LG xboom Bounce review: Unusual looks, surprisingly good sound

The LG xboom Bounce isn’t shy about making an entrance. Co-designed with will.i.am, this portable Bluetooth speaker comes loaded with buzzwords and big promises: AI Sound, AI Lighting, “military standard” durability, not to mention claims of an “immersive and dynamic sound with beats coming alive.” It’s an impressive pitch on paper, but once you get past all the AI branding and celebrity influence, the real question is: how does it actually sound? Let’s get into this LG xboom Bounce review and find out.

What I like about the LG xboom Bounce

The LG xboom Bounce stands out from the crowd with its distinctive design. This racetrack-shaped speaker offers 2.1-channel stereo playback, complete with dual passive radiators mounted on top of the enclosure. It also features a subtle light bar and a built-in elasticized carrying strap. At 1.42kg (3.13lbs), it’s not the lightest Bluetooth speaker around. Still, it does offer an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance and, in true American fashion, has been “tested to U.S. military standards.” Safe to say, the xboom Bounce is built to handle a backyard barbecue or a rainy camping trip without breaking a sweat.

All the controls sit up top, slightly raised like on a JBL, and are easy enough to find by feel. None of them are backlit, though, so you might fumble a bit if you’re using it outside after dark. The heart-shaped My Button can be customized in the LG ThinQ app to launch LG Radio+, Apple Music, or FYI RAiDiO without pulling out your phone. It’s an interesting idea, but since it primarily works within LG’s own apps, it feels more like a novelty than something you’ll use every day.

If you’re planning to get the most out of the xboom Bounce, you’ll want the LG ThinQ app. It’s clearly designed to manage everything from smart appliances to speakers, so finding the right menus can take a moment. Once you’re in, though, it gives you plenty of control—including several EQ presets and a 6-band custom EQ for fine-tuning. You can also adjust the lighting and link it with other xboom models, such as the Grab or Stage 301. While you can easily group them for synchronized mono playback, true stereo pairing only works between two identical speakers, just like with most other brands.

Connectivity is handled over Bluetooth 5.4, supporting both SBC and AAC codecs. The xboom Bounce also offers multipoint pairing, so you can stay connected to two devices at once and switch between them without fuss. There’s even a built-in microphone for taking calls—something that’s becoming increasingly rare on portable speakers these days.

I’m also impressed with the battery life on the xboom Bounce. LG quotes up to 30 hours on a full charge, depending on your volume and content. I like to test a little louder than most—around 80dB from one metre away, with the lighting effects left on—and the Bounce managed 22 hours and 2 minutes before shutting down. That’s a solid amount of playback time, and you can stretch it even further by lowering the volume or turning the lights off.

Sound-wise, the xboom Bounce picks up where the smaller xboom Grab left off, with a full, detailed sound from the moment you turn it on. That said, listening to rock staples like “Enter Sandman” by Metallica and comparing it directly to the JBL Charge 6, the bass strength in the “Standard” EQ setting fell short. Engaging the “Bass Boost” preset brought Lars’ kick drum and thumping floor toms to life without overpowering the rest of the mix—now we’re rocking. Both presets also offer good treble clarity. I could clearly hear the attack of the drumsticks on the reverberant toms, and the hi-hats and cymbals never sound overly shrill. The 2.1-channel design also provides slightly better left-to-right separation of instruments.

Changing gears and cranking up some electronic music, tracks like “Delorean Dynamite” by Todd Terje shine through the xboom Bounce with solid, pulsing low-end strength, again without any shrillness from the electronic hi-hats or accompanying synths. Instrument separation remains clear, with the percussive clean guitar that enters around 3:25 cutting through the center of the mix without issue. Cycling through the various EQ presets, they all delivered a usable sound, even if the differences weren’t drastic, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Overall, I enjoyed my time with the xboom Bounce, and of course, you always have the option to dive into the custom EQ and create your own presets.

What I don’t like about the LG xboom Bounce

I can’t say I’m a fan of the strap design. It’s not very practical as a carrying handle; you can’t really attach it to anything, and I’m a bit concerned about its durability since it stretches. After a week of use, you can already tell it’s been handled. It works fine for slipping over the back of your hand if you’re carrying the speaker a short distance, but otherwise, it’s my least favorite part of the design. Ultimately, it’s not a big issue if you’re mostly using it around the house or in the backyard, but if portability is a priority, you’re better off with the xboom Grab.

I also worry about the exposed passive radiators on top of the speaker’s enclosure. They sit slightly recessed, but they don’t have the same protection you get on something like the JBL Charge 6. Tossing the speaker into a bag for outdoor trips could easily scuff or damage them. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but it’s still worth keeping in mind.

Should you buy the LG xboom Bounce?

With good, customizable sound, decent battery life, and a distinctive design, the LG xboom Bounce is a capable Bluetooth speaker that stands out from your everyday JBL or Bose. The ThinQ app—while cluttered with other LG ecosystem tools—adds some genuinely useful customization options that make the Bounce more versatile overall.

That said, its size and weight make it better suited for home or backyard use than for camping or travel. If portability is your top priority, the xboom Grab ($84.99 at Amazon) is the smarter pick.

Otherwise, if you’re after big sound on a smaller budget, check out the Soundcore Boom 2 ($129.99 at Amazon). It doesn’t offer the same premium build as the Bounce, but it delivers 2.1-channel sound, reactive party lights, and an impressive 80W of output power for less.

LG xboom Bounce review: Frequently Asked Questions