A Detailed Look at Apple’s HomePod and HomePod mini

Apple’s HomePod and HomePod mini are Siri-enabled smart speakers that provide big sound in a small package. But are these devices right for your home? This comprehensive guide examines the key features and value proposition of the full-size HomePod and pint-sized HomePod mini to help you decide.

Are HomePods Worth It?

The original Apple HomePod was released in 2018 as a high-end smart speaker focused on exceptional audio quality. The HomePod commands a premium price compared to competitors like the Amazon Echo and Google Home.

So is the HomePod worth that price tag? Here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Superb sound quality. The HomePod produces incredibly rich, layered audio thanks to its seven-tweeter array and high-excursion woofer. Reviews praise its dynamic soundstage and ability to adapt to any environment.
• Seamless Siri integration. Siri works flawlessly on the HomePod for music playback, smart home controls, information lookup, and more. Far-field mics ensure Siri can hear you from across the room.
• Apple ecosystem tie-in. As an Apple device, the HomePod integrates beautifully with Apple Music, podcasts, calendars, reminders, notes, and the Apple TV 4K for TV audio streaming.
• Privacy focus. Apple prides itself on data privacy. Siri processing is done on-device rather than in the cloud.

Cons:

• Expensive. It’s a big investment compared to Amazon and Google’s offerings priced under $200.
• Limited smart home support. HomePod only works with HomeKit enabled devices. Popular smart home platforms like Alexa and Google Assistant aren’t supported.
• Apple Music exclusive. You must have an Apple Music subscription to access Apple’s 45 million song catalog. Spotify and other streaming services aren’t directly supported.
• Permanent placement. It’s not portable and battery-powered like some competitors. The HomePod is really designed for permanent setup in one spot.

Overall, the HomePod is a great choice for users deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem. With stellar sound and Siri integration, it will appeal to music lovers who already subscribe to Apple Music. But if you use other streaming services, own many non-HomeKit smart home devices, or want more versatility, it may not provide enough value to justify the steep cost.

Are HomePods Waterproof?

With a fabric mesh covering and complex inner workings, you might wonder if the HomePod can withstand water exposure. Here’s a look at the HomePod’s water resistance rating and capabilities:

• IPX4 rating – The HomePod has an official IPX4 rating for water resistance. The IPX4 certification means it is protected from splashes from any direction but cannot withstand submersion in water.
• Splash resistant, not waterproof – That IPX4 rating makes the HomePod splash resistant, but decidedly not waterproof. It can handle a few errant drops or light splashes but should not be placed near a sink or other source of water.
• Avoid submerging – Do not submerge the HomePod in water under any circumstances. The fabric covering may wick some water away temporarily but the inner electronics can absolutely be damaged by immersion.
• Use care with liquids – Beverages, oils, lotions, or any other liquids should be kept far away from the HomePod. Avoid placing it in an area prone to splashing like next to a hot tub.
• Not suitable for outdoor use – With an IPX4 rating and fabric exterior, the HomePod is designed for indoor use only. Do not use it in an outdoor or extremely humid environment where exposure to the elements could occur.
• Service not covered for water damage – Apple states liquid damage will void the HomePod’s warranty. You’ll end up with an expensive paperweight if water gets inside, so take precautions.

While the HomePod has a splash-proof design suitable for normal indoor conditions, owners should be very careful to keep it away from sources of direct water exposure. Be mindful of its proximity to sinks, plants, pools, weather exposure, and spills to keep your investment safe for the long haul.

Are HomePod Minis Worth It?

In 2020, Apple introduced a miniature version of the HomePod with the creatively named HomePod mini. It offers similar capabilities as its larger sibling in a more affordable package. But is it worth picking up?

Here’s an overview of where the HomePod mini shines along with any potential drawbacks:

Pros

• Great sound for the size. It may be tiny but it produces big, detailed sound thanks to Apple’s acoustic innovations.
• More affordable. This puts it in line with other compact smart speakers from Amazon and Google.
• All the usual Siri features. You get full access to Siri for controlling music, smart devices, looking up information, and more.
• Compact design. At just 3.3 inches tall, it fits easily on a desk, shelf, or countertop. Portable enough to move around the home.
• Privacy-focused. Like the HomePod, all Siri processing is done offline with data kept private.

Cons

• Still Apple ecosystem focused. Lacks native support for Spotify, Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. Requires Apple Music and HomeKit.
• Lower overall sound quality than the big HomePod. Excels for its size but understandably can’t match the bass or loudness of its larger sibling.
• No stereo pairing support yet. Two HomePod minis can’t be grouped into a stereo pair, a feature the full HomePod supports.

