These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Apple HomePod Mini ranks #10 of 14 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $149.36; the Brane X ranks #4 of 102 large speakers by sound quality at $500.
What the Apple HomePod Mini does well: SoundGuys called it good sound for its size, with a full-range driver and dual passive bass radiators giving the bassline in Anderson .Paak’s “Come Down” a decent thump most speakers this small can’t manage. The catch: SoundGuys’ listed cons include no mute button at all, an occasionally annoying Handoff prompt, and no direct Spotify integration since Siri only launches Apple Music by voice.
The Brane X is the battery-powered, tougher option. The Brane X pairs a dedicated RAD subwoofer with two midrange drivers and two tweeters to achieve extraordinary low bass for a 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) portable: its measured -10dB extension is 31Hz. Its battery is rated for 12 hours, while the Apple HomePod Mini needs an outlet. It is rated IP57, while the Apple HomePod Mini has no water resistance. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Apple HomePod Mini lacks. The catch: The front-facing design has only moderate dispersion, so sound changes noticeably off to the sides or behind it.
Buy the Apple HomePod Mini at $149.36 if you want a powered desktop speaker. Buy the Brane X at $500 if you want a large speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Apple HomePod Mini | Brane X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.36 each | $500 |
| Ranked | #10 of 14 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #4 of 102 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP57 |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | Yes (Brane app, up to 8 speakers) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (USB-C) | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (345 g) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (4 far-field mics, no mute button) | Yes |
| EQ | No | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) | Yes |
| Drivers | Full-range driver + dual passive bass radiators | 2x 2.5” midrange, 2x 0.75” tweeters + 6.5”x9” subwoofer |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Dimensions | 3.3” x 3.9” (84.3 x 97.9 mm) (H x diameter) | 9.3” x 7” x 6.1” (236 x 178 x 155 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri | Amazon Alexa |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only | - |
| Aux Latency | - | 295ms default, 33ms with aux pass-through |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 31Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | - | 100ms |
| Maximum SPL | - | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 200W |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.1 |
| Strap | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 7, 2026 at 9:25 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Apple HomePod Mini: $149.36 each Amazon eBay
Same family: the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen (larger model, rated 4/5).
Pros: SoundGuys called it good sound for its size, with a full-range driver and dual passive bass radiators giving the bassline in Anderson .Paak’s “Come Down” a decent thump most speakers this small can’t manage. “Hey Siri” reliably hears the wake phrase even at full volume, it can distinguish different people’s voices for personalized requests, and setup with an iPhone nearby takes moments.
Cons: SoundGuys’ listed cons include no mute button at all, an occasionally annoying Handoff prompt, and no direct Spotify integration since Siri only launches Apple Music by voice. There is no way to stream to it over Bluetooth, only Apple’s AirPlay/Handoff, no battery, and no IP rating (Apple only claims humidity resistance, not a certified rating). It requires an iPhone or iPad to set up and get the most out of.
Full Apple HomePod Mini review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Apple Home) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (4 far-field mics, no mute button) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.3” x 3.9” (84.3 x 97.9 mm) (H x diameter) |
| Drivers | Full-range driver + dual passive bass radiators |
| EQ | No |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (USB-C) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (345 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| XLR Input | No |
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Brane X: $500 Amazon eBay
Pros: The Brane X pairs a dedicated RAD subwoofer with two midrange drivers and two tweeters to achieve extraordinary low bass for a 3.5kg portable: its measured -10dB extension is 31Hz. Independent testing finds it loud, with well-balanced mids, a smooth treble balance and useful bass-level controls; Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Alexa, quality Bluetooth codecs and low-latency aux pass-through make it unusually versatile. The medium bass-boost setting is the most balanced. Measured bass extension of 31Hz (-10dB).
Cons: The front-facing design has only moderate dispersion, so sound changes noticeably off to the sides or behind it. Bass response shifts at maximum volume, the default aux mode has very high latency, and some listeners find the upper register edgy or need EQ to achieve their preferred balance. Its claimed 12-hour runtime and premium cost make it more of a compact high-end system than a carefree all-day speaker. The upper bass is boosted around 120Hz, and the robot voice announcements can be annoying.
Full Brane X review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 200W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Aux Latency | 295ms default, 33ms with aux pass-through |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 31Hz |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 100ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.3” x 7” x 6.1” (236 x 178 x 155 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 2.5” midrange, 2x 0.75” tweeters + 6.5”x9” subwoofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP57 |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Brane app, up to 8 speakers) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | AC Power brick |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: This speaker left me shocked! Brane X, they said it defies the laws of physics! More from alanrossreviews →
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