HomePod (2nd gen)
Apple S7 · Dolby Atmos · Siri
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
Spatial Audio · Siri · Matter hub
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, HomePod (2nd gen) lands at 85 and Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) at 88. That puts Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick HomePod (2nd gen) if…
- ✓Room-sensing spatial audio
- ✓Best-in-class room-correction
- ✓Works as Apple TV speaker
Pick Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) if…
- ✓Best mono speaker sound at this price
- ✓Built-in Matter hub
- ✓Adaptive room sensing
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)Compared on the sound sub-score
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) leads on sound (92 vs 88).
Features
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)Compared on the features sub-score
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) leads on features (88 vs 82).
Value for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | HomePod (2nd gen) | Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 4″ woofer + 5 tweeters | 4″ woofer + 5 tweeters |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5, Thread, BT 5.0 | Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.0, Thread, Matter |
| Voice | Siri | Siri |
| Spatial | — | Dolby Atmos Music |
| Trueplay tuning | — | Auto room-sensing |
| Weight | — | 2.3 kg |
HomePod (2nd gen)
- +Room-sensing spatial audio
- +Best-in-class room-correction
- +Works as Apple TV speaker
- −Apple ecosystem only
- −Siri trails assistants
- −No line-in
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
- +Best mono speaker sound at this price
- +Built-in Matter hub
- +Adaptive room sensing
- −Apple ecosystem only
- −No 3.5mm input
- −No Spotify Connect (still 2025!)
FAQ: HomePod (2nd gen) vs Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
Which is better, HomePod (2nd gen) or Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)? +
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is HomePod (2nd gen) worth the price? +
At $299, HomePod (2nd gen) delivers a Specdex score of 85 — strongest in design.
Is Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) worth the price? +
At $299, Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in ease.
Does HomePod (2nd gen) or Apple 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 better for sound, HomePod (2nd gen) or Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)? +
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) — leads on sound (92 vs 88). Compared on the sound sub-score.
Which is better for features, HomePod (2nd gen) or Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)? +
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) — leads on features (88 vs 82). Compared on the features sub-score.