HomePods - very poor product

Regardless of what software version, phone or model is involved, I have a 50% failure rate on my HomePods. I literally asked it what time it was and after quite some time it just said 'sorry there's a problem'. That's what I hear most of the time. Tried re-setting, reinstalling etc etc. I think they're just a poor product - anyone else find the same? Some bright spark said it was my internet connection, have since had full fibre installed and a new router - it's not. There just a poor product. I guess my question is, anyone else gutted at the poor quality?