CNET
Apple HomePod Mini review: Apple’s small speaker delivers big sound
The long-awaited HomePod Mini is here. It’s Apple’s smaller, more affordable smart speaker, and it competes with Google’s Nest Mini and Amazon’s new Echo Dot. With impressive sound and Siri on board, it might hit the sweet spot for Apple fans looking for a HomeKit smart home speaker.
Pavan Kumar
November 12, 2020 at 7:25 pm
Nest should Rest
Chris Rothgeb
November 12, 2020 at 7:41 pm
How were the music samples recorded? Since the HomePod mini has a downward firing woofer, if you’re listening from directly above it as the camera angle suggests, you’re not likely to get the best sound. The Echo dot with its upward facing driver sounds clearer in this example, while the HomePod mini sounds off axis, which is to be expected. However, who stands directly above their speaker while listening to it? Could you share a little more of your methodology here?
Lebrun James
November 12, 2020 at 8:17 pm
The design looks like how fruits 🍎 are preserved from bruising
Boar Audio
November 12, 2020 at 8:28 pm
Hey. Where was the microphone placed on the sound test, was it above the speakers if so would that but HomePod Mini in disadvantage because the waveguide is in the bottom?
Froggy4Eyez
November 12, 2020 at 8:29 pm
Oh em gee
md w
November 12, 2020 at 8:37 pm
Can you pair 2 minis as rear surround sound speakers while also using a sonos beam sound bar ?
Weems62
November 12, 2020 at 8:41 pm
Nest mini sounds bad overall, echo dot sounds great but maybe highs are a bit too sharp, mids sound a bit off for HomePod mini
George Vivanco
November 12, 2020 at 8:47 pm
Definitely the better sounding one, but no Spotify no purchase.
Paul Stiles
November 12, 2020 at 9:02 pm
I have already pre ordered one, I am looking forward to it!
Christian Castaño
November 12, 2020 at 9:11 pm
All of them sound horrible…
Reznik Isaacson
November 12, 2020 at 9:11 pm
The ball is in Spotify’s court. All they have to do is use the SDK. I’m tired of companies refusing to optimize for Apple products just so Apple users have something to complain about. Example: Instagram on iPad, no Picture in Picture on YouTube, can’t send messages with snap through Siri. Interestingly enough they all seem to be owned by android first companies… 🤦🏽♂️
Light Storm66
November 12, 2020 at 9:26 pm
Really did anyone wait for this?
tim916
November 12, 2020 at 9:35 pm
Comparing the sound of the speakers by setting them all to “75% volume” is not the correct method. You need to use an SPL meter to level match them within 1db or better and then compare.
The Wall Cometh
November 12, 2020 at 9:47 pm
Too little too late, Apple. No thanks.
exxodas
November 12, 2020 at 9:52 pm
Google home is $20 lmfao
Gonzalo Pimentel Calmet
November 12, 2020 at 9:59 pm
Why wasn’t it compared to other similar price speakers? Should’ve been Nest Audio instead of the mini that is 29 USD as of now…
David Corsi
November 12, 2020 at 11:42 pm
EXACTLY!
Oscar Ibanez
November 12, 2020 at 10:30 pm
Honestly, the HomePod mini is for those who haven’t integrated smart home technology into their lives and live in a hardcore Apple ecosystem, because most of us that already have smart speakers aren’t going to go out of our ways to switch out our tv streaming products, lightbulbs, cameras, etc. for something that will work on a HomePod. Apple is late in the game, and although they MIGHT have a slight advantage with audio (since it wasn’t compared to the regular echo or the new google nest speaker), it’s almost lacking in everything else most people look for in a smart speaker. And yea, Siri still has so much to catch up on compared to google or alexa. Oh, and if for whatever reason you change your iPhone to an android, you will go through trouble setting things up. Sorry, but I’ll stick to my Echo.
Santo Villar
November 12, 2020 at 10:47 pm
The Amazon echo dot sounded the best out of the three.
nuyou21
November 12, 2020 at 10:50 pm
Damn ! Well, it’s safe to say Amazon and Google gulped when the HomePod Mini pre-orders sold out in less than an hour. At just $99 it’s about to be this years best selling Xmas present. 🎁😁
David Corsi
November 12, 2020 at 11:37 pm
One fatal flaw in this review… while the size of the HomePod mini is most similar to the Google Nest Mini and Amazon Echo Dot, it in fact is more than twice the cost and actually is the same price as the “regular” Amazon Echo. Comparing sound shouldn’t just be to devices of the same size but also the same price and other reviewers who compared it to the $99 Amazon Echo (which often goes on sale for under $75) find that it doesn’t sound as good as the Echo. I appreciate that the HomePod mini is small but lets face it, the regular Amazon Echo is not that much larger a speaker either… for most people the important thing about the HomePod mini is the more sensible price of $99, not the size, so I think most users expect it should sound at LEAST as good as other $99 smart speakers and it does NOT… comparing it to speakers that cost $29-49 in this test was a mistake.
andrew velasquez
November 12, 2020 at 11:44 pm
You have a cell phone, anything that can listen…..your privacy has been breached. Don’t matter who you got, they’re always listening.
manny
November 12, 2020 at 11:49 pm
Apple products suck. They are over rated.
