Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) Review
Spatial Audio · Siri · Matter hub
Specdex verdict Apple's Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) is a solid premium pick — strongly recommended, even if it doesn't unseat the category leaders.
The HomePod 2nd Gen makes one speaker fill a room. Adaptive room sensing + spatial audio + Matter/Thread hub — the smart speaker that actually justifies the smart-home premium.
Specdex doesn't run benchmarks in-house. The verdict is an editorial assessment based on manufacturer specs and public reviewer consensus. See methodology.
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) versus its closest rivals
- +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!)
Who's the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) for?
Quick verdicts for the most common buyer profiles, derived from the sub-scores above.
Compute scores trail current top-tier — look at our step-up alternatives below if performance is the priority.
At $299 this is a genuine value play — Specdex score of 88 far exceeds the typical sub-$500 baseline.
In the box
What you get when you unbox the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen).
- Speaker
- Power cable
- Ethernet cable
- Quick-start guide
Standard contents — region/SKU may vary; confirm at retailer.
Sources & benchmarks
Cited, not generatedSpecdex does not run benchmarks in-house. We're rolling out cited public benchmark data category by category — PassMark for CPUs and GPUs is wired today; DXOMark, RTINGS, Geekbench, and NotebookCheck will follow.
Sources we use when available: PassMark for CPU/GPU, Geekbench Browser for synthetic, DXOMark for camera scores, RTINGS for TVs, monitors, and headphones. See methodology.
Specifications
Editorial · awaiting verification| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 4″ woofer + 5 tweeters |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.0, Thread, Matter |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2.3 kg |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Voice | Siri |
| Spatial | Dolby Atmos Music |
| Trueplay tuning | Auto room-sensing |
Cheaper alternatives to the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
Same category, at least 20% cheaper, best-scoring picks from our catalog.
Step up from the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
Higher-scoring speakers if you've got more to spend.
More from Apple
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Also consider
Where the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) appears on Specdex
Curated lists, spec rankings, and buying guides where this product is mentioned or ranked.