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Apple
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
- Works with HA
- Cloud required
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
Prices verified October 2026
Our verdict
The best-sounding AirPlay 2 speaker for iPhone households and a Siri-based smart home hub. It is now £349 on Apple UK. The catch for Home Assistant is that I could not find a core integration that exposes the HomePod itself as a media player; the HA docs only mention a HomePod mini as an Apple Thread border router. If HA is central to your setup, a Sonos or HEOS speaker is the easier fit.
What can Home Assistant control on the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)?
| Control | Type | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Thread border router | Network role | HA docs cite a HomePod mini as an Apple Thread border router for HomeKit-over-Thread devices; HomePod 2nd gen not confirmed. |
Home Assistant has no verified media-player integration for HomePod. The HA homekit_controller docs name a HomePod mini as an Apple Thread border router, which is useful for Thread devices; HomePod (2nd gen) behaviour in HA was not verified.
Specs
| voice | Siri |
|---|---|
| colours | White, Midnight |
| streaming | AirPlay 2 |
| stereo pair | Supported (two HomePods) |
How does the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) compare?
| Product | From | Protocol | Local control | Integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) (this product) | £349 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Cloud | Works with HA |
| Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) | £79.99 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Cloud | HACS |
| Amazon Echo Pop | £61.9 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Cloud | HACS |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd gen) | £99.99 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Cloud | HACS |
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) work with Home Assistant locally?
- Partly. The Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) connects to Home Assistant through a certified "Works with Home Assistant" integration, which relies on the Apple cloud. It works in Home Assistant, but commands go via the internet and stop working during an outage of your connection or the Apple service.
- Which protocol does the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) use, and do I need a hub?
- The Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. To pair it with Home Assistant you need no hub — it joins your Wi-Fi network directly; or a Bluetooth adapter on your Home Assistant host or an ESPHome Bluetooth proxy. Apple's own hub is not required when you integrate through a certified "Works with Home Assistant" integration.
- How much does the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) cost in the UK?
- The lowest price we have listed for the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) is £349 at Apple UK. Prices were last checked in October 2026 and change often, so confirm on the retailer's page before buying.
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Apple
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
£349 at Apple UK