Short answer: the JBL Authentics 200. It ranks #10 of 28 powered desktop speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $199.95. The Apple HomePod Mini ranks #10, rated 3.3/5, at $149.36, $50.59 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick 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 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.
What the JBL Authentics 200 does well: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. 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: Bass not as deep as others.
Buy the JBL Authentics 200. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $50.59 you would save on the Apple HomePod Mini does not close the gap.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
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.
Amazon $149.36 eBay
Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size.
Amazon $199.95 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 17, 2026 at 6:04 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 | JBL Authentics 200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.36 each | $199.95 each |
| Ranked | #10 of 14 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #10 of 28 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) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (USB-C) | AC Power Cable (100-240V) |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (345 g) | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (4 far-field mics, no mute button) | - |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) | No |
| Drivers | Full-range driver + dual passive bass radiators | 5” full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| 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) | 10.5” x 6.8” x 6.6” (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~50Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 90W |
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