Watch: HomePod Mini Reviews, Sound Quality Tests, and Unboxing Videos

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Apple's embargo has lifted on reviews for the HomePod mini ahead of the speaker launching on Monday. In addition to our in-depth HomePod mini reviews roundup, we've gathered a collection of unboxing videos and sound quality tests below.

homepod mini event shot
As its name implies, the HomePod mini is a smaller version of the standard HomePod, standing just 3.3 inches tall. However, despite its more compact, spherical design, Apple says the HomePod mini still delivers "amazing sound" using "computational audio." The speaker is equipped with the same S5 chip as the Apple Watch Series 5, allowing the speaker to optimize loudness, adjust the dynamic range, and more.

Like the standard HomePod, the HomePod mini offers HomeKit smart home capabilities, handing off of audio from an iPhone, multi-user detection, ambient sounds, and compatibility with Apple's new Intercom feature for sending voice messages — from one HomePod to another, or to an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, or vehicle with CarPlay.

Videos









HomePod mini is priced at $99 in the United States. Pre-orders began Friday, November 6, with the first deliveries to customers and in-store availability set to begin Monday, November 16. In addition to the United States, launch day countries include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Spain, and the UK.

Related Roundup: HomePod mini
Buyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Buy Now)
Related Forum: HomePod, HomeKit, CarPlay, Home & Auto Technology

Top Rated Comments

magbarn Avatar
magbarn
11 months ago
I may be in the minority, but I definitely miss the well written reviews of yesteryear than youtube videos yearning for clicks and subscriptions?
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
profets Avatar
profets
11 months ago
Amazing, the $99 HomePod mini includes the 20W USB-C charger in the box, but the $129 MagSafe duo charger (which is essentially just 2 induction chargers in a portable design) doesn't. Wtf.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tymeframe Avatar
tymeframe
11 months ago

Yay, a mini homepod! Can't wait to take this camping, or to the Beach or for the BBQ!....oh wait. Tethered.
It's in the name of the thing man.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lah Avatar
lah
11 months ago

My issue is with Amazon and their business model there being one that benefits from serving ads for junk you can buy in their store. I have had Alexa suggest many times things I can buy from the store many times after asking for the news, etc.
yup. I'd rather not have amazon harvest all my voice information. Siri will do just fine.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SirAnthonyHopkins Avatar
SirAnthonyHopkins
11 months ago

HomePod Mini seems to be good enough for what it is , but for $150 you can get Echo Studio , which sounds fantastic IMHO
so if I go for a HomePod mini I get to keep my privacy AND my $50?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
averagenerd81 Avatar
averagenerd81
11 months ago

HomePod Mini seems to be good enough for what it is , but for $150 you can get Echo Studio , which sounds fantastic IMHO
My issue is with Amazon and their business model there being one that benefits from serving ads for junk you can buy in their store. I have had Alexa suggest many times things I can buy from the store many times after asking for the news, etc.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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Top Stories

homepodminicolors

HomePod Mini Shipping Times Slip into January Across Europe as Global Stocks Dwindle

Tuesday November 24, 2020 4:34 am PST by
The availability of HomePod mini is now at its lowest since Apple's new smart speaker went on sale last month, with shipping times across Europe having already slipped into next year in many cases. In the United Kingdom, France, and Spain, for example, the delivery time for a HomePod mini ordered today in either space gray or white is as long as five to six weeks, and in Germany has even...
Read Full Article • 128 comments
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HomePod mini and HomePod Can't Be Stereo Paired, But HomePod Home Theater Support Coming Soon for Apple TV 4K

Wednesday October 14, 2020 12:44 am PDT by
Following the HomePod mini announcement at Tuesday's Apple event, The Loop's Jim Dalrymple has answered a key question many people have been asking: Can you pair a HomePod mini with an original HomePod to make a stereo pair? "The short answer is no," explains Dalrymple. "You can't make a stereo pair of a HomePod and a HomePod mini. You can make a stereo pair of two HomePods or two HomePod...
Read Full Article • 176 comments
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$99 Speaker Showdown: HomePod Mini vs. Amazon Echo and Google Nest Audio

