Short answer: the Apple HomePod Mini, if you are buying new. The Google Home Max ranks higher than it (#15 vs #10 of 15 powered desktop speakers, 3.6/5 vs 3.3/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Apple HomePod Mini is still sold new at $149.36.
Why pick the Apple HomePod Mini: A tiny Siri smart speaker that hears you even at full volume and gives decent bass for its size. 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.
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 Mini lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Apple HomePod Mini lacks. Watch for: 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 Mini, since the Google Home Max is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A tiny Siri smart speaker that hears you even at full volume and gives decent bass for its size.
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 Mini | Google Home Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.36 each | $399 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #10 of 15 in Small 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 (USB-C) | AC power cord |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (345 g) | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | Yes (Google Home) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (4 far-field mics, no mute button) | Yes (6 far-field mics for Smart Sound room correction) |
| EQ | No | 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 | Full-range driver + dual passive bass radiators | 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 | 3.3” x 3.9” (84.3 x 97.9 mm) (H x diameter) | 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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