Is the HomePod Mini a Good Gift Still? Here's What to Consider

At $99 in the U.S., the HomePod mini is a more affordable gift option for Apple enthusiasts. However, the speaker was released just over four years ago, so you may be wondering if it is still worth purchasing or if you should hold off.

homepod mini thumb feature
Below, we outline three things to take into consideration.

First, there have been rumors about a HomePod mini 2, but none of them are recent.

The firmest rumor came from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Back in February 2023, he said mass shipments of a new HomePod mini would begin in the second half of 2024. However, heading into the final month of the year, it is unclear if that production has actually started or if it will soon. There has been no talk about a HomePod mini 2 being imminent, so a launch seems unlikely until 2025 at the earliest, barring a surprise announcement.

Kuo did not reveal any new features planned for the next HomePod mini, but potential upgrades could include a newer chip for improved audio, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for a lower-latency Handoff experience, and new color options. The current HomePod mini is equipped with an S5 chip and a U1 chip.

While the HomePod mini has received no major hardware upgrades since it was released in November 2020, Apple has refreshed its color options a few times. The speaker was released in Blue, Orange, and Yellow in November 2021, and Space Gray was replaced with a virtually-identical Midnight finish in July of this year.

The second thing to take into consideration is that Apple reportedly plans to release an all-new smart home hub as early as March 2025. The hub is expected to feature around a 6-inch display that can be attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, so the device could essentially be a more useful alternative to the HomePod mini. It has been predicted that the hub could be priced in the $199 to $299 range, so an Apple gift card that someone could use towards that device next year is another idea to consider.

Third, Siri is widely considered to be an inferior digital assistant compared to the likes of Amazon's Alexa and Google's Assistant. It's something to keep in mind depending on how much your giftee plans to use voice commands.

If you do go ahead with gifting a HomePod mini this year, that is a fine choice too. The speaker is a bit outdated now, but it remains an adequate speaker for its price, and it will continue to serve its purpose for several years.

Related Roundup: HomePod mini
Buyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Caution)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...

Top Rated Comments

pheonix320 Avatar
8 months ago
when my HomePod mini is playing music or a podcast, if I ask it to turn the volume up, it always responds with:
“I’ll speak louder”

It won’t do the most basic functions
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
con2apple Avatar
8 months ago
No, no and no again.

The article doesn't say whether the HomePod mini is a good choice. The article helps to keep you unhappy as a reader. Addicted to the latest products and always spending money.

You want to know if the HomePod mini is a good gift?
First of all, it is an inexpensive HomeKit control center. The successor will be more cost more.
Secondly, it's a nice speaker that can do just that: Play music. Both via Internet or with AirPlay.
It is available in many colors and therefore fits into almost any interior.
The HomePod mini has a temperature and humidity sensor for IFTT.

Is it what you or the recipient want or what he would be happy with?
Then buy.

Don't hope for something that doesn't yet exist.
Hopes and expectations will only make you unhappy. It doesn't matter whether you buy the new device or the old one.

Don't buy the latest product, which is often described as obsolete by Macrumors even before release. Buy what suits your needs.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mrkevinfinnerty Avatar
8 months ago

No, no and no again.

The article doesn't say whether the HomePod mini is a good choice. The article helps to keep you unhappy as a reader. Addicted to the latest products and always spending money.

You want to know if the HomePod mini is a good gift?
First of all, it is an inexpensive HomeKit control center. The successor will be more cost more.
Secondly, it's a nice speaker that can do just that: Play music. Both via Internet or with AirPlay.
It is available in many colors and therefore fits into almost any interior.
The HomePod mini has a temperature and humidity sensor for IFTT.

Is it what you or the recipient want or what he would be happy with?
Then buy.

Don't hope for something that doesn't yet exist.
Hopes and expectations will only make you unhappy. It doesn't matter whether you buy the new device or the old one.

Don't buy the latest product, which is often described as obsolete by Macrumors even before release. Buy what suits your needs.
The new one comes in midnight though




Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macmac30 Avatar
8 months ago

when my HomePod mini is playing music or a podcast, if I ask it to turn the volume up, it always responds with:
“I’ll speak louder”

It won’t do the most basic functions
EXACTLY!!! I often wonder, who in the hell is in charge of programming this thing? Do they even use it in their homes??? 99.9% of the time, I want to play music louder or softer. I am left confused when I say "Siri, volume up" and she responds with "I'll speak louder..." WTF Apple???
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
numenorian Avatar
8 months ago
Solid airplay speaker for the price, but IMO worthless as a "smart" speaker. Way behind what Siri can do on your phone and obviously that will only get worse as Apple Intelligence progresses.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple247 Avatar
8 months ago
The engineers have been working feverishly since June to add the new Siri edge glow, which will be the only new feature. There will be Kim K editions in various skin tones. And Apple will delay the release to coincide with iOS 19.4.

(jk obv)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)