Short answer: the JBL Charge Essential. It ranks #71 of 142 medium speakers by sound quality at $73.99; the LG Xboom Grab ranks #85 and costs $97.73, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the JBL Charge Essential offers: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential. Watch for: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
What the LG Xboom Grab offers: 20 hour battery life - longer than the JBL Flip 7 or UE Boom 4. IP67 rated with elastic mounting straps. App unlocks AI room calibration, EQ, and light-strip customization; multipoint pairing. Watch for: Bass extension not as deep as the top speakers. Overpriced. This may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples
Buy the JBL Charge Essential. It ranks higher for sound quality than the LG Xboom Grab and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Charge Essential | LG Xboom Grab | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $73.99 | $97.73 |
| Ranked | #71 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #85 of 142 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | No | Yes |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) | - |
| Power Input | Micro USB | USB-C |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange | 1x 80x45mm racetrack woofer, 1x 16mm tweeter |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) | - |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS | 30W |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | Pointing up |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | AAC, SBC |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 75Hz |
| Stereo | - | No |
| TWS | - | No |
| Wi-Fi | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Charge Essential: $73.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Doubles as a power bank. IPX7 rated. Supports true wireless stereo pairing with a second Charge Essential.
Cons: Less clarity than the Flip 4, highs rolled off. An overpriced rebranded Charge 3 for people who want stereo sound.
Full JBL Charge Essential review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W RMS |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.4" x 3.5" x 3.4" (213 x 89 x 87 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 50mm fullrange |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Connect+ up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (770 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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LG Xboom Grab: $97.73 Amazon eBay
Pros: 20 hour battery life - longer than the JBL Flip 7 or UE Boom 4. IP67 rated with elastic mounting straps. App unlocks AI room calibration, EQ, and light-strip customization; multipoint pairing. Measured bass extension of 75Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass extension not as deep as the top speakers. Overpriced. This may move around in the rankings as we get better sound samples
Full LG Xboom Grab review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 30W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 75Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Drivers | 1x 80x45mm racetrack woofer, 1x 16mm tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Wi-Fi | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- FishBee Product Reviews: LG XBOOM Grab (2025) by Will.i.am - BETTER Than JBL Flip 7?? More from FishBee Product Reviews →
- Mike O’Brien: What Did LG Just Launch? (NEW will.i.am x LG xboom Speakers)
- GYMCADDY: LG’s New xboom Speaker And Earbud Lineup Explained - Meet The Stage 301, Bounce, Grab And Buds! More from GYMCADDY →
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