Apple HomePod (1st generation) vs Bose SoundLink Micro

Which Speaker Is Better?

Products

Apple HomePod (1st generation)
Bose SoundLink Micro

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Sep 04, 2024 07:33 PM

Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Feb 05, 2026 07:22 PM

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Amazon.com

Our Verdict

Apple HomePod (1st generation)

Bose SoundLink Micro

The Apple HomePod (1st generation) and Bose SoundLink Micro have different strengths, and you may prefer one over the other. The Apple speaker 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. 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.

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Variants

  • HomePod (1st generation) (Space Gray)
  • HomePod (1st generation) (White)
  • SoundLink Micro (Black)
  • SoundLink Micro (Bright Orange)

Check Price

Space Gray
HomePod (1st generation)
Amazon.com
Black
SoundLink Micro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
HomePod (1st generation)
Amazon.com
Bright Orange
SoundLink Micro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Midnight Blue
SoundLink Micro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Stone Blue
SoundLink Micro
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Amazon.com
 
White Smoke
SoundLink Micro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Main Differences for
Music

Threshold 

0.10

Music 
 

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Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Style Photo  

Apple HomePod (1st generation)  Style Photo Sample

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Bose SoundLink Micro Style Photo Sample

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RGB Lights  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Dimensions Photo  

Apple HomePod (1st generation)  Dimensions Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Bose SoundLink Micro Dimensions Photo Sample

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Volume 
 

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Weight 
 

Lock lbs (Lock kg)
Lock lbs (Lock kg)

Power Source 
 

Locked
Locked

One-Hand Carry 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Photo  

Apple HomePod (1st generation)  Build Quality Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Bose SoundLink Micro Build Quality Photo Sample

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Material Quality 
 

Locked
Locked

Water Resistance 
 

Locked
Locked

Dust Resistance 
 

Locked
Locked

Impact Resistance 
 

Locked
Locked

Floats In Water 
 

Locked
Locked
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Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Photo  

Apple HomePod (1st generation)  Controls Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Bose SoundLink Micro Controls Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Controls Photo 2  

Apple HomePod (1st generation)  Controls Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Bose SoundLink Micro Controls Photo 2 Sample

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Ease Of Use 
 

Locked
Locked

Feedback 
 

Locked
Locked

Music Play/Pause 
 

Locked
Locked

Call Answer/End 
 

Locked
Locked

Volume Up/Down 
 

Locked
Locked

Track Next/Previous 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone On/Off 
 

Locked
Locked

Additional Controls 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box Photo  

Apple HomePod (1st generation)  In The Box Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Bose SoundLink Micro In The Box Photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Sound

Frequency Response Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Graph  

Apple HomePod (1st generation)  Frequency Response Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Bose SoundLink Micro Frequency Response Graph Sample

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Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw Frequency Response Graph  

Apple HomePod (1st generation)  Raw Frequency Response Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Bose SoundLink Micro Raw Frequency Response Graph Sample

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Binaural Recording @ 1m 
 

Binaural Recording @ 2m 
 

Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Directivity Graph  

Apple HomePod (1st generation)  Directivity Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Bose SoundLink Micro Directivity Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Directivity Index 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Stereo 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Apple HomePod (1st generation)  Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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Bose SoundLink Micro Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 
Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
N/A

Battery Life 
 

N/A
Lock hrs

Charge Time 
 

N/A
Lock hrs

Power Saving 
 

Locked
Locked

Charging Port 
 

Locked
Locked

Battery Powered 
 

Locked
Locked
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Voice Assistant 
 

N/A
N/A

Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Speakerphone 
 

Locked
Locked

Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Voice Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Voice Activation 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Locked

Far-Field Performance 
 

Locked
Locked

Ambient Noise Performance 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

App 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

Apple HomePod (1st generation)  App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Bose SoundLink Micro App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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App Name 
 

Locked
Locked

iOS 
 

Locked
Locked

Android 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

Stereo Pair Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Party Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Multi-Room 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Wired 
 

Aux Input 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Other Ports 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
Locked

Bluetooth iOS Latency 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Bluetooth Android Latency 
 

N/A
Lock ms

Bluetooth Range 
 

N/A
Lock ft (Lock m)

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked
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Wi-Fi 
 

N/A
N/A

Wi-Fi Version 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi Frequency Band 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked

AirPlay Latency 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Google Chromecast 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast Latency 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Check Price

Space Gray
HomePod (1st generation)
Amazon.com
Black
SoundLink Micro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
HomePod (1st generation)
Amazon.com
Bright Orange
SoundLink Micro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Midnight Blue
SoundLink Micro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Stone Blue
SoundLink Micro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
White Smoke
SoundLink Micro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Apple HomePod (1st generation)

Bose SoundLink Micro

Comments

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Apple HomePod (1st generation) vs Bose SoundLink Micro: Main Discussion

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