Short answer: the Apple HomePod Mini. It ranks #10 of 15 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $149.36. The Google Home Speaker ranks #13, rated 3.0/5, at $99.99, $49.37 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
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 tradeoff: 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 case for the Google Home Speaker: 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 lacks. Watch for: 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.’
Buy the Apple HomePod Mini. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $49.37 you would save on the Google Home Speaker does not close the gap.
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 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 November 5, 2026 at 10:30 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Apple HomePod Mini | Google Home Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.36 each | $99.99 each |
| Ranked | #10 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #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 AC adapter (USB-C) | USB-C (30W adapter, power only, no USB Audio) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (345 g) | 0.9 lbs (396 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | Yes (Google Home) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (4 far-field mics, no mute button) | 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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