Short answer: the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen for better sound quality, the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen for the lower price. The Apple HomePod 2nd Gen ranks #5 of 29 powered desktop speakers, rated 4.0/5, at $349. The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen ranks #12, rated 3.1/5, at $79.99, $269.01 cheaper.
Why pick the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen: A small, affordable Alexa speaker with a temperature sensor, eero Wi-Fi extender support and a mic mute switch. The tradeoff: What Hi-Fi’s one real complaint was distortion at higher volumes, and bass force and detail both fall off at the low end, typical for a speaker not much bigger than a hockey ball.
The case for the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen: A compact smart speaker with natural, spacious sound that tunes itself to the room, ideal for Apple Music and AirPlay users. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen lacks. Watch for: What Hi-Fi’s own comparison found the pricier Sonos Era 300 has more power, punch and detail, and Siri cannot launch Spotify, Tidal or other non-Apple services directly, only Apple Music by voice; everything else has to be sent over AirPlay from a phone.
Buy the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen if sound quality is the priority over the price.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A small, affordable Alexa speaker with a temperature sensor, eero Wi-Fi extender support and a mic mute switch.
A compact smart speaker with natural, spacious sound that tunes itself to the room, ideal for Apple Music and AirPlay users.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen | Apple HomePod 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 each | $349.00 each |
| Ranked | #12 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #5 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa) | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (DC jack) | External AC adapter (detachable cable) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (340 g) | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Alexa) | Yes (Apple Home) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (mic mute switch, temperature sensor) | Yes (far-field array, no physical mute switch) |
| EQ | No | Yes (Reduce Bass toggle + automatic room correction) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) |
| Drivers | 44mm front-firing driver | 4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 3.9” x 3.5” (100 x 100 x 89 mm) (H x W x D) | 6.7” x 5.6” x 5.6” (170 x 142 x 142 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ | Apple Siri |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only |
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