So if you’re entrenched in the Apple world and want an affordable speaker for Siri, Apple Music, and smart home control, the HomePod mini is a great option. It squeezes impressive sound into a small, elegant form factor. Just be aware native support for non-Apple services is still limited. Considering its lower $99 price point, the HomePod mini earns its value for most Apple users.

Are HomePod Minis Wireless?

With compact dimensions and no visible ports, it may not be immediately obvious how audio gets into the HomePod mini. Let’s clear up how Apple’s pint-sized smart speaker connects and confirm that it is indeed fully wireless:

• Completely wireless operation – HomePod mini has no wired networking capabilities or ports. No cables are needed for connectivity or power. It is 100% wireless.
• Connects via WiFi – Setup involves connecting the HomePod mini to your WiFi network. It does not use ethernet or plug into your router. Everything happens over a wireless WiFi connection.
• No cables for audio either – There is no 3.5mm aux input or other physical audio connection. Streaming audio services connect wirelessly via WiFi.
• Powered by internal battery – A sealed internal rechargeable battery provides power. Just place the HomePod mini on a flat surface; no power cables required.
• Control it wirelessly – You don’t even need to interact physically with the HomePod mini. Control music playback, volume, and Siri completely wirelessly from your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
• Designed for wireless convenience – With no ports or cables in sight, the HomePod mini delivers wireless connectivity and operation by design. Apple built it from the ground up for cutting the cord.

So feel free to place this petite smart speaker anywhere in your home without worrying about finding an outlet or networking jack. The HomePod mini sets up and works flawlessly with zero cables required, giving you maximum flexibility on where to use it.

Are HomePods Portable?

The HomePod delivers big sound in a relatively small package at 6.8 inches tall. But is Apple’s smart speaker actually portable enough to travel with you on the go? Here are the key factors to consider:

• Not battery powered – The HomePod lacks an internal battery and instead must remain plugged into an outlet at all times. This severely limits portability outside the home.
• Designed for permanent placement – Apple intended the HomePod for stationary setup in one fixed location. It does not offer any kind of carrying case or battery option.
• No Bluetooth streaming – Music and podcasts can’t be streamed directly from your device to the HomePod. It only supports WiFi streaming when connected to your home network.
• No microphone for mobile use – You can’t access Siri or make calls on a HomePod without plugging it into power. The microphones are disabled without a wall connection.
• Must pair with iPhone on same WiFi – To stream audio from an iPhone, both devices must be on the same WiFi network. You can’t connect directly outside your home.
• Not suitable for outdoor use – With an IPX4 splash resistance rating but no ruggedization, the HomePod should not be used poolside or in other outdoor scenarios.

While reasonably sized, the HomePod ultimately lacks key features that would make it truly portable. Permanent power reliance and no Bluetooth connectivity severely hampers audio streaming and Siri access when away from home. It’s designed expressly for stationary interior use, not mobile scenarios.

Are HomePod Minis Good?

Apple’s HomePod mini promises full-fledged Siri smarts and surprisingly big sound in a petite package. But how good does this pint-sized smart speaker actually sound? Here’s an overview:

• Impressive bass for the size – Dual passive radiators and computational audio processing let the mini deliver bass down to 70Hz, very good for a speaker of this size.
• Well-balanced sound profile – Reviewers praise the mini’s balanced and crisp sound with clear vocals, ample bass, and crisp highs across genres like pop, rock, and classical.
• Fills small to medium-sized rooms – It can reach volumes of up to 85 decibels, enough to comfortably fill smaller bedrooms, offices, and kitchens.
• Siri works well – The mini’s four-mic array does a great job picking up Siri requests from a distance even with music playing. Siri functionality is robust.
• Sounds great alone or in pairs – You can use a single mini on its own or pair two for stereo sound. Both setups provide an enjoyable listening experience.
• Not a full HomePod replacement – While impressive for the size, the mini understandably can’t match the richer, louder sound experience delivered by the full-size HomePod.

Overall, the HomePod mini sounds fabulous for its diminutive size. It may not rival a dedicated hi-fi system, but delivers pleasing audio in a stylish, ultra-compact design. For most everyday listening scenarios, the mini packs an audio punch.

Are HomePods Discontinued?

