Both versions of Apple HomeView cost $299 and go on sale November 13, but they don’t sound the same. Apple’s HomeView tech specs page lists a down-firing woofer and two force-cancelling passive radiators for the tabletop model. The wall-mounted model gets only the two full-range drivers in the display.
If you pre-ordered the wall version for the kitchen or hallway, you still have a few days to decide whether that trade works for you, and to buy the parts Apple doesn’t put in the box.
Apple’s spec sheet shows the wall-mounted HomeView keeps two drivers and loses the woofer
Apple’s October 13 announcement describes the tabletop HomeView’s acoustic system in detail. Two custom full-range drivers sit in the display, and the woofer and passive radiators are built into the domed base. The wall model drops the base, and those parts go with it. Apple says the wall version “delivers rich sound with two custom drivers” and computational audio “tuned specifically for on-wall placement.”
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In practice, expect clear voices for Siri, FaceTime calls and recipe timers from the wall model, but thinner music. If you planned to use HomeView as your main kitchen speaker, the tabletop version is the one built for it. If you already own a HomePod nearby, the wall model’s smaller sound is less of a loss, since you can send music to the HomePod with AirPlay.
| HomeView (tabletop) | HomeView (Wall Mounted) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $299 plus mount |
| Speakers | Two full-range drivers, down-firing woofer, two passive radiators | Two full-range drivers |
| Weight | 2.1 lb (952 g) | 0.63 lb (286 g) |
| Colors | Silver, starlight, rose pink, space gray | Silver, space gray |
| In the box | HomeView, 1.5 m USB-C cable, 30W adapter, documentation | HomeView, documentation |
| Power needed | 30W or higher, 15V at 2A | 20W or higher, 9V at 2.22A |
Everything else matches. Both use the A18 chip, the same 7-inch 1088 by 1088 Liquid Retina display at up to 500 nits, the 12MP Center Stage camera, four microphones, Wi-Fi 6E and Thread.
The wall-mounted HomeView needs a mount, a cable and an adapter that the tabletop model includes
The tabletop HomeView ships with a 30W power adapter and a 1.5-meter USB-C cable. The wall model ships with the display and documentation, and nothing else. Apple’s spec page lists the wall mount, USB-C cable and power adapter of at least 20W as separate purchases, a point we flagged in our report on the missing power adapter.
Apple sells three Schneider Home mounts for it:
- Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector, from $59.95
- Power Mount AC Wired, from $79.95
- Power Mount PoE Wired, from $129.95, not available until early 2027
Apple’s power adapter support page says that, depending on the mount, you either use a separate cable and adapter or connect HomeView to line power. Take the cheapest route with Apple’s own parts, the $59.95 mount plus Apple’s $19 20W USB-C adapter and $19 USB-C cable, and your $299 wall HomeView costs $396.95. That assumes the USB-C mount needs Apple’s separate adapter and cable, so check the mount’s listing before you order. The tabletop model stays at $299 with everything in the box.
What to have ready before your HomeView arrives on November 13
- An updated iPhone or iPad. Apple lists an iPhone with iOS 27.2 or later, or an iPad with iPadOS 27.2 or later, plus Wi-Fi internet access, as the system requirements.
- The right adapter for the wall model. Apple says it needs at least 20W and 9V at 2.22A. A small old phone charger won’t cut it, and HomeView shows a “Power Adapter Not Supported” warning with a lightning bolt and yellow triangle if the adapter falls short.
- A plan if the mount isn’t installed yet. Apple’s own troubleshooting steps have you take the wall model off its mount and plug it straight into a compatible adapter. That means you can set it up on a desk with a 20W adapter on day one and hang it later.
- A 30W replacement for the tabletop model only if you lose the original. Apple requires at least 30W and 15V at 2A for the tabletop version.
The fourth-generation Apple TV 4K launches the same day at $299. Its spec page says the box includes the Apple TV, the Siri Remote, a power cord and documentation, but no HDMI cable, and the remote’s USB-C charging cable and adapter are also sold separately. Our Apple TV 4K setup guide covers which HDMI cable to buy.
Which HomeView to pick if you are still deciding before launch day
Pick the tabletop HomeView if you want it to double as a speaker, if you rent and can’t drill into walls, or if you want rose pink or starlight. It costs less once you count the mount and power parts, and it plays bass the wall model can’t.
Pick the wall-mounted HomeView if counter space is the problem, if you want a fixed control panel by the front door, or if you already have HomePods for music. Just budget roughly $100 on top of the $299 price, or more if you choose a wired mount and pay for professional installation, which Apple lists as an option.
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