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Deals: Get a New HomePod for $199.99 in Best Buy's Latest Sale

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Apple's HomePod has returned to the price of $199.99 today at Best Buy. This sale is a solid $99 discount on the original $299.00 price of the HomePod, and it's one that Best Buy has offered a few times throughout 2020.

homepod-sale-REREREMIX.png
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This price also represents one of the lowest we've ever tracked for a new HomePod. Best Buy offers free next-day delivery for select qualifying items in the United States, and there are also options to pick up devices at a local store. Both the White and Space Gray color options are on sale at Best Buy.



We track the best deals on HomePod every week, so be sure to bookmark our guide if you're on the hunt for solid HomePod discounts.

Article Link: Deals: Get a New HomePod for $199.99 in Best Buy's Latest Sale
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/08/10/deals-new-homepod/
I’m torn on this deal. I’ve been trying to wait for the Homepod refresh to buy 2 homepods for use at home and with my TV. However, I don’t want to buy these For $200 and have a newer / better version come out later this year.

With that said, it seems most of the rumors point to the new Homepod to be a mini or cheaper version with potentially worse sound quality. Does anyone know if they will also be updating the larger HomePod?

I think if a deal similar to the Costco $150 clearance deal cane out I would jump on it, but $200 ea / $400 total for the 2 I want is a bit steep for what is essentially a few years old already.
 
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jctevere said:
I’m torn on this deal. I’ve been trying to wait for the Homepod refresh to buy 2 homepods for use at home and with my TV. However, I don’t want to buy these For $200 and have a newer / better version come out later this year.

With that said, it seems most of the rumors point to the new Homepod to be a mini or cheaper version with potentially worse sound quality. Does anyone know if they will also be updating the larger HomePod?

I think if a deal similar to the Costco $150 clearance deal cane out I would jump on it, but $200 ea / $400 total for the 2 I want is a bit steep for what is essentially a few years old already.
Click to expand...

Rumors about an updated version of the current HomePod are almost nonexistent compared to chatter about a mini version. I'm hard pressed to think of hardware improvements Apple could make to the HomePod. Some folks have suggested allowing Bluetooth audio. Personally, I'd love to see an updated version offer a 3.5mm/mini optical line in like the Echo Studio or Google Home Max.

The nice thing about the Best Buy deal is that it comes up on a fairly regular basis, so there's a high probability it'll come up again, especially with the holiday shopping season looming. Heck, maybe it'll be even less expensive on Black Friday.

When it comes to stuff like this, I usually follow tech writer Andy Inhatko's advice — if it fills a need right now, if it improves your life, or if it creates more opportunities, go ahead and buy one. I think you can drive yourself crazy waiting for the next thing, especially on something like this where Apple does not have a regular pattern of product updates like it does with iPhone or Apple Watch.

If Apple plans on announcing something this calendar year, they'll most likely do it in October, as they will not want to steal any thunder from the anticipated annual iPhone announcement. I think once you get past October, the next window to announce an updated or new HomePod won't be until spring 2021.
 
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Can someone comment on whether HomePod AirPlay is more reliable than with third-party speakers?

With the JBL Link Music, it's rather frustrating how often stuff fails.
 
HomePod need a brain... mine suddenly decided I need to turn on its location thing so I can make personal requests... its on, its always been on, nothing I do makes it listen to me now:rolleyes:
 
chucker23n1 said:
Can someone comment on whether HomePod AirPlay is more reliable than with third-party speakers?

With the JBL Link Music, it's rather frustrating how often stuff fails.
Click to expand...

Using Airplay from our Macs have been flawless. I have limited experience using Airplay from my iPhone, but when I have it has also been issue free.
 
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mattopotamus said:
The sound quality destroys the Echo Dot, but it should considering the dot is regularly $29. The $199 Echo studio is more of a comp.
Click to expand...

Out of the box. Yes, I agree with you 100%. However, the Dot supports external speakers. I have a dot with a 3.1 soundbar that sounds really good and a pair of Klipsch speakers that sound amazing. In total the cost about $200 each.

I mean, I still only listen to music on my AirPods because no one needs to know I am a Swiftie, but guests say they sound great!
 
cxc273 said:
Personally, I'd love to see an updated version offer a 3.5mm/mini optical line in
Click to expand...

This is an absolute requirement for me. The thought of having Homepods in my room for music, then needing a second set of speakers in the same room for my computer just makes no sense.

And yes, I know there are ways to get computer audio to Homepods, but the lag is unacceptable for video and games. Heck, it's unacceptable even for the audio feedback of a user interface.