Soberanis Fam
November 13, 2020 at 12:00 am
It’s not unfair if it’s at similar price points.
keybored101
November 13, 2020 at 12:37 am
You disgust me! You think it’s unfair to compare larger speakers at the same price even though apple is charging twice as much or more vs the devices you’re comparing?? Is this journalism or trying to be on apple’s good side? What a shame, do your job for consumers
DDvlogs ray
November 13, 2020 at 12:50 am
I like her style but why does CNET all of the sudden get paid by apple and die hard apple. Echo definitely won and the price is so expensive. Apple is getting worse every year in comparison to the competition.
respdoc
November 13, 2020 at 1:27 am
Try watching the whole video instead of first commenting. I didn’t get she was “all Apple” at her conclusion.
Jason Dougenis
November 13, 2020 at 7:28 am
Is it a solid replacement for a Bluetooth speaker for parties ?
Christian K.
November 13, 2020 at 7:30 am
WILL YOU TELL EVERYONE TO RUN FOR THEIR LIFE?
The Matt
November 13, 2020 at 8:41 am
I just read that this won’t work with an SE 2020. Anyway, It seems nice but I’m okay with my Sony and Bose Bluetooth speakers…that will work with any phone and sound better. Besides, having a smart speaker in my life isn’t exactly at the top of the list of priorities.
K V
November 13, 2020 at 9:09 am
What a dumb comparison, you cant compare a 100 dollar homepod to a 50 dollar nest mini. You should have picked the bigger one wich is also 100 dollar. That sound is much better than the home pod i will tell you for shure
Krishang Chatterjee
November 13, 2020 at 9:23 am
I just bought an echo 3rd gen and now I feel bad lol
ivan aleman
November 13, 2020 at 11:50 am
I bet you Dr. Dre is not happy with this apple products release.
Houssem Djouada
November 13, 2020 at 12:11 pm
If you want buy a charger break don’t rush , buy homepod mini for 100$ with 20 $ charger … Win win 👏
Adam Rumer
November 13, 2020 at 1:58 pm
What song did you use to test the speakers?
John Olin
November 13, 2020 at 5:05 pm
Does the Mini support handoff with all iPhones? or only iPhones with the U1 chip (iPhone 11 and later)
vsboy 25
November 13, 2020 at 8:40 pm
I do not see how this will sound as good as the HomePod
Sayan Karmakar
November 13, 2020 at 9:48 pm
I think ur echo dot is broken
Short Pro Media
November 13, 2020 at 10:04 pm
Am I the only one that isn’t looking for a louder speaker, but a speaker that plays the music the least compressed and more full?
bksst
November 13, 2020 at 10:14 pm
What’s the point of comparing sound quality between such different price points, especially when there are products of equal price available… It’s silly.
Thomas Angotti
November 13, 2020 at 10:27 pm
😂😂😂 $100 for a small smart speaker is outrages.
Omar Ahmad
November 13, 2020 at 11:07 pm
Pretty dumb to say comparing the $100 speakers is unfair.
HOT DOG MEDIA
November 13, 2020 at 11:10 pm
It sounds good but i think the Echo Dot actually sounds better.
basdfgwe
November 13, 2020 at 11:22 pm
Why would anyone buy this, and it’s wrong to call it a ‘smar speaker’.
Amareen Hussain
November 13, 2020 at 11:45 pm
It looks like an apple. 🍎 Love the design but I will probably buy an echo dot or nest mini.
Michael Farmhand
November 13, 2020 at 11:47 pm
Sonos for me any day and all day
Matt
November 13, 2020 at 11:52 pm
The Google Nest Audio is the £90 natural competitor to the HomePod Mini. The £15-25 Nest Mini certainly isn’t going to be anywhere near the price or sound quality (just the better assistant of course).
JonnyInfinite
November 14, 2020 at 12:40 am
a bit of Reba….
cpa889900
November 14, 2020 at 12:52 am
This speaker is overpriced
Issac
November 14, 2020 at 12:53 am
But you can use airplay on iPhone YouTube is available now
Issac
November 14, 2020 at 12:56 am
The HomePod is more sooth but it not loud
Misael Villeda
November 14, 2020 at 1:14 am
i want to get one but i use Spotify ;/