Short answer: the LG Xboom XG5 on price and rank, though neither ranks well in its class. It sits at #131 of 157 medium speakers at $99, against the Esquire 2’s #138 of 157 at $200. The Harman Kardon doubles as a conference speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise and echo cancellation, but has weak bass and sounds tinny at high volume; the XG5 is itself peaky in the midrange and rolled off up top. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 157 medium speakers, so if sound quality matters, consider the Earfun Uboom L instead, ranked #1 at $49.79.
Buy the LG Xboom XG5. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 is no longer sold new.
If battery life is a priority, the LG Xboom XG5 is rated for 18 hours versus 8 hours for the Harman Kardon Esquire 2.
If water resistance matters to you, the LG Xboom XG5 at IP67 (brief submersion) holds up far better than the Harman Kardon Esquire 2 at IPX4 (splashing).
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| LG Xboom XG5 | Harman Kardon Esquire 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.00 | $200 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #131 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #138 of 157 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IP67 | IPX4 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 4.1 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.3” x 3.1” (222 x 83 x 80 mm) | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| Power Input | USB-C | Micro USB |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | 20W | 16W |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| App | Yes (LG XBOOM app) | No |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| Power Bank | - | Yes (USB-A) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- JBL Charge 6 vs LG Xboom XG5
- JBL Flip 6 vs LG Xboom XG5
- JBL Flip 7 vs LG Xboom XG5
Prices on this page were last checked October 3, 2026 at 10:26 PM 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
LG Xboom XG5: $99.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: IP67 rated. 18 hour battery life (~17 hrs confirmed in testing) with fast USB-C charging. Wireless Party Link connects up to 10 speakers.
Cons: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble. Not very good sounding
Full LG Xboom XG5 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 20W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (LG XBOOM app) |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7” x 3.3” x 3.1” (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Harman Kardon Esquire 2: $200 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Doubles as a conferencing speakerphone with a 4-mic array and noise/echo cancellation. Flat, compact design packs easily. USB charge-out for topping off a phone.
Cons: Bass is weak, vocal and instrument separation is underwhelming and sounds tinny at high volume. Discontinued.
Full Harman Kardon Esquire 2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 16W |
|---|---|
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 5.1” x 1.3” (190 x 130 x 34 mm) |
| Drivers | 4x 1.25” (32mm) full-range drivers |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) |
| Power Input | Micro USB |
| Stereo | No |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (0.35 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Ultimate Ears Roll 2
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Mini
- Harman Kardon Esquire 2 vs LG Xboom Go PL5
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