Apple unveiled the HomePod smart speaker in early 2018 but by early 2021, the original full-size model had disappeared from Apple’s online store. This led to speculation that the HomePod had been discontinued after a relatively short run.

Here’s an overview of what happened:

• Quietly discontinued March 2021 – Without any announcement, Apple stopped selling the large HomePod around March 2021, less than 3 years after its debut.
• Production ceased – Multiple reports confirmed that Apple ceased production on the big HomePod sometime in early 2021 with remaining inventory left selling out.
• Removed from Apple’s website – By March 2021, the HomePod’s product page vanished from Apple’s online store, with only the HomePod mini still listed for sale.
• Still provides support – Despite being discontinued, Apple says it will continue providing software support and updates for existing HomePod units out in the wild.
• Mini is still available – While axing the original smart speaker, Apple continues manufacturing and selling the smaller, cheaper HomePod mini introduced in late 2020.
• Underwhelming sales – Reports suggested underwhelming sales due to high price and limited market share were behind Apple’s decision to discontinue the full-size HomePod.

So unfortunately, Apple’s big premium smart speaker is gone for good after an unusually short lifespan of around 3 years on the market. But the mini lives on as an affordable alternative with similar capabilities in a smaller package.

Are HomePods Good for Home Theater?

With powerful speakers capable of room-filling sound, can Apple’s HomePod double as a home theater audio system? Here’s an overview of how well it works for TV and movie audio:

Pros as a home theater speaker

• Big, high-quality sound – HomePod can easily fill a room with layered, detailed audio perfect for movies.
• Easy AirPlay 2 setup – Wirelessly send audio from an Apple TV 4K to one or a pair of HomePods with just a few clicks.
• Siri voice control – Use Siri to control volume, playback, and launch TV/movie apps completely hands-free.
• Compact size – Small enough to easily place next to or behind a TV without overwhelming the space.

Limitations to consider

• No surround sound – Only supports stereo audio out of the box. You can’t build a true surround system.
• Limited app support – HomePod doesn’t have native apps beyond Apple’s ecosystem so you can’t directly access Netflix, Disney+ etc.
• Permanent placement – Not as versatile for moving around as standalone soundbars and speakers designed for TV audio.
• Expensive proposition – Building a full surround system requires multiple $299 HomePods, while soundbars can be found for much less.

The HomePod can certainly elevate a TV’s built-in speakers with room-filling sound. But lack of true surround capabilities hold it back from being an ideal dedicated home theater audio system. It’s great for background music but less suitable as your TV’s sole audio source.

Are HomePod Minis Waterproof?

Despite its small size, the HomePod mini still packs in advanced acoustic components and delivers big sound. But how durable is it? Can Apple’s tiny smart speaker withstand water exposure? Here’s an overview of the HomePod mini’s water resistance capabilities:

• Also rated IPX4 – Like its larger counterpart, the mini has an IPX4 rating for splash resistance. It offers the same water protection level.
• Splash resistant – The IPX4 rating means the mini is designed to withstand a reasonable amount of water splashes from any direction. Light rain or splashes won’t damage it.
• Not fully waterproof – However, an IPX4 rating does not make the mini fully waterproof. Submerging it in water can still damage the components.
• Avoid submersion – Never intentionally submerge or immerse the HomePod mini. It simply cannot withstand being underwater.
• For indoor use – With its fabric design and IPX4 splash rating, the mini is made for indoor use exclusively. Don’t install outside.
• Use care around sinks, plants – Be mindful of placement next to sinks, houseplants, pools and other sources of potential water splashing or dripping.

While more durable than it looks, the HomePod mini still requires care to avoid direct exposure to liquids. Its IPX4 rating makes it suitable for use in kitchens, bathrooms and other humid indoor environments, but submersion can spell trouble. Handle it with the same water precautions as your phone or laptop.

Can HomePod Play Spotify?

Spotify stands alongside Apple Music as one of the world’s most popular music streaming platforms. But can Spotify playlists actually stream natively on Apple’s HomePod smart speakers? Unfortunately, the answer is no:

• No native Spotify app – There is no Spotify app for HomePod that allows direct streaming like there is for Apple Music.
• Apple Music only – The only music service that can natively stream to HomePod is Apple’s own Apple Music subscriber service.
• Requires AirPlay – To listen to Spotify, you must open Spotify on your iPhone or iPad and then tap the AirPlay icon to send the audio to HomePod.
• Siri won’t work with Spotify – Using Siri voice commands, you can ask HomePod to play Apple Music but not Spotify tracks or playlists since there is no native support.
• Updates could enable Spotify – Apple could potentially choose to partner with Spotify to allow direct streaming in a future HomePod software update, but has not done so yet.
• Works better with Apple Music – For the optimal HomePod experience, you really need an Apple Music subscription. Spotify support is very limited without native streaming or Siri functionality.

