Apple HomePod Vs Amazon Echo – Which One Good for Your Smart Home?
Entertainment can be interrupted if you head to a house that doesn’t have stereo. The launch of smart speakers ensures that individuals continuously enjoy music. They are lighter when compared to normal stereos. Interestingly, they project quality sound despite the sizes. Finding the right smart speaker can be tricky, bearing in mind there are many smart speakers to choose.
You are at the right place if you have narrowed your search to Apple HomePod and Apple Echo. Both are amazing smart speakers with amazing features. However, you should make a choice on either of the two because you can’t purchase both. We will look at their specifications and features. At the end, you will be in a position to determine which one is better between Apple HomePod and Apple Echo.
 |  |
|---|---|
| Apple HomePod | Amazon Echo |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
| PROS | PROS |
| It has Siri voice assistant. It has a modern design. It has a powerful sound. It is easy to use. | It has Amazon Alexa voice assistant. Its sound projection is impressive. It has a remote control. It comes in different colors. Its software auto updates itself. |
| CONS | CONS |
| It is expensive. It doesn’t have Bluetooth. | It doesn’t support multi-room sharing. |
Apple HomePod
Apple HomePod offers diverse options when playing music or controlling it. It can be paired to other apple products through Airplay after which can play music stored on the device. Airplay can be used to pair iPhone, iPod and iPad. This can be understood because it is an apple product.
Users have access to Siri voice assistant, which takes voice commands revolving music. Apple HomePod has in-built microphones meant to hear voice commands and execute them. There should be internet connection and particularly Wi-Fi for Siri to stream music from different platforms after your command.
Apple HomePod speaker doesn’t have a battery. This means you should connect it to power anytime you want to use it. You can also pair this smart speaker with other compatible speakers if you want multi-room sharing. This is one of the ways of attaining stereo sound while playing your music. Apple HomePod also has a lightweight that gives users an easy time handling it.
Amazon Echo
Amazon Echo smart speaker is one of a kind. It can make your daily life comfortable. It comes with Amazon Alexa voice assistant that allows you to operate your speaker with your voice. You can play online radio or stream different songs. Amazon Alexa can also help plan your day by setting reminders and events to your calendar. There should be a Wi-Fi internet connection to access these services.
There is also variety of colors to choose from when purchasing your Amazon Echo smart speaker. You can also pair your smart speaker with other devices through Bluetooth. This allows you to play music from your paired android devices. The interesting part about Amazon Echo smart speaker is its remote control. This remote control has an easy to use interface. It also makes it easy to operate your speaker.
Amazon Echo smart speaker doesn’t have an in-built battery. This means it should be connected to power anytime you want to use it. Amazon Echo can also be operated by Alexa application which should be downloaded on either android or iOS operating system.
Audio
Apple HomePod can stream music from different platforms when connected to the internet. Be comfortable when streaming music with Apple HomePod smart speaker because it supports different audio formats. WAV, AAC, MP3, AIFF, protected AAC, MP3 VBR, HE-AAC v1 and Apple Lossless are some formats you can play with your smart speaker. The maximum bit rate supported by Apple HomePod is 320 kbps.
The crossover channel quality of this smart speaker is 2 way. Apple HomePod smart speaker also comes with an integrated audio amplifier that is always active. This assures you of quality sound when playing your music. Apple HomePod speaker has an automatic room-sensing technology. It will sense its location when placed in a room and automatically adjusts the settings to project quality sound.
Apple HomePod smart speaker also has audio beamforming feature which adjusts the in-built microphone for Siri to clearly hear voice commands. This speaker also has a woofer driver and tweeter driver. The frequency projection for woofer driver is between 50-1,000 HZ, whereas the frequency of tweeter driver is between 2,000-20,000 Hz. The driver diameter of Apple HomePod is 4m and uses horn loaded driver technology.
Amazon Echo smart speaker also supports various audio formats. Mp3, PLS, Mp4, AAC, PLS, HLS and M3U are some of audio formats you can play with your Amazon Echo speaker. This smart speaker can stream audio that range between 16kbps-384kbps.
The quality sound that comes out of Amazon Echo speaker is because of its integrated amplifier. You will always enjoy quality sound because the amplifier is always on. The crossover channel quality of Amazon Echo speaker is 2 way. This speaker also has microphones that are omni-directional. Omni-directional means Amazon Alexa voice assistant can her voice commands from any direction.
Amazon Echo has two drivers. They are woofer driver and tweeter driver. The tweeter driver can project a frequency of between 2,000-20,000 Hz. Woofer driver can project a frequency between 50-1,000 Hz. The tweeter driver diameter is 0.8m, whereas the diameter of woofer is 3m. This is an assurance you will continue enjoying quality sound with your Amazon Echo speaker.
Battery
Apple HomePod smart speaker doesn’t have an-built battery. It should be connected to power anytime you want to use. This doesn’t hinder its users from enjoying quality sound. Apple HomePod speaker has a power cable that is 2 meter long. The length of the power cord allows you to place it on surfaces that may be away from the sock. You can also use Apple HomePod speaker at different rooms.
Fabric is the material used around the power cable. It is strong and assures you of long term service if well handled. The nominal voltage required when running Apple HomePod is Ac 100-240 V, whereas the Frequency is 50-60 Hz.
