It is very common to find “smart” speakers in homes because of the possibilities they offer; not only listen to music, but also get information about weather, latest news, control home automation devices, order some content to broadcast on TV, etc. Amazon recently announced its new 5th generation Echo Dot speaker, a model that is expected to compete with Apple’s HomePod mini. How do these two options compare? We comment on its features, differences and prices.
HomePod mini and Amazon Echo Dot features
specifications |
HomePod mini |
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) |
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Dimensions and weight |
8.43 cm high x 9.79 cm wide and 345 grams in weight |
10 x 10 x 8.9 cm and 340 grams in weight |
sound technology |
Wideband transducer and two passive radiators, 360º sound, computational audio for real-time sound adjustment, four microphones, multi-zone sound with AirPlay 2 and stereo pair compatibility |
44 mm front speaker, custom full-range speaker and larger excursion speaker in its diaphragm, microphones, multi-zone sound, home theater system |
sound sources |
Apple Music, songs purchased from iTunes, iCloud Music Library, third-party music services, Apple Music live stations or on-demand shows, radio stations, Apple Podcasts, newsletters, and AirPlay streaming |
Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn and Bluetooth to send any content from smartphone, tablet or computer |
controls |
Touch: play/pause music or Siri, skip/rewind song, summon Siri, or volume up/down |
Buttons: volume up/down, play and microphone mute |
connectivity |
802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Thread and ultra-wideband chip for nearby devices |
Dual-band Wi-Fi, BLE |
Others |
Siri, five colors |
Alexa, two/three colors (depending on model), temperature sensor, light ring for notifications and LED matrix option for the clock and other information (time, calculation/measurement, song title, etc.) |
Price |
99 dollars |
From $59.99 |
New Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 model) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Navy blue
New Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 model) with clock | Smart speaker with clock and Alexa | Bluish Gray
Apple HomePod mini (2021), Smart speaker, Siri, 360º, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, HomeKit, Smart home, Space gray
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Design: We start by talking about the design of the speakers, which are very similar: two elegant spheres covered with mesh to let the sound through. Both have built-in controlsbut on the HomePod mini, they’re touch buttons and on the Echo Dot, they’re conventional buttons.
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sound technology: Amazon, with the fourth generation Echo Dot, has enabled 360º sound transmission, which the HomePod mini provides. Apple’s speaker features a full-range transducer and two passive radiators, as well as real-time sound adjustment using computer audio. The 5th-gen Echo Dot, according to Amazon, has a redesigned custom full-range driver and higher excursion speaker in its membrane which, in theory, allows clearer vocals and up to twice the bass.
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sound sources: the HomePod mini, like the rest of the brand’s devices, was created to integrate with Apple services, so its strong point is the integration with Apple Music. However, it’s possible to play content from other platforms, but that’s best solved on the Echo Dot, which lets you easily set the default service, including Apple Music, Spotify or Amazon Music. Another of the strengths of the HomePod mini is AirPlay, to send content from iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV.
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Functions– Via Siri, the HomePod mini can be requested for news bulletins, the weather, or to control home automation devices. However, Alexa’s possibilities on the Echo Dot are nearly limitless with the skillsbe able to play, view cooking recipes, curiosities and integrate with a wide variety of brands and devices, from air fryers to floor cleaning robots.
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Others: The Echo Dot has two versions, the most interesting being the one with LED dot matrix. This function allows you to display a clock and other information such as weather, calculations/measurements, title of the currently playing song, timer, etc.
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privacy: Apple is very committed to privacy and, according to the company, nothing you say will be sent to Apple servers until the phrase “Hey Siri” has been recognized by the HomePod. Also, all communications between HomePod and Apple servers are encrypted so that the identity is protected by anonymous identifiers. This is a concern of many users when using Google or Amazon devices. The latter promises to be able to mute the microphones with the dedicated button, the option to review and delete voice recordings and more.
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Price: The 5th generation Echo Dot has two prices depending on the model: 59.99 dollars or 69.99 dollars (model with LED matrix for clock). The HomePod mini is more expensive, it costs 99 dollars.
Amazon Echo Dot VS HomePod mini, which one to buy?
The Echo Dot is one of the most popular “smart” speakers on the market for Alexa, one of the most complete voice assistants, and its price adjusted for the possibilities it offers, in addition to being able to be configured with Android and iOS devices. The HomePod mini is a speaker designed to integrate with the Apple ecosystem and it requires having at least an iPhone.
Is it worth buying the HomePod mini? If you are a user of multiple Apple devices and mainly use the company’s services, in addition to being wary of your privacy and using HomeKit, this is the most suitable option. If you are not in the Apple ecosystem, you have a Fire TV Stick/Cube, accounts with a Spotify or Amazon Music subscription and prefer Alexa for its possibilitiesthe Echo Dot is more suited to your needs.
It should also be noted that Alexa is compatible with more home automation accessories. Apple has fallen behind in this regard. The number of products that integrate with Amazon’s voice assistant is immense, from air fryers or coffee makers to robot vacuums, televisions, sockets, lights and more. If you are planning to set up a completely “smart” home, with Alexa, we will find a wide range.
New Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 model) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Navy blue
New Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 model) with clock | Smart speaker with clock and Alexa | Bluish Gray
Apple HomePod mini (2021), Smart speaker, Siri, 360º, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, HomeKit, Smart home, Space gray
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