Best Alternative to HomePod – Sonos, Bose Smart Speaker

Our favorite picks for AirPlay speakers

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The original Apple Homepods were appreciated by a vocal contingent of fans for AirPlay compatibility, full Apple ecosystem compatibility, and hi-fi sounds. It’s since been discontinued, and Apple has yet to reach that segment – albeit there are rumours that a new ones coming.

In the absence of the larger HomePod, there are good alternatives. These are our picks.

If rock and roll is your genre of choice, check out this eye-catching speaker that exudes nostalgic vintage vibes.

For starters, you can manually adjust volume, treble, and bass with brass knobs on the top panel. You can also download the Marshall Voice app to adjust the equalizer and control the speaker.

It is compatible with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Amazon Alexa for easy access to music from your favorite bands. It has smart voice recognition and noise cancellation, so even if the music is loud, Alexa will hear you.

This basic feature speaker is Marshall’s take on modern smart speakers, while proudly displaying their heritage with their iconic logo.

Sonos Move is a smart speaker with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that can be easily moved from room to room, or even outside for a backyard pool party. It is durable and has a shock-resistant housing, so you can enjoy the powerful sound without any worries.

This smart speaker is weatherproof and can withstand rain or snow. It’s also resistant to salt spray or UV rays, and at just 25cm you can throw this in your beach bag for some fun in the sun.

It has up to 11 hours of continuous playtime on battery and can be charged via the included charging dock or a USB-C charger.

A useful feature is the automatic Trueplay tuning, which automatically calibrates sounds depending on the environment. So you get a robust, balanced sound, whether you’re at home or outside.

Sonos Move is easy to operate with the Sonos app and Amazon Alexa is also built-in. $399 on Amazon or for the same price directly from Sonos.

At just 8 inches tall, this speaker is perfect if you’re a fan of chunky sounds while maintaining a clean, minimalist space.

This is easy to connect to Apple AirPlay 2 or Spotify Connect. You can also set up Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to use hands-free control, and you can even make or receive calls using Alexa.

For added convenience, the color LCD screen shows what’s playing, such as the current song, playlist and album art.

If you have additional Bose speakers or soundbars, you can group them together for a multi-room listening experience. Choose one $379.00 from Amazon or from Bose.

Super practical for your everyday life, this smart speaker is perfect for a smart setup in your home or dorm.

This one cylindrical speaker projects 360-degree sound and has room-sensing technology to automatically adjust the EQ based on its surroundings. Enjoy music for up to 12 hours on a single charge.

If you get a call in the middle of a dance session, simply place your palm on the speaker to minimize the volume and raise your palm to resume playback at the original volume.

You can set up Amazon Alexa for voice control and it can also control other smart home devices such as smart lights, door locks and thermostats.

Style-wise, it’s casually chic and comes in four colors, including Pine Green and Cranberry Red. Get yours $249.00 from Amazon.

If you’re looking for a single, high-quality speaker, this one-of-a-kind smart speaker will truly be music to your ears.

This hi-res stereo speaker is built with two double dome tweeters, two FST midrange drivers and a woofer with an 80W Class D amplifier. You can stream audio at 24 bit/96 kHz resolution for state-of-the-art music.

Not only is this compatible with AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, it can also be used with services such as Tidal, TuneIn, Qobuz and Roon Ready. It also supports voice control with Amazon Alexa.

If you want to treat yourself to insanely sweet beats, this is one splurge you’ll have for years to come.

Developed by a French acoustic engineering company, this luxury line is packed with everything an audiophile could want in a wireless AirPlay speaker.

Consisting of two lateral woofers, this speaker delivers implosive sound without distortion, saturation or background noise.

It features a built-in battery with an autonomy of 2.5 months and is rechargeable via an included USB cable. This is compatible with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Universal Plug and Play.

It comes with a remote control and the Devialet app for precise control. For example, in the Devialet app, you can adjust latency for A/V and adjust bass for night mode. Check out our Devialet Phantom Review.

I have personally seen and heard Phantom I in action and can attest to its impressive performance. You can buy this at Devialet on Amazon for $3,300.

On December 2, 2022, IKEA announced a new AirPlay-compatible speaker in the form of a floor lamp.

The latest Symfonisk lamp evokes Bali vibes with modern touches and doubles as a smart speaker made by Sonos. This can be added to the IKEA Home smart app and controlled with other devices.

The style resembles their Sinnerlig lamp made of woven bamboo and, in combination with soothing music, creates the perfect hygge atmosphere.

More details about this new product have yet to be released, but stay tuned for when it goes on sale in January 2023.

In the meantime, you can $99 Symfonisk Bookshelf Wi-Fi speaker with AirPlay 2. Two of them in a stereo pair are very nice, albeit for the same price as a HomePod mini.