I test smart speakers, and Apple's new HomePod mini 2 is a disappointing upgrade

Six years after the HomePod mini debuted, the HomePod mini 2 is here. After that much time, you'd hope for some serious upgrades. Instead, the cost has gone up by $50, a microphone has been removed, and it launched with the same Siri assistant as the original.

I spent this year trying the Google Home Speaker, Amazon Echo Dot Max, Sonos Era 100 SL, and other smart home wireless speakers. The $150 HomePod mini 2 is a fine device in a vacuum. But among the competition, it's a hard sell.

The most disappointing thing is that Apple had an opportunity to bump up audio performance incrementally and, paired with the faster processor, it would have been a solid update.

Instead, buying a mini 2 is a much tougher decision than it needs to be. As someone who uses all the new wireless speakers, headphones, and audio gear. Let me explain who I think should consider the HomePod mini 2, and who should move on to a different solution.

There are a few types of people who should consider the HomePod mini 2, but only a few

To be very clear, the Apple HomePod mini 2 isn't a bad speaker. It's merely overpriced. For its original $99 retail price, it was easy to recommend to anyone with an iPhone. For $149, it's a much worse value, so it's harder to blanket recommend. You shouldn't feel bad about getting one if you want to splurge on it or can find it on sale.

As for its best uses, I think the HomePod mini 2 is best as a bedroom or bathroom speaker. It's easy to stash on top of a countertop, nightstand, or dresser. Plus, it has decent audio performance for its compact size.

Those places make a lot of sense for basic voice assistance. Things like: what's the weather, play some music, or turn on the light.

The HomePod mini 2 also makes sense as a very first smart speaker for an apartment. This device is easy to get started with, especially if it's the only smart speaker around. So, a dorm room or a small apartment right after college would be fitting.

However, if you're looking for a sound system or a substantial way to listen to music, then you should look somewhere else.

I've been comparing the HomePod mini 2 against the Echo Dot Max, Google Home Speaker, and the Sonos Era 100 SL. The Era 100 SL is the clear winner for audio performance. It has deep, rich sound. The volume eclipses the others easily.

The Era 100 SL has some voice assistant features, but it isn't a smart home hub. That's the dividing line right now. It can tap into Spotify Connect and Apple's AirPlay for wireless integration. It has a multitude of audio services and neat features. But it's not a universal fit for controlling a smart home. If you need the AI assistant or smart home integrations, then the Google Home Speaker is probably your best bet.

HomePod mini 2 vs Google Home Speaker

Part of the reason the HomePod mini 2 is so disappointing is because of its competition. The Google Home Speaker looks nearly identical, minus the plastic top, and retails for $99. Apple's HomePod mini 2 isn't $50 better than Google's Home Speaker. 

On paper, the HomePod mini 2 actually got worse, compared to the first-gen model. The new one has 3 microphones instead of 4, Siri AI was absent at launch, and the audio hardware hasn't changed. The mini 2 doesn't seem to hear me worse, so maybe one less mic won't matter, but it's more about the perceived care this device gets.

I went through a bunch of songs on both Google's and Apple's speakers to try to decide which one sounded the best. Apple's does have a little more low-end. Songs sound fuller and a little richer. But Google's speaker has more volume. It also has a touch more clarity through the mids. In direct comparison, the Google speaker is a little more trebly.

Ultimately, both have quirks about their sound profiles. I think you would get used to the sound on whichever one you used more. And for anyone curious, the Amazon Echo Dot Max that retails for $120 sounds worse than both of these, with a muddy mid-range. 

The Apple ecosystem factor

For the spec nerds out there, the HomePod mini 2 now has an S10 chip inside, instead of an S5. Both have 1GB of RAM. The HomePod mini 2 does seem a little quicker to respond. Speed probably isn't enough of a reason to replace working HomePod minis, though.

The real reason to pick a HomePod mini 2 over an Era 100 SL or Google Home Speaker is for Apple's ecosystem integration.

You can connect a HomePod mini 2 to newer Mac computers for system audio. You can also pair sets to an Apple TV 4K box to use them as home theater speakers. Siri AI will come to the mini 2 in a future update, and that will integrate with your data.

If you have your heart set on a pink or green HomePod mini 2, then you should get one. But if you're looking for the best value for a wireless smart home speaker, just know that this isn't it.