And in my testing, I didn‘t notice any major differences in far-field voice recognition or responsiveness between the two models.
Both HomePods did an admirable job picking up my voice commands from across the room, even with music playing or other ambient noise. The additional microphone in the HomePod 2 may give it a slight edge in very large or acoustically challenging spaces. But for typical home environments, I found the performance to be comparable.
Siri itself remains a capable if somewhat limited voice assistant compared to Alexa and Google Assistant. It handles the basics of music playback, podcasts, news, weather, timers, alarms, reminders, and general FAQs with aplomb. And if you live in the Apple ecosystem, the ability to send messages, make calls, and seamlessly hand off audio between the HomePod and your other Apple devices is a real boon.
But Siri still lags its rivals when it comes to general knowledge queries, third-party skills, and natural language flexibility. It sometimes struggles with context and follow-up questions in a way that Google Assistant doesn‘t. And while HomeKit support allows for control of a pretty wide range of smart home devices, you don‘t get quite the same breadth of integrations as you do with Alexa.
Still, for users invested in the Apple ecosystem, Siri and HomeKit offer more than enough features and integrations to make either HomePod a valuable smart home centerpiece. I especially appreciated the ability to use the HomePod as a HomeKit Secure Video hub, enabling the AI-powered Siri cam announcements feature (if you have compatible cameras).
Eco-conscious Audio: Energy Use and Environmental Impact
One often overlooked aspect of smart speakers is energy consumption. These are devices designed to be left plugged in and always listening, 24 hours a day. So how much power do the HomePods draw, and how does that impact their environmental footprint?
According to Apple, the HomePod 2 consumes 5.8W when idle and up to 37W at maximum volume, while the HomePod mini sips just 1.76W when idle and up to 10W at peak levels. That‘s relatively efficient compared to other smart speakers in their size class. For reference, the Amazon Echo Studio draws 8W at idle and up to 330W at max volume!
Both HomePods are also built with sustainability in mind, utilizing 100% recycled rare earth elements in their magnets and at least 90% recycled plastic in multiple components. Even the packaging is made from 100% sustainably sourced wood fiber.
Of course, the most eco-friendly speaker is the one you don‘t buy at all. But if you are in the market for a new smart speaker, the HomePods are among the more energy-efficient and sustainably designed options available.
The Bottom Line
So where does all this leave us in the great HomePod 2 vs. HomePod mini debate? As is often the case with audio gear, it really comes down to your specific needs and budget.
If you‘re a discerning listener who prizes audio fidelity above all else, the HomePod 2 is a no-brainer. Pound for pound, it delivers some of the best sound quality you can get from a smart speaker at any price. The wide, detailed soundstage and room-filling volume make it a great choice for primary listening in larger spaces like living rooms and kitchens.
On the flip side, if you mostly use your smart speaker for background listening, casual audio, or smart home control, the HomePod mini is arguably the better value. It delivers impressive sound quality for its size, and still gives you access to all of Siri‘s capabilities at a third of the price. It‘s the sensible pick for most people, and a great way to affordably expand the Apple ecosystem throughout your home.
Of course, all of this assumes you‘ve already bought into that Apple ecosystem. While either HomePod can serve as a solid standalone speaker, you‘ll really only unlock their full potential if you use them with other Apple devices and services. For mixed households or those who prefer a more open platform, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant powered speakers are still better bets.
But if you do live the Apple lifestyle, both the HomePod 2 and HomePod mini have a lot to offer as the missing links in your smart home. The 2nd generation HomePod in particular feels like the fully realized version of Apple‘s original smart speaker vision, and a tantalizing preview of where the company‘s audio ambitions might take us next.
