Between the HomePod (2nd gen) and Five, the HomePod (2nd gen) comes out ahead in dolby atmos and matter / thread, while the Five wins on several specs. Overall, the HomePod (2nd gen) scores 47.8 and the Five scores 35 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The HomePod (2nd gen) is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 12.8 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 and matter / thread. The biggest gaps in its favor are dolby atmos, matter / thread, output.
The Five similarly doesn't 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.
Why Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) wins
- ▲Has Dolby Atmos.
- ▲Has Matter / Thread.
- ▲Output: 60 W vs 0 W.
Why Sonos - Five wins
- No decisive advantages.
Spec comparison
Audio
| Spec | Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) | Sonos - Five |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 60 Wlead | 0 W |
| Stereo pairing | true | true |
| Dolby Atmosⓘ | truelead | false |
Assistant & Smart Home
| Spec | Apple - HomePod (2nd gen) | Sonos - Five |
|---|---|---|
| Voice assistant | Siri | Alexa |
| Matter / Thread | truelead | false |
| Zigbee hub | false | false |
Spec-level deep dives
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