What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
MKBHD’s “skip for most people” verdict is mainly about value, not capability. Apple HomeView is a polished 7-inch smart-home hub with Siri, speakers, FaceTime, a camera and Apple Home controls. At $299, however, it is difficult to justify if you already use an iPad, phone, smart speaker or another smart display. It is most defensible for an Apple-centered household that wants a dedicated, shared screen that is always visible.
What Apple HomeView does
Apple introduced HomeView on October 13, 2026 as a wall- or tabletop-oriented control point for the home. It combines a 7-inch Liquid Retina display, Siri, speakers, FaceTime and Apple Home controls in one device.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The hub can recognize household members and switch from a shared home screen to an individual experience. When an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad is paired, Apple says HomeView can surface personal information such as Messages, Calendar and Apple Music. The system therefore works as both a smart-home dashboard and a personalized household display.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Apple specifies an A18 chip, a 12MP Center Stage camera, True Tone and automatic brightness ranging from 0.3 to 500 nits. It connects over Wi-Fi and uses wired power rather than an internal battery.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Why MKBHD calls it a skip
In an initial hands-on impression reported by Dexerto, Marques Brownlee praised the 7-inch touchscreen, speakers and facial recognition but questioned whether those features add enough value for owners who already have a smart-home setup. His conclusion was: So yeah, my first impression is I think it’s a skip for most people, but maybe the second generation at some point when it comes out can be more convincing.
This is an early opinion, not a laboratory test or a long-term reliability assessment. The practical point is that HomeView’s features are real, but many buyers can obtain most of the same everyday functions from hardware they already own. An iPad can show Home controls and run many more apps; a phone can control scenes and devices; and an existing smart speaker or display may already cover voice commands, music and household information.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Price, models and timing
| Configuration | U.S. price | What is included or required | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tabletop HomeView | $299 | Speaker base, adjustable display positioning, USB-C cable and 30W adapter | Starting November 13, 2026 |
| Wall-mounted HomeView | $299 | Mount, USB-C cable and power adapter sold separately; installation adds to the total cost | Starting November 13, 2026 |
The $299 figure is Apple’s U.S. starting price. The wall-mounted model is not a complete out-of-the-box installation: Apple says the compatible mount, USB-C cable and power adapter must each be purchased separately. That makes the installed cost higher than the listed device price.
Who should buy HomeView
It makes sense for an Apple-first household
- You use Apple Home and Matter accessories and want one shared control surface.
- You want a permanent screen for Home controls, FaceTime, music, weather, calendars and household status.
- You value Apple’s face-based personalization and already have a compatible iPhone or iPad.
- You prefer a purpose-built display over leaving a tablet plugged in on a stand.
It is a poor value in these cases
- You do not use Apple Home or want an open app platform.
- You already own an iPad, smart display or other hub that handles your routines.
- You mainly need voice control, music or occasional device adjustments.
- You do not want to keep an iPhone or iPad available for personalized content.
The iPhone and iPad dependency
HomeView’s personal experience is not completely self-contained. Personal content requires a paired iPhone or iPad on the same Wi-Fi network, with that device recently unlocked. Face recognition then identifies the household member and changes the interface to that person’s information.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
That requirement matters when comparing HomeView with a conventional smart display. If the paired Apple device is unavailable, not on the same network or has not been recently unlocked, the personalized features may not be available even though basic home controls still function.
HomeView compared with common alternatives
| Decision factor | Apple HomeView | iPad dashboard | Amazon Echo Show | Google Nest Hub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecosystem | Apple Home and Matter accessories | Flexible tablet apps; Apple Home through its apps | Amazon’s smart-home platform and supported Matter devices | Google’s smart-home platform and supported Matter devices |
| Personalization requirement | Paired iPhone or iPad on the same Wi-Fi, recently unlocked | Apple account and app setup; no HomeView-specific requirement | Amazon account and household setup | Google account and household setup |
| Screen role | Dedicated, always-visible household display | Portable, multipurpose tablet | Dedicated smart display | Dedicated smart display |
| Camera and calls | 12MP Center Stage camera and FaceTime | Depends on iPad model and apps | Varies by model | Varies by model |
| Listed device price in this comparison | $299 in the U.S. | Depends on iPad model; not stated by Apple for this comparison | Depends on model; not stated here | Depends on model; not stated here |
| Wall installation | Extra mount, USB-C cable and power adapter required | Requires a stand or third-party mounting and power solution | Model-dependent | Model-dependent |
The key trade-off is convenience versus flexibility. HomeView is designed to stay in one place and look like part of the home. An iPad costs less to repurpose if you already own one and remains useful away from the wall, while other smart displays may fit households that do not want to commit to Apple’s ecosystem.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Smart-home compatibility
Apple says HomeView works with Apple Home and Matter accessories. Apple’s named ecosystem includes cameras, thermostats and a lock, including Apple Home Collection products developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. Compatibility still depends on the accessory’s Matter support and the features exposed through Apple Home; a Matter label does not guarantee that every advanced function appears identically across platforms.
What you need to install the wall-mounted model
- Choose the location. Confirm that the position has reliable Wi-Fi and access to a suitable power route before drilling or ordering hardware.
- Buy the missing hardware. The wall version does not include a mount, USB-C cable or power adapter. Apple documents each as a separate purchase.
- Plan cable routing and mounting. The device uses wired power, so decide whether the cable will remain visible or be routed through the wall. Use a mount compatible with the HomeView model and the wall structure.
- Connect and configure it. Plug in the adapter, join the HomeView to Wi-Fi and add it to Apple Home using the household’s Apple account.
- Set up personal experiences. Pair an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad, keep it on the same Wi-Fi network and unlock it recently so HomeView can provide personalized content.
- Test the finished installation. Check Home controls, Siri, FaceTime, camera framing, brightness response and each household member’s recognition before treating the installation as complete.
Bottom line on the $299 price
HomeView is a capable Apple smart-home hub, but its value depends on whether a dedicated shared screen solves a problem you currently have. For an Apple household building a new, visible home-control station, the combination of Apple Home, FaceTime, speakers, camera and personalized screens may justify the cost. For everyone else—especially people with an iPad or existing smart display—MKBHD’s “skip for most people” assessment is a reasonable reading of the $299 proposition. The wall-mounted version requires additional hardware, making that value calculation even less favorable.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
