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Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) review: buy or skip?

Consider8.1/10 research score

Quick answer

Consider it, if you use Apple Music and an iPhone. Why: rich-sounding Siri speaker for Apple Music and Home. The catch: expensive.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

Our verdict on the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)

Buy it if
you use Apple Music and an iPhone.
Skip it if
you use Android or Spotify heavily.
Best for
Apple music lovers
Key feature
Rich-sounding Siri speaker for Apple Music and Home
Typical price
$299
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

AssistantSiri
Speaker7 tweeters + woofer
ScreenNo
Smart home hubThread, Matter

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you use Apple Music and an iPhone
  • value great sound
  • can spend around $299

Skip it if you

  • you use Android or Spotify heavily
  • mind this: expensive
  • mind this: siri limits

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Great sound
  • Spatial audio
  • Home hub
  • Easy iPhone setup

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Siri limits

The verdict in one breath

The Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) is a good smart speaker for the right buyer, not an automatic pick. Its strength: rich-sounding Siri speaker for Apple Music and Home. Check the skip-if line before you order.

Reasons to buy

  • Great sound
  • Spatial audio
  • Home hub
  • Easy iPhone setup

Reasons to skip

  • Expensive
  • Siri limits

The specs that matter

  • Assistant: Siri
  • Speaker: 7 tweeters + woofer
  • Screen: No
  • Smart home hub: Thread, Matter

Worth knowing

Two HomePods make a great stereo pair for an Apple TV.

Buy it or skip it?

Consider it if you use Apple Music and an iPhone. Skip it if you use Android or Spotify heavily; the Sonos Era 100 is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best smart speakers.

Alternatives worth considering

Sonos Era 100

Sonos · Smart Speakers & Displays

Sonos Era 100

Buy it if you care most about music quality.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Music
Typical price
$179–$249

Pros

  • Excellent sound
  • Stereo

Cons

  • Pricey
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)

Amazon · Smart Speakers & Displays

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)

Buy it if you want a screen for recipes, photos and doorbell video.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Kitchen
Typical price
$119–$149

Pros

  • Good screen and sound
  • Zigbee hub

Cons

  • Ads on screen
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)?

Consider it, if you use Apple Music and an iPhone. Why: rich-sounding Siri speaker for Apple Music and Home. The catch: expensive.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you use Android or Spotify heavily. The Sonos Era 100 is the better buy then.

What does the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) cost?

Usually $299 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Apple HomePod (2nd Gen): the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) worth buying? Short answer: consider it, if you use Apple Music and an iPhone. This review explains what this Apple model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which smart speaker to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) does well

The headline: rich-sounding Siri speaker for Apple Music and Home. Key specs: Assistant: Siri; Speaker: 7 tweeters + woofer; Screen: No; Smart home hub: Thread, Matter. In our list it is the pick for: apple music lovers. It usually sells for $299.

Two HomePods make a great stereo pair for an Apple TV.

The trade-offs

Good: great sound, spatial audio, home hub, easy iPhone setup. Not so good: expensive, siri limits. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you use Android or Spotify heavily.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Sonos Era 100 ($179–$249): rich stereo sound with Alexa and AirPlay 2. Better if you care most about music quality.

Instead, consider the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) ($119–$149): screen for recipes, video calls and camera feeds. Better if you want a screen for recipes, photos and doorbell video.

Instead, consider the Apple HomePod mini ($89–$99): great sound for its size and seamless iPhone handoff. Better if you use iPhone and Apple Music.

Before you buy

Assistant: Alexa has the most smart home support; Google is best at answering questions; Siri suits Apple homes. Sound: small speakers are for voice; buy a bigger one if it doubles as your music speaker. Display: a screen helps with recipes, cameras and video calls.

US buyer tip

Echo devices hit their lowest prices on Prime Day and Black Friday, often half off.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.