Summer is here, the ideal time to embark on long trips, enjoy picnics, or appreciate outdoor music with friends. A compact, durable, long-lasting portable party speaker with good sound quality will be an indispensable companion on every trip. After reviewing the LG xboom Grab, I found that this compact Bluetooth speaker offers a modern design, smart features, and a practical experience that exceeds expectations in its price range.
The LG xboom Grab is the latest powerful portable Bluetooth speaker from LG, in collaboration with will.i.am. It features a battery life of up to 20 hours, AI technology to optimize sound, IP67 water and dust resistance, and a price just under $150.
LG xboom Grab Review
Unboxing
As soon as you get your hands on the xboom Grab, you will feel LG’s minimalist yet modern packaging style: a thick, white box embossed with the product image and the xboom Grab logo.
What I like most is that LG still includes a two-headed USB-C cable, following the new standard for both Android and iPhone, so you don’t have to search for a cable every time you charge. Additionally, the box lacks an adapter, a feature that is becoming increasingly common among most outdoor Bluetooth speakers today.
Design and Appearance
At first glance, the portable Bluetooth speaker appears neat and impressive, thanks to two twisted rubber rings at both ends that reinforce against impact and create a grip when placed horizontally.
High-quality fabric covers the entire speaker body, giving it a solid feel that enhances durability and keeps dirt from sticking.
The first impression when holding the LG xboom Grab is its compact, dynamic, and highly flexible design. The portable, waterproof Bluetooth speaker measures only 211 x 71.6 x 70 mm and weighs approximately 700g. It is easy to hold with one hand or carry in a backpack, handbag, or even fit in the cup holder of a bicycle, car, or picnic bench.
Located above the speaker body is a set of physical buttons, which include:
- Power button
- Volume up and down buttons
- Play/Pause button
- Bluetooth button
- Multi-device connection (Auracast) button
- Sound mode switch button
The buttons bounce well, have reasonable spacing, and you can easily operate them even when wearing gloves or outdoors.
Durability
A significant advantage of the LG xboom Grab is that the company has equipped it with a soft, sturdy, and easy-to-remove silicone strap, allowing you to hang the speaker on your backpack, bicycle handlebar, or tent when going on a picnic. Additionally, the portable Bluetooth party speaker features an LED strip below that changes color in sync with the music, adding liveliness to outdoor parties.
In terms of durability, the LG xboom Grab meets IP67 water and dust resistance standards and has passed 7 rigorous tests according to the US military standard MIL-STD-810H. This helps the speaker “survive” harsh conditions such as rain, dust, impact, and vibration when traveling long distances. The bottom of the portable party speaker is quite beautiful, featuring a strap detail made of matte metal that exudes an extremely high-end look.
The USB Type-C charging port is located on the back of the speaker.
LG xboom Grab review: Sound Quality
During this LG xboom Grab review, I relaxed with music and genuinely found the sound quality impressive for such a compact Bluetooth speaker. Despite its small size, it delivers clear, rich audio thanks to its well-designed driver system, which includes:
- An 80 x 45mm “racetrack” woofer that produces strong, punchy bass
- A 16mm dome tweeter from Peerless, providing crisp and detailed highs
- Two passive radiators on each side that enhance the bass impact even further
The total capacity of the speaker is 30W (20W + 10W), which is sufficient to fill a small room, accommodate an outdoor picnic, or support a group of 5-10 people. In particular, LG integrates AI Sound and AI Calibration technology, automatically analyzing the playback content and the surrounding environment to optimize the most suitable sound. When listening to music in a closed room, the speaker automatically increases mid-range and high-range details. When you use it outdoors, the speaker boosts the bass, expands the sound field, and reduces “sound leakage.”
At half volume, it fills rooms or open spaces easily, and with minimal distortion—even at maximum volume. Maximum output measures around 95dB at 1ft (80dB at 6ft), which is competitive for this form factor. Bass fades at very high volumes due to the speaker’s size limiting its deeper frequency response. Unlike some rivals, the LG xboom Grab avoids distorting or overheating at peak output.
In Bass Boost mode, LG xboom Grab delivers thick, powerful bass ideal for dance, EDM, and hip-hop music. If you switch to Standard mode, the sound becomes more balanced, with clear mid and treble ranges, making it suitable for genres such as pop, acoustic, or podcasts. Although it is a single speaker, thanks to the cylindrical design and two passive radiators, the sound spreads quite evenly, less “directional” than traditional speakers.
However, due to its small size, the bass range at high volume will exhibit a slight compression phenomenon, rather than “shaking” like large, high-performance speakers. But for personal needs, picnics, camping, xboom Grab completely meets the needs, especially the clarity and detail in the mid and high ranges, which helps vocals and instruments stand out, not “flat” when turned up loud.
Battery life and Connectivity
One of the things I liked during the LG xboom Grab review was the awe-inspiring battery life. The portable sound speaker is equipped with a 4700mAh battery, allowing for up to 20 hours of continuous music playback at moderate volume and with the LED lights off. If the LED lights are on or the volume is high, the actual playback time is approximately 8-12 hours, which is enough for a full day of camping or multiple small picnics.
The modern USB Type-C charging port enables quick and convenient recharging with standard phone chargers. Additionally, the speaker supports reverse charging for other devices in case of an emergency.
When it comes to connectivity, the LG xboom Grab features Bluetooth 5.3, providing a fast and stable connection with an impressive range of up to 30 meters, even through obstacles. It has an intuitive Bluetooth setup that pairs quickly (often under 15 seconds). It also supports multi-device connection through Auracast, allowing you to pair multiple xboom speakers simultaneously for a powerful, synchronized sound experience—perfect for larger gatherings. Plus, with a built-in microphone, you can take hands-free calls directly through the speaker, making it convenient to stay connected on the go.
Lights & App Features
In particular, the LG xboom Grab can be connected and controlled via the LG ThinQ application, allowing you to adjust the EQ, change the LED light color, update the software, and personalize your music listening experience. I noted that while basic use doesn’t require the app, the app unlocks firmware updates and customization, and that the speaker remembers paired devices for seamless reconnect.
- LED Light Bar: A built-in strip under the speaker syncs color and motion with music, adding a touch of “party” flair. Lighting can be customized in the app (7 presets plus an “AI” mode that changes with the genre).
- Party Link: Easily link multiple XBOOM Grab speakers via LG Auracast for synchronized, powerful sound—great for bigger gatherings.
- App Controls: The LG ThinQ app enables firmware updates, custom EQ settings, and light customization. While the app unlocks several features, it is not strictly required for basic playback, pairing, or most real-world use. (Note: the app is large—over 500MB—and may not be needed for those who want a simple out-of-the-box experience.)
- Hands-Free Calls: The integrated microphone enables you to take calls directly from the speaker, adding convenience to your day-to-day activities.
Final Line
After reviewing the LG xboom Grab and experiencing it in real life, this compact Bluetooth speaker is worth the price in the $150 segment for mobile, personal, or small group needs. It can’t provide earth-shaking bass like a much larger speaker, but it delivers clear, undistorted sound at all but the loudest settings. Compared to market competitors (like the JBL Flip), it holds its own in clarity and style, even though max loudness is slightly lower.
With its modern design, impressive durability, long-lasting battery, good sound quality, and a range of smart features, the LG xboom Grab is well-suited to be the ideal companion for this summer.
Currently, the LB xboom Grab portable party speaker is sold on Amazon.com for $146.99 and on Amazon.co.uk for £ 134.81.
