Price, Date and Installs
What is confirmed and what to check first
Last updated October 24, 2026. Details come from Apple’s October 13 announcement as reported by Macworld, The Shortcut and The Apple Wiki. We have not tested the speaker.
The Short Answer
HomePod mini 2 was announced on October 13, 2026 at $149 in the US and £149 in the UK, and it goes on sale on October 30. That is $20 more than the previous model’s $129 price and $50 more than the original’s $99. It uses Apple’s S10 chip, comes in five colours, and gains Sound Glow lighting on top. Macworld reports Thread support, but neither Apple nor the coverage we read confirms its border router role or Matter details, so check before you promise either to a client.
Get guides like this every week. Join the free Smart Homes School newsletter.
When Does HomePod mini 2 Come Out and What Does It Cost?
It goes on sale on Friday, October 30, 2026, with pre-orders open since October 13 in the US and more than 23 other countries and regions. The price is $149 or £149 (A$229 in Australia). Apple TV 4K and HomeView follow on November 13.
What Is New in HomePod mini 2?
The changes listed so far are the S10 chip, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6, five colours, Sound Glow lighting, and voice recognition for up to six household members. It can be a stereo pair, part of a multiroom setup, or the rear pair in a four-speaker surround setup with the new Apple TV 4K. Dimensions are unchanged at 84.3 mm tall and 97.9 mm wide. Siri AI is not part of the launch software and will arrive in a future update that needs an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad.
Is HomePod mini 2 Still a Smart Home Hub?
Apple’s coverage describes it as working as a smart home hub for locks, garage doors, blinds, thermostats and lights, with Home app automations and remote access. For the details of what a home hub does and which Apple devices qualify, see our guide to Apple Home hubs. The one detail that matters to installers is Thread. Macworld says the new model supports Thread, but it does not use the term border router, and The Shortcut and Apple Wiki do not mention Matter or Thread at all. Treat the border router role as unconfirmed until Apple publishes it.
Should You Buy It Over HomeView or an Apple TV?
They do different jobs. The HomePod mini 2 is the cheapest Apple device that can act as a home hub and adds a speaker in a small footprint. HomeView is a $299 display that ships November 13 and has not had its hub role confirmed. An Apple TV 4K is the usual choice where a TV is already in the room. If a client only needs a hub and music in the kitchen, the HomePod mini 2 is the simple answer, and buying one now avoids waiting on HomeView details.
What Should Installers Check Before Recommending It?
- Confirm Thread and border router support on Apple’s product page before you tell a client it will run their Thread devices.
- Check that the client’s iPhone or iPad meets the Apple Intelligence requirement if they want Siri AI later.
- Confirm the country list, since pre-orders cover the US and more than 23 other regions.
- Decide whether one speaker is enough or whether a stereo pair is worth the extra $149.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is HomePod mini 2?
$149 in the US and £149 in the UK. The previous model had risen to $129 in June 2026.
When is the HomePod mini 2 release date?
October 30, 2026, with pre-orders open since October 13.
Does HomePod mini 2 support Thread?
Macworld reports Thread support. Apple has not been reported confirming a Thread border router role, so check before you rely on it.
Does HomePod mini 2 have Siri AI at launch?
No. Siri AI is due in a later software update and needs an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad.
Sources and Updates
Sources: Macworld, The Shortcut, The Apple Wiki. Prices are Apple’s announced figures. We have not tested the device.
Update log: October 24, 2026, first published. We will update this page after launch on October 30.
Get the Installer’s View Every Week
For the weekly briefing on what changed in the smart home world, join Smart Home Weekly, free.
One email a week with the smart home news that matters, plain-language guides and tools for installers, consultants and serious enthusiasts.