# Amazon Echo (4th Gen) vs Apple HomePod (2nd Gen): specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) (Amazon) and Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) (Apple) among smart speakers. Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is the cheaper of the two at $99.

## Side by side

| Spec | Amazon Echo (4th Gen) | Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $99 | $299 |
| Brand | Amazon | Apple |
| Released | 2020-10 | 2023-02 |
| Assistant | Alexa | Siri |
| Drivers | 1x 3-inch (76mm) neodymium woofer, 2x 0.8-inch (20mm) tweeters | 1x 4-inch high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters (each with neodymium magnet) |
| Smart home hub | Zigbee, Amazon Sidewalk | HomeKit hub, Matter, Thread Border Router |
| Audio calibration | No | Yes |
| Aux or line out | 3.5mm audio in/out | — |
| Dimensions (in) | 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 | 5.6 x 6.6 |
| Multiroom | Yes | Yes |

## Key differences

- Assistant: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Alexa vs Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) Siri
- Drivers: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) 1x 3-inch (76mm) neodymium woofer, 2x 0.8-inch (20mm) tweeters vs Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) 1x 4-inch high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters (each with neodymium magnet)
- Smart home hub: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Zigbee, Amazon Sidewalk vs Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) HomeKit hub, Matter, Thread Border Router
- Audio calibration: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) No vs Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) Yes
- Dimensions (in): Amazon Echo (4th Gen) 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 vs Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) 5.6 x 6.6

## What reviewers say

**Amazon Echo (4th Gen)** — Four whitelisted testers — What Hi-Fi, SoundGuys, Tom's Guide and Reviewed — hands-on reviewed the exact 4th-gen Echo. Consensus: a well-rounded, great-value Alexa smart-home hub with a distinctive orb design and punchy bass, but recessed treble and mids, and sound clearly bettered by pricier rivals like the Sonos One. (4 sourced reviews.)

**Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)** — Three whitelisted testers (What Hi-Fi, TechRadar, SoundGuys) reviewed the HomePod 2 hands-on but published only qualitative impressions, so no lab dB or frequency numbers exist here. All praise rich, detailed sound and strong bass for the size, while flagging Apple-only lock-in, a weak Siri, and a high price. (3 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- Amazon Echo (4th Gen): https://www.soundguys.com/amazon-echo-4th-gen-review-42618/ (soundguys.com, verified 2026-06-15)
- Apple HomePod (2nd Gen): https://support.apple.com/en-us/111843 (support.apple.com, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/smart-speakers/amazon-echo-4th-gen-vs-apple-homepod-2nd-gen/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Amazon Echo (4th Gen) ($99) vs Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) ($299) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/smart-speakers/amazon-echo-4th-gen-vs-apple-homepod-2nd-gen/
License: CC BY 4.0.