Compare LG xboom Bounce Core by will.i.am Portable Speaker vs Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Portable Speaker

Dust resistance was praised alongside the broader rugged build, especially for outdoor use around dirt, sand, and rough environments.

Dust resistance was a repeated weakness because reviewers criticized the missing official dustproof rating.

Low-volume performance was a weakness in PCMag's testing because upper-mids and treble lacked presence at lower levels.

Low-volume performance received positive evidence, especially for retaining bass presence at reasonable or lower volumes.

Status indicators scored well in the unboxing review because the Bluetooth light feedback reduced guesswork at noisy parties.

Status indicator feedback was negative because battery visibility relied too much on the app or lacked an on-speaker percentage indicator.

The companion app produced mixed reactions, from easier-to-use praise to tedious setup, broken features, and reliability complaints.

The Soundcore app was consistently described as intuitive, easy to navigate, useful, and reliable for EQ, lights, and setup.

Multi-speaker party mode was criticized because turning it off required the app rather than the speaker button.

One reviewer who used multi-speaker linking found it reliable compared with other systems.

High-volume quality drew criticism, with reviewers noting distortion or harsher highs when the speaker was pushed hard.

High-volume distortion was generally controlled, though a few reviewers noted buzzing radiators, grating highs, or reduced refinement at extreme levels.

Cohesion was polarizing: one review heard well-balanced layering, while several others described muddled, blended, or soul-lacking playback.

Cohesion was generally positive when bass stayed controlled, with reviewers praising balanced, dynamic, clear, or satisfying presentation.

Bluetooth codec support was a limitation in PCMag's review, which explicitly said codec support held the speaker back.

Codec support received a modest positive note because AAC made it more appealing for Apple users.

Wired input scored poorly because a reviewer complained that the lack of a 3.5mm jack prevents simple plug-and-play use.

The aux/wired input was appreciated for easy wired playback and DJ-style setups, though one reviewer complained no cable was included.

Price/value was mixed, with some seeing decent value but others saying better-sounding alternatives exist around the same price.

Price-value evidence was mostly positive, with some reviewers calling the speaker a strong buy or best-in-class, though one found the price costly.

Battery life was a major strength overall, with repeated praise for long runtime, though feature-heavy use reduced confidence in the full claim.

Battery life divided reviewers: some found it good, but several called the 20-hour rating unimpressive or much shorter with lights and BassUp.

EQ and AI sound options were divisive: some reviewers liked the depth or customization, while others found AI processing worse.

EQ customization was strongly praised across reviews for deep nine-band or full-band control and noticeable sound changes.

On-device controls were functional and convenient for some reviewers, but others disliked missing skip controls or hard-to-see buttons.

On-device controls were praised because key functions could be accessed manually without relying on the app.

Smart features divided reviewers, with praise for radio, AI calibration, and useful features but criticism of broken or disappointing extras.

Smart features were praised broadly in the context of the speaker's many features and sheer power.

Stereo presentation was split: some heard a nice stereo image, while others found the stage compressed or weakly separated.

One reviewer praised the size of the soundstage, but direct evidence on precise stereo imaging was limited.

Setup was mixed: basic Bluetooth pairing could be easy, but app-based setup was described as lengthy or tedious.

Setup was described as painless or incredibly easy.

Bluetooth stability was split, with flawless music pairing in one review but a playback-stopping phone-call bug in another.

Bluetooth connection stability was praised in app-swapping and general Bluetooth use.

Overall value was split: reviewers liked the feature set and price in some contexts but criticized the sound/app tradeoffs against rivals.

Value for money was one of the strongest themes, with many reviewers saying it competes with pricier speakers or is worth checking out.

Speakerphone quality was mixed, with a strong outdoor call test in one review and disappointing processed call audio in another.

Speakerphone evidence was limited but positive from SoundGuys, which found call clarity usable in ideal conditions.

LED lighting was usually liked, especially the AI-powered light behavior, though one reviewer found the lights less animated than expected.

LED reactions were mixed: some reviewers loved the bright, synced show, while others found it off-beat or gimmicky.

Design was generally liked for its distinctive, fun, premium-looking shape, though some reviewers found it rugged-looking or mixed overall.

Design feedback was mixed: reviewers liked the rugged and newer look, but some criticized the plastic as cheap or not premium.

The built-in microphone disappointed PCMag because its processed recording quality was unpleasant.

