Apple HomePod Mini Review: Design, Features, Performance
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023
If you're looking for a high-quality smart speaker that doesn't take up too much space, the Apple HomePod Mini is a great option. It is small and compact, but it still delivers excellent sound quality and all the features you'd expect from a smart speaker.
In this review, we'll take a closer look at its design, audio performance, and features to help you decide if it's the right smart home speaker for you.
Apple HomePod Mini
Small but Mighty
✓ Available in 5 colors
✓ 360-degree audio field
✓ Integration with Apple devices and Siri
✓ No Spotify-integration
#1 Design
Apple HomePod Mini
Apple HomePod Mini has a spherical design that is both elegant and compact. It stands at just 3.3 inches tall, small enough to be placed anywhere in the house. It is coated in seamless mesh fabric designed for both stylishness and acoustic performance. It's also available in five colors (white, space gray, yellow, orange, and blue), allowing you to choose the one that best fits your home decor.
The top of the HomePod Mini features a touch surface with intuitive controls for playing, pausing, skipping tracks, and adjusting volume. You can also long-press the center of the panel to activate Siri, an alternative to using the voice command "Hey, Siri". When Siri is listening or processing, a colorful orb of light swirls into view. Such an element makes using the device more engaging and visually pleasing.
The bottom of the HomePod Mini has a rubber base that keeps it firmly in place and prevents it from sliding around on smooth surfaces. The power cord is also integrated into the bottom of the device, which makes for a clean and clutter-free setup.
#2 Audio Performance
Apple HomePod Mini
Despite its small size, the HomePod Mini delivers impressive audio performance. It features a full-range driver that uses an incredibly powerful neodymium magnet to deliver deep bass and crisp high frequencies. It also has force-cancelling passive radiators for an incredible bass extension.
The resulting audio is clear and well-balanced, no matter the volume level. A 360-degree audio field also ensures that the sound is dispersed evenly throughout the room, allowing you to enjoy great audio quality from every angle.
Powered by Apple's S5 chip, the HomePod Mini features computational audio that uses advanced algorithms to analyze the music and optimize it for playback. This means that the speaker can adjust its output based on the acoustics of the room, the position of the speaker, and the type of music being played.
The Apple HomePod Mini is also equipped with an array of four microphones designed to pick up your voice from across the room, even when music is playing. It can cancel noise and deliver clear voice commands to Siri, making it easy to control even if your environment is loud.
It even has a sound recognition for smoke and carbon monoxide alarm sounds, so it can alert you by sending notifications to your iPhone when HomePod Mini detects these sounds.
#3 Features
Apple HomePod Mini
Apple HomePod Mini is supported by the intelligent personal assistant Siri, which can do everything from setting reminders and alarms to answering trivia questions and sending messages. Siri can also recognize the voices of up to six different family members, creating personalized experiences for each person. By drawing information from iPhone apps like Messages, Calendars, Reminders, and Contacts associated with the person making the request, Siri can provide personalized responses and recommendations.
Apple HomePod Mini integrates seamlessly with Apple devices, so you can pick up an incoming call from your iPhone, pause a movie on your Apple TV, or listen to music on your Mac, all hands-free. The Intercom feature also allows you to broadcast messages throughout your home, such as when dinner is ready or it's time to head out. The feature can further be leveraged if you have multiple HomePod Mini placed in different rooms, as you can direct your message to a specific room or to all the rooms at once.
If you have two HomePod Mini speakers in the same room together, you can create a stereo pair to have left and right channels for a fully immersive audio experience.
Apple HomePod Mini
Another benefit of the Apple HomePod Mini is the music curation with an Apple Music subscription. You can say "Play something I'll like" and the HomePod Mini will play music based on your taste. Personalized listening suggestions will also automatically appear on your iPhone when you hold it next to the HomePod Mini. When you were listening with HomePod Mini and have to head out, you can seamlessly continue listening on your iPhone by bringing the two devices closer, which triggers a virtual connection and sound transfer.
Apple HomePod Mini has little support for third-party services such as Spotify, but you can still play it using AirPlay from any Apple device, though it may not be as seamless as playing from the integrated Apple Music. To get the most out of this smart speaker, it is best to be a regular user of Apple services, particularly Apple Music.
If you also have HomeKit-compatible smart home devices, the HomePod Mini can act as a hub and allow you to control those devices using voice commands. This makes it easy to adjust the temperature, turn off the lights, or close the curtains without having to get up from your seat.
Final Thoughts
Apple HomePod Mini
Despite its compact size, Apple HomePod Mini delivers impressive audio performance and extensive smart features. The seamless integration with Apple devices and services enhances the user experience. However, you need to be a regular user of many Apple services to really get the most out of the experience, such as Apple Music and HomeKit.
If you like to read more about Smart Home Speakers, check out our other relevant guides here:
The Best Smart Home Speakers 2023
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) Review
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) vs HomePod Mini
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Pop
Apple Homepod Mini vs Sonos One (Gen 2)
Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
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