Short answer: the Soundcore Boom 3i. It ranks #29 of 144 medium speakers by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $118.99. The LG Xboom XG5 ranks #120, rated 2.4/5, at $99, $19.99 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Soundcore Boom 3i: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. The catch: Not quite as good as a Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close.
What the LG Xboom XG5 does well: IP67 rated. Watch for: Peaky midrange, rolled off treble.
Buy the Soundcore Boom 3i. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $19.99 with the LG Xboom XG5 does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Soundcore Boom 3i | LG Xboom XG5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $118.99 | $99.00 |
| Ranked | #29 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #120 of 144 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes | Yes (LG XBOOM app) |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | Yes | Yes (App EQ) |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Party Mode | No | Yes (Wireless Party Link, up to 10 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.3” x 3.1” (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) | 8.7” x 3.3” x 3.1” (222 x 83 x 80 mm) |
| Drivers | 94mm woofer + tweeter | 1x 42x80mm track-type woofer + 1x passive radiator |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (783 g) | 1.5 lbs (680 g) |
| Amplifier Power | 50W | 20W |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Lights | Yes | Yes |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) | - |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 26, 2026 at 11:14 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
Soundcore Boom 3i: $118.99 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Looks to be designed as a direct competitor to the Charge 5 with a very similar sound profile, warm tuned with boosted bass. Better value for the money than the Charge 5. Measured bass extension of 56Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Not quite as good as a Charge 5, doesn’t go quite as loud or sound quite as balanced, but very very close. An earlier firmware version had some bass distortion, update your firmware in the Soundcore App
Full Soundcore Boom 3i review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
|---|---|
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 56Hz |
| Battery Life | 16 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.3” x 3.3” x 3.1” (210 x 85 x 78.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 94mm woofer + tweeter |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | No |
| Strap | Yes (detachable strap) |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 1.7 lbs (783 g) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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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 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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