Wednesday December 2, 2020 3:12 pm PST by
Apple recently released the HomePod mini, a new $99 version of the original HomePod that's smaller, cuter, and, most importantly, competitively priced. At $99, the HomePod mini can better compete with affordable smart speakers from companies like Google and Amazon. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The HomePod mini has been praised for its high-quality sound at its...
Read Full Article • 147 comments
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Testing the HomePod Mini's New U1 Handoff Functionality

Tuesday January 26, 2021 1:25 pm PST by
Apple today released iOS 14.4 and the HomePod 14.4 software, with these two updates introducing improved Handoff functionality between the HomePod mini and the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models. In our latest YouTube video, we tested out the new functionality to see just how it works. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The HomePod mini, the iPhone 11 models, and the...
Read Full Article • 58 comments
homepod mini on table

HomePod Mini Begins Shipping to Customers, First Orders Arrive November 16

Saturday November 14, 2020 7:11 pm PST by
HomePod mini pre-orders are beginning to ship to customers around the world ahead of the speaker's launch next week. While many orders remain in the "Processing" or "Preparing to Ship" stages in the United States, one MacRumors reader in Germany shared a screenshot of his HomePod mini marked as shipped on Apple's online store, with estimated November 17 delivery. HomePod mini orders are also ...
Read Full Article • 62 comments
homepod mini thumb feature

HomePod Mini Launching in More Countries, Can Be Used as Apple TV Speaker Starting This Fall

Monday June 7, 2021 11:30 am PDT by
Apple today announced that the HomePod mini can be set as a default speaker output on the Apple TV 4K starting later this year. Apple also announced that the HomePod mini will be available to purchase in Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand starting later this month, followed by Italy later this year. The speaker first launched in November 2020. In March, Apple announced that the full-sized ...
Read Full Article • 45 comments
homepod feature purple

HomePod Now Unavailable From Apple in Canada After Being Discontinued [Updated]

Monday June 7, 2021 6:53 am PDT by
In March, Apple announced that the full-sized HomePod would be discontinued once supplies run out, following years of reportedly lackluster sales. Apple said it would focus its efforts on the HomePod mini released last year. As supplies start to dwindle, the HomePod is now listed as "Currently Unavailable" for delivery on Apple's online store in Canada. This comes just days after the HomePod ...
Read Full Article • 69 comments
homepod mini customer

First Impressions From HomePod Mini Customers: 'The Sound Quality is Great'

Monday November 16, 2020 8:36 am PST by
Today is HomePod mini launch day in the United States and nine other countries, and as orders begin arriving to customers, first impressions of the speaker are beginning to surface on the web. While we've already seen HomePod mini reviews from media outlets and YouTubers, customer opinions provide additional perspective. HomePod mini photo shot by Oliur MacRumors forum member "boultonn" said...
Read Full Article • 204 comments
Apple homepod mini white 10132020

Apple Announces HomePod mini With Spherical Design and S5 Chip for $99

Tuesday October 13, 2020 10:05 am PDT by
Apple today announced the HomePod mini with a new spherical design and the S5 chip at its "Hi, Speed" event. The device is the first addition to the HomePod product lineup since the launch of the original HomePod, and is much smaller at just 3.3-inches tall, as opposed to the original's 6.8-inches, and looks substantially different with a new spherical design. Following in the footsteps of ...
Read Full Article • 236 comments
homepodminicolors

HomePod Mini Now Available for In-Store Pickup

Monday November 16, 2020 9:31 am PST by
Today is the HomePod mini's official launch day, and as customers who pre-ordered await their devices, Apple has also started in-store sales. Customers who weren't able to pre-order can place an order on Apple's website or in the Apple Store app and arrange for in-store pickup at a local retail location. A quick spot check suggests that most stores around the United States have available...
Read Full Article • 81 comments