Apple’s latest HomePod mini is a modest upgrade, but if you look closely, it actually has improved Wi-Fi connectivity.
HomePod mini 2 Features Faster Wi-Fi 6E Connectivity with the Ability to Connect to the 6GHz Band for a More Responsive Experience
The second-generation HomePod had Wi-Fi 4 – that’s the 802.11n standard. At that time, Wi-Fi 6 was around, so was Wi-Fi 6E, so saying that the original HomePod’s Wi-Fi sucked would be true.
Fast forward to 2026, and HomePod mini 2 gets the Wi-Fi upgrade it deserves. The standard Apple went with is 802.11ax, but it’s Wi-Fi 6E, which means the HomePod mini can connect to the 6GHz band, if available on your router.
Even if you connect to the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands, and you happen to have a Wi-Fi 6 router, the HomePod mini will be able to take advantage of features like OFDMA, which cuts down latency and makes the device very responsive.
The thing is, when you put a very old Wi-Fi standard device into your modern home, the router has to do the extra legwork to keep that device up and running. In fact, if you’re actively using that slow device, it can actually slow down your entire Wi-Fi network too.
So, if you are planning to get several HomePod minis in the future, knowing that they’re all Wi-Fi 6E at least means that all speakers on your Wi-Fi will be responsive, ready to stream anything instantly, that too without slowing anyone else down.
