HomePod is a line of smart speakers developed by Apple that use Siri to respond to voice commands and play music, control smart home devices, and perform various other tasks. The HomePod 1st Gen was released in 2018 and features a cylindrical design with a mesh fabric covering. It has a high-quality audio output with seven tweeters and a high-excursion woofer and is equipped with six microphones to pick up voice commands from all directions.
The HomePod Mini was released in 2021 and is a smaller, more affordable version of the HomePod. It has a spherical design with a fabric covering and features a single full-range driver and two passive radiators for bass response.
And there comes the Homepod 2nd Gen featuring advanced technology, high-quality sound, a phenomenal listening experience, and an elegant aesthetic design, it redefines what a smart speaker can be. The flagship model also delivers more dynamic sound across a broader range of frequencies than ever. But still, it has some similarities to the 1st gen and the mini one.
HomePod 1st Gen Vs. New HomePod 2nd Gen Vs. HomePod Mini Review
Now that the HomePod 2nd Gen is finally here, we’ve shared a specification-wise comparison between HomePod 1st Gen, HomePod 2nd Gen Vs HomePod 1st Gen.
| Specs | HomePod 1st Gen | HomePod 2nd Gen | Homepod Mini |
| Audio Technology | Computational audio for real-time tuning | Advanced computational audio with system sensing for real-time tuning | Computational audio for real-time tuning. |
| Microphone | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Wireless | 802.11ac Wi-Fi with MIMO, Direct guest access4, Bluetooth 5.0 | 802.11n Wi-Fi, Peer-to-peer discovery for easy guest access9,Bluetooth 5.0,Thread10,Ultra Wideband chip for device proximity11 | 802.11n Wi-Fi, Peer-to-peer discovery for easy guest access6,Bluetooth 5.0,Thread7,Ultra Wideband chip for device proximity8 |
| Operating Temperature | 32° to 95° F | 32° to 95° F | 32° to 95° F |
| Operating Altitude | tested up to 10,000 feet, | Tested up to 10,000 feet. | Tested up to 10,000 feet. |
Design
The 1st Gen has a cylindrical design with a mesh fabric covering, while the 2nd Gen has a similar design but now comes in a new midnight color and has a full top surface with glowing Siri animations. This aesthetic color indeed gives your decor a plus point. Not to mention, the glowing Siri animations now span the whole top surface of the second-generation HomePod, which is not available in the 1st gen.
Both the 1st and 2nd Gen HomePods are larger than the HomePod Mini, which has a more ball-like shape similar to the Echo Dot 4 or 5gen. The Mini is more compact and budget-friendly than the other two HomePod versions. Additionally, all three HomePod versions have touch screens on the top panel for control instead of physical buttons, and all have mesh fabric covers.
The new homepod 2nd gen features the same design ratio, but it now comes with midnight color as well as the traditional mesh exterior. The HomePod mini is smaller, more compact, and more budget-friendly than the HomePod 1 and 2.
Performance
The original 1st gen HomePod contains seven tweeters, while the revamped model drops to five. The microphone array has also been downsized from six mics to four on the 2nd gen and the mini model. That means you’ll miss your favorite music’s real bass. But don’t worry; Apple tried to minimize the gap with an S7 chip which is the same chip used in the Apple Watch 7 and software combined for computational audio in the Gen 2 one. These surely maximize the full potential of Home Pod. Even the built-in room sensing tech on HomePod 2nd gen reads sound reflections to determine its position and adjust the audio in real time.
Plus, the HomePod 2nd Gen can be paired with another HomePod for a multi-room setup via AirPlay. You can either play the same song on all of them, a different song on each, or use the entire bunch as an intercom. But, this is not going to happen if you already have the 1st generation home pod.
Smart Home Integration
Perhaps the most interesting update to the HomePod 2.0 is its smart home tools. Indeed, you can still count the old speaker as a perfect smart home speaker, but the newest one definitely replaces its predecessor space. Because it has a bunch of repolished and new sensors that precisely alert you about your surroundings to make sure you feel more secure and relaxed.
Both Homepod 2.0 and mini one have temperature and humidity sensors, but only the second-generation HomePod can detect certain noises like the sound of the firm or carbon monoxide alarms. Even, in the upcoming spring update, homepod will be able to detect the sound of a break-in. Giving you more options to stay relaxed.
Moreover, with Siri, you can control individual devices or create scenes to employ several at once. In addition, since Matter is all the rage these days, the new HomePod can connect to and control gadgets compatible with that smart home standard. These are not happening for the HomePod 1.
Final Verdict
HomePod 1 Vs. New HomePod 2 Vs. HomePod Mini: Which one is the best?
In short – “If you prioritize sound quality and intend to use your smart speaker primarily as a speaker, the HomePod 2nd generation would be the better choice despite its higher price point. However, if you prioritize smart features and don’t plan on using the speaker primarily for music, the more affordable HomePod Mini would be a good option as it provides most of the features of the HomePod at a significantly lower price.”
Additionally, while the 1st generation HomePod may lack some of the advanced features of the 2nd generation, it still offers great compatibility and features and may be a good choice for those on a tighter budget. Ultimately, the final choice depends on individual preferences and intended use.
