Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Bose Home Speaker 500 — Smart/Portable · $549
Bose

Bose Home Speaker 500

Smart/Portable · $549

86
/ 100
From $549
VS
Bose Home Speaker 500 wins by 1
HomePod (2nd gen) — Smart/Portable · $299
Apple

HomePod (2nd gen)

Smart/Portable · $299

85
/ 100
From $299
Specdex verdict

Bose Home Speaker 500 takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose Home Speaker 500 lands at 86 and HomePod (2nd gen) at 85. That puts Bose Home Speaker 500 ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose Home Speaker 500 if…

  • ✓Easy multi-room with ecosystem
  • ✓App EQ on modern models
  • ✓USB-C/AUX input on some

Pick HomePod (2nd gen) if…

  • ✓Easy multi-room with ecosystem
  • ✓App EQ on modern models
  • ✓USB-C/AUX input on some
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Design

Tie

Compared on the design sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Sound

Tie

Compared on the sound sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Ecosystem

Tie

Compared on the ecosystem sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

HomePod (2nd gen)

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

HomePod (2nd gen) more score per dollar ($299 vs $549).

Bose Home Speaker 500 86
vs
85 HomePod (2nd gen)

Score breakdown

Bose Home Speaker 500
86
sound 86
features 84
design 88
ecosystem 84
HomePod (2nd gen)
85
sound 85
features 83
design 88
ecosystem 84

Specs side-by-side

Bose Home Speaker 500 versus HomePod (2nd gen) — full spec comparison
Spec Bose Home Speaker 500 HomePod (2nd gen)

Bose Home Speaker 500

Pros
  • +Easy multi-room with ecosystem
  • +App EQ on modern models
  • +USB-C/AUX input on some
Cons
  • −Brand ecosystem lock-in
  • −Subscription features on some
  • −Bass limits at lower sizes

HomePod (2nd gen)

Pros
  • +Easy multi-room with ecosystem
  • +App EQ on modern models
  • +USB-C/AUX input on some
Cons
  • −Brand ecosystem lock-in
  • −Subscription features on some
  • −Bass limits at lower sizes

FAQ: Bose Home Speaker 500 vs HomePod (2nd gen)

Which is better, Bose Home Speaker 500 or HomePod (2nd gen)? +

Bose Home Speaker 500 scores 86 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose Home Speaker 500 worth the price? +

At $549, Bose Home Speaker 500 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in design.

Is HomePod (2nd gen) worth the price? +

At $299, HomePod (2nd gen) delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in design.

Does Bose Home Speaker 500 or HomePod (2nd gen) last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is the better value, Bose Home Speaker 500 or HomePod (2nd gen)? +

HomePod (2nd gen) — more score per dollar ($299 vs $549). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.