So while there are workarounds to stream Spotify via AirPlay, HomePod lacks the deep integration and voice control Spotify fans may expect. Unless Apple adds native support down the road, an Apple Music membership is recommended to unlock the full capabilities.

Can HomePod Mini Play Spotify?

With the HomePod mini, Apple brought the HomePod experience to a smaller, more affordable package. But like its larger predecessor, the mini lacks native support for Spotify streaming.

• No direct Spotify streaming – There is still no Spotify app or native integration. You cannot ask Siri to play songs, albums or playlists directly from Spotify.
• Still Apple Music-focused – The only music service with full native support for streaming and Siri voice control is Apple Music.
• Requires AirPlay workaround – Spotify users must open the Spotify iOS app and use AirPlay to manually stream music to the HomePod mini.
• Siri only works with Apple Music – Siri voice commands for music playback only work with your Apple Music library. Spotify playlists and queues are not recognized.
• Maybe in future update – Apple could possibly add Spotify integration later, but for now the experience is very Apple Music-centric.
• Works best with Apple Music – Due to lack of native support, the HomePod mini is best suited if you also subscribe to Apple Music for Siri voice control.

While other Siri features work great, not being able to naturally ask Siri to queue up Spotify playlists limits the mini’s capabilities for Spotify subscribers. Unless direct integration is added later, Apple Music is still the streaming service that works best.

Can HomePod Connect to TV?

With powerful 360-degree audio, the HomePod seems well-suited to provide sound for your TV. But how exactly

can you connect the HomePod to a TV?

• Designed for AirPlay streaming – The HomePod relies on wireless AirPlay 2 technology to stream audio from a TV. There is no traditional physical audio output connector.
• Works with Apple TV 4K – Connecting to an Apple TV 4K is simple. Just select the HomePod for audio output in the Apple TV settings to send all sound wirelessly.
• Limited TV support overall – Beyond the Apple TV, AirPlay 2 support is hit or miss among smart TVs. Many may lack modern firmware to allow audio streaming to HomePod.
• Third party TV adapters – There are AirPlay 2 adapters like the Sonos Port that can add wireless HomePod streaming to non-supported TVs when plugged into the TV’s HDMI ARC port.
• Cannot be default TV speaker – Without a physical connection, the TV will always default back to its built-in speakers when powered on instead of the HomePod.
• Manual control required – You have to manually activate AirPlay streaming each time you want to use the HomePod. It won’t automatically turn on with the TV.
• Latency possible – AirPlay introduces some minor audio latency. If watching video, you may notice lip sync issues with audio lagging slightly behind.
• No surround sound – HomePod only supports stereo left/right channel output. True surround sound requires wired speakers and a compatible receiver.

While AirPlay offers a simple way to stream TV audio wirelessly, lack of physical connectivity and universal TV support limits the seamless HomePod integration home theater enthusiasts may want. Using the HomePod as a dedicated TV speaker involves some compromises.

Can HomePod Mini Be a Home Hub?

Apple touts how well the HomePod mini works as a control hub for HomeKit smart home devices. But what exactly does it mean when the mini serves as your home hub?

• Enables remote access – When set as the home hub, you can control HomeKit accessories when away from home using the Home app on iPhone or iPad.
• Allows automations – HomeKit automations like automatic lights and scheduled actions depend on a configured home hub like the mini.
• Handles communication – The mini facilitates communication between HomeKit accessories so they can work together and integrate properly.
• No always-on mic – Unlike full-time smart assistants like Alexa, the mini’s microphone is not always actively listening when set as the hub.
• Minimal standby power – Acting as the home hub requires very minimal power draw in standby mode. It will not significantly drain the battery.
• Can switch to Apple TV – You aren’t locked in to the mini as home hub. An Apple TV or iPad can also be easily set as the active hub via the Home app.
• Auto-selection – If you have multiple eligible devices, HomeKit will automatically choose the most appropriate connected device to act as home hub.

With useful hub features and low power needs, the mini serves as an affordable hub option for HomeKit setups. Just place it in a central location in your home and the mini seamlessly handles the background communication to keep your smart home running smoothly.