Low-cost models are probably the best way of getting into smart speakers, but which is better — the Echo Dot, Nest Mini, or HomePod mini?
The best way to get into both smart speakers and smart homes is often via a budget speaker. Since you’re not putting hundreds of dollars on the line, there’s little sunk cost preventing you from switching platforms, and that one purchase may even be enough. So, which budget speaker is the best overall? Let’s find out in this Echo Dot vs Nest Mini vs HomePod Mini comparison. What is the HomePod Mini, and should you get it? We’re starting this discussion with the HomePod Mini because it’s very different from its rivals. It’s $50 more expensive and requires an iPhone or iPad, whereas Amazon and Google’s products will also work with most Android devices. There’s no way to set up a HomePod without buying into Apple’s mobile ecosystem. If you’ve got an Android phone, “HomePod mini vs Echo Dot vs Nest Mini” instead becomes a two-way battle. You are getting value for your money, though, mainly in the form of superior audio and deep integration with other Apple products. While Apple is vague on specifications, the HomePod Mini does sound better than Amazon and Google’s entry-level speakers, thanks in part to a clever 360-degree acoustic design and real-time tuning to match whatever room you’re in. Apple platform integration includes things like HomeKit accessories, Siri voice commands, AirPlay 2 casting, and the ability to set one or two Minis as default speakers for an Apple TV 4K. If you have an iPhone with a U1 ultra-wideband chip, you can bring it near the top of your HomePod and switch music sources on the fly.
