Why we like it: It delivers rich, immersive sound with powerful bass and Dolby Atmos support.
The second-generation HomePod suits Apple Music subscribers who want fuller sound than the mini can offer, particularly for a living room or Apple TV setup. At $349/£349, the premium buys stronger bass, greater detail, and Dolby Atmos support. In our tests, its presentation was rich, immersive and better balanced than the original HomePod, with particularly pleasing results on classical, pop and rock music.
Setup is simple: plug it in, bring up an iPhone, select a room, and wait a few minutes. Settings are found in Apple’s Home app, while Apple Music playback requires a subscription. Control music through Siri, your iPhone or the touch pad; Our reviewer found phone control to be intuitive, but Siri is frustratingly prone to choosing the wrong songs. AirPlay supports other audio and multi-room streaming apps along with HomePods and minis.
Measuring 168mm high and 142mm wide and weighing 2.3kg, it is compact enough to fit on a shelf, but requires a permanent electrical connection. There’s no battery, so think about occasional moves between rooms rather than outdoor portability. Connections include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 and Thread, but no wired audio input; The power cable is detachable (the first generation cable was attached, but could come off).
The full-size HomePod is worth more than a mini if your priorities are bass, surround sound, and spatial audio. If your budget allows, two second-generation HomePods create a more immersive stereo system—our reviewer found the results surprising, particularly with Apple TV. Stereo pairs must use the same model and generation of HomePod, but different models can play together in a multi-room setup. If you already have two second-generation HomePods, you can add two HomePod mini 2 speakers as rear speakers, as long as you also have a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K with the latest software.
