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Apple Says HomePod Consumes Less Power Than Average LED Bulb During Music Playback
Apple has outlined the HomePod's power consumption in an environmental report [PDF] about the speaker published today.
Apple says the HomePod consumes less power than an average ENERGY STAR certified LED household light bulb during music playback. The comparison is true, as a classic-shaped A-series LED bulb typically draws around 9-10 watts, while the HomePod draws around 8.74 watts with 115V of line voltage during music playback at 50 percent volume. Of course, power will vary depending on the volume.
The environmental report includes a chart with a complete breakdown of the HomePod's power consumption based on different line voltages. For those unaware, around 115V is standard in the United States and Canada, and around 230V is standard in many other countries like the UK. 100V is standard in Japan.
Apple says the HomePod is so energy efficient because it automatically enters a low power mode after eight minutes of inactivity. In this mode, the speaker draws between only 1.71 and 1.76 watts of power.
HomePod outperforms the stringent requirements of the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Audio/Video Version 3.0, consuming 50 percent less than the allowable energy for low power mode, according to Apple.
On a related note, an Apple support representative told 9to5Mac that the HomePod comes with a two-meter power cable in the box that is color matched in Space Gray or White. The representative said the cable is removable and user replaceable, but this wasn't the case on demo units, so it may be wrong information.
Apple began accepting HomePod orders today in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia for $349, £319, and $499 respectively. The speaker can be used elsewhere in English for now, with French and German coming this spring.
Apple says the HomePod consumes less power than an average ENERGY STAR certified LED household light bulb during music playback. The comparison is true, as a classic-shaped A-series LED bulb typically draws around 9-10 watts, while the HomePod draws around 8.74 watts with 115V of line voltage during music playback at 50 percent volume. Of course, power will vary depending on the volume.
The environmental report includes a chart with a complete breakdown of the HomePod's power consumption based on different line voltages. For those unaware, around 115V is standard in the United States and Canada, and around 230V is standard in many other countries like the UK. 100V is standard in Japan.
Apple says the HomePod is so energy efficient because it automatically enters a low power mode after eight minutes of inactivity. In this mode, the speaker draws between only 1.71 and 1.76 watts of power.
HomePod outperforms the stringent requirements of the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Audio/Video Version 3.0, consuming 50 percent less than the allowable energy for low power mode, according to Apple.
HomePod uses power-efficient components and software that can intelligently power them down during periods of inactivity. For example, through optimized power management features and a high-efficiency power supply, HomePod has been designed to be efficient in its low power mode, where the majority of time is spent. The result is that HomePod is energy efficient right out of the box.The environmental report also notes the HomePod is free of brominated flame retardants, PVC, and beryllium, and adds that 100 percent of its packaging fibers are sourced from responsibly managed forests or recycled paper.
On a related note, an Apple support representative told 9to5Mac that the HomePod comes with a two-meter power cable in the box that is color matched in Space Gray or White. The representative said the cable is removable and user replaceable, but this wasn't the case on demo units, so it may be wrong information.
Apple began accepting HomePod orders today in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia for $349, £319, and $499 respectively. The speaker can be used elsewhere in English for now, with French and German coming this spring.
Related Roundup: HomePod
Buyer's Guide: HomePod (Neutral)
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15 months ago
An LED lightbulb would be more useful.
All joking aside, this thing doesn’t seem very useful.
All joking aside, this thing doesn’t seem very useful.
15 months ago
An LED lightbulb would be more useful.
All joking aside, this thing doesn’t seem very useful.
Lmaoo. This is a genuinely funny post.
But how is the HomePod not useful? The UE MegaBoom is $299 and doesn’t have “smart functions”.
Apple packed awesome audio technology into a device that is also a personal assistant (that will get better over time) and a hub for your smart home. You can still stream/AirPlay music to it that’s not in your Apple Music app.
I don’t get why it’s getting so much hate.
15 months ago
So it is not loud enough.
Oh, you saw <10W and made the erroneous link to speaker volume..
Go and read about speaker sensitivity.. and impedance for that matter.
It'll all become clear then! :)
15 months ago
Lmaoo. This is a genuinely funny post.
But how is the HomePod not useful? The UE MegaBoom is $299 and doesn’t have “smart functions”.
Apple packed awesome audio technology into a device that is also a personal assistant (that will get better over time) and a hub for your smart home. You can still stream/AirPlay music to it that’s not in your Apple Music app.
I don’t get why it’s getting so much hate.
You are on MR and wonder why it is getting so much hate? Remember, in contrast to how it started, MR is not just a site for Apple aficionados and others who have rational critiques of Apple shortfalls anymore; it is also a place where some people come to work out their insecurities and resentment over the non-Apple tech they bought or the Apple tech didn't/can't buy. It also comes with being the most successful company in the history of the world. When you are number 1 by such a large margin, some folks will resent that success. In sports you see it with some of the hate directed at franchises like the NE Patriots or Yankees in previous decades.
15 months ago
Not exactly. There are several other factors that’ll affect speaker power other than input power.
You CANNOT get more out than you put in.
15 months ago
Lmaoo. This is a genuinely funny post.
But how is the HomePod not useful? The UE MegaBoom is $299 and doesn’t have “smart functions”.
Apple packed awesome audio technology into a device that is also a personal assistant (that will get better over time) and a hub for your smart home. You can still stream/AirPlay music to it that’s not in your Apple Music app.
I don’t get why it’s getting so much hate.
Not to mention, Apple will continue to provide updates and roll out new features through capabilities through software updates as the HomePod matures. It's way too early to make any pre-noted judgments without having experience for those who are chastising it. The audio itself I very look much forward to hearing.
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