Apple is a tech brand best known for making phones, tablets, and laptops, though they've also made some audio products like headphones and speakers. The best Apple speakers feature built-in Siri, making them suitable for home use. We've tested three Apple speakers, though only two remain on the market, as the Apple HomePod (1st generation) has been discontinued. However, you can still choose between the Apple HomePod (2nd generation) and the Apple HomePod mini.
Updates
- 11/11/2024Apple HomePod mini updated
- 02/13/2024Apple HomePod (2nd generation) updated
- 02/15/2023Apple HomePod (1st generation) updated
All of our recommendations start with the products we've tested. And, they're backed by in-house experts who ensure unbiased, objective data to help you choose the right speaker.
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Best Apple Speaker
MusicVideos/MoviesPodcastsVoice AssistantOutdoorsBattery Powered:NoSpeakerphone:YesVoice Assistant:YesBluetooth:NoSee all our test resultsWi-Fi:YesThe best Apple speaker we've tested is the Apple HomePod (2nd generation). Released in 2023, this sleek, wired-only smart speaker has a design similar to its predecessor, with improved overall sound quality. The most noticeable difference between the two models lies in their bass performance: the 2nd gen delivers much more thump and rumble, making it a great choice for bass-heavy music like EDM and hip-hop. Plus, the manufacturer has built-in room correction (can't be disabled) that adjusts the output for your room acoustics.
This speaker integrates easily with your other Apple products. Since it supports Apple AirPlay, streaming audio wirelessly from your iPhone or iPad is a breeze. Plus, you can link the speaker to other compatible Apple devices to spread audio throughout multiple rooms in your home. As with most Apple speakers, you won't find any sound customization tools. Built-in Siri support means you enjoy hands-free control right from the comfort of your couch. It even comes in a handful of colors to match your decor. If you want a speaker to fit into your Apple ecosystem, it's a really solid pick.
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Best Budget Apple Speaker
MusicVideos/MoviesPodcastsVoice AssistantOutdoorsBattery Powered:NoSpeakerphone:YesVoice Assistant:YesBluetooth:NoSee all our test resultsWi-Fi:YesIf you're looking for a more affordable Apple speaker, consider the Apple HomePod mini. It's another smart speaker with built-in Siri support that integrates easily with your existing Apple products, like your iPhone or iPad. Thanks to Apple AirPlay support, wireless streaming is easy; you can enjoy all the music and podcasts stored on your devices on your speaker. Similarly, you can pair multiple speakers together to spread audio throughout different rooms in your home, which is a cool touch.
This speaker offers solid performance for the price, but there are some key differences between it and the more premium Apple HomePod (2nd generation). You'll notice that the mini is, as its name implies, much smaller than the traditional HomePod. As a result, it's not much of a surprise that it doesn't get as loud as the larger model, and it can't reproduce as much low bass. Audiophiles and bass lovers will likely want to opt for its larger cousin, but if you mostly listen to content with little bass, like podcasts or more vocal-centric music genres, it's not a huge deal.
Compared To Other Brands
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Compatible with Apple AirPlay.
Generally, Apple speakers support Apple AirPlay, so you can pair your iPhone to the speaker to play audio content wirelessly. The speaker and your iPhone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network to use AirPlay.
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Built-in voice assistant.Apple speakers typically come with a built-in Siri voice assistant. Siri usually understands you even if you're far away, though the Apple HomePod performs better in noisier environments than the HomePod mini.
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Good directivity
The Apple speakers we've tested have very good directivity thanks to their 360-degree design, so audio sounds the same regardless of your positioning around the speaker. However, they must downmix stereo content into mono.
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Can't easily stream audio content over Bluetooth.While you can use Bluetooth for audio handoff, which lets you transfer audio from your iPhone to the speaker, Apple speakers don't support Bluetooth pairing for playing audio content. You can stream audio content using this configuration if the speaker and your iOS device are on the same Wi-Fi.
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No EQs.
The Apple speakers we've tested don't have an EQ to let you tweak their sound profile. They have fairly balanced sound profiles out of the box, and you can adjust EQ through your playback apps like Apple Music.
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Wired design.
You need to plug the Apple speakers we've tested into a power source to use them, which reduces their versatility. They're better suited for home use than for portable use.
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Not impact or water-resistant.
Since the Apple speakers we've tested are generally for home use, they aren't rated for impact-, dust-, or water-resistance.
Apple vs Amazon
Apple and Amazon both manufacture smart home speakers with built-in voice assistant support. Amazon's Echo series offers well-designed wired speakers for home use in several sizes and price points to meet your needs. Naturally, they rely on Amazon's Alexa voice assistant instead of Apple's Siri. Generally, they offer a few more sound customization options, such as bass and treble adjustments.
Apple vs Google
While Apple's speakers are designed for easy integration with the Apple ecosystem, Google's speakers are designed for integration with other Google products. You'll find built-in Google Assistant rather than Siri, and Chromecast built-in support rather than Apple AirPlay compatibility. These sleek, wired-only home speakers are available at similar prices, though Google's speakers offer more sound customization tools, such as bass and treble adjustments.
Apple produces premium smart speakers designed for home use and easy integration into your existing ecosystem. However, they don't come with an EQ to customize their sound. Additionally, they're hard to pair with devices over Bluetooth, and some of their functions aren't compatible with Android devices.
Recent Updates
Aug 17, 2026:
We've updated the text in the article to reflect our Test Bench 1.0.1 philosophy, but made no changes to the picks.
Apr 21, 2026:
We've updated this article but kept all our picks the same, as Apple hasn't updated its speaker lineup in some time.
Jan 12, 2026:
We've verified that the text is up to date and accurate. However, since the last update, no Apple speakers have been tested, so our picks remain the same.
Mar 10, 2025:
We haven't reviewed any new Apple speakers recently, but we've checked that these picks are still accurate and in stock.
Dec 16, 2024:
We haven't tested any new Apple speakers since the last update, but we've made minor updates to this article to improve its clarity and accuracy.
Conclusion
Apple speakers generally have the Siri voice assistant built in and must be plugged into a power source. They're compatible with Apple AirPlay for streaming audio content from an iPhone, but you can't easily pair them with devices via Bluetooth. Typically, they're not water or impact-resistant since the manufacturer designed them for home use. While there are currently only two Apple speakers available for purchase, you can look at the best speakers for iPhone if you're looking for other iOS-compatible speaker options.