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CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma tested Apple’s $150 HomePod Mini 2 and found a substantial improvement in sound over the original HomePod Mini, despite nearly identical outward design and hardware descriptions. The new model also adds an S10 chip and microphone, but some Siri AI features were not yet available during testing.
Apple’s $150 HomePod Mini 2 looks much like its predecessor, but hands-on testing by CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma found it delivers louder, clearer sound with greater range than the original HomePod Mini. The review also found that the speaker’s updated chip and extra microphone are part of a larger hardware refresh, although some planned Siri AI features were not 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 the speakers. The music streamed from Apple Music in Lossless. In those tests, he said the Mini 2 consistently sounded clearer and fuller, with enough additional output to make it a better option for filling a room than the original Mini. He said it still did not match the larger HomePod, particularly on bass and volume.
The physical design is nearly unchanged: the two Mini models share the same size and shape, though Apple offers the new speaker in different colors. Apple describes both as using a full-range driver and dual passive radiators, without giving further hardware detail in the material cited by the review. The Mini 2 adds an Apple S10 chip for computational audio and planned Siri features, as well as an additional microphone.
The review also tested setup and music handoff. An updated iPhone or iPad detected the speaker and transferred existing settings in under a minute, according to Lacoma. Sending music between an iPhone and the speaker worked much as it did on the original, with the reviewer describing the handoff as quick. A new Sound Glow mode makes the top control surface pulse with music; Lacoma found the effect unimpressive and said users can turn it off.
A More Capable Speaker in the Same Footprint
The test results matter most to people who want a compact speaker but found the first Mini too limited for room-filling playback. Lacoma’s comparison suggests the Mini 2’s audio improvement is more meaningful than its exterior refresh, even though the manufacturer’s short description of the speaker hardware does not explain what accounts for the difference.
Price is part of the decision. The review lists the Mini 2 at $150, compared with $129 for the previous Mini and $349 for the second-generation full-size HomePod. CNET also cites Google’s new Home speaker at $100. Those figures frame the Mini 2 as a higher-priced compact option, not a replacement for a larger speaker when strong bass is the priority. Buyers already using Apple devices may also value straightforward setup and music handoff, while those mainly interested in visual effects may find the new lighting mode modest.
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How the Mini 2 Differs From Its Predecessor
Apple announced the Mini 2 as part of an October push into smart-home products that also included new security equipment and the company’s first HomeView smart display, according to the CNET report. The speaker follows the original HomePod Mini, which the review identifies as a 2021 model. Its familiar size and shape make the generation change difficult to spot without checking the color, settings or model details.
The Mini 2’s smart-home features run through Apple’s Home app. Users can adjust Sound Glow, lock physical controls or reduce bass, and can pair speakers for stereo playback. The review also describes Intercom and sound recognition, including the ability to listen for smoke alarms while the owner is away. These functions provide context for the speaker as part of Apple’s home ecosystem, rather than as an audio device alone.
““The new Mini 2 had significantly greater range and louder, clearer audio than the first HomePod Mini.””
— Tyler Lacoma, CNET reviewer
Siri Features Await a Later Test
The review says the Mini 2 includes an S10 chip intended to support upcoming Siri AI features, but those features were not yet available for Lacoma to evaluate. The source does not specify when they will arrive or which capabilities will be supported at launch. It also does not give technical measurements for the reported audio gains or explain what changes inside the speaker produce them, beyond Apple’s driver description, chip and microphone update.
The review’s listening comparison is a hands-on assessment, not a published set of standardized sound measurements. It reports that the Mini 2 performed better in the described tests, but does not establish how the difference will sound in every room, at every volume or with every streaming service. The material also does not provide enough detail to compare all available color options or confirm availability across markets.
Watch for Siri Rollout Details
The next test for the Mini 2’s smart features will come when Apple makes the promised Siri AI functions available. That rollout would allow reviewers and owners to assess whether the S10 chip and added microphone change everyday voice interactions, rather than judging them only by stated hardware intent. Until then, shoppers can weigh the reported sound improvement against the price and the speaker’s close resemblance to the original.
For buyers comparing Apple speakers, the review points to a practical choice: the Mini 2 for a compact footprint and improved playback over the earlier Mini, or the more expensive full-size HomePod for stronger bass and greater output. The source does not report further release milestones or dates for the Siri features.
Key Questions
What did CNET’s HomePod Mini 2 tests find?
CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma reported that the Mini 2 sounded louder, clearer and fuller than the original HomePod Mini during repeated comparisons using the same audio and volume. He said the full-size second-generation HomePod still performed better, particularly for bass.
How much does the HomePod Mini 2 cost?
The CNET report lists the HomePod Mini 2 at $150. It lists the previous Mini at $129 and the second-generation full-size HomePod at $349.
What is new about the HomePod Mini 2?
The Mini 2 has an Apple S10 chip, an additional microphone, new color options and a Sound Glow mode that pulses with music. Its size and shape remain close to those of the original Mini.
Are the new Siri AI features available now?
The review says some Siri AI features are upcoming and were not available for testing. It does not give a release date or a full list of the features.
Source: cnet.com
