If you’ve been considering buying Apple’s HomePod (2nd generation), now is an excellent time to do so — it’s currently on sale at Verizon for $175. This price reflects a significant $125 discount (42 percent off) and is one of the best deals we’ve seen on this smart speaker to date. Additionally, Verizon is offering a deal on the HomePod Mini, allowing you to purchase a pair for $150 at a 25 percent discount.
Apple
The latest Apple HomePod speaker is available at one of the best prices we’ve seen so far.
With a sound that’s clearer and richer than offerings from Amazon and Google, the second-gen HomePod earned a solid 84 score in our review last year. However, it’s mostly targeted towards Apple users, working best with iPhones, Apple TVs and other Apple devices, along with services like Apple Music.
As a smart home device, it’s compatible with Matter and Thread, in addition to Apple’s own HomeKit protocol, allowing you to control a growing range of security cameras, thermostats, plugs, and other smart home accessories. It also features built-in temperature and humidity sensors, and its included microphones are effective at picking out your voice through background noise.
While speakers like the Sonos Five and Sonos Era 300 are more expensive but offer slightly better sound, and the Sonos Era 100 is usually a better value (those using Google Assistant and Amazon Echo should look elsewhere), the HomePod lacks Bluetooth audio and Siri isn’t the most capable assistant. Nevertheless, at $175, the second-gen HomePod is a solid deal if you’ve had your eye on one.
If you don’t require the sound quality of the HomePod, the HomePod Mini is also on sale at Verizon in a “buy one, get the second one half off” deal (essentially two for $150). This offer allows you to create a stereo pair or outfit a couple of rooms with smart speakers. It includes nearly all the same smart home features if that’s your primary concern and offers superior sound quality to the Echo Dot and Google Home Mini.
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