What we like
Credit: Reviewed / Sarah Kovac
The HomePod Mini with its big brother, the original HomePod.
I ve tested the best smart speakers on the market, and I was surprised at the clarity and quality of the sound the original HomePod produced. I also understood why Apple hadnât yet created a new generation of HomePodsâthe first one could still beat out many of the newer speakers when it came to sound quality.
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While the Mini version certainly canât compete with the rumbling bass its older sibling can produce, it sounds bigger than its size. Itâs probably more reasonable to compare this speaker s sound with that of the 4th-gen Echo than with the Echo Dot, the latter of which is about the same size as the HomePod Mini. This new HomePod almost seems like a speaker twice its size thatâs been hit with a shrink ray.
USA TODAY
If you waited until now to buy a smart speaker from Google, Amazon or Apple as a Christmas present, the pickings are going to be slim.
Apple s $99 HomePod Mini, introduced in November as Apple s first consumer priced smart speaker, is sold out and not available until Jan. 4, according to Apple s website.
Google s Nest Audio, the redesigned version of what had been called the Google Home, is also sold out, and not available until Jan. 8 at the earliest, with free delivery from Google s website, or Jan. 6 if consumers pay an extra $22.99 to expedite the order.
Amazon s Echo Dot, the smallest and least expensive of its smart speaker lineup, has long been one of Amazon s holiday best sellers, ranking as its most purchased item last Christmas.
What you need to know
Google is bringing Apple TV to Android TV devices, starting with Chromecast with Google TV.
Android TV users will have access to the suite of channels available through Apple TV.
More Android TV devices will be available in the future .
With the addition of the Apple TV app, users will gain access to the various channels available on the Apple TV platform which of course includes Apple TV+. The app is already supported on Sony devices that run Android TV, but the announcement means it will expand beyond those users, such who use Chromecast devices to access Android TV. This way Apple can gain more subscribers, and Android TV users can gain more shows, like Ted Lasso.
If you have a bigger budget and are willing willing to spend about $100, consider the $99 Amazon Echo, a large speaker that comes with stereo drivers, Dolby sound, and a Zigbee smart home hub that can control a host of smart devices, including smart plugs and switches, contact sensors, smart lights (including Philips Hue), and more.
If audio quality is a higher priority, check out the $99 Google Nest Audio, which is the best-sounding smart speaker you can get for $100.
Finally, those willing to spend $200 or even $300 should take a look at the Google Home Max, which ddelivers the best audio of any smart speaker, period. Google just announced that it’s discontinuing the three-year-old Home Max, but it’s worth noting that Google promises to keep supporting its high-end speaker with software updates, and you might be able to find remaining stock at third-party retailers for a steep discountRemove non-product link.