Apple Says HomePod Mini Won't Leave Marks on Waxed or Oiled Wood Surfaces

Shortly after the full-size HomePod launched in 2018, some customers noticed that the speaker left white rings on wood surfaces with an oil or wax finish. Apple confirmed this possibility in a support document, noting that "it is not unusual for any speaker with a vibration-damping silicone base to leave mild marks when placed on some wooden surfaces," as a result of "oils diffusing between the silicone base and the table surface."

HomePod rings 1

White rings left behind by the full-size HomePod via The Wirecutter

Fortunately, Apple says that it has addressed this matter with the HomePod mini, according to Rene Ritchie's review video:


It is unclear if Apple ever made any changes to the full-size HomePod to prevent it from leaving marks on waxed or oiled wood surfaces. Apple's support document, last updated in March 2020, still has a blurb about the matter:

It is not unusual for any speaker with a vibration-damping silicone base to leave mild marks when placed on some wooden surfaces. The marks can be caused by oils diffusing between the silicone base and the table surface, and will often go away after several days when the speaker is removed from the wooden surface. If not, wiping the surface gently with a soft damp or dry cloth may remove the marks. If marks persist, clean the surface with the furniture manufacturer's recommended cleaning process. If you're concerned about this, we recommend placing your HomePod on a different surface.

HomePod mini will begin arriving to customers on Monday, November 16. Priced at $99, the speaker is available to order in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Spain, and the UK. Read our HomePod mini reviews roundup and unboxing videos roundup for more impressions of the speaker.

Related Roundup: HomePod mini
Buyer's Guide: HomePod Mini (Neutral)

Top Rated Comments

AngerDanger Avatar
40 months ago
The rings were never a huge issue for me; I use Adobe Photoshop for all my household cleaning needs.



Attachment Image
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applicious84 Avatar
40 months ago
Another feature the mini lacks
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GermanSuplex Avatar
40 months ago
My particleboard, veneer-covered stand that houses my HomePod is not concerned.

My nightstand... the same.

My coffee table... the same.

When I buy, I buy cheap, and if coasters are needed, its not an option.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johannnn Avatar
40 months ago

Is there any reason why this isn't available globally?
Siri.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
glowplug Avatar
40 months ago
Make the ring in the shape of an Apple and call it a feature. people would LOVE it!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FelixDerKater Avatar
40 months ago
How else will it suck the life force from the wood of the table?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
iOS 16 4 Web Push

Apple Confirms Governments Using Push Notifications to Surveil Users

Wednesday December 6, 2023 5:06 am PST by
Unidentified governments are surveilling smartphone users by tracking push notifications that move through Google's and Apple's servers, a US senator warned on Wednesday (via Reuters). In a letter to the Department of Justice, Senator Ron Wyden said foreign officials were demanding the data from the tech giants to track smartphones. The traffic flowing from apps that send push notifications...
airpods pro 2 pink

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 2 Firmware

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:28 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware update for both the Lightning and USB-C versions of the AirPods Pro 2. The new firmware is version 6B34, up from the 6B32 firmware introduced in November. Apple does not provide details on what features might be included in the refreshed firmware beyond "bug fixes and other improvements," so it is unclear what's new in the update, but prior software releases ...
magsafe blue 2

iOS 17.2 Brings Qi2 Support to iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 Models

Tuesday December 5, 2023 11:04 am PST by
The iOS 17.2 update that Apple is set to release to the public in the near future will bring support for the next-generation Qi2 wireless charging standard to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models. Qi2 was mentioned in the release notes for the RC version of the update that came out today. With the addition of support for the new standard, iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models will work with Qi2...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue

'All-Screen' iPhone Under-Display Camera Enters Development

Wednesday December 6, 2023 2:03 am PST by
Apple's Korean suppliers have begun developing smartphone under-display cameras (UDC), paving the way for the first iPhone with a true "all-screen" appearance. According to The Elec, LG Innotek has entered the preliminary development of the UDC, which sits under the display and does not result in a visible hole in the panel when the camera is not in use. A UDC differs from a typical front ...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 May Reuse Existing iPhone 14 Battery

Wednesday December 6, 2023 1:17 pm PST by
Recently, MacRumors has received details on the battery currently being tested on the upcoming fourth-generation iPhone SE, and the information corroborates previous findings in relation to the device. The iPhone SE 4, known by its device identifier D59, is expected to use the exact same battery found in the base model iPhone 14. Partially assembled prototypes of the next iPhone SE have been ...
airpods pro bulbs

Black Friday Prices Return for AirPods Pro 2 With USB-C, iPad, and More

Tuesday December 5, 2023 7:30 am PST by
Today we're tracking a collection of deals that are matching - or nearly matching - the same all-time low discounts we saw during Black Friday. This includes the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C, 9th generation iPad, and M1 MacBook Air. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the ...
instagram messenger

Instagram and Facebook Messenger Chats to Disconnect This Month

Tuesday December 5, 2023 1:57 am PST by
Meta has revealed plans to end Instagram users' ability to chat with Facebook accounts later this month, rolling back a feature that it introduced over three years ago. In September 2020, Meta (then Facebook) announced it was merging its Facebook Messenger service with Instagram direct messaging, allowing Instagram users to chat with Facebook users and vice versa using the same platform....