Apple is a tech brand known for making phones, laptops, watches, and tablets, though they've also made some speakers. The best Apple speakers have built-in Siri capabilities, making them suitable for home use. We've tested three Apple speakers, though only two remain on the market, as the first-generation Apple HomePod has been discontinued. However, you can still choose between the Apple HomePod (2nd generation) and the Apple HomePod mini.
The best Apple speaker we've tested is the Apple HomePod (2nd generation). Released in 2023, this sleek, wired-only smart speaker retains a similar design to its predecessor but with an improved sound quality overall. The most noticeable difference between the two models lies in their bass performance—and this speaker can bring much more thump and rumble than the original model, making it a great choice for listening to bass-heavy music like EDM and hip-hop. Plus, its bass-EQ microphone is designed to improve your listening experience at lower volumes, as it keeps a steady response in the lower frequencies, meaning you can hear all the punch in the bass without issue.
This speaker is designed for easy integration with your other Apple products. Since it supports Apple AirPlay, streaming audio from your iPhone 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 Apple's other speakers, you won't find any customization tools, but its automatic room calibration device provides a solid sound by adjusting the device's output based on the acoustics of the room you're in. Built-in Siri support means you enjoy hands-free control right from the comfort of your couch.
If you want a more affordable smart speaker, check out the Apple HomePod mini. It's the smaller and more lightweight version of the Apple HomePod, with a similar marshmallow-like design that's available in several different colors. Thanks to built-in Siri, this speaker supports hands-free control, so you can add ingredients to your grocery list, check the weather, or skip to the next song easily. If you don't want the speaker to listen to you, you can even mute the microphone, which is nice.
Naturally, Apple's smart speakers are designed for easy integration with your iPhone. The HomePod mini supports Apple AirPlay, so you can easily stream audio from your iPhone or iPad with low latency, which is great if you watch many videos. You can pair multiple speakers together to spread audio throughout multiple rooms in your home using the Apple Home app. Like other Apple audio devices, though, the lack of sound customization features is a bit disappointing, especially if you want to have lots of control over its sound, and the small size of the device means that it can't bring as much rumble in the bass as the Apple HomePod (2nd generation). That said, if you mostly listen to content without a lot of bass mixed in, like voice-heavy music or podcasts, you won't notice much difference. Overall, you may find it's a better value for your needs.
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, available in several different sizes and price points to meet your needs. Naturally, they rely on Amazon Alexa voice assistant instead of Apple's Siri. Also, they have more customization tools in general.
While Apple's speakers are designed for easy integration with the Apple ecosystem, Google's speakers are designed with other Google products in mind. 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 price points, though Google's speakers come with some more customization tools.
Apple produces premium smart speakers that are designed for home use, as well as easy integration into your existing Apple 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.
Mar 15, 2023: With the release of the Apple HomePod (2nd generation), we've updated the text and added the speaker as the 'Best Speaker' pick.
Feb 09, 2023: No changes in product picks; minor updates to the text regarding the second-generation HomePod release.
Oct 14, 2022: Removed the Apple HomePod from the Notable Mentions and made small adjustments to overall text for accuracy.
Feb 17, 2022: Verified product availability, and updated text for clarity.
Apple speakers generally have a Siri voice assistant built-in and need to be plugged into a power source to use them. 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 they're designed for home use.