#7Apple HomePod mini

Product Review · Smart Speakers · #7 Ranked

Apple HomePod mini

Compact / Apple entry · Reviewed by Drew · apple.com, Sept 2026 — raised from $99 June 25, 2026

80
Solid Buy badge
Solid Buy
Rank #7 of 10 · Smart Speakers
$129.00
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The verdict

Why it scored a 80

Apple's entry speaker punches well above its size, with computational audio, a Thread border router for Matter and HomeKit, and the temperature and humidity sensors Apple turned on later. Quality and Reliability are high, but the June 2026 price rise to $129 and a widely reported mini 2 coming this fall cap Value.

Key specs

What you're getting

  • Full-range driver with dual force-cancelling passive radiators for 360-degree sound
  • Apple S5 chip with computational audio; Siri via a four-microphone array
  • 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Thread border router (HomeKit/Matter hub), Ultra Wideband
  • Temperature and humidity sensor for Home app automations
  • Stereo pair two minis; multi-room with other HomePods over AirPlay 2
  • 3.3 in tall x 3.9 in wide, 0.76 lb (345 g); touch surface with backlit volume controls
  • USB-C power cable and 20 W adapter included; White, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Midnight
  • Intercom, Handoff and Personal Requests with iPhone; needs an iPhone or iPad to set up

ViperScore breakdown

FactorScoreWeightPoints
Value72×25%18.0
Quality88×20%17.6
Features80×15%12.0
Reliability90×15%13.5
Satisfaction88×15%13.2
Warranty55×10%5.5
Weighted total80

At a glance

  • Full-range driver + dual passive radiators, 360-degree sound
  • Apple S5 chip, Siri, four-mic array; Thread border router for Matter
  • Temperature and humidity sensors; Intercom and Handoff
  • Price$129.00
  • TierCompact / Apple entry
  • Category rank#7 of 10
Drew
Drew
Reviewed by