Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Apple - HomePod (1st gen) | Sonos - Five |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 60 W |
Between the HomePod (1st gen) and Five, the HomePod (1st gen) comes out ahead in output, while the Five wins on several specs. Overall, the HomePod (1st gen) scores 51.1 and the Five scores 55 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Five edges ahead on the Mars Score (51.1 vs 55), but the 3.9-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the HomePod (1st gen) if you care most about output. The biggest gaps in its favor are output. The single most decisive one: Output: 60 W vs W.
The Five similarly does not carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.
Both ship with comparable dolby atmos, matter / thread, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Apple - HomePod (1st gen) or Sonos - Five?
Sonos - Five leads the current Mars Score by 3.9 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare output against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Apple - HomePod (1st gen) if…
Apple - HomePod (1st gen) has the measurable edge on output w.
Choose Sonos - Five if…
Sonos - Five does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Apple - HomePod (1st gen) wins
- ▲Output: 60 W vs W.
Why Sonos - Five wins
- No decisive advantages.
Spec comparison
Audio
| Spec | Apple - HomePod (1st gen) | Sonos - Five |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 60 Wlead | |
| Stereo pairingⓘ | true | true |
| Dolby Atmosⓘ | false | false |
| Built-in display | false | false |
Assistant & Smart Home
| Spec | Apple - HomePod (1st gen) | Sonos - Five |
|---|---|---|
| Voice assistant | Siri | Alexa |
| Matter / Thread | false | false |
| Zigbee hub | false | false |