HomePod (2nd gen) Review
Smart/Portable · $299
Specdex verdict Apple's HomePod (2nd gen) is a solid premium pick — strongly recommended, even if it doesn't unseat the category leaders.
Apple's HomePod (2nd gen) speaker.
Specdex doesn't run benchmarks in-house. The verdict is an editorial assessment based on manufacturer specs and public reviewer consensus. See methodology.
HomePod (2nd gen) versus its closest rivals
- +Easy multi-room with ecosystem
- +App EQ on modern models
- +USB-C/AUX input on some
- −Brand ecosystem lock-in
- −Subscription features on some
- −Bass limits at lower sizes
Who's the 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 85 far exceeds the typical sub-$500 baseline.
In the box
What you get when you unbox the 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 |
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Cheaper alternatives to the HomePod (2nd gen)
Same category, at least 20% cheaper, best-scoring picks from our catalog.
Step up from the HomePod (2nd gen)
Higher-scoring speakers if you've got more to spend.
More from Apple
Also consider
Where the HomePod (2nd gen) appears on Specdex
Curated lists, spec rankings, and buying guides where this product is mentioned or ranked.