One of the best portable speakers I’ve tested is not made by Bose or Sony

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The LG XBoom 360 XO2 is a great Bluetooth speaker for professional chillers, loungers, and relaxers. It’s available for $197.
• Highlights include a focus on calming mood lighting and an elegant design.
• A lower-than-average battery life and lack of advanced features may make this speaker too simple for some.

There’s nothing like having a trusty Bluetooth speaker that offers portable listening in style. These days, many Bluetooth speaker manufacturers focus on making their speakers suitable for outdoor use, opting for angular, rugged designs with dust and water resistance for use at the beach or on a hike.

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If you never take your Bluetooth speakers outside the house, however, you probably don’t want your new speaker’s main selling point to be that it can survive the apocalypse. I want my speaker to look like it belongs in my house, not at my local REI.

If you’re like me, you’ll appreciate the latest LG XBoom 360 XO2 Bluetooth speaker, which I’ll refer to as the XO2 speaker, to avoid confusing it with the many speakers in LG’s XBoom 360 lineup. I spent a month with it supplying the soundtrack to my evenings at home, so let me explain why it’s the best speaker for homebodies and professional loungers.

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The XO2 speaker sounds great and has plenty of EQ settings to customize the sound to your personal preferences. You can choose preset EQ settings or tailor the sound on a five-band equalizer in the LG XBoom companion app.

The XO2 doesn’t have the same clarity as speakers like Apple’s HomePod or the Sonos Era 100, but those speakers stream audio over Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth, which enhances audio quality. The XO2 doesn’t support fancy audio features like spatial audio, so if you want a straightforward listening experience, you’re in the right place.

Usually, when I’m in the mood to chill at home and listen to music, I queue up songs on my Sonos Arc soundbar. The AirPlay compatibility is convenient, as notifications don’t interrupt my music. The Arc is humongous, though, making it a pain to move from room to room, and don’t get me started on using the Sonos app to notify it that I’ve switched rooms.

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The XO2 has an interesting shape that mimics a small patio lantern. The flat top houses touch controls that let you play/pause tracks, control volume, and change lighting settings with a short tap. 

I listened to albums like John Mayer’s Room for Squares, Frank Ocean’s Blonde, and Coldplay’s Mylo Xyloto while I cooked, cleaned, and read books on my couch. The XO2 has a prominent bass response, but the basslines didn’t muddy the soothing instrumentals that I desired during my evening relaxation. 

Although Beats and Bose have mastered the art of designing the unassuming Bluetooth speaker, the XO2 has one defining characteristic that sets it apart from the bunch: mood lighting. Plenty of speakers offer an array of multicolored, strobing LEDs for party purposes, but the XO2 focuses on lighting for chilled-out jam sessions.

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In the XBoom 360 app, you can choose your light setting, with options that mimic the calming morning sun or peaceful sunset. There’s a candlelight option for optimal tranquil vibes. There are also party light settings, but I didn’t get around to using them.

The XO2 can withstand outdoor use, boasting an IP55 rating, making it water-resistant against bouts in the rain or splashes from poolside fun. With 15 hours of continuous playback, the XO2 speaker doesn’t have as much longevity as other speakers at a similar price point, so you’ll have to choose between ambiance or battery life.

ZDNET’s buying advice

If you want a portable speaker that can set the mood for any vibe you wish, specifically quieter, solo jam sessions at home, the LG XBoom 360 XO2 is the right choice. Its nondescript design can blend into any home decor while delivering an enjoyable listening experience.

The XO2 is perfect for bed or couch-side listening. Its simplicity and lack of advanced controls make it best for people who don’t want their calendar, voice assistant, or digital reminders interrupting their evening podcast or solo album listening party.

If you expect more from your speaker, like AirPlay compatibility, audio streaming via Wi-Fi, and voice assistant capabilities, the XO2 isn’t for you. The Sonos Era 100 or the Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) are more up your alley, but keep in mind they require a power source.

If you want a speaker with more battery capacity, increased water resistance, and an equally elevated look without mood lighting, consider the Beats Pill (2024).