LG xboom Grab review: Is this the best JBL Flip alternative?

The LG xboom Grab is one of the smaller Bluetooth speakers in LG’s portable lineup, designed in collaboration with multi-platinum artist will.i.am and “audio-crafted” under his direction. LG claims it’s been “tuned to perfection” for a dynamic, immersive listening experience, but marketing promises aside, it aims to blend durability, portability, and good sound in a compact, easy-to-carry design. But with a look similar to the JBL Flip 7 and a price to match, does it do enough to stand out from the rest? Let’s get into this LG xboom Grab review and find out.

What I like about the LG xboom Grab

From its cylinder shape to its unique wraparound attachment straps, the LG xboom Grab Bluetooth speaker lives up to its name with a grab-and-go design. The unit is wrapped in durable fabric, features dual passive radiators, and includes a customizable lighting strip along the bottom. With an IP67 protection rating that makes it both dust and water-resistant, the xboom Grab feels ready to strap to a backpack or toss into a bag to provide the soundtrack to your next adventure.

Operating the speaker is straightforward. All the controls sit along the top of the enclosure, raised like on a JBL speaker, and are relatively easy to distinguish by touch. However, none of them are backlit, making them more challenging to differentiate in the dark. The heart-shaped My Button lets you assign a shortcut through the LG ThinQ app to launch LG Radio+, Apple Music, or FYI RAiDiO stations without needing to touch your phone. It’s a neat idea, but since it primarily only works within LG’s own ecosystem, most people probably won’t use it often.

Speaking of the ThinQ app, I recommend downloading it to use with the xboom Grab. It’s clear the app is designed for a wide range of LG products, so it takes a bit of navigating to find what you need. Still, it offers useful EQ options, lighting customization, and the ability to link with other xboom speakers, such as the Bounce or Stage 301. That said, you’ll need an identical model if you want true stereo playback.

When it comes to connectivity, the xboom Grab pairs via Bluetooth 5.4, supporting both SBC and AAC codecs. It also offers multipoint, allowing you to connect two different devices simultaneously and switch between them seamlessly. There’s also a built-in microphone for taking calls, which is a feature we’re seeing less and less of these days.

Battery life is respectable. LG rates the xboom Grab for up to 20 hours of playback on a single charge, but I like to test at louder, more realistic listening levels—around what you’d use for a small gathering rather than personal listening. Playing a consistent music source at 80dB measured from one metre away, the xboom Grab lasted 9 hours and 37 minutes with its light show enabled. That’s still a solid day of listening, and you’ll get closer to the advertised time if you listen at lower volumes or disable the lighting effects.

When it comes to sound quality, the xboom Grab delivers a full sound straight out of the box and is quite comparable to the JBL Flip series. Listening to both devices back-to-back at lower volumes, I found it hard to notice any substantial differences. Tracks like “Black Cow” by Steely Dan show off a solid low-end response without sounding boomy, along with good treble clarity that reveals the drummer’s stick attack on the hi-hats and ride cymbal, as well as the detail in the saxophone solo near the end. The Bass Boost preset is also quite usable, and adds a touch of extra bass strength without overpowering the rest of the mix. That said, at higher volumes, there’s little distortion, but I did notice a slightly boxy character start to appear in the low-mid frequencies.

Switching genres, the xboom Grab and its AI Sound preset handle synthwave tracks like “Tech Noir” by Gunship surprisingly well. I’m usually skeptical of AI features, especially when you can’t tell if they’re doing anything, but the difference between this preset and the standard mode was noticeable. There’s an increase in overall bass strength, with slightly reduced mids, while treble strength remains solid without sounding shrill. It breathed some life into this bass-heavy synth track, but even in its default tuning, the xboom Grab sounds enjoyable across genres.

Overall, keeping in mind the limitations of any grab-and-go portable speaker, you won’t be shaking any walls with the xboom Grab, but it delivers a satisfying sound right out of the box across a variety of genres, with some genuinely useful EQ presets to tinker with. And yes, the subtle light bar is a nice touch too.

What I don’t like about the LG xboom Grab

There’s not much to complain about with the LG xboom Grab. That said, while it’s certainly portable at 700g, it’s 100g+ heavier than both the JBL Flip 7 and the Bose SoundLink Flex. The strap attachments are unique and work well for thinner items, such as backpack straps, but they don’t have enough give to wrap securely around thicker objects, like a bike frame. I’m also a little concerned about the strap’s shape and long-term durability after extended use. It can also sometimes be a bit of a struggle to get the end back into its housing.

As mentioned, while the app is quite useful, it takes some digging to get to the audio settings. It’s not as simple or straightforward as a dedicated companion app like JBL Portable, for example. Lastly, I’d love to see backlit controls to make operation a little easier in low-light conditions.

Should you buy the LG xboom Grab?

The LG xboom Grab is a safe buy. It’s rugged, offers decent battery life, and delivers good sound out of the box, with room for further customization. It also adds a bit of flair with its discreet but enjoyable lighting strip. It’s a solid alternative to competitors in the same price range, like the JBL Flip 7 ($99.95 at Woot!) and Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) ($149 at Amazon). The advantage here is that the xboom Grab offers lighting effects over both, along with more customizable sound than the SoundLink Flex.

If you’re after something a little different from the usual JBL or Bose options, the xboom Grab blends durability, style, and a touch of fun that’s ready for your next adventure, whether it’s a backyard barbecue or a Sunday at the beach.

LG xboom Grab Frequently Asked Questions