- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Our Verdict
- Test Results
- Differences
- Compared To Others
- Deals
- Discussions
The Apple HomePod is a wired smart speaker with a Siri voice assistant built-in. Siri can hear your voice commands from quite a distance, and even in a noisy environment. It also has a neutral and balanced sound profile, although it lacks some low-bass. Its 360-degree design also helps create a clear and wide soundstage. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer any functionality with Android devices. It also lacks an EQ and doesn't get very loud. However, if you use many Apple products, this smart speaker can be a nice addition to your Apple ecosystem.
Note: This speaker has been discontinued by the manufacturer, and may be difficult to find in new condition.
Our Verdict
The Apple HomePod is decent for music. It has a decently neutral and balanced sound, although it struggles to produce a thumpy low-bass. Thanks to its 360-degree design, it has a clear and wide soundstage. Unfortunately, it doesn't get very loud, and there are some compression artifacts at max volume. It also doesn't have an EQ to tweak its sound.
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Decently balanced sound profile.
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Great 360-degree soundstage.
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No EQ.
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Doesn't get very loud and compression artifacts at max volume.
The Apple HomePod is mediocre for videos and movies. It has a decently balanced sound profile, but it lacks low bass, which may be disappointing for fans of action films. It also can't get very loud, and there are some compression artifacts at max volume. While you can't use Bluetooth to directly play audio from the speaker, it supports Apple AirPlay, although it delays video to compensate for audio latency. On the upside, its 360-degree design creates a wide soundstage.
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Decently balanced sound profile.
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Great 360-degree soundstage.
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No EQ.
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Doesn't get very loud and compression artifacts at max volume.
The Apple HomePod is fair for podcasts. It has a decently neutral sound profile that can reproduce accurate and detailed vocals. Its 360-degree design ensures you can hear your favorite episodes clearly from all angles. Unfortunately, it doesn't get very loud, and there's some compression at max volume. Since the speaker is wired, it's also not very portable, and it doesn't support multi-device pairing, either.
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Decently balanced sound profile.
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Great 360-degree soundstage.
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No EQ.
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Doesn't get very loud and compression artifacts at max volume.
The Apple HomePod is excellent for voice assistant support. Siri is built into this speaker and can hear you from quite a distance, even in noisy environments. Thanks to its 360-degree design, you can hear your audio clearly from all angles. That said, while you can enable and disable Siri with your voice, there isn't a physical button to turn the mic off.
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Decently balanced sound profile.
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Excellent Siri voice assistant distance performance.
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Great 360-degree soundstage.
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No EQ.
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Doesn't get very loud and compression artifacts at max volume.
The Apple HomePod can only be used wired and isn't suitable for outdoor use.
- 7.0 Music
- 6.1 Videos/Movies
- 6.9 Podcasts
- 8.5 Voice Assistant
- 4.5 Outdoors
- Updated Apr 19, 2021: Updated Stereo from 'Yes' to 'No' thanks to user feedback.
- Updated Dec 15, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Dec 15, 2020: Early access published.
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Test Results
The Apple HomePod is a 360-degree speaker with a very minimalist look. It comes in either a gray or white color, and its overall fabric look doesn't stand out, making it easy to blend into your decor. If you prefer a smaller speaker, consider the Apple HomePod mini instead.
The Apple HomePod isn't very portable due to its wired design. It needs to remain connected to a power source to work, so it isn't easy to take with you when you're on the go.
The Apple HomePod's build quality is passable. Its top is made of glass that feels premium, and its body is tightly wrapped in fabric that feels a bit rough to the touch. It also doesn't have an IP rating for water resistance, so it's best to avoid placing it in areas where it may get wet, like near a kitchen or bathroom sink.
This speaker has decent controls. Its glass top has touch-sensitive controls that appear when tapped. You can easily control music, but you can't manage your calls. You can also turn Siri off with your voice, but there isn't a physical mic mute button.
