Amazon
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
$99Cheaper
Released 2020-10
Best Smart Speakers · head-to-head
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) vs Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is cheaper at $99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Apple
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
$299
Released 2023-02
Which is better: the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) or Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is the cheaper at $99.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| 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 |
| Release | 2020-10 | 2023-02 |
Sources — Amazon Echo (4th Gen): soundguys.com (verified 2026-06-15). Apple HomePod (2nd Gen): support.apple.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) and Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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) false vs Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) true
- 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
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
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, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Distinctive spherical/orb design with classy build and finish; Excellent Alexa smart-home hub with built-in Zigbee and broad device compatibility; Stronger, punchier bass and improved sound versus previous Echo generations.
Flagged: Recessed or undercooked treble/highs; Mids/vocals sound compressed or less clear than rivals; Audio quality clearly bettered by pricier rivals (Sonos One, Bose).
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.)
Praised: Rich, detailed, energetic sound quality for the price; Strong, weighty bass from a compact enclosure; Convincing Dolby Atmos / spatial audio, especially as a stereo pair.
Flagged: Apple-only ecosystem lock-in; unusable without an iPhone; High price versus Sonos and Amazon rivals; Weak, limited Siri assistant.