Apple HomePod (2nd gen) vs Sonos Five

Open ecosystem or Apple's walled garden? The Apple HomePod (2nd gen) actually takes this smart speaker matchup against the Sonos Five on price, on owner rating, and on smart home hub range, adding a Thread border router, Matter bridge, and both temperature and humidity sensing that the Five skips entirely. The Sonos Five pushes back hard on flexibility, though: it works with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Home Assistant, plus a built-in Alexa mic and Sonos Voice Control, while the HomePod runs on Siri alone and locks out Alexa and Google Home households completely. The Five is also the audio-focused hardware of the pair, with a wired Ethernet port and a 3.5mm line-in the HomePod does not offer. Buyers who want the cheaper, hub-capable, sensor-equipped speaker and already live in Apple Home should pick the Apple HomePod (2nd gen); buyers who want one speaker that plays nicely across Alexa, Google Home and HomeKit alike, or who want a line-in for a turntable, should choose the Sonos Five.