The Apple HomePod has a decent frequency response accuracy. It has a well-balanced and neutral sound profile overall, making it suitable for listening to a wide variety of audio content. That said, it lacks some low-bass, so you can't feel the deep thump and rumble in bass-heavy music like hip-hop or EDM. Unfortunately, there aren't any sound customization features like a graphic EQ or presets you can use to tweak its sound to your liking. For a speaker that can produce a more extended low-bass, check out the Sonos Five.
The Apple HomePod's soundstage performance is good. Thanks to its 360-degree design, it has outstanding directivity, resulting in an open and natural-sounding soundstage. That said, it needs to be paired to another HomePod speaker to play stereo audio and downmixes stereo content to mono when using it on its own, which isn't as immersive.
The Apple HomePod's dynamics are alright. It doesn't get loud enough to fill a large crowded room, though it should be fine if you're using it at home. That said, there's some compression present at max volume, especially in the bass range, so your audio may not sound as clean during louder listening sessions.
The Apple HomePod offers excellent voice assistant support with Siri built-in. You can activate Siri with your voice, and it has no trouble understanding your commands from far away and in noisy settings. That said, while you can disable Siri, there isn't a button you can use to mute its mic, which may disappoint some users. For smart speakers with mic mute buttons, check out the Google Nest Audio or the Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4.
Apple Home is an alright companion app. While it's easy to use, it's only available for iOS devices. It's pretty barebones in terms of features, and there isn't a graphic EQ or presets you can use to tweak its sound to your liking. On the upside, you can pair it with other Apple HomePods when you want to create a stereo pair or when you want to play different audio in different rooms across your home at the same time. If you're looking for a home speaker with an app that lets you adjust the bass and treble, check out the Google Nest Mini, Denon Home 350, or the Amazon Echo Gen 4.
This speaker doesn't have any physical inputs other than its attached charging cable.
The Apple HomePod is listed as having Bluetooth 5.0, but you can't use it for directly pairing or playing audio. It's used for audio handoff, which allows you to transfer audio from your iPhone to the speaker or vice versa by tapping your device on the top of the speaker. If you want to stream content using this configuration, your iOS device must be connected via Bluetooth to the same Wi-Fi as this speaker. However, if you're using an iPhone, you can also use Apple AirPlay to wirelessly play audio. If you're looking for a home speaker that supports Bluetooth, also consider the Bose Home Speaker 300 or the Bose Home Speaker 500.
This speaker is Wi-Fi compatible. While it has very low latency using Apple AirPlay, it delays video to compensate for audio latency, so there's a noticeable delay between the time you press play and when the video plays.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Apple HomePod comes in two color variants: Space Gray and White. These variants are only different in look, and we expect the white variant to perform similarly to our space gray model.
If you come across a variant of this speaker, please let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Speakers
The Apple HomePod is a speaker with Apple's Siri built-in like the Apple HomePod mini, though it's a bit bigger. It has a mic with excellent far-field performance, meaning you can command Siri with your voice from another room. It also has a 360-degree sound, ensuring a clear sound from any angle. However, its functionality is limited to Apple devices, so Android users can't use this speaker. It's also not very portable since it has a wired design. Its sound profile lacks low bass, and it doesn't get very loud.
See also our recommendations for the best smart speakers, the best home speakers, and the best speakers for iPhone.
The Apple HomePod is a better speaker than the Apple HomePod mini. The HomePod has a more neutral sound profile and it gets louder, too. Also, its built-in Siri has a better ambient noise performance, so it does a better job understanding your voice in noisy settings. That said, the HomePod mini has a smaller, more lightweight design that some listeners may prefer. It's also easier to find on the market since the Apple HomePod has been discontinued.
The Apple HomePod and the Sonos Five are two speakers with different strengths, and you may prefer one over the other, depending on your needs. The Apple has a better soundstage and performs better at its max volume. It also has Siri built-in, which can be voice-activated and can hear you from quite a distance. However, it may be harder to find in new condition since it's been discontinued. That said, the Sonos is better for music since it can produce more low-bass and its sound profile is better balanced. It also has a bass and treble slider via its companion app.
