Beats Pill & HomePod mini share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Beats Pill rather than the HomePod mini.
Why Do I Recommend The Beats Pill?
- The Beats Pill features dual racetrack woofers and tweeters for a wide stereo soundstage and stronger bass outdoors, while the HomePod mini uses a single full-range driver.
- Beats Pill comes with simple on-device buttons for volume and playback control during travel, whereas the HomePod mini relies mainly on touch controls and voice commands.
- It features 24-hour rechargeable battery for uninterrupted outdoor listening and all-day portability, while the HomePod mini has no internal battery and requires constant power.
- The Beats Pill has an IP67 water- and dust-resistant build for reliable use at pools, beaches, or in rainy conditions, whereas the HomePod mini is not rated for water or dust protection.
- Beats Pill supports Bluetooth 5.3 for universal wireless pairing with phones, tablets, and laptops, while the HomePod mini relies on Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2.
- It includes a USB-C port with Power Delivery for fast recharging and convenient modern connectivity, whereas the HomePod mini uses a fixed cable with a proprietary 20-watt adapter.
- The Beats Pill weighs about 0.68 kg for easy carrying in a bag or by hand on trips, whereas the HomePod mini is lighter but must remain plugged in and stationary.
- Beats Pill supports quick Bluetooth multi-connect for linking multiple units without a Wi-Fi network, while the HomePod mini requires AirPlay 2 and a home network for multi-room audio.
Maybe the HomePod mini price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Beats Pill. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Beats Pill | HomePod mini |
| Drivers | Dual racetrack woofers + tweeters | Full-range driver |
| Amplification | Custom stereo amps | Full-range amp |
| Wireless Protocol | Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 802.11n + Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Audio Codec Support | AAC, SBC | AirPlay 2 |
| Multi-Room | Bluetooth multi-connect | AirPlay 2 multi-room |
| Microphones | Beam-forming dual mics | Four-mic array with room sensing |
| Smart Assistant | Siri via paired device | Built-in Siri |
| Battery | 24-hour rechargeable | None |
| Charging | USB-C PD | 20 W proprietary power adapter |
| Water/Dust Rating | IP67 | Not rated |
| Color Options | Black, Red, Gold | White, Space Gray, Blue, Orange, Yellow |
| Audio Orientation | Front-firing stereo | 360-degree sound field |
| Pairing Method | Standard Bluetooth pairing | Apple Home app & AirPlay 2 |
| Input/Output | USB-C port | Built-in fixed cable |
| OS/Chip | Custom Beats firmware | Apple S5 chip |
| Price | Check Beats Pill Price | Check HomePod mini Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Apple Ecosystem Integration: Both the Beats Pill and HomePod mini integrate seamlessly with Apple devices, allowing quick setup and control through the Home app and iOS settings. This ensures a consistent user experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- AirPlay 2 Support: Each speaker supports AirPlay 2, enabling high-quality audio streaming and easy multi-room synchronization. Users can stream music from any Apple device and control multiple speakers from a single interface.
- Siri Voice Control: Both products support Siri voice commands, allowing hands-free control of music playback, volume, and smart home functions. This gives users convenient access to information and device control without needing to touch the speaker.
- Multi-Room Audio: Both can be included in a multi-room audio setup using AirPlay 2. This allows music to play simultaneously or individually across different rooms for a cohesive home audio experience.
- Stereo Pairing with Same Model: Each can pair with another unit of the same model to create a left-right stereo configuration. This setup delivers a wider soundstage and more immersive listening.
- Computational Audio Tuning: Both employ Apple’s computational audio processing to optimize sound quality in real time. This technology adjusts frequencies and dynamics to suit the environment and the content being played.
- Automatic EQ Adjustment: Both devices automatically adjust their equalization based on music type and room acoustics. This feature ensures balanced sound without manual fine-tuning.
- Handoff from iPhone: Both allow music handoff from an iPhone by bringing it close to the speaker. This makes transferring music or calls between devices quick and seamless.
- Bluetooth for Setup/Connection: Each speaker uses Bluetooth during initial setup and for quick pairing with iOS devices. This simplifies first-time connections and ensures stable communication.
- Wireless Audio Playback: Both provide wireless playback, eliminating the need for wired connections to play music from compatible devices. This enhances convenience and placement flexibility.
- Touch Controls: Both have touch-sensitive controls on the top surface for play/pause, volume, and track navigation. This allows intuitive physical interaction in addition to app or voice control.
- Music Streaming from Apple Music: Each can stream directly from Apple Music when used within the Apple ecosystem. Subscribers can access their full music library and curated playlists easily.
- Works with iCloud Music Library: Both support iCloud Music Library integration, ensuring playlists and music collections are always up to date across Apple devices. Users can start listening on one device and continue on another.
- Supports Lossless AAC: Both handle high-quality AAC audio codecs, delivering clear, detailed sound. This ensures consistent audio fidelity for music playback across Apple services.
- Speakerphone Functionality: Each can function as a speakerphone when paired with an iPhone, allowing clear hands-free calling. This is convenient for conference calls or casual chats.
- Firmware Update via iPhone: Both receive firmware updates through the iPhone, ensuring they stay current with performance improvements and new features. This simplifies maintenance and keeps features aligned with the Apple ecosystem.
Common Features
| Feature | Beats Pill | HomePod mini |
| Apple Ecosystem Integration | Yes | Yes |
| AirPlay 2 Support | Yes | Yes |
| Siri Voice Control | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Room Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo Pairing with Same Model | Yes | Yes |
| Computational Audio Tuning | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic EQ Adjustment | Yes | Yes |
| Handoff from iPhone | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth for Setup/Connection | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Audio Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Touch Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Music Streaming from Apple Music | Yes | Yes |
| Works with iCloud Music Library | Yes | Yes |
| Supports Lossless AAC | Yes | Yes |
| Speakerphone Functionality | Yes | Yes |
| Firmware Update via iPhone | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check Beats Pill Price | Check HomePod mini Price |
FAQ
What is the power source for the Beats Pill and the HomePod mini? Do both speakers support Apple’s AirPlay 2 for wireless streaming? Can I use Siri voice commands with both devices? Which device is more portable for outdoor use? Do both speakers provide stereo pairing? How do I charge or power these speakers? Are firmware updates available for both speakers? Can I make phone calls using these speakers? Do the Beats Pill and HomePod mini have built-in microphones? What wireless technologies do they use for audio playback? Are they compatible with Android devices? Can both speakers stream music directly from Apple Music? Do both offer automatic sound tuning for room acoustics? What colors are available for each model? Which device provides better sound for a large room? |