Apple HomePod 2nd Gen vs Sonos Move

Last updated: September 22, 2026

Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Apple HomePod 2nd Gen ranks #5 of 16 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $297.71; the Sonos Move ranks #27 of 78 large speakers by sound quality at $299.95.

Apple HomePod 2nd Gen vs Sonos Move

The case for the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen: What Hi-Fi gave it a perfect 5 stars for sound and a What Hi-Fi Award, calling it natural, solid and energetic with a spacious, three-dimensional presentation on Dolby Atmos content. 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.

The case for the Sonos Move: A well-integrated Sonos portable that combines Wi-Fi multiroom playback, Bluetooth, automatic Trueplay room tuning and a charging base in a sturdy carryable enclosure. The tradeoff: It is mono, heavy and less portable than a conventional Bluetooth speaker, while bass pumping and compression become audible at high volume.

Buy the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen at $297.71 for a powered desktop speaker, or the Sonos Move at $299.95 for a large speaker instead.

There is a real gap in water resistance: the Sonos Move at IP56 (powerful water jets) against the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen, which has no water resistance.

Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

Apple HomePod 2nd Gen Sonos Move
Price$297.71 each$299.95 Discontinued
Ranked#5 of 16 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers#27 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Aux InputNoYes
Battery LifeNo Battery11 hours (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingNoneIP56
Party ModeYes (AirPlay 2 multi-room)No
Power InputExternal AC adapter (detachable cable)USB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum)
StereoNoYes
Weight5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)6.6 lbs (3 kg)
Wi-FiYesYes
AppYes (Apple Home)No
Built-in MicrophoneYes (far-field array, no physical mute switch)Yes
EQYes (Reduce Bass toggle + automatic room correction)No
Power BankNoNo
TWSYes (stereo pairing via Home app)Yes
Drivers4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters1x 3.5" (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos)
DiscontinuedNoYes
InputsWi-Fi, AirPlay 2-
XLR InputNo-
RCA InputNo-
TRS InputNo-
Optical InputNo-
Coaxial InputNo-
USB InputNo-
HDMI InputNo-
AES InputNo-
BluetoothNo-
Dimensions6.7" x 5.6" x 5.6" (170 x 142 x 142 mm)9.4" x 6.3" x 5" (240 x 160 x 126 mm)
Voice AssistantsApple SiriAmazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control
Streaming ServicesAirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only-
Bass Extension (-10dB)-49Hz
Bluetooth Codecs-SBC
Omnidirectional-No
Bluetooth Version-4.2
Maximum SPL-92dB (Manufacturer specified)
Digital Aux Input-No

How Apple HomePod 2nd Gen compares with other leading options:

Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM 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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The Two Speakers In Full

Apple HomePod 2nd Gen: $297.71 each Amazon eBay

Apple HomePod 2nd Gen ranking card

Pros: What Hi-Fi gave it a perfect 5 stars for sound and a What Hi-Fi Award, calling it natural, solid and energetic with a spacious, three-dimensional presentation on Dolby Atmos content. A 4-inch high-excursion woofer moves 20mm of travel, paired with five angled horn-loaded tweeters, and the S7 chip continuously measures the room and re-tunes the output in real time, even as you move the speaker. “Hey Siri” is reliably heard from across a room even at full volume, and two units can be stereo-paired for a genuinely bigger sound.

Cons: 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. There is no way to stream to it over Bluetooth at all, no 3.5mm or other wired input, no battery, and no IP rating, so it’s an AC-only speaker for an already-committed Apple household.

AES InputNo
AppYes (Apple Home)
Aux InputNo
Battery LifeNo Battery
BluetoothNo
Built-in MicrophoneYes (far-field array, no physical mute switch)
Coaxial InputNo
Dimensions6.7" x 5.6" x 5.6" (170 x 142 x 142 mm)
DiscontinuedNo
Drivers4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters
EQYes (Reduce Bass toggle + automatic room correction)
HDMI InputNo
IP RatingNone
InputsWi-Fi, AirPlay 2
Optical InputNo
Party ModeYes (AirPlay 2 multi-room)
Power BankNo
Power InputExternal AC adapter (detachable cable)
RCA InputNo
StereoNo
Streaming ServicesAirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only
TRS InputNo
TWSYes (stereo pairing via Home app)
USB InputNo
Voice AssistantsApple Siri
Weight5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)
Wi-FiYes
XLR InputNo

Sonos Move: $299.95 Discontinued Amazon eBay

Sonos Move ranking card

Pros: A well-integrated Sonos portable that combines Wi-Fi multiroom playback, Bluetooth, automatic Trueplay room tuning and a charging base in a sturdy carryable enclosure. Reviews praise its broad, full-bodied sound, warm tonal balance and weightier bass than smaller Sonos speakers, particularly at normal indoor listening levels. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).

Cons: It is mono, heavy and less portable than a conventional Bluetooth speaker, while bass pumping and compression become audible at high volume. Deep bass and maximum output trail the strongest speakers in its size class, and the rolled-off treble sacrifices some air and detail. It is discontinued in favor of Move 2, so buy used with battery condition in mind. Discontinued.

AppNo
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)49Hz
Battery Life11 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions9.4" x 6.3" x 5" (240 x 160 x 126 mm)
DiscontinuedYes
Drivers1x 3.5" (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos)
EQNo
IP RatingIP56
Maximum SPL92dB (Manufacturer specified)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum)
StereoYes
TWSYes
Voice AssistantsAmazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control
Weight6.6 lbs (3 kg)
Wi-FiYes