Echo Dot vs. HomePod Mini: What's the Difference?

This article compares the key features of the 5th Gen. Echo Dot and the HomePod Mini to help you make an informed choice.

Overall Findings

These products are both excellent and aim for the same customer. If you have multiple computer systems in the house, the Echo Dot will likely work with whatever you have.

The HomePod Mini offers impressive sound at a higher price tag, but it's meant to work with iPhone and iPad, so it's likely the better fit if you are an Apple household.

Audio Features: Echo Dot Supports More Services, HomePod Mini Sounds Better

Both devices give you many options when it comes to playing music.

The Echo Dot has an edge for streaming services thanks to its effortless ability to add Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music via the Alexa app. The HomePod Mini has built-in support for Apple Music, while streaming services like Spotify work with the HomePod using a connected iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Both devices let you combine multiple speakers into a house-wide audio system, and two (either two Echo Dots or two HomePod Minis; you can't mix and match) can be paired to your TV for a home theater experience. Only the Echo line includes a dedicated subwoofer for deeper bass (that's an extra purchase, though).

Despite offering similar features, sound quality is a crucial difference. Apple's commitment to audio quality shines here. The Echo Dot has a solid sound, but the HomePod is terrific.

Intelligent Assistant: Right Now, Echo Dot Can (Potentially) Do More

Both smart speakers have voice-activated intelligent assistants. While Alexa was long seen as the most capable tool, Siri has made significant strides. Thanks to an array of third-party skills, both platforms can do most things you want (for more, check out The Most Useful Alexa Skills and The Best HomePod Skills to Know).

One key area of difference, though, is privacy. While both Amazon and Apple say that they don't sell user data collected through the speakers, they take different approaches to privacy. Amazon saves Alexa recordings with your account (you can change how long they're saved or delete them at any time), while Apple's recordings are anonymized and can't be connected to you.

Smart Home Features: HomePod Mini Has Some Detectors Alarms Included

Smart speakers can be at the center of your smart home, and both the Echo Dot and HomePod Mini perform well here.

Both support the emerging Matter smart home compatibility standard, with the HomePod adding Apple's HomeKit platform. Both pack in useful sensors and support room-to-room intercom communications. While the HomePod can detect and respond to events like smoke alarms, the Alexa Emergency Assist service—an additional monthly or annual subscription—performs event detection (smoke, CO₂, and broken glass) and connects you to emergency services.

The Echo Dot builds in Amazon's eero Wi-Fi system for better connections and greater range, which the HomePod lacks.

Cross-Platform Compatibility: Echo Dot Works Better With More Services

What other devices you use can determine which speaker is best for you.

The HomePod best integrates with other Apple devices, like the iPhone. If you have an iPhone, you'll get access to cool features like the ability to quickly move a song you're listening to on the HomePod to the iPhone for on-the-go tunes, and you'll get deep support for Apple's robust ecosystem.

The Echo Dot has that same kind of handoff, but you must enable it as an add-on. On the other hand, the Dot has much better support for non-Apple devices, like Android and Windows, than the HomePod.

Other Features

There are only two key things to know in the catch-all category of other features. The Echo Dot offers a built-in screen behind the speaker grill (getting it adds $10 to the base $49.99 model), displaying the time, temperature, and song playing. The HomePod Mini doesn't offer this kind of quick-glance information.

The other crucial detail is the price. The Echo Dot, with a built-in clock, comes in at just $60.

The HomePod Mini costs $99.

Final Verdict

Both the Echo Dot and HomePod Mini are capable, helpful smart speakers. Both have strong, intelligent assistants, offer similar features, and can power your smart home. While the HomePod Mini excels in its audio quality and integration with Apple's ecosystem, the Echo Dot has a lower price and greater compatibility.

Ultimately, which is best for you likely comes down to what other devices you'll use with it, the most essential features for your needs, and what you're willing to spend.