Apple’s new HomePod mini 2 costs $149 (U.S.) and ships October 30, while the full-size HomePod costs $349. Apple’s own comparison on the HomePod mini 2 buy page shows what the $200 gap pays for: a bigger speaker system, Spatial Audio and room sensing, none of which the mini 2 has.
Most of the smart home features are the same on both. The differences are in the drivers, the size and, surprisingly, the wireless chips, where the cheaper speaker is newer.
Apple’s comparison, line by line
Apple’s “Which HomePod is right for you?” module on the HomePod mini 2 buy page lists these:
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| Feature | HomePod mini 2 | HomePod |
|---|---|---|
| Price (U.S.) | $149 | $349 |
| Height | 3.3 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Apple’s description | Surprising sound for its size | Immersive, high-fidelity audio |
| Speaker hardware | Full-range driver, dual force-cancelling passive radiators | High-excursion woofer, five beamforming tweeter array |
| Spatial Audio | No | Yes |
| Room sensing | No | Yes |
Where the extra $200 goes: the speaker hardware
The HomePod tech specs list a 4-inch high-excursion woofer and an array of five horn-loaded tweeters, each with its own neodymium magnet. It also has an internal low-frequency calibration microphone for automatic bass correction, and “Advanced computational audio with system sensing for real-time tuning.”
HomePod mini 2 uses a full-range driver and dual passive radiators, which Apple says deliver “deep bass and crisp high frequencies,” plus a custom acoustic waveguide for a 360-degree sound field and computational audio for real-time tuning. Apple’s release says that, powered by the Apple S10 chip and advanced computational audio, HomePod mini 2 “analyzes music in real time to optimize dynamic range, loudness, and acoustic performance.”
Spatial Audio and room sensing
These are the two features the mini 2 lacks outright. HomePod supports “Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for music and video.” Apple’s footnote says Spatial Audio “works with compatible content in supported apps,” and that not all content is available in Dolby Atmos.
Room sensing appears on the HomePod spec sheet as its own line under audio technology, alongside the calibration microphone. Apple’s comparison marks it “No” for HomePod mini 2.
Size, weight and microphones
| Spec | HomePod mini 2 | HomePod (2nd generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 3.3 inches (84.3 mm) | 6.6 inches (168 mm) |
| Width | 3.9 inches (97.9 mm) | 5.6 inches (142 mm) |
| Weight | 0.74 pound (335 grams) | 5.16 pounds (2.3 kg) |
| Microphones | Three-microphone design for far-field Siri | Four-microphone design for far-field Siri |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | 802.11n Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Colors | White, pink, green, blue, midnight | White, midnight |
| In the box | 20W USB-C Power Adapter | Power cable |
HomePod also lists an accelerometer among its sensors. Both have a temperature and humidity sensor, Thread networking and an Ultra Wideband chip for device proximity.
The wireless rows are the one place the mini 2 comes out ahead on paper. It has Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6, where the HomePod spec page still lists 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. Apple also says HomePod mini 2 can serve as a speaker for Mac, a feature supported on all Mac computers with Wi-Fi 6E or later.
What both speakers do
Apple’s comparison gives both speakers the same checkmarks for the rest of the list:
- Stereo pair capable
- Multiroom audio
- Surround sound with Apple TV 4K
- Smart home hub
- Sound Recognition
- Temperature and humidity sensor
- Private and secure
Two footnotes shape how you mix them. A stereo pair “requires two of the same model and generation of HomePod speakers, such as two HomePod mini 2 or two HomePod (2nd generation) speakers,” so you cannot pair one of each. Home theater surround sound “requires four HomePod mini 2 or HomePod (2nd generation) speakers in matching pairs (front and rear),” paired with Apple TV 4K (4th generation). Apple’s HomePod mini 2 announcement covers the new model’s surround and Sound Glow features.
Apple’s store gives both the same offer: 3 months of Apple Music free for new subscribers, then $11.99/month.
AppleCare+ and repair fees
The price gap carries over to coverage. Apple’s AppleCare+ pricing lists:
| Plan | HomePod mini | HomePod |
|---|---|---|
| AppleCare+ annual | $9.99/yr | $19.99/yr |
| AppleCare+ monthly | $0.99/mo. | $1.99/mo. |
| Accidental damage fee | $15 | $39 |
Apple’s AppleCare page lists HomePod mini 2 and HomePod among the Apple Home devices covered, and the fees come from Apple’s AppleCare service fees and deductibles page.
Which one to buy
If you want Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, room sensing and a woofer with five tweeters in a single speaker, the $349 HomePod is the one with that hardware. If you mainly want smart home control, a home hub, multiroom audio and the newer wireless at less than half the price, HomePod mini 2 covers it.
For a stereo pair, the math doubles: two HomePod mini 2 speakers cost $298, two HomePod speakers cost $698. Our HomePod mini 2 vs HomePod mini comparison covers what changed from the original mini.