Microphone feedback was negative where discussed as a missing feature for calls or voice assistant use.

The strap split reviewers, earning praise as clever or useful while also drawing durability concerns for deformation and flimsiness.

The handle and strap were widely praised for comfort and portability, with only minor complaints about strap padding.

Drop and impact durability scored strongly, with reviewers calling the speaker rugged, sturdy, and successful in hands-on abuse testing.

Durability evidence was positive, covering occasional tumbles, accidental impact, and protective exterior design.

Lighting effects were mostly positive for ambience and party flair, but AI lighting quality was not universally convincing.

Lighting effects were generally viewed as fun and atmospheric, especially in darker rooms, though they remained secondary to audio.

Detail retrieval was one of the most divided attributes, praised for crisp notes in positive reviews and criticized as lost or compressed in negative ones.

Detail retrieval was the main audio tradeoff: reviewers said detail could be lost, especially above moderate volume or in mids and treble.

Bass output was praised by ZDNET as big and boomy, supporting the speaker's party-focused identity.

The low-end hardware and passive radiators were praised for reinforcing bass and producing powerful low-frequency response.

Frequency balance was highly divisive, ranging from crisp, balanced bass/treble praise to complaints of too much bass and shallow highs.

Reviewers agreed the tuning is bass-forward; some found it clear and balanced with EQ, while others said vocals or guitars could sit back.

The power-bank feature was treated as useful, especially for charging a phone from the speaker in a pinch.

The power bank function was repeatedly praised as convenient for keeping phones charged during long outings.

Inter-speaker connectivity was praised as useful for greater volume or immersion when linking compatible Xboom speakers.

Inter-speaker connectivity was viewed positively where discussed, with stereo pairing and Soundcore lineup linking considered useful.

Voice clarity varied by reviewer, with some praising clear or warm vocals and others finding vocals muddy or nonspecific.

Voice and vocal clarity ranged from muffled in bass-heavy listening to clear, well-defined mids and highs in other tests.

Water resistance was broadly viewed as a strength for outdoor use, with multiple reviewers treating the rugged protection as reassuring.

Water resistance was strongly praised, with reviewers reporting pool splashes, submersion, wet use, and floatable waterproof confidence.

Dynamic performance was praised in one hands-on video review that highlighted punch and an energetic sound presentation.

Dynamic headroom was praised by a reviewer who said the speaker handled quiet use but did loud playback even better.

Portability was mixed: the speaker is compact enough for some reviewers but too heavy or large for easy backpack carry.

Weight feedback was mixed: several reviewers found it manageable for its size, while others said it was bulky, not discreet, or poor for long travel.

Reviewers consistently found the Bounce loud enough for outdoor gatherings and parties, even when sound quality was criticized.

Reviewers overwhelmingly described the speaker as very loud, with party-ready volume and bass output that worked well outdoors and in larger social spaces.

Everyday usability was praised in one review that called the Bounce a solid hybrid for home and outdoor use.

Everyday usability was praised when the speaker was used as intended as a party speaker.

Home integration was a strength for ZDNET, especially for buyers already using LG TVs, soundbars, or appliances.

One reviewer found the speaker effective behind a tablet or laptop for a larger movie-sound experience.

Audio format support received a modest positive mention because AAC improved usefulness for Apple users.

Bluetooth connectivity evidence was positive from a reviewer who noted the speaker stayed connected while still audible at distance.

Bluetooth range drew positive comments, including apartment-to-street use, clear sound at distance, and very long outdoor connection range.

Build quality was generally solid, though evidence focused on material quality and cabinet feel rather than internal bracing.

Charging time drew criticism from reviewers who called the three-hour recharge long or awful when leaving soon.

Physical controls were mostly praised as reliable, responsive, and satisfying, though one reviewer wanted more button lighting.

Float capability was strongly verified and praised across water tests, pool use, and outdoor scenarios.

Google Fast Pair was mentioned positively as helping setup speed.

Latency evidence was positive, with reviewers finding Bluetooth lag minor and movie use workable.

Multipoint feedback was mixed: some reviewers liked pairing to two devices, while one outlet listed inability to pair more than one phone as a drawback.

Privacy and data scored poorly because PCMag objected to how much personal data the ThinQ app requested.

One review treated the lack of microphone support for calls or voice assistant use as a negative.

USB-C charging was mostly praised for fast charging and convenience, though one reviewer disliked that one port limited simultaneous charging.