Similarly, Amazon Echo smart speaker doesn’t have a battery. You should plug it to a socket anytime you want to play music. The length of Amazon Echo power code is 1.5 meters. It is long enough to be used in different rooms inside the house. The input voltage for this smart speaker is between 100-240 V. The input frequency of Amazon Echo speaker is between 50-60 Hz.
Design
Apple HomePod speaker’s shape resembles that of a round cylinder. This will give you an easy time carrying it with stability from one room to another. The side of the smart speaker is made a grill like material. It can be either gray or white, depending on the speaker you have chosen. The round cylindrical shape of Apple HomePod allows it to be placed only upright. It is stable when upright thanks to its weight.
Apple HomePod smart speaker has a touch sensitive panel at the top. This is where you touch when physically controlling the speaker. Touching the top part of the sensitive panel activates Siri, which will be ready to take your voice commands. The circle at the top will light up as an indicator that Siri is keenly listening. You have to hold the top part if you want to turn off Siri. A confirmation will be requested before it goes off.
You can also reduce or add the speaker’s volume through the touch sensitive panel. Users can also use the black circle at the top of the speaker to either play next song on the play list or repeat a song. Apple HomePod smart speaker also has a power cable at the low end. There are also microphones inside the speaker that help Siri hear voice commands.
On the other hand, Amazon Echo smart speaker has a spherical shape. It is the reason you can place it straight upward and still be stable. You will also have an easy time placing it at different places within the house. The power cable port is at the very bottom low part of Amazon Echo smart speaker.
Your speaker will be turned on when you connect it to a socket and turn it on. A blue light will appear at the top part of the speaker immediately it powers on. It’s the simplest way of checking if the speaker is on. Amazon Echo smart speaker has two buttons at the top part. One is the microphone button, whereas the other is the action button.
The microphone button helps Mute Amazon Alexa voice assistant if you don’t want to use it. Interestingly, the lid at the top of Amazon Echo speaker helps control the output volume. There are seven in-built microphones inside the speaker. They can hear voice commands from any direction. These speakers are also capable of noise cancelation.
There is a tweeter and a woofer inside the speaker. At the top of the woofer, there is a reflex port that eliminates sound distortion on full volume.
Connectivity
Apple HomePod has Airplay that allows it to pair with various apple devices such as iPod, iPad and iPhone. After pairing, you will be in a position to play music from your paired apple device. Apple HomePod smart speaker can also be connected to internet through a Wi-Fi connection.
Once connected, users can enjoy music from different streaming platforms. Apple music, spotify, YouTube music, Pandora and Tidal are some streaming platforms you can access with your Apple HomePod smart speaker. Siri voice command makes it easy for users to stream music from different online platforms.
Amazon Echo smart speaker can be paired to android devices through Bluetooth. Once, paired, you can play music stored in your phone. You can also use Bluetooth to connect with headsets and other compatible speakers. Amazon Echo smart speaker connects to dual band Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n and gives its users access to plenty of online music. Audible, Amazon Music, spotify, Apple music, Pandora and SiriusXM Internet radio are some platforms you can play music from. Amazon Alexa makes it easy for Amazon Echo smart speaker to play their favorite songs online. You don’t have to physically touch it.
Weight
Apple HomePod smart speaker weighs 2.5 kilograms. This makes it easy to carry from one room to the other. You will also have an easy time carrying it outside of the house. The height of Apple HomePod is 6.8 inches, whereas the diameter is 5.6 inches. This will give you stability when carrying the smart speaker.
The weight of Amazon Echo smart speaker is 0.8 kilograms. Users will have an easy time handling the speaker both indoors and outside the house. The dimensions of this smart speaker are 5.8*3.9*3.9. This is height, depth and width respectively.
Control
There are three ways you can use to control Apple HomePod smart speaker. It can be through the physical buttons. Many users have an easy time using the buttons at the top of Apple HomePod smart speaker as they are easy to understand and well detailed in guide book.
Apple HomePod can be controlled through Siri voice assistant. Siri gives you an easy time playing music from different online platforms. Apple HomePod smart speaker has in-built microphones that will get your voice command and execute it. Your smart speaker should be connected to wireless internet connection for Siri to stream various music.
Apple HomePod application is another way you can control your Apple HomePod. This application can only be downloaded on a mobile phone with iOS operating system.
On the other hand, Amazon Echo smart speaker has four ways you can control it. A remote control is one of the ways of controlling your speaker. Amazon Echo smart speaker comes with a remote speaker that is simple to use.
You can also control Amazon Echo smart speaker through Amazon Alexa application. This application is compatible with devices that have android, iOS or Fire OS as their operating systems.
Amazon Echo smart speaker can also be controlled through the physical buttons at the top. Its buttons are easy to use as they are only two. This smart speaker can also be controlled through its Amazon Alexa voice assistant. Alexa assistant takes voice commands from any direction.
Multi-room Sharing
Apple HomePod smart speaker supports multi-room sharing if you want stereo like sound projection in the house.
On the other hand, Amazon Echo smart speaker doesn’t support multi-room sharing.
Verdict
Amazon Echo smart speaker clearly takes the day. It has some amazing and modern features that Apple HomePod lacks. This gives their users an upper hand when compared to those using Apple HomePod speaker.
