Quality sound no matter the weather: LG XBOOM Go XG2 speaker review

While LG is perhaps best known for its TVs, it also makes quality speakers. The XBOOM line is here, and among them is the Go XG2. It's a compact and miniature portable speaker that packs a booming sound into its small size. Its main draw is its military-grade durability, ready to handle whatever you throw at it. But does this speaker have the performance to match its adventurous design?

With a string to attach it to any backpack, the XBOOM Go XG2 is a fantastic travel speaker. It has a lightweight build, and the shape is convenient enough that you should be able to pack it without it taking too much room. Even better, it has a waterproofing and dustproof rating of IP67, making it a solid choice to bring to the beach or pool. If you want a waterproof speaker, this could be the ideal one for you.

So, it's a versatile speaker with an adventurous design, but you might not be confident about whether or not it is right for you. Luckily, we're here to help. We're here to answer any questions you might have about what it's like to actually use XG2, how well its waterproofing holds up, and if it's actually worth your money.

We've had one of our tech writers, Kyle Purves, trial and test the LG XBOOM Go XG2. As someone familiar with testing speakers, they know what features to look out for and what to expect from a quality model. With the XG2's outdoor focus, they've made sure to pay extra attention to the waterproofing and durability. Now that they've got a good handle on the XG2, they're ready to share their findings.

The performance

Sound and bass

Sound quality is one of, if not the most important, aspects for a speaker to nail, and I'm happy to report that XG2 sounds great. While an output of 5W isn't the most impressive, the rest of its audio specs and features highlight its potential.

The 1.5-inch woofer gives the XG2 a surprisingly refined sound profile, but if you want to tailor it to your exact liking, there's a companion app that allows you to tweak the EQ. I was very content with the base settings but always appreciated additional options.

I always pay close attention to how a speaker handles bass. It's not unusual for speakers this size to end up a bit muddy, and larger models tend to handle it a lot better. Thankfully, the XG2 does a great job with bass. Considering the unassuming output power, the boom that comes out from such a small speaker is a pleasant surprise. It's in part thanks to the bass algorithm that LG has used here, which also enables the bass to sound consistently great even at low volumes, further making the XG2 stand above other speakers its size.

Music, dialogue, and clarity

Usually, small Bluetooth speakers fall short of larger stationary ones for playing music, but once again, the XG2 punches above its weight. I listened to various different genres with XG2, and it was able to handle each and every one of them. Thanks to the bass algorithm, it's especially solid for bass-heavy tracks. The overall clarity of the output is also brilliant with minimal distortion. This doesn't just help it with music, but also doubles for making any dialogue distinct, so podcast enjoyers can rejoice.

It's also worth noting that you can use the XG2 as a speakerphone. Although I much prefer to use my phone for taking calls, everything I have said about the sound quality and clarity stands true here too. Despite my preferences, I can definitely see this feature being very useful when it's attached to a backpack, letting you chat completely hands-free.

Impressive volume

One last performance feature I want to note is the sound projection. The driver only faces in one direction, which when factoring in the 5W output, made me assume that the XG2 would have volume issues. Yet I couldn't be more wrong, and that's due to the sound boost. It's a feature that helps the speaker amp up its volume, even to the extent that it can compete with other home speakers. This potential volume is what makes it one of the best outdoor speakers, with it having no trouble projecting its audio out and about.

The build

Dustproof durability

Durability isn't something I usually look at first when it comes to speakers, but it's impossible to overlook the XG2's commitment to it. This is a speaker with military-grade durability and it feels like it. Every aspect of its physical design is sturdy and well-protected. I often worry about dropping or knocking over speakers when leaving the house with one, but I never did with this one. Wherever I went with the XG2, I was confident that it could handle any fall, trip or drop.

Of course, being dropped is only one way a speaker can be damaged. One of the more subtle ways is from dust and debris. Over time, tiny particles find their way into the gaps of speakers, and a buildup can harm their performance. Sand and dirt can quickly clog up a speaker in a more hastened case. The XG2, however, does not have these issues since it is completely dustproof. Whether you want to take it to a beach or have some music on as you enjoy a picnic, the XG2 will be safe and secure.