The Apple HomePod is a better smart speaker than the Amazon Echo Studio. The Apple has Siri built-in, has better controls, a more neutral sound profile, and a wider soundstage. It also has low latency on Apple AirPlay. However, it's been discontinued and may be harder to find in new condition. That said, the Amazon is a Bluetooth speaker that comes with Alexa built-in. It has bass and treble sliders so that you can tweak its sound profile, and has a mic mute button. It also gets louder with minimal compression.
The Apple HomePod and the Bose Home Speaker 500 are very similarly-performing speakers, so depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The Apple has a better soundstage performance and a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. However, it's been discontinued by the manufacturer and may be harder to find in new condition. That said, the Bose offers bass and treble adjustment features and a mic mute button. It also supports Bluetooth, while the Apple only supports Wi-Fi.
The Apple HomePod has a better overall performance than the Sonos One SL. The Apple has a better-balanced sound profile capable of reproducing more low-bass, and it can get louder with fewer compression artifacts. It also has Siri voice assistant built-in, which offers excellent performance. That said, it may be harder to find in new condition since it's been discontinued. However, the Sonos has bass and treble sliders to help adjust its sound, and it feels somewhat better built.
The Google Home Max and the Apple HomePod are two speakers with a voice assistant built-in and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. While both speakers have a similarly balanced sound profile, the Google has a companion app that lets you EQ its bass and treble. It uses Google Assistant and has a button to mute its mic. It also supports Chromecast. However, the Apple uses Siri and supports Apple AirPlay. Since it's a 360-degree speaker, it also has an outstanding soundstage. That said, both speakers have been discontinued, and may be difficult to find in new condition.
The Apple HomePod is a better speaker than the Sonos One Gen 2. The Apple has a better-balanced sound profile and has fewer compression artifacts at max volume. Its built-in Siri voice assistant is also better able to register your commands, even if you're speaking in a noisy environment. That said, it may be harder to find in new condition now that it's been discontinued.
The Apple HomePod is a better voice assistant speaker than the Google Nest Audio. The Apple has a better-balanced default sound profile, and it has a better soundstage. Its latency over a Wi-Fi connection is lower, so it's more suitable for watching videos. However, it may be harder to find in new condition since it's been discontinued. Also, the Google comes with a microphone mute button and bass and treble adjustments, unlike the Apple.
The Apple HomePod is a slightly better speaker than the JBL Charge 5. The Apple has fantastic directivity thanks to its 360-degree design, so your audio sounds clear from all angles. It can produce a more extended low-bass and has less compression at max volume. It also offers excellent voice assistant support with Siri built-in. That said, the JBL is smaller and more portable. It supports Bluetooth connectivity, while the Apple mainly supports Wi-Fi. The Apple may also be harder to find in new condition since it's been discontinued.
The Sonos Move is a better speaker for most uses than the Apple HomePod. The Sonos is better built, and its portable design makes it suitable for outdoor use. Its sound profile is more neutral, and it has bass and treble adjustments to help you customize its sound. Also, there's a mic mute button for its voice assistant. However, the Apple has a better soundstage, and its voice assistant understands your voice better in noisier environments. That said, it has been discontinued and may be harder to find in new condition.
The Apple HomePod and the Amazon Echo Gen 4 are both excellent speakers for voice assistants, but the Apple is more versatile overall. Out-of-the-box, the Apple has a more balanced sound profile, and it has a better soundstage. It supports Apple AirPlay, while the Amazon supports Bluetooth. Also, the Amazon comes with a mic mute button, unlike the Apple, and it offers bass and treble adjustments so you can customize its sound. That said, the Apple may be harder to find in new condition since it's been discontinued.
