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CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma found that Apple’s $150 HomePod Mini 2 delivered louder, clearer audio than the original Mini in side-by-side listening tests. The updated speaker keeps the same compact design, adds an S10 chip and microphone, and supports upcoming Siri AI features that were not available during testing.
Apple’s $150 HomePod Mini 2 sounds noticeably louder and clearer than the original HomePod Mini, according to CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma’s side-by-side tests, giving Apple’s compact smart speaker a practical audio upgrade even though its exterior has barely changed. The review also found that some of the new model’s promised appeal, including upcoming Siri AI features, was not yet available to test.
Lacoma compared the Mini 2 with the original HomePod Mini and the second-generation full-size HomePod, playing the same audio at the same volume and switching repeatedly between speakers. He streamed Apple Lossless audio through Apple Music and reported that the Mini 2 consistently delivered greater range and sound that was louder and clearer than the first Mini. In his assessment, the difference was large enough to change the speaker’s value proposition for people who want room-filling sound in a small device.
The reviewer said the Mini 2 still does not match the second-generation HomePod, particularly in bass and at higher volumes. That larger speaker sounded best in his comparison, but costs $349, compared with $150 for the Mini 2 and $129 for the original Mini. The Mini 2 also retains the original’s quick iPhone music handoff, which Lacoma said took only a moment in testing.
On the outside, the two Minis have the same size and shape, while the newer version comes in different color options. Apple describes both models as having a full-range driver and dual passive radiators. The Mini 2 adds an S10 chip and an extra microphone, which Apple says support computational audio and future Siri features. Its illuminated top can also pulse with music in a new Sound Glow mode; Lacoma found that effect unimpressive, and said it can be switched off.
A More Capable Small Apple Speaker
The review’s main finding matters to people deciding whether to replace an older Mini: the most meaningful change may be audio performance, not appearance. If Lacoma’s listening results match what buyers hear at home, the new model could make the Mini more suitable for filling a room without stepping up to Apple’s larger, substantially more expensive HomePod.
The price has risen from $129 to $150, so the improvement comes with a $21 increase over the predecessor. That trade-off may be easier to justify for listeners who value better sound and already use Apple devices. For existing owners, the reviewer’s tests suggest there is a stronger reason to consider upgrading than the nearly unchanged design alone—but the review does not establish that every listener or room will experience the difference in the same way.
The S10 chip and additional microphone may also matter as Apple adds software features, but those benefits are not yet demonstrated by the review. Buyers weighing the speaker today should distinguish the tested sound upgrade from capabilities that depend on future Siri updates.
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What Changed From the Original Mini
The HomePod Mini 2 is part of Apple’s broader smart-home push, which CNET described as accompanying October announcements of new security equipment and Apple’s first HomeView smart display. The speaker is a refresh of the original Mini rather than a redesign: its footprint and overall shape remain the same, and Apple’s published description of the speaker components is unchanged.
Apple users can set up the device by bringing a nearby iPhone or iPad running the latest iOS or iPadOS close to it. In Lacoma’s account, the device was detected automatically, and setup transferred previous settings in under a minute. The Apple Home app provides controls for Sound Glow, physical controls, bass adjustment and pairing with another compatible speaker for stereo sound. Other available functions include intercom and sound recognition, which can listen for smoke alarms when the user is away.
Pricing places the Mini 2 between the older Mini and competing smart speakers mentioned in the review: the original Mini costs $129, while Google’s new Home speaker was listed at $100. Those figures are the prices cited in the report and do not, by themselves, compare the devices’ features or sound quality.
“The new Mini 2 had significantly greater range and louder, clearer audio than the first HomePod Mini.”
— Tyler Lacoma, CNET reviewer
Siri Features Still Awaiting Release
The CNET report says buyers will have to wait for the Mini 2’s Siri AI features; it does not establish when those capabilities will arrive or exactly what functions will be available. The S10 chip and additional microphone are described as supporting upcoming features, but the review could not assess their eventual performance.
Apple’s public hardware description, as presented in the report, does not explain what component changes account for the stronger audio. The review documents one tester’s comparisons, not standardized measurements or results across different rooms, music genres and listening positions. It also does not provide a direct test of every streaming service, smart-home feature or competing speaker.
The report identifies the Mini 2’s price as $150 and notes new colors, but does not specify the full availability details in the supplied material. Whether the sound upgrade warrants replacing an original Mini will depend on a buyer’s listening preferences, current setup and the value they place on future software features.
What Buyers Can Evaluate Now
People considering the speaker can compare it in person with an original Mini, if possible, and listen at similar volume levels to judge whether the reported improvement is meaningful for their room. They can also weigh the $150 price against the $129 predecessor and the $349 second-generation HomePod, which the review found stronger for bass and volume.
For existing Apple smart-home users, setup and familiar Home app controls are available now, along with the new lighting option and the sound improvements reported by CNET. Apple’s timing and final details for the upcoming Siri AI capabilities remain unconfirmed in the source material; buyers interested mainly in those features may want to wait for a release announcement and independent testing.
Key Questions
How does the HomePod Mini 2 sound compared with the original?
In CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma’s repeated side-by-side tests, the Mini 2 produced louder, clearer audio with greater range than the original Mini when both played the same material at the same volume.
Does the HomePod Mini 2 look different?
The two models have the same size and shape. The Mini 2 comes in new color options and adds a Sound Glow mode that pulses its top lighting with music; the effect can be turned off.
What is the HomePod Mini 2’s price?
The review lists the HomePod Mini 2 at $150. It gives the original Mini’s price as $129 and the second-generation full-size HomePod’s as $349.
Are the new Siri AI features available now?
Not according to the supplied CNET review. It says buyers will have to wait for the upcoming Siri AI features; their release timing and full capabilities are not specified.
Is the HomePod Mini 2 as powerful as the full-size HomePod?
No. Lacoma reported that the second-generation full-size HomePod still performed better, especially for bass and volume. The Mini 2 was the stronger choice over the original Mini in his tests, but it did not match the larger model.
Source: cnet.com
