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Apple Homepod Mini Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Dec 14, 2023 8:32 PM

True Score

83
82
29

Experts

91
9,013

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

Reviewers loved the Apple HomePod mini, recommending it for music, podcasts, and voice assistant. They were delighted by its voice-activated built-in Sire voice assistant, low audio quality compression, and remarkably portable design. However, they were displeased that it didn’t get very loud.

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Apple HomePod mini is a 2017-model mid-range wired smart speaker that promises advanced voice assistant functions for indoor users. Weighing just 0.7 lbs, this speaker is remarkably lightweight, just like some of the highest-rated speakers today.

It has built-in Siri, supporting voice activation. This speaker has good soundstage performance, and it pairs via AirPlay, streaming music wirelessly. Examine the features of the Apple HomePod mini and see our Amazon Echo Studio review if you prefer an Alexa-equipped device.

Consensus

our Verdict

Critics were impressed by the Apple HomePod mini, approving it for podcasts, music, and voice assistant functionality. Reviewers at What Hifi loved its built-in Sire voice assistant, although it lacks a mute button.

Analysts at Sound Guys love its remarkable 0.7-lbs design and speakerphone functions. This device connects over both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands via AirPlay, and testers recorded an outstanding 11 ms AirPlay latency.

With a 70.3Hz to 17.7 kHz frequency response range and relatively neutral -0.41 slope, this device produces refined sounds, although it has poor low bass, struggling with movies during testing.

It has a 360° design and clocked in at an excellent 1.30 dB in directivity index tests, providing an excellent soundstage performance. However, it doesn’t get very loud, featuring a 76.7 dB SPL at the maximum volume.

Its 1.36 dB DRC at the maximum volume shows little audio quality deterioration, though. Also, check out the best soundbar for music in our detailed post.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Built-in Siri
  • Wireless AirPlay streaming with low latency
  • Neutral audio out of the box
  • Remarkably compact, portable design
  • Little audio quality compression at high volume settings

Reason to Avoid

  • Wired design not suitable for outdoors
  • Doesn’t get very loud
  • Lacks mic mute button
  • Doesn’t stream audio via Bluetooth

Apple Homepod Mini Specs

Driver Configuration
Enclosure
Impedance
Max Frequency ResponseMax Frequency Response
Min Frequency ResponseMin Frequency Response
Power Handling
Sensitivity
WattageWattage20W

All Specs

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Product Comparison

Apple Homepod Mini Review

Apple HomePod Review Draft

True Score

83
NR
86
83

Ranking

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37

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109

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109

#

8

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109

#

45

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109

Market Context

The Apple HomePod mini is a 2017-model mid-range wired smart speaker that promises advanced voice assistant functions for indoor users. Weighing just 0.7 lbs, this…

The Apple HomePod mini is a 2017-model mid-range wired smart speaker that promises advanced voice assistant functions for indoor users. Weighing just 0.7 lbs, this speaker is remarkably lightweight, just like some of the highest-rated speakers today.

It has built-in Siri, supporting voice activation. This speaker has good soundstage performance, and it pairs via AirPlay, streaming music wirelessly. Examine the features of the Apple HomePod mini and see our Amazon Echo Studio review if you prefer an Alexa-equipped device.

The Apple Homepod portable speaker boasts a more neutral 0.19 frequency response slope, producing more natural-sounding music than the Apple HomePod mini, which has a…

The Apple Homepod portable speaker boasts a more neutral 0.19 frequency response slope, producing more natural-sounding music than the Apple HomePod mini, which has a -0.41 slope. The HomePod has an 88.5 dB SPL at the maximum volume, getting significantly louder than the Apple HomePod mini, which has a 76.7 dB maximum SPL. However, the 0.7-lb mini is much more portable, appealing more to on-the-go users than the 5.5-lb HomePod. Check out the Apple HomePod review to examine the specs of the HomePod.

Featuring better voice recognition accuracy in noisy environments, the Amazon Echo Gen 4 is a better voice assistant than the Apple HomePod mini. The Echo…

Featuring better voice recognition accuracy in noisy environments, the Amazon Echo Gen 4 is a better voice assistant than the Apple HomePod mini. The Echo 4 has a mic mute button, which is lacking on the Apple HomePod mini.

While the Apple HomePod mini lacks a mic mute button, the Google Nest Audio boasts a mute button. Thanks to bass and treble adjustments, the…

While the Apple HomePod mini lacks a mic mute button, the Google Nest Audio boasts a mute button. Thanks to bass and treble adjustments, the Google device is more customizable than the Apple HomePod mini, which lacks EQ settings.

Driver Configuration

75mm

Enclosure

Impedance

Max Frequency Response

Min Frequency Response

Power Handling

Sensitivity

Wattage

20W

15W

30W

Dig Deeper

Amazon Echo Gen 4 Review →

Google Nest Audio Review →

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  • Save $20
    $99.99
    $79.99

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    No

Score Card

E

Expert Score

82

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

91

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

83

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    100.6

    Category Trust Rating

    85
    The Apple HomePod mini is acceptable for music. It reproduces voices and lead instruments with… Read More

    By:

    John Panoryios
  • Sound Guys
    81.17

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The Apple HomePod mini is a small smart speaker with surprisingly big sound. It is… Read More

    By:

    Sara Carbone
  • DXO Mark
    97

    Category Trust Rating

    61
    “No bottom line found for this product” Read More

    By:

    Unknown
  • PC Mag
    43.6

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    The Apple HomePod mini speaker offers Siri voice assistance and smart home control in an… Read More

    By:

    Tim Gideon
  • Tom’s Guide
    65.58

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    The HomePod mini is the smart speaker Apple fans have been waiting for. Read More

    By:

    Mike Prospero
  • Trusted Reviews
    45.5

    Category Trust Rating

    100
    A speaker this size just shouldn’t sound as good as the Apple HomePod Mini does…. Read More

    By:

    David Ludlow