Apple HomePod (2nd generation) review

The HomePod is Apple's choice for people who want Siri and full-range sound in one speaker. Apple documents a 4-inch high-excursion woofer and five horn-loaded tweeters, an internal calibration microphone for automatic bass correction, and room sensing that tunes playback to where the speaker sits. It supports Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for music and video, and two can be paired in stereo or used with an Apple TV 4K for a home theater setup. Four far-field microphones handle Siri, and the speaker doubles as a home hub with Thread support for HomeKit and Matter accessories. It also has a temperature and humidity sensor and Sound Recognition for smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds. The drawbacks are the price, at $349, and older radios than the mini 2: Apple lists 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 for this 2023 model. Setup requires an iPhone or iPad, so it is not a fit for Android homes.

Who it is for

Apple households that want the best-sounding Siri speaker for music and TV.

Price

$349 at the Apple US store when checked.

HomePod Midnight $349.00 White $349.00
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• 4-inch high-excursion woofer and an array of five horn-loaded tweeters
• Room sensing and automatic bass correction with an internal calibration microphone
• Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for music and video
• Four-microphone design for far-field Siri
• Thread networking and home hub support for HomeKit and Matter accessories

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Stereo pairs with a second HomePod (2nd generation)
• Strength: Sound Recognition for smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds
• Strength: Temperature and humidity sensor for automations
• Weakness: The most expensive Siri option at $349
• Weakness: 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 are older than on HomePod mini 2
• Weakness: Requires an iPhone or iPad and has no Alexa or Google Assistant

Key facts

• Voice assistant: Siri
• Drivers: 4 in woofer, 5 tweeters
• Microphones: 4
• Weight: 5.16 lb (2.3 kg)
• Introduced: 2023

Where it ranks

Apple HomePod (2nd generation) is No. 6 in our Best Smart Speakers verdict.