The LG XBOOM Grab by will.i.am is a compact wireless speaker that aims to blend big, room-filling sound with a sleek, design-led look. It’s a portable Bluetooth speaker with 30W of power, tuned in collaboration with will.i.am and backed up by LG’s audio know-how.
With IP67 water and dust resistance plus military-grade durability, it’s clearly built for life beyond the living room – from kitchen worktops to garden get-togethers. The price sits in the mid-range for portable speakers, but the spec sheet is richer than many at this level.
A user rating of 4.9 out of 5 from dozens of owners suggests LG has largely nailed the balance of sound quality, features and practicality.
The LG XBOOM Grab is ideal for anyone who wants a genuinely portable speaker that doesn’t sound tiny. Its 30W output, dedicated tweeter and 8 cm subwoofer make it well suited to kitchens, bedrooms and small to medium living rooms where you still want proper stereo presence.
If you’re often on the move, the combination of IP67 water resistance and MIL-STD 810H military testing means it’s a strong choice for holidays, garden parties, festivals and park picnics. You can confidently use it near the pool or barbecue without worrying about the odd splash or knock.
Budget-wise, it sits in the accessible mid-range – not a bargain-basement speaker, but far from premium hi-fi territory. That makes it a good fit for buyers who are happy to pay a bit more than entry-level for better sound, modern Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and smart extras such as AI Sound & Calibration.
It’s also a good option for first-time Bluetooth speaker buyers who want something stylish, simple and app-controllable, as well as more tech-savvy users who’ll appreciate features like multipoint Bluetooth and Auracast for sharing and broadcasting audio.
Sound quality is a real highlight. The 30W stereo setup, with a dedicated 16 mm tweeter and 8 cm woofer, gives music proper separation, clear vocals and surprisingly deep bass for the size. It feels more like a compact home speaker than a tiny travel unit.
The robust design inspires confidence. With IP67 water and dust resistance and MIL-STD 810H military testing, it’s built to cope with rain showers, sandy beaches and the odd drop, so you’re not forced to treat it delicately.
Battery life is strong at up to 20 hours, which means it can comfortably handle a full day out or a long weekend of casual use without hunting for a plug. USB-C charging keeps things simple and works with modern chargers.
Smart features add polish. AI Sound & Calibration tailors the audio to the room, while AI lighting and LED floor lights sync with the music to create atmosphere for parties or chilled evenings. Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint and low energy support makes pairing stable and power-efficient, and the LG ThinQ app gives you extra control.
Finally, owner feedback is excellent. A 4.9-star average rating suggests most buyers are very happy with what they get for the money.
There’s no aux-in port or memory card slot, so you’re limited to Bluetooth and USB-C for charging. If you prefer to plug in older devices with a headphone jack, you’ll need a different speaker.
Despite having hands-free support, there’s no built-in microphone for voice calls listed in the spec, which means calling and voice assistant use may be limited or device-dependent compared with some rivals.
There’s no Wi-Fi, AirPlay or built-in streaming services, so this isn’t a replacement for a fully connected smart speaker system. Everything runs through your phone or tablet.
The styling is quite bold, with animated lighting and floor LEDs. If you want something more understated for a minimalist living room, the light show may feel like overkill, even though it can usually be toned down or turned off in software.
Day to day, the LG XBOOM Grab is designed to be as fuss-free as possible. Its slim cylindrical shape (around 21 cm wide and just 7.2 cm high) means it’s easy to slip into a bag or sit discreetly on a shelf or windowsill. It won’t dominate a small room, and it’s simple to move from room to room.
Pairing is straightforward thanks to Bluetooth 5.3, and multipoint support means you can keep it connected to, say, a phone and a laptop at the same time, switching audio sources without constantly repairing. Once you’ve set it up, you’re mostly just hitting play on your device.
The 20-hour battery life means you can use it all day at moderate volume without worrying about topping up, and a full recharge in around three hours over USB-C is convenient if you’re travelling with only one charger. There’s no need for a separate, proprietary power brick.
The rugged, water-resistant casing means you’re more likely to actually use it outdoors or in tougher spots like the bathroom or workshop, instead of leaving it on a shelf to keep it safe. And with AI Sound & Calibration adjusting the sound profile to the environment, you spend less time fiddling with EQ settings and more time listening.
LED lighting that syncs to the beat adds a fun element for parties or movie nights, especially when the speaker is placed on the floor or a low table. For quieter listening, the app control makes it easy to reduce or disable lighting effects when you want a calmer look.
For its size, the LG XBOOM Grab delivers impressive audio performance. The 30W power output, driven through a two-speaker layout with a dedicated tweeter and woofer, gives a confident, full-bodied sound. High notes stay crisp while the 8 cm woofer brings real weight to bass lines and movie soundtracks.
AI Sound & Calibration helps the speaker adapt to different environments. Whether it’s in a corner, on a coffee table or out in the open, the system can tweak the sound so it doesn’t become boomy or thin, which is a common issue with portable speakers placed near walls.
Connectivity is modern and solid. Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC, LC3 and SBC support delivers efficient wireless streaming, and Bluetooth Smart (Low Energy) helps keep power drain down during idle or low-intensity use. Multipoint pairing and Auracast support make it easier to share or broadcast audio in more advanced setups, such as linking with compatible devices for group listening.
Durability and portability features are a real advantage over many indoor-only speakers. IP67 certification means it’s fully dust tight and protected against full water immersion, so poolside or rainy barbecue use is realistic. The MIL-STD 810H testing suggests it can survive everyday knocks and the odd drop that come with real-life use.
On the lifestyle side, AI-controlled lighting and LED floor lights provide a built-in light show that reacts to the music, turning it into an instant party piece. The LG ThinQ app acts as a central hub to fine-tune sound modes, lighting and other settings, giving more control than basic button-only speakers.
Considering its blend of power, durability and smart features, the LG XBOOM Grab offers strong value for money. It’s not positioned as a rock-bottom budget speaker, but you’re getting more than basic Bluetooth playback in return.
The 30W stereo output, separate tweeter and woofer, and AI Sound & Calibration put it ahead of many simple portable speakers in terms of audio sophistication. Add in long battery life, IP67 resistance and military-grade testing, and it feels like something you can rely on for years of mixed indoor and outdoor use.
The lack of aux-in and Wi-Fi might be a compromise for some, but if you mostly stream from a phone or tablet, the feature set aligns well with typical modern use. The excellent 4.9/5 user rating is a strong indicator that buyers generally feel they’ve had good return on their spend.
Overall, if you want a mid-priced portable speaker that sounds bigger than it looks and comes loaded with useful extras rather than gimmicks alone, it represents very solid value.
The LG XBOOM Grab by will.i.am is a well-rounded portable speaker that successfully combines punchy, room-filling sound with genuine go-anywhere toughness. It delivers strong audio performance for its size, backed by smart tuning, long battery life and lively lighting effects that make it ideal for both home and outdoor use.
It’s best suited to listeners who mainly stream via Bluetooth and value portability and durability over advanced Wi-Fi or multi-room features. If you need an aux-in or prefer a more traditional, understated design, there are alternatives worth exploring, but you’ll likely give up some of the fun factor and smart tuning.
For most people wanting an all-round, mid-priced portable speaker that feels a step up from entry-level options, the XBOOM Grab is easy to recommend. High owner satisfaction, robust build and a well-judged feature set make it a strong contender in the wireless speaker space.
