DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.
The HomePod mini is another addition to Apple’s impressive line of products. The mini comes with multi-room auto-pairing, Intercom broadcasts, Siri, and an Apple U1 chip to communicate with other U1 devices.
The HomePod mini is meant to be a smaller version of the HomePod and serve everyone in your home. You can cover the majority of your home with HomePod mini speakers, so you are probably wondering if the HomePod is wireless.
Is the HomePod mini wireless? No, HomePod mini is not wireless. It ends with a USB-C connector for use, with a 20W power adapter that’s included in the box. The HomePod mini cannot operate by battery power. It also requires a connection to your home’s 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network to function.
For smart home users who are considering a HomePod mini, you will want to know how to set up the smart speaker.
Knowing all the features of the HomePod mini will also help you determine if it’s the right product for your smart home.
HomePod mini isn’t wireless
HomePod mini cable is Non-Detachable, which ends with a USB-C connector and a 20W power adapter which included in the box.
If you want the wireless option to power your HomePod mini on the go, you should consider using a portable battery pack with enough wattage.
Portable Charger RAVPower 80W AC Outlet Power Bank, comes with a USB-C connector to power more demanding gadgets.
Or you can use a much smaller portable charger since the HomePod mini is a low power usage device, but it depends on how loud you increase your volume.
When you are looking for a battery pack to power your HomePod mini, keep in mind the battery capacity.
HomePod mini
The HomePod mini is a smaller version of its big brother HomePod but the mini is also capable of much more than just playing Apple Music.
The HomePod mini comes in at $99, which is far cheaper than the original HomePod, but also more expensive than Apple’s competitors Amazon and Google with smaller speakers in their lineup.
Apple HomePod mini has a round sphere shape, same mesh fabric on the exterior of the original HomePod.
The mini is 3.3 inches tall and comes in either space gray or white. It fills the room with Apple’s rich 360-degree acoustic sound that delivers a great audio experience.
It also has the Siri waveform display on top of the device, which reacts when you’re speaking or when Siri reacts to you.
Features
Audio
Full range dynamic driver, passive radiators, and an acoustic waveguide on the bottom. The mini features the Apple S5 chip, which allows for “computational Audio” processing to adjust how your music sounds 180 times per second.
Hand-off
If you are an iPhone user, you can automatically bring an iPhone next to the HomePod Mini and be able to display “hand off” music with visual sound and haptic cues that create a stronger sense of connection between the devices.
Multi-Room Audio
Multi-Room audio gives you the ability to sync multiple HomePod mini’s; creating a stereo experience that pairs and set up multi-room audio.
Third-Party Streaming Music Service
The HomePod mini works with iHeartRadio, Radio.com, and TuneIn, but in the near future, will also support music services like Amazon Music and Pandora. Unfortunately, still no Spotify. 🙄
Intercom
Just like its competitors Alexa and Google Assistant, the HomePod mini also features “Intercom” which allows you to have multiple mini devices located in different rooms and communicate using the HomePod mini throughout your home.
Smart Hub
The mini is not just a smart speaker but also serves as a central hub for HomeKit devices. This will enable you to control things like lights or doors when you’re not home.
Siri
HomePod mini comes with Apple intelligent assistant Siri, which can help with tasks, control smart home accessories, or simply to play your favorite music. You can also ask Siri things that will make you laugh. 😆
Privacy
When it comes to your privacy, voice commands are encrypted and sent to Apple’s servers without being tied to your Apple ID. Your recordings can only be seen by you and with the people you share them with, not Apple.
How to set up HomePod mini?
- Plug the HomePod mini in and wait for a tone to play.
- Your iPhone or iPad will display a pop up to help with setup.
- When prompted to, align the device’s camera with the top of the HomePod mini.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
HomePod mini waterproof?
No, the HomePod mini is not waterproof. The HomePod was not built for water/dust resistance, this means you should not place the mini in any area where it can get wet.
Currently, Apple doesn’t make water or splash proof smart speakers but there are other options on the market.
HomePod mini VS HomePod
When it comes to the HomePod and HomePod mini there are two big differences between the two, Apple Spatial Awareness and integration with Apple TV in theater mode.
If you are not moving your HomePod mini around your home often, spatial awareness may not matter to you.
What is spatial awareness? Apple-designed U1 chip allows HomePod to identify where its located in the room and monitor the audio from bouncing off the wall.
The HomePod will tune the sound, so it can fit the room, which will enhance your theater-like sound experience.
HomePod mini can’t do that.
Now, you can use the Apple TV with the HomePod mini to create a stereo sound, but, the HomePod is set to be a permanent speaker for your Apple TV 4K.
When it comes to a 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos audio experience, the original HomePod is a great option, not the mini.
Yes, the mini is smaller and has a different design but the major differences between the devices are the audio output.
This means the HomePod mini does everything the HomePod does but at a much cheaper price.
Final Note
Yes, the HomePod mini is not wireless, but If you are looking for a home speaker and want to stay in the Apple ecosystem at an affordable price, the HomePod mini may be the right choice for you.
Please, don’t forget to check out the recommended gadgets page for the best tech for your buck.
For more useful tips and tricks with Home automation, please continue to check out AutomateYourCrib.com.
Please e-mail me (rodney@automateyourcrib.com) your opinion, comment or if you have any ideas for a future post you would like to read, drop me a line or two as I appreciate my audience. Thank you again for reading this post.
Until next time, enjoy!
Please be sure to follow me on Social Media
It's great to see that you have come across my website. I hope you explore it thoroughly. The website caters to regular consumers who have an interest in home automation. I am based in the Tri-state area and enjoy the latest smart tech along with my wonderful wife and three energetic boys.
