If you’re planning to buy a HomePod mini and there’s any chance you might break it, you might want to pick up AppleCare+ coverage, too. Getting your speaker repaired without warranty coverage is almost as expensive as buying a brand-new HomePod mini.
At just $99, HomePod mini is a compelling alternative to devices like the Amazon Echo and Google Home. It’s much more affordable than a full-size HomePod, and Apple promises it’s going to sound great.
You might not think about adding extra protection to a $99 product that’s likely to stay in one place. But if you or a member of your family is prone to breaking things, AppleCare+ could save you a lot of cash.
Get AppleCare+ for HomePod mini
The cost of adding AppleCare+ to HomePod mini is just $15. After that, the cost of repairing a speaker that has been damaged accidentally is just $15 per incident — with up to two incidents covered a year.
However, if you break your HomePod mini without AppleCare+ coverage, that repair cost rises to a whopping $79. That’s just $20 less than you’ll pay to buy a brand-new HomePod mini.
You can add AppleCare+ coverage to HomePod mini within 60 days of your purchase. In addition to covering accidental damage, it adds two years of additional warranty coverage, giving you three in total.
AppleCare+ also comes with priority access to 24/7 support from Apple experts via online chat or over the phone, and access to Apple’s express replacement service.
HomePod mini lands November 16
HomePod mini is available to preorder now from Apple.com. Its official launch date is November 16, but as things stand, shipping times are four to five weeks for black models, and two to three weeks for white ones.