Short answer: the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen. It ranks #5 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $349 and is still sold new; the Google Home Max ranks #15 (rated 3.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Apple HomePod 2nd Gen is the better-sounding option. A compact smart speaker with natural, spacious sound that tunes itself to the room, ideal for Apple Music and AirPlay users. The tradeoff: 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.
Why pick the Google Home Max: A large Google smart speaker with two woofers, automatic room tuning and stereo pairing, praised by owners for its bass. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen lacks. The catch: Discontinued by Google since 2020, so it can no longer be bought new; used and refurbished stock is what remains, and RTINGS calls its soundstage mediocre despite the driver count.
Buy the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Google Home Max is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A compact smart speaker with natural, spacious sound that tunes itself to the room, ideal for Apple Music and AirPlay users.
A large Google smart speaker with two woofers, automatic room tuning and stereo pairing, praised by owners for its bass.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Apple HomePod 2nd Gen | Google Home Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.00 each | $399 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #15 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (detachable cable) | AC power cord |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | Yes (Google Home) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field array, no physical mute switch) | Yes (6 far-field mics for Smart Sound room correction) |
| EQ | Yes (Reduce Bass toggle + automatic room correction) | Yes (Media EQ + Room EQ, automatic via Smart Sound) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) |
| Drivers | 4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters | 2x 4.5in high-excursion woofers, 2x 0.7in tweeters |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 6.7” x 5.6” x 5.6” (170 x 142 x 142 mm) | 7.5” x 13.2” x 6.1” (190 x 336 x 154 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri | Google Assistant |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, AAC |
| Amplifier Power | - | 6x Class-D amplifiers |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
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