Short answer: the Apple HomePod Mini. It ranks #5 of 9 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $79.99; the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen ranks #8 and costs $109.95, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The case for the Apple HomePod Mini: 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 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 Nest Mini 2nd Gen: Digital Trends’ review found it responds quickly, automatically raises music and response volume over background noise, and is built from recycled plastic. The tradeoff: Digital Trends’ main complaint was that maximum volume could be louder, and RTINGS’ independent review agrees, naming it their one real weakness.
Buy the Apple HomePod Mini. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
The Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen is not a sound-quality pick. It sits near the bottom of the 9 powered desktop speakers; there are better options higher up.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Apple HomePod Mini | Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 each | $109.95 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 9 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #8 of 9 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) | External AC adapter (15W, DC jack) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (345 g) | 0.4 lbs (181 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) |
| Drivers | Full-range driver + dual passive bass radiators | 40mm driver |
| Discontinued | No | Yes |
| 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, 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 3.3" x 3.9" (84.3 x 97.9 mm) (H x diameter) | 1.7" x 3.9" x 3.9" (42 x 98 x 98 mm) (H x W x D) |
| 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, AAC |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Apple HomePod Mini:
- Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen vs Apple HomePod Mini
- Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Apple HomePod Mini
- Apple HomePod Mini vs Google Nest Audio
- Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen vs Apple HomePod Mini
- Apple HomePod Mini vs Google Home Speaker
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Apple HomePod Mini: $79.99 each Amazon eBay
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) |
| Discontinued | No |
| 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 |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Apple HomePod Mini vs Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen
- Apple HomePod Mini vs Google Nest Audio
- Apple HomePod Mini vs Amazon Echo Dot Max
- Apple HomePod Mini vs Google Home Speaker
- Apple HomePod Mini vs Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen
- Apple HomePod Mini vs Amazon Echo Pop
- Apple HomePod Mini vs Apple HomePod 2nd Gen
- Apple HomePod Mini vs B&O Beosound 2
- See all 11 comparisons
Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen: $109.95 each Discontinued Amazon eBay
Pros: Digital Trends’ review found it responds quickly, automatically raises music and response volume over background noise, and is built from recycled plastic. Its 40mm driver is clearer through the midrange and treble than the larger-driver Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Gen it was tested against, though the Echo had more bass and outright volume. A physical microphone mute switch is on the side.
Cons: Digital Trends’ main complaint was that maximum volume could be louder, and RTINGS’ independent review agrees, naming it their one real weakness. There is no 3.5mm or other wired audio input of any kind. This model has been discontinued by Google in favor of the newer Google Home Speaker, so current retail listings run well above the original $49 launch price as remaining stock sells through resellers. Discontinued.
Full Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Google Home) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 1.7" x 3.9" x 3.9" (42 x 98 x 98 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Drivers | 40mm driver |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (15W, DC jack) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (181 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| XLR Input | No |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen vs Amazon Echo Pop
- Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen vs Google Home Speaker
- Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen vs Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen
- Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen vs Google Nest Audio
- Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen vs Amazon Echo Dot Max
- Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen vs Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen
- Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen vs B&O Beosound 2
- Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen vs Google Home Max
- See all 11 comparisons