These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Apple HomePod Mini ranks #10 of 15 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $149.36; the Sonos Play ranks #56 of 178 medium speakers by sound quality at $299.
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. It links with other speakers (AirPlay 2 multi-room), which the Sonos Play cannot. 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 Sonos Play is the battery-powered, tougher option. A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom support. Its battery is rated for 24 hours, while the Apple HomePod Mini needs an outlet. It is rated IP67, while the Apple HomePod Mini has no water resistance. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Apple HomePod Mini lacks. The catch: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app.
Buy the Apple HomePod Mini at $149.36 if you want a powered desktop speaker. Buy the Sonos Play at $299 if you want a medium speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A tiny Siri smart speaker that hears you even at full volume and gives decent bass for its size.
A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Apple HomePod Mini | Sonos Play | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.36 each | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #10 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #56 of 178 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (USB-C) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (345 g) | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| App | Yes (Apple Home) | Yes |
| 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 | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| 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) | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Apple Siri | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only | - |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sonos Play: