EUR104,–
Apple HomePod mini
Apple Home
Product ratings
Pros
Cons
586 reviews
Small but mighty
For the size really good sound, fits perfectly into my Apple environment. With the U1 chip, the music can be transferred wonderfully.
With the sound you have to compromise the small can not keep up with the large which is why I would recommend all those who prefer the sound of the large, but this is wonderful for the kitchen or the bathroom.
The adapter is white and the cable gray a bit of a shame.
Conclusion: Clearly recommended for all Apple disciples.
Update:
What I would like to add to listen to some music in the evening, I find the small even more pleasant than the big one since this is less bassy.Pro
- Very small
- Music delivery
- Sound good for the size
Contra
- Adapter White
This review was created for a different variant: HomePod mini (Apple Home)
It's a bit of a 2020 Apple grail, but when you have it...
Installation:
Like any Apple product, it is borderless: I have two American models, they work perfectly with my Swiss Apple account and my French settings. I can talk to Siri and she answers me in French. You approach your iPhone once plugged in (usb-c 20w supplied) and everything happens as for an Apple product: easy, fast, quiet, even Auntie Simone should manage. The HomePod taps into the WiFi of your iPhone. Be careful with this WiFi: if it integrates 2.4 and 5Ghz in a single network, your HomePod will hate it: internet cut-off, disgusting multiroom, no stereo, no handoff... you need a 2.4 or 5Ghz WiFi, not a double.
The HomePod, once configured is an accessory of the Home app, of which it is automatically a hub. Very useful if you didn't have an Apple TV yet for your Apple home automation system, or to extend the connection where your Apple TV no longer works.
Sound:
The S5 processor does a gigantic job: at full volume there is no distortion, but really not, at low volume it pushes the bass for a really nice reduced sound. After that, don't expect these little balls to be used as a nightclub, they are the size of an apple, but they do a nice job. Enough for a bedroom, I doubt for a living room size. Or put 1 per 10m2.
Where the HomePod mini already does a gigantic job solo, it gets really big when they work as a duo, paired in stereo. The sound gains in amplitude, power, richness, and I even had the impression that the bass went lower. To be seen. But the difference is impressive. So the Mini is like hamsters, take them in pairs, they will be really happy.
Just know that in the audio team at Apple, there is a certain Tom Holman... and Tom Holman, he has the same initials, TH, as THX... This explains why the Apple audio products, they are calibrated not far from perfection.Pro
- Awards
- Computational Audio
- No saturation
- HomeKit Hub
- Chip U1
- Apple Ecosystem
Contra
- Apple Ecosystem
This review was created for a different variant: HomePod mini (Apple Home)
Best Voice Assistant Speaker
For a long time I wanted to buy a large Home Pod, but always hesitated because of the price. I then bought the Home Pod mini straight away. I am currently waiting for a second one so that I can operate them in a stereo pair.
Workmanship / quality: As usual from Apple, the workmanship is very good. The cable, which works via USB-C, is also very high quality. Qualitatively, it is much better manufactured than competing products.
Siri: I'm a big fan of Siri, even if Alexa, for example, is now a bit more intelligent. But I like the voice and the interactions with Siri best. In Switzerland, individual functions are still somewhat more limited in contrast to the USA. It is also important to know: You have to change the Siri language on your iPhone / iPad from German (Switzerland) to German (Germany). However, from my point of view, this has no disadvantages. This is the only way Siri can access your calendar, for example.
Sound / music: The sound is decent. Very decent for its size. I was also surprised by the volume. However, the sound is nowhere near that of the Sonos One. They have much more volume, loudness, saturation and bass. So if you are primarily looking for a speaker, you are certainly better off with a Sonos One. However, if you want both a good sound and voice assistant, I recommend the HomePod mini.
Other: I didn't experience any problems with the HomePod mini. Except for some minor stability and connection problems via Airplay with my iPhone. However, the HomePod mini always listened to Hey Siri and there have been no accidental activations so far. If you want to watch TV via the HomePod mini, you absolutely need an AppleTV. For example, I have a Samsung TV with integrated AppleTV, Netflix and Airplay. However, you can't connect the HomePod to it, you need an AppleTV.Pro
- Siri
- Integrated into the Apple ecosystem
- Beautiful design and high-quality workmanship
Contra
- Functions in Switzerland somewhat limited
simply GENIAL
I already have the big HomePod (which is unfortunately no longer available) and it's a sonic dream.
This little one is not on that level, of course, but you wouldn't expect it to be. If you compare it to products in its size category, it is by FAR the best.
In my opinion, Siri needs to be switched to English. I don't need Siri to ask me how tall Obama is or when the Eiffel Tower was built, I need it for music control and smart home control and that's better done in English, especially because of the music. because yes... German Siri doesn't understand English tracks.
If you are deep in the Apple ecosystem you will love this HomePod, also cool features like intercom instead of shouting through the house. It's not a device you HAVE to have, but if you WANT it, you'll be extremely happy with it.Pro
- Apple ecosystem
- super sound for this size
- Stereo output on the Mac
- beautiful design
- Price very reasonable
- English Siri
Contra
- does not work without WLAN
- German Siri
This review was created for a different variant: HomePod mini (Apple Home)
Small but mighty!
I have two of these at home. The sound is quite good for the size. However, they are mainly used to control smarthome devices so I don't always have to use my iPhone or Watch.
Pro
- Sound
- Size
- Price
Contra
- Import tax of ~40%
Good sound at a reasonable price, including smarthome integration
Fully fulfils its purpose at a reasonable price-performance ratio.
A quality product that is sure to last for several years and thus also helps to reduce the amount of waste.
It is better to invest 120 CHF for 5 years than 50 CHF every year for cheap products and therefore produce a lot of waste!Pro
- Good sound
- Good product quality
- reasonable price
- integration AppleHomeKit
Contra
- Not for Apple haters and Android fans
This review was created for a different variant: HomePod mini (Apple Home)
6 out of 586 reviews
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