The Apple HomePod 2, a premium smart speaker, offers incredible sound quality and seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. This second-generation model has improved features to make it a strong contender among the best smart speakers on the market.
Design and Features
The HomePod 2 retains a similar design to its predecessor, with a fabric-covered cylindrical shape and a touchscreen at the top. The touchscreen is now slightly recessed and has a larger illuminated area. The power cord is detachable, making it easier to replace if damaged.
The HomePod 2 has added temperature and humidity sensors, and now supports Matter, a new smart home standard that simplifies connecting a wide range of devices. The speaker works well with other Apple products, such as the Apple TV 4K, and can serve as the center of your home entertainment system.
Pros:
- Great sound quality
- Integrates well with other Apple products
- Support for Matter
- Temperature and humidity sensors
Cons:
- One of the most expensive smart speakers
Audio Quality
The HomePod 2’s audio quality is impressive, with strong bass and clear sound. In comparison with the Sonos One, however, the HomePod 2 falls short in delivering mids and highs. While the HomePod 2 excels in bass-heavy tracks, the Sonos One offers more presence in vocals and guitars.
Smart Home Capabilities
The HomePod 2 has improved smart home capabilities, including support for Matter, which allows easier connection to various devices. It also has built-in temperature and humidity sensors, enabling Siri to provide room-specific information.
Interoperability
Apple’s HomePod 2 offers seamless integration with its ecosystem, making it easy to set up and use with various devices. Transferring music or calls between the speaker and an iPhone is simple, and the HomePod 2 works well with Apple TV 4K for an immersive audio experience.
Entertainment
The HomePod 2 supports Dolby Atmos, offering an improved audio experience for movies and TV shows. However, vocals during music tracks can be a bit muted compared to the rest of the audio.
Price and Availability
The Apple HomePod 2 is available for $299, making it one of the most expensive smart speakers on the market. While the price may be steep for some, the HomePod 2 delivers exceptional sound quality and integrates well within the Apple ecosystem.
Apple HomePod (2nd gen) review: Verdict
In many ways, the Apple HomePod 2 is a worthy successor to the original. It delivers great sound quality, improved smart home capabilities, and seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. The addition of Matter support and temperature and humidity sensors help make it a more versatile smart speaker than its predecessor.
However, the HomePod 2’s high price tag remains a sticking point. At $299, it’s considerably more expensive than its main competitors, such as the Sonos One, which costs $219 and works with both Alexa and Google Assistant. While the HomePod 2’s sound quality is impressive, the Sonos One still edges it out in terms of mids and highs, making voices sound clearer and more present.
For Apple fans who are heavily invested in the company’s ecosystem, the HomePod 2 will likely be an appealing option. Its integration with Apple products like the Apple TV 4K and ease of use with iPhones and iPads make it a convenient choice for those users. However, for those looking for a more affordable smart speaker that still delivers excellent sound quality and smart home capabilities, the Sonos One remains a more versatile and cost-effective option.
Ultimately, the HomePod 2 is a great smart speaker that’s held back by its high price and some limitations in its smart home capabilities. Apple has made improvements over the original, but there’s still room for the company to refine and expand the HomePod’s offerings in the future.
