Short answer: the Apple HomePod Mini 2. It ranks #11 of 15 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $149. The Google Home Speaker ranks #13, rated 3.0/5, at $99.99, $49.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The case for the Apple HomePod Mini 2: Apple’s second generation HomePod mini keeps the compact acoustic design of the Apple HomePod Mini, a full-range driver with dual passive radiators and a waveguide for 360 degree sound, and adds a newer chip for real-time computational tuning. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor.
What the Google Home Speaker does well: A compact Gemini smart speaker that doubles as a smart home hub with a Thread border router and Matter support. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Apple HomePod Mini 2 lacks. The catch: This is Google’s current speaker, and reviewers agree it is a downgrade in sound from the discontinued Google Nest Audio it replaces: SoundGuys measured its acoustic hardware directly against the Google Nest Audio and found a single 58mm full-range driver against the Google Nest Audio’s 75mm woofer plus dedicated 19mm tweeter, calling it ‘half the audio hardware for the same sticker price.’
Pre-order: the Apple HomePod Mini 2 is available for pre-order and expected to ship Friday, October 30, 2026.
Buy the Apple HomePod Mini 2. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $49.01 you would save on the Google Home Speaker does not close the gap.
Worth knowing: the Apple HomePod Mini 2 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.1 to 3.5, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Apple’s second generation HomePod mini keeps the compact acoustic design of the Apple HomePod Mini, a full-range driver with dual passive radiators and a waveguide for 360 degree sound, and adds a newer chip for real-time computational tuning.
A compact Gemini smart speaker that doubles as a smart home hub with a Thread border router and Matter support.
Prices on this page were last checked October 26, 2026 at 12:00 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Apple HomePod Mini 2 | Google Home Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.00 each Preorder | $99.99 each |
| Ranked | #11 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers Estimated | #13 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| 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 20W USB-C power adapter | USB-C (30W adapter, power only, no USB Audio) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (335 g) | 0.9 lbs (396 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6E) | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | Yes (Google Home) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (3 far-field mics) | Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch) |
| EQ | No | Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) | No (two units pair only through a Google TV Streamer, not with each other directly) |
| Drivers | Full-range driver + dual passive bass radiators | 58mm full-range driver |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast |
| 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 | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 3.3” x 3.9” (84.3 x 97.9 mm) (H x diameter) | 3.4” x 4.2” x 4.2” (86.6 x 107 x 107 mm) (H x diameter) |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.4 |
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