Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) | Sonos - Five |
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | true | false |
| Matter / Thread | true | false |
| Output | 60 W |
Between the HomePod (2nd gen) and Five, the HomePod (2nd gen) comes out ahead in dolby atmos / matter / thread, while the Five wins on several specs. Overall, the HomePod (2nd gen) scores 87 and the Five scores 55 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The HomePod (2nd gen) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 32.0 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the HomePod (2nd gen) if you care most about dolby atmos / matter / thread. The biggest gaps in its favor are dolby atmos, matter / thread, output. The single most decisive one: Has Dolby Atmos.
The Five similarly does not carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.
There are no meaningful ties on the headline specs — every popular-comparison metric has a winner.
Bottom line: the HomePod (2nd gen) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) or Sonos - Five?
Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) leads the current Mars Score by 32.0 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare output, dolby atmos, matter / thread against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) if…
Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) has the measurable edge on has dolby atmos, has matter thread, 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 (2nd gen) wins
- ▲Has Dolby Atmos.
- ▲Has Matter / Thread.
- ▲Output: 60 W vs W.
Why Sonos - Five wins
- No decisive advantages.
Spec comparison
Audio
| Spec | Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) | Sonos - Five |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 60 Wlead | |
| Stereo pairingⓘ | true | true |
| Dolby Atmosⓘ | truelead | false |
| Built-in display | false | false |
Assistant & Smart Home
| Spec | Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) | Sonos - Five |
|---|---|---|
| Voice assistant | Siri | Alexa |
| Matter / Thread | truelead | false |
| Zigbee hub | false | false |