Apple’s new HomePod (2023) is, at first glance, a dead ringer to the original HomePod launched in 2018. Meanwhile, Apple launched his HomePod mini, the company’s only speaker, as the original his HomePod for nearly two years. He will be retired in early 2021.
The new HomePod and HomePod mini have vastly different prices, but share a similar feature set. So should you buy one HomePod, or two HomePods minis instead ($100 to spare)? Let’s dive in.
Cute, small and colorful vs. big and beautiful
Just like the original, the new HomePod is cylindrical, covered in an interwoven mesh fabric, topped by volume controls and an animated touch display that lights up when you summon Siri. The HomePod mini is smaller, prettier and lighter (5.16 lbs vs. 0.76 lbs), but the basic functionality is the same. Mesh fabric cover, touch display and top volume control. It’s a lot more colorful, though, as it’s available in Space Grey, Blue, White, Yellow, and Orange, while the HomePod only comes in Midnight and White colors.
One difference is that the HomePod has a detachable cable while the HomePod mini does not.
Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
It’s worth noting that the HomePod is a much more impressive and beautiful object to have in your home because of the sheer difference in size. I owned it for a year, but over time it was pushed behind the TV by other objects like fruit baskets and candles etc. The HomePod is a must see especially if he buys two I want to keep it.
same feature set
Functionally, the HomePod and HomePod mini are very similar. Both support Bluetooth 5 and Wi-Fi 802.11n connectivity, have accelerometers, humidity and temperature sensors, and have voice recognition capabilities.
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Even though the HomePod mini has an older chip (Apple’s S5 vs HomePod’s S7), it’s hard to point out what the HomePod mini lacks. It integrates seamlessly with other Apple devices, runs Siri exactly the same, and can be paired with another mini for stereo sound. Like its bigger brother, it also features four microphones that listen to your input. The HomePod has a detachable power cable, while the HomePod mini has a non-detachable USB-C cable that must be plugged into an external 20W power adapter. Neither speaker is designed to be moved around often, so once set up, you probably won’t even notice.
The size difference is big. The difference in sound is also quite large.
Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
The similarities remain in the way these two speakers produce sound. HomePod combines an array of five omnidirectional tweeters with a 4-inch woofer. The HomePod mini has a completely different design, with one speaker and two passive radiators, which gives it better bass response, but it doesn’t sound as deep as his new HomePod.
HomePod likes pop, HomePod mini likes rock
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of HomePod and HomePod mini. Listening to each speaker separately, they sound similar, with lots of bass and a surprisingly airy sound. But when you actually switch at the same volume and compare them directly, the difference is amazing. Switching from small speakers to large speakers is like listening to a concert through a closed door and then opening it to walk inside.
Not only is the HomePod louder and more bass, but it also has significantly improved clarity and definition across the frequency range. We’re not saying the HomePod mini sounds bad. You can’t hold a candle to a louder speaker.
The difference is most noticeable when recreating bass pop and hip hop, like Rosalia and Drake. Interestingly, even though the HomePod sounds better, listening to rock music like Queens of the Stone Age and All Them Witches makes much less difference. The HomePod is more articulate, but the HomePod mini has a better sound mix, with the instruments tying together better, with the bass and distorted guitar making for a punchier, deeper sound. In contrast, the HomePod puts too much treble into the mix. I mentioned this in my HomePod review, so I’ll repeat it here. It’s a shame Apple doesn’t offer an equalizer for his HomePods.
I think the real question for prospective buyers is whether to buy two HomePods minis for $198 or one HomePod for $299. Adding another speaker to the mix makes it stereo and greatly improves the overall sound. Given that the HomePod and HomePod mini have practically the same feature list, using two minis is a good cost-conscious option. Of course, if money isn’t an issue, buy two HomePods. Doubling up makes the sound surprisingly good, making the speaker a great option for home cinema audio.
