HomePod Mini 2 First Look: Three Things I Love and One Disappointment
The new Mini is faster, quieter, and gorgeous in green β but its upgraded Mac speaker feature didn't work for me.
By Jennifer Pattison Tuohy
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A Familiar Shape, Refined
Apple's second-generation HomePod Mini arrives in 2026 with the same iconic orb design, but the refinements are more than skin-deep. The new model is faster, quieter, and β in its green finish β genuinely striking. Still, one headline feature fell short in my testing.
Three Things I Love
1. Noticeably Faster Performance
The HomePod Mini 2 feels snappier across the board. Whether I was issuing Siri commands, streaming Apple Music, or controlling smart home devices, responses arrived with less hesitation than on the original. Apple's updated chipset clearly makes a difference.
2. Quieter Operation
Quieter here is a compliment: the new Mini runs with less audible hum and less intrusive feedback during standby and low-volume playback, making it a better fit for bedrooms and quiet workspaces.
3. A Gorgeous Green Finish
The new color options are a highlight, and the green version is easily my favorite. It looks premium in person and blends nicely into a range of interiors β a small detail that makes the device feel fresh rather than recycled.
One Disappointment
The Upgraded Mac Speaker Feature Didn't Work for Me
The most anticipated upgrade β using the HomePod Mini 2 as a speaker for your Mac β simply didn't function reliably in my testing. Given how compelling the idea is on paper (a compact, high-quality speaker for desktop audio), this is the one area where the new Mini failed to deliver the experience I expected.
The Verdict So Far
The HomePod Mini 2 is a meaningful step forward in speed, acoustics, and design. But until the Mac speaker feature proves reliable, it remains a caveat rather than a selling point. Stay tuned for our full review.
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