But let's face it, Apple's philosophy is getting rid of ports, not adding them.
 
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4jasontv said:
Out of the box. Yes, I agree with you 100%. However, the Dot supports external speakers. I have a dot with a 3.1 soundbar that sounds really good and a pair of Klipsch speakers that sound amazing. In total the cost about $200 each.

I mean, I still only listen to music on my AirPods because no one needs to know I am a Swiftie, but guests say they sound great!
Click to expand...

Well yeah, but then at that point you are not really comparing a dot IMO. That would be like me saying the dot sounds incredible....when hooked to my $3K B&W speakers.
 
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jctevere said:
I’m torn on this deal. I’ve been trying to wait for the Homepod refresh to buy 2 homepods for use at home and with my TV. However, I don’t want to buy these For $200 and have a newer / better version come out later this year.

With that said, it seems most of the rumors point to the new Homepod to be a mini or cheaper version with potentially worse sound quality. Does anyone know if they will also be updating the larger HomePod?

I think if a deal similar to the Costco $150 clearance deal cane out I would jump on it, but $200 ea / $400 total for the 2 I want is a bit steep for what is essentially a few years old already.
Click to expand...

Speakers don't age like phones. They will sound amazing for many many years to come.

Plus rumor is apple is trying to cut costs on new ones and make sound quality less to lower MSRP.

I got one in May and it sounds incredible with Tidal Master being pumped through it.

Not sure what features an updated A chip would offer either.

Thats my 2 cents
 
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mattopotamus said:
Well yeah, but then at that point you are not really comparing a dot IMO. That would be like me saying the dot sounds incredible....when hooked to my $3K B&W speakers.
Click to expand...

No it wouldn’t because both examples I mentioned cost under $200. But, with the dot you have the option of using any speakers, including a $3000 pair
 
4jasontv said:
No it wouldn’t because both examples I mentioned cost under $200. But, with the dot you have the option of using any speakers, including a $3000 pair
Click to expand...

Pretty sure the person I originally quoted was asking strictly about the sound quality of the actual dot, not a work around to get similar sound at a similar price point. I completely understand your point, but if you are doing that you should just get the echo input
 
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Pyrhonen said:
$199 but with taxes you gonna end up paying that $299 anyway

What are homepods good for anyway?
Click to expand...

You actually wrote this response? What is the point, other than being melodramatic?

I have four HomePods and the ones I bought for $199 did not end up costing nowhere near what your hysteric opinion claims.

If you claim to not know what HomePod’s are good for then the internet has not been good to you.
🤔
 
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greenbreadmmm said:
Speakers don't age like phones. They will sound amazing for many many years to come.

Plus rumor is apple is trying to cut costs on new ones and make sound quality less to lower MSRP.

I got one in May and it sounds incredible with Tidal Master being pumped through it.

Not sure what features an updated A chip would offer either.

Thats my 2 cents
Click to expand...

Agreed. Again, I'm hard pressed to think of how Apple could conceivably innovate on the hardware of the HomePod beyond what currently exists.

I've got two — one in my kitchen and one in my master bedroom and any music coming out of them is just amazing, especially compared to an Amazon Echo.

We just finalized plans for building a new house, and I plan on getting another two to form a stereo pair in the living room. I'll probably wait until later this fall for a future Best Buy deal to pull the trigger.
 
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about how long is the cord?

And if I need to send audio from AppleTV to the HomePod, is it via Wifi/AIrplay or does it create its own network of sorts?
We had an outdoor movie night and I ran a long HDMI cable out to the deck for the projector and sent audio to my DEWALT radio via bluetooth but the sound wasn't as loud as I'd hoped for where the kids were sitting. I
hope the audio on the HomePod was louder and could extend further. But then if I used this as a AppleTV speaker would I no longer be able to also send audio do my family room speakers? like do I choose one or the other not combined?
 
mattopotamus said:
Pretty sure the person I originally quoted was asking strictly about the sound quality of the actual dot, not a work around to get similar sound at a similar price point. I completely understand your point, but if you are doing that you should just get the echo input
Click to expand...

Look I agree with you, but I don't consider it a work around. It's a built in feature of the device. I might be wrong, but I didn't think the HomePod had the option for using other speakers as it's output.
 
People hating on Homepods:

1. Those who don't own them
2. Those who have the worst routers in histroy

they are amazing. Especially as a stereo pair in the back of your entertainment room as TV speakers. YEAH I SAID IT.
 
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