If you’re going to trust anyone when it comes to sound, one of the world’s most well-known Grammy-award-winning musicians and record producers is probably a safe bet.
With that in mind, LG has created its new Xboom series speakers with the help of will.i.am, who has stepped in to assist with the audio tuning – creating a signature sound that places them among the best Bluetooth speakers for the summer.
The LG Xboom Grab is the smallest of the new devices, designed to be highly portable and practical for enjoying music both inside and outside the house. Alongside that, LG has launched the Xboom Bounce and the Xboom Stage 301, two larger party speakers.
All of the new devices use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse the song playing and optimise the sound for the best audio performance possible. To add to that, the speaker has AI calibration to adjust its settings depending on the size of the space it’s placed in, ultimately helping to produce full, undistorted audio – no matter where you use it.
What's new?
The LG Xboom Grab is a brand new device for a brand new series. Before this was released, the most comparable speaker was the LG Xboom Go (XG7QBK), but it didn't have any AI capabilities, used an older Bluetooth version (5.1 instead of 5.3), was a little heavier, and didn't offer Auracast.
How much does the LG xboom Grab cost?
The LG Xboom series by will.i.am went on sale back in May 2025. The smallest of the series, the LG xboom Grab, is available to buy from the LG online store. It’ll set you back £129.99 in the UK and $149.99 in the US.
What features does the LG Xboom Grab have?
The LG Xboom Grab has a practical design, shaped like a cylindrical tube, making it easy to “grab” one-handed – as it’s no thicker than a can. Weighing 700g, it’s also lightweight and easy to carry around.
There are elasticated straps on either end, allowing you to hang it up, attach it to your bag, and place it in a bottle or cup holder without worrying about it flying out. The straps are detachable, so you can remove them if you’re not keen on their appearance.
The body of the speaker is wrapped in mesh, featuring a red-framed Xboom logo across the front, while two feet on the bottom keep it stable.
A strip on the underside projects light onto the surface below. The light will let you know when Bluetooth is activated and when you’re connected, but you can also change the settings to add a nice aesthetic touch.
I like the Wave mode, but there are all sorts of different motion settings in the app, as well as a choice of four colours. AI Lighting is another option that analyses the content playing and dances along to it, changing the colour as it goes. I would have liked the lights to come from either end of the device as well for more impact. The single strip is great, but it’s almost too subtle.
Across the top, several buttons are integrated into the design, and they’re firm to prevent accidental presses. There’s a power button, volume controls, a play/pause button, a Bluetooth button, an Auracast button, and a small heart symbol – which is the 'MY' button.
The MY button plays either your favourite playlists or sound therapy content with your chosen lighting settings. The button accesses playlists from Apple Music or the LG ThinQ app. It would have been good if you could programme more services, such as Spotify or Deezer.
You can use the speaker outdoors without worrying about damaging it because it has an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating. This means it can withstand splashes by the pool on holiday or being covered in sand at the beach. LG has ensured it can endure high temperatures, salt water, and impacts from drops and knocks, too.
The battery lasts a solid 20 hours of music at 50% volume without the lights turned on. If you increase the volume, you can expect it to be shorter. Still, it offers a solid battery life that easily gets you through a day out or hosting for an evening. It takes about 3 hours to recharge from dead to 100%.
How do you connect the LG xboom Grab?
The Xboom Grab connects via Bluetooth 5.3 to your devices, which is stable and reliable – even when you walk away from the speaker. It even has multipoint connectivity, so you can share the DJ responsibilities with someone else by having two phones connected at once.
Once connected via Bluetooth, you can control elements of the speaker through the LG ThinQ smartphone app (available for iOS and Android). It’ll allow you to install updates to the device, keep an eye on the battery level, and change the lighting settings. You’ll also be able to use it to switch between the Sound Effect settings.
To add to that, the Grab has Auracast, which allows you to create a bigger, more immersive sound by pairing it with other LG Xboom devices.
How good is the LG xboom Grab?
Developed with will. i.am’s expertise, the LG Xboom Grab performs just as well as you would hope. The sound is bright and immersive, with a crisp treble that balances well against its solid bass, leaving plenty of room for the mid-range to come through. It's also loud. When listening on my own, I never needed to put it above about 50%.
It’s a pleasant listen, full-bodied and inviting, without allowing the bass to steal the show. Because of that, it’s not as packed with punch as some bassier speakers, like JBL’s range of devices. But, considering its size, it still delivers plenty of energy. If you want clarity and precision alongside loud volume, the Grab will tick a lot of boxes.
You can tailor the sound to better suit your preferences through the LG ThinQ app. I mostly used the AI Sound mode because it adapts itself according to what’s playing, and it does a great job of keeping the balance, whether I was listening to a bouncy dance tune or a softer soul track.
On the Standard sound setting, however, the audio has significantly less depth. The Bass Boost mode is great for adding punch when listening in groups, but for solo listening it overemphasises a little. I found it useful to switch to Voice Enhance occasionally, especially when listening to podcasts or the radio, because it noticeably dulls any noise that isn’t vocal. You can also create a custom sound setting, giving you manual control across a six-band equaliser.
Thanks to built-in microphones, you can take calls through the LG Xboom Grab, just like a speakerphone. Plus you’ll be able to speak to your smartphone’s voice assistant, including Siri and the Google Assistant.
LG xboom Grab review: Verdict
Performance and practicality are big wins for the LG xboom Grab. The sound is bold, full-bodied and detailed, although perhaps not as punchy as some competitors – such as JBL's Charge series.
The Xboom Grab's AI Sound mode does a great job of showcasing the very best of each track. The difference between the AI setting and the Standard mode is significant. Songs deliver much more depth and come across much more refined, unless you tweak the custom settings for each new song that plays.
The Grab's size, weight, straps, and durability contribute to its portability – and earn it its name. You can slot the speaker easily into the cup holder of your car, strap it to the inside of a tent, attach it to your hiking backpack, or carry it around in one hand – without it feeling inconvenient.
Alternatives to consider
The JBL Charge 6 is another portable Bluetooth speaker that uses AI to deliver impressive-quality sound. Its audio delivery is both powerful and precise, and it’s packaged in a durable water-resistant body that comes complete with a handle to carry it around more easily. It’s slightly bigger than the Grab and more expensive, but you will get up to 28 hours of music from the battery.
If having something small and portable with a well-balanced, people-pleasing sound is what you’re after, then take a look at the Bose Soundlink Flex 2. It’s bag-friendly but produces a surprisingly clean sound. The battery only lasts for 12 hours, though.
