Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Bose Portable Smart Speaker ranks #75 of 173 medium speakers by sound quality at $297.77; the Apple HomePod Mini 2 ranks #11 of 15 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $149.
The Bose Portable Smart Speaker is the battery-powered, tougher choice. A smart speaker with Alexa and Google Assistant built in that streams over Wi-Fi at home and Bluetooth on the go. Its battery is rated for 12 hours, while the Apple HomePod Mini 2 needs an outlet. It is rated IPX4, while the Apple HomePod Mini 2 has no water resistance. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Apple HomePod Mini 2 lacks. The tradeoff: RTINGS found the out of the box tuning boomy and says it doesn’t get very loud; the app’s bass and treble sliders help, and SoundGuys recommended cutting bass by 10 to 20 steps to balance it.
What the Apple HomePod Mini 2 does well: Apple’s second generation HomePod mini keeps the compact acoustic design of the Apple HomePod Mini, a full-range driver with dual passive radiators and a waveguide for 360 degree sound, and adds a newer chip for real-time computational tuning. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor.
Pre-order: the Apple HomePod Mini 2 is available for pre-order and expected to ship Friday, October 30, 2026.
Buy the Bose Portable Smart Speaker at $297.77 for a medium speaker, or the Apple HomePod Mini 2 at $149 for a powered desktop speaker instead.
Worth knowing: the Apple HomePod Mini 2 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.1 to 3.5, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings and Powered Home rankings.
A smart speaker with Alexa and Google Assistant built in that streams over Wi-Fi at home and Bluetooth on the go.
Apple’s second generation HomePod mini keeps the compact acoustic design of the Apple HomePod Mini, a full-range driver with dual passive radiators and a waveguide for 360 degree sound, and adds a newer chip for real-time computational tuning.
Prices on this page were last checked October 26, 2026 at 12:00 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.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bose Portable Smart Speaker | Apple HomePod Mini 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $297.77 | $149.00 each Preorder |
| Ranked | #75 of 173 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #11 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers Estimated |
| TWS | No | Yes (stereo pairing via Home app) |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | No Battery |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | None |
| Power Input | USB-C | External 20W USB-C power adapter |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | - |
| Weight | 2.3 lbs (1.06 kg) | 0.7 lbs (335 g) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Dimensions | 7.6” x 4.7” x 4.1” (192 x 119 x 104 mm) (H x W x D) | 3.3” x 3.9” (84.3 x 97.9 mm) (H x diameter) |
| App | Yes (Bose Music) | Yes (Apple Home) |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field mic array, mic mute button) | Yes (3 far-field mics) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble) | No |
| Drivers | 1x high-excursion driver with 360-degree deflector + 3x passive radiators | Full-range driver + dual passive bass radiators |
| Digital Aux Input | No | - |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (Wi-Fi 6E) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant | Apple Siri |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Music multi-room, SimpleSync, AirPlay 2) | Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| Strap | No | - |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn | AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only |
| 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 |
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