Waterproof design

With an IP67 rating, the LG XBOOM Go XG2 is waterproof through and through (you can read more about IP ratings in our guide). It can be submerged in water up to a meter for about 30 minutes and see no harm. While that does make it tempting to take to the poolside, I much prefer it for a simpler purpose – tackling rainy weather. As an outdoor speaker, it's important to be resilient against sudden showers and cloudbursts. The XG2 is more than equipped to handle that, so even when the weather takes a turn for the worse, you won't need to pack it away. I quite enjoy a bit of rain, so I also appreciate the fact that I don't have to rush about to give it shelter.

Strap and portability

Initially wrapped and secured around the speaker, the XG2 has a cord to help with its portability. You can secure it at different points to adjust the length or tie it to a backpack to keep it attached. It's a simple addition, but one that goes a long way. Many portable speakers inevitably need to be packed into a bag when travelling, but you have the freedom with the XG2 to tie it to the outside. It's a brilliant design for backpackers and hikers.

The size, shape and weight of the XG2 all further cement its fantastic portability. The unique shape is really convenient and practical, with minimal design space wasted. As for the size, I found it to be perfect for me. I can fit the entire speaker in my grip or in my pocket, allowing for even more options when travelling with it. And all of that is brought together by its lightweight design, which has just enough heft to remind you of its presence without becoming obstructive.

Any downsides?

While there are many things to love about the XG2, the battery life is not one of them. I always appreciate fast charging time and have praised other speakers for managing a full charge in around four hours, which the XG2 is capable of. But, unlike those other speakers, the XG2's playtime is only about 10 hours. That's far from brilliant and is easily my biggest disappointment with the speaker.

It's not a major issue when listening at home since I'm never too far away from a means to charge it, but it is lacklustre for a portable speaker. I've come to expect about 12 hours as a comfortable number for a speaker like this, and for one focused so much on outdoor use where you won't be near a socket, 14 would be ideal. As it stands, 10 hours might be enough for some, but you'll definitely need to charge this up to full between outings if you don't want to worry about it cutting out mid-playlist.

Price and competition

At around £69.99, the LG XBOOM Go XG2 can be classed as a budget speaker. While there are more affordable options available that share its waterproofing and solid sound quality, such as the Soundcore Motion 100, they don't match up to its overall durability and convenient shape.

For other LG speakers, look towards the XBOOM Go XG8. It's the much larger sibling to the XG2, and still manages to retain an impressive degree of durability. Even better, the audio output is 120W and the battery life is up to 15 hours. It may outshine the XG2 in those areas, but be aware that it comes at a literal cost, retailing for about £400. There's also the XBOOM 360 XO2, which we've also reviewed. It's a speaker combined with a lamp, making for a unique home speaker design.

Who is it for?

The XG2 seems to want to carve a niche for itself as the best portable speaker for outdoor use, especially for backpackers, campers, and similar hobbyists. With its excellent durability and waterproofing combined with the compact design, it certainly nails that. The battery life may leave you a bit wanting, but if you're bringing it along on a journey, you're likely packing a power bank with you anyway.

Don't mistake it for only suiting outdoor folk. This is still a superb speaker for its sound quality and price range, so if you're in the market for a portable Bluetooth speaker, you'll still get a lot out of the XBOOM Go XG2.

Would we recommend it?

We happily recommend the LG XBOOM Go XG2. You'll get the most out of it if you like to spend a lot of time outdoors, but the core traits of this speaker are still impressive enough that it's good for general use as well. It sits at a comfortable price point that makes it well worth considering, and you get the added benefit of peace of mind since you won't need to worry about it getting damaged anytime soon.

More items to consider?

Who tested it?

Kyle Purves is a tech writer for What's The Best who frequently reviews speakers. Writing for What's The Best for over a year now, they understand what to look out for in audio products and have developed an understanding of what to expect, what makes a good speaker, and what shortcomings are likely to appear.

How was it tested?

I tested the LG XBOOM Go XG2 by using it daily. From listening to music as I work to taking it with me on the go, I made sure it was always by my side. With Scottish weather as it is, it wasn't difficult to see how the waterproofing held up, and as someone who can frequently be seen with a backpack on, I got a good sense of the speaker's portability.

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Kyle Purves is a Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.

They're well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They're also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.

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