Short answer: the JBL Pulse 5. It ranks #47 of 177 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $224.99. The LG Xboom Grab ranks #106, rated 3.0/5, at $100.98, $124.01 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The LG Xboom Grab is the longer-running, lighter option. A rugged waterproof speaker with elastic mounting straps, a long 20 hour battery, multipoint pairing and app room calibration. It is rated for 20 hours of battery against 12 for the JBL Pulse 5. At 1.5 lbs (680 g) it weighs much less than the JBL Pulse 5 at 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg). It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Pulse 5 lacks. The tradeoff: Bass extension not as deep as the top speakers.
The JBL Pulse 5 is the better-sounding, deeper-bass choice. A waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers. Its bass reaches about 58Hz before falling 10dB, against 75Hz for the LG Xboom Grab. Watch for: Bass does not reach as deep as others, and the plastic scratches easily.
Buy the JBL Pulse 5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $124.01 saving on the LG Xboom Grab is not enough to make up the difference.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A rugged waterproof speaker with elastic mounting straps, a long 20 hour battery, multipoint pairing and app room calibration.
A waterproof party speaker with a built in light show, app EQ and linking with up to 100 other JBL speakers.
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Specifications Side By Side
| LG Xboom Grab | JBL Pulse 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $100.98 | $224.99 |
| Ranked | #106 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #47 of 177 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 75Hz | ~58Hz |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | AAC, SBC | SBC |
| EQ | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Omnidirectional | Pointing up | Pointing up |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) | 3.3 lbs (1500 g) |
| Wi-Fi | No | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Drivers | 1x 80x45mm racetrack woofer, 1x 16mm tweeter | 64mm woofer, 16mm tweeter |
| Amplifier Power | 30W | 40W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 2.8” x 2.8” (211.0 x 71.6 x 70.0 mm) | 4.2” x 8.4” x 5.2” (107 x 214 x 131 mm) |
| Strap | Yes (mounting straps) | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 58Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
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