Well compare both models to help you decide which smart speaker is the best for you.
A small stand on the bottom of the HomePod helps keep it steady on a desk or table.
Sporting a unique, tapered design the Era 300 is substantially larger.
Even though it s 6.3 inches high, the speaker is 10.24 inches wide and 7.28 inches deep.
Its almost twice as heavy at 9.85 pounds.
So while its larger than the HomePod, it can still fit nicely on a table or entertainment center.
Image Credit:Apple
you’ve got the option to choose from a matte black or white version.
There is also a button to turn off services.
That is paired with four tweeters and two woofers.
Apples HomePod features a 4-inch-high woofer and five tweeters.
Even though there is no upward-firing speaker, the speaker features Spatial Audio support with Dolby Atmos as well.
Both speakers can play Dolby Atmos tracks from the large Apple Music library.
Image Credit:Sonos
The Era 300 is compatible with Dolby Atmos music from both Apple Music and the smaller Amazon Unlimited HD.
This calibration will run each time the HomePod senses that it is moved.
Quick Tuning is also available for Apple devices.
Image Credit:Apple
As you might have guessed, the only smart assistant available on the HomePod is Apples Siri.
The HomePod can also do more than play music and act as the center of a smart home.
It can act as a HomeKit or Matter hub and even a Thread border router.
Image Credit:Apple
So youll be ready for the present and future of smart home control.
A built-in temperature and humidity sensor in the HomePod can even help youbetter automate an Apple HomeKit-centric smart home.
Anyone with the Era 300 can make use of another popular voice-controlled assistant: Amazon Alexa.
you could also use AirPlay 2 to play music from an Apple rig on the speaker.
As you might expect, its easy to stream music via Wi-Fi.
But thats not all.
Image Credit:Sonos
you’ve got the option to easily connect any smart rig via Bluetooth to the Era 300.
That opens up a huge number of ways to listen to music.
Just to note, playing Dolby Atmos tunes still requires Wi-Fi.
Image Credit:Sonos
The wide variety of input options on the Era 300 is contrasted sharply with the HomePod.
You cant connect via Bluetooth and there are no audio inputs built-in.
So youll need to rely on AirPlay 2 or Siri voice control.
Anyone with an Apple TV can use the HomePod as a sound system for a TV.
Probably an even better option would be to use two HomePods in a stereo pair for home theater use.
Even with the $149 price difference, the Era 300 brings a number of advantages to the table.
But there are a number of differences as well.