The Apple HomePod is a slightly better speaker than the Bose SoundLink Revolve+ II, though they have different strengths. The Apple has excellent voice assistant support with Siri built into the speaker, whereas the Bose uses the voice assistants from your smartphone. It also has a more neutral sound profile with a more extended low-bass and better directivity resulting in a more open and spacious-sounding soundstage. The Apple is a wired speaker intended for home use, while the Bose is a battery-powered speaker with a built-in carrying handle that's more portable and better-built. Also, while the Apple supports Wi-Fi, the Bose supports Bluetooth connectivity. That said, the Apple may be harder to find in new condition since it's been discontinued by the manufacturer.
The Apple HomePod is a better speaker than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 Gen 2. The Apple gets louder, and it has a more extended low-bass and a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. It also supports Wi-Fi, while the Bang & Olufsen supports Bluetooth. However, it may be harder to find in new condition since it's been discontinued. That said, the Bang & Olufsen has a better build and a more portable design. There's also the 'Beosonic' feature and five EQ presets on its companion app to help you customize its sound.
The Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 is better for voice assistants than the Apple HomePod, but the Apple is a better choice for music, videos, and podcasts. The Amazon speaker comes with a mic mute feature, it supports Bluetooth, and it has bass and treble adjustments, unlike the Apple. However, the Apple speaker has a more balanced sound profile out-of-the-box and a better soundstage. It can get louder, and it supports Apple AirPlay. That said, it's been discontinued, and may be harder to find in new condition.
The Bose Home Speaker 300 is a better speaker for most uses than the Apple HomePod. The Bose has better controls, supports Bluetooth, and has bass and treble sliders so that you can customize its sound profile to your liking. It also has a better voice assistant performance. However, the Apple has a better Wi-Fi performance, though the speaker has been discontinued and may be harder to find in new condition.
The Denon Home 350 is a more versatile speaker than the Apple HomePod, and is easier to find in new condition since the Apple's been discontinued. The Denon has a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and it can get louder, although with a bit more compression. It also has bass and treble sliders to adjust its sound, it supports Bluetooth, and comes with Alexa built-in. It also has lower Apple AirPlay latency. However, the Apple has Siri built-in, and a wider-sounding soundstage thanks to its 360-degree design.
The Apple HomePod is a better speaker for music, videos, and voice assistant support than the Bose S1 Pro System. The Apple has a better soundstage performance, and it comes with built-in Siri capabilities, unlike the Bose. However, it may be harder to find in new condition since it's been discontinued. That said, the Bose can get louder, and it can be used with a battery, so it's more portable and better suited for outdoor use than the Apple.
The Apple HomePod is a better speaker than the Google Nest Mini. The Apple has a more neutral sound profile and a better soundstage. It also gets louder, and its built-in voice assistant does a better job understanding your voice in a noisy setting. However, the Google's bass and treble adjustments offer more sound customization, and it's still a great choice for voice assistant capabilities.
The Apple HomePod and Bose SoundLink Micro have different strengths and depending on your usage, you may prefer one over the other. The Apple has a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box. It has Siri built-in, which is great if you use voice assistants, and you can stream audio to the bar via Wi-Fi. However, it may be harder to find in new condition since it's been discontinued. That said, the Bose is battery powered so it's more portable and better suited for outdoor use. It also has an IP67 rating for water resistance that certifies it to be immersible in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Apple HomePod or the Bose SoundLink Revolve. The Apple is better for music, videos, and voice assistant. Its sound profile is a bit more neutral, and it has a deeper, more extended low-bass and a better soundstage. Also, it comes with built-in Siri capabilities. However, the Apple isn't meant to be used outdoors, unlike the Bose. It's also been discontinued and may be more difficult to find in new condition. That said, the Bose is more portable, better-built, and it's rated for water, dust, and impact resistance.
The Apple HomePod and the JBL PartyBox 300 are very different speakers, so depending on your usage habits, you may prefer one over the other. The Apple is better for most uses, as it has a more balanced sound profile and a better soundstage. However, it's been discontinued, so it may be harder to find in new condition. That said, the JBL is bigger and it gets louder. Also, since it's battery-operated, it can be used outdoors.