Review of LG XBoom Buds: A Surprise in Sound Quality

The LG XBoom Buds offer a blend of unique style and decent sound performance, but do they truly stand out in the crowded wireless earbuds market?

Introduction to LG XBoom Buds

Meet the LG XBoom Buds— a pair of wireless earbuds crafted in collaboration with will.i.am, the renowned music producer and television personality. LG and will.i.am aimed to create earbuds that deliver "superior sound," effective noise cancellation, and a unique style. Priced at approximately $90, these earbuds are not the cheapest on the market, but they don't quite qualify as premium either. While they offer good sound quality, they fall short of the heights achieved by previous models, presenting a design that could be more appealing.

Sound Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Now, let’s dive into the sound—that’s what really matters when searching for the best earbuds. Right out of the box, you’ll be greeted by impressive, deep bass, boosted highs, and relatively clear mids. However, it’s worth noting that the high frequencies might be a bit too pronounced at higher volumes, which could lead to some listener fatigue.

Not to worry, though! You can easily adjust this using the XBoom Buds app. Still, it’s a bit inconvenient compared to other options in the market, such as the Nothing Ear (a), which sound great right away.

The bass response is responsive, controlled, and pleasantly deep. The XBoom Buds even manage to produce some solid low-end frequencies, which is precisely what you’d expect from a product with "boom" in its name. While you might not experience super-detailed sound—thanks to the absence of advanced codecs like LDAC—these earbuds do deliver a reasonably clean sound for their price.

However, one aspect that detracted a bit from the listening experience was the fit. They feel slightly bulky and protrude from your ears, which makes them less sleek and secure. Don’t get me wrong; they’re not uncomfortable, but they didn’t feel great for extended listening sessions. Each bud also features a practical hook that helps keep them in place during physical activities, and they’re rated IPX4 for splash resistance, making them suitable for workouts.

Features: A Plus Point

Let’s give credit where credit is due—these earbuds come packed with features. The XBoom Buds boast various options for customization, from an adjustable equalizer and customizable noise-canceling modes to adaptive touch control. Another noteworthy feature is compatibility with Auracast, enabling you to connect to nearby broadcasts, such as music playing on a gym television.

Unfortunately, some popular features were omitted compared to LG's recently released Tone Free T90S, which I found to be one of the best wireless earbuds on the market. While I can understand the absence of head-tracking—given that the XBoom Buds are a more budget-friendly option—it would have been great to see the Plug & Wireless feature return. It allows audio to be transmitted via Bluetooth from a source connected to the charging case. Additionally, the UVnano technology, which helps protect against bacteria, is absent this time around.

Active Noise Cancellation and Battery Life

Let’s talk about Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)—it does a commendable job of blocking out background noise. In public settings, conversations and traffic sounds around me were significantly quieter. In the best-case scenario, they were completely muted. The transparency mode is also a nice touch, especially when you want to remain aware of your surroundings.

Battery life is another strong point. The earbuds can last up to 10 hours without ANC and 7.5 hours with it, with the lightweight charging case extending this time. That’s enough to get you through a day or two of music listening, outperforming the T90S, which offers 9 hours and 5 hours with ANC on.

Overall Impressions of LG XBoom Buds

Overall, the LG XBoom Buds are a reliable but imperfect addition to the audio portfolio of this tech giant. Their sound quality is adequate for everyday listening and likely makes them suitable for those who aren’t audiophiles. However, more discerning listeners might find the sound lacking in refinement. Not to mention, when it comes to features and battery life, they can compete with some of the best noise-canceling earbuds out there.

Yet, they ultimately fall short with a mediocre design and comfort. Given that they’re currently available at a discount, I would recommend instead the LG Tone Free T90S or, if you’re open to other brands, the Sony WF-C700N.

Pricing and Release Date

• Approximate Price: $90
• Released: March 2025

The LG XBoom Buds hit the shelves in 2025, positioned between budget and mid-range earbuds. You can purchase them now in black or white on the official LG website—I tested the latter.

Technical Specifications

LG definitely knows how to pack its audio technology with a plethora of features, and the XBoom Buds are no exception. One of the standout technologies here is Auracast—a variation of Bluetooth that allows you to tune into audio being broadcasted from devices like a phone or TV. Just download the LG XBoom Buds app, and you’ll be able to access any nearby broadcasts.

The app also grants access to classic features, such as an equalizer and customizable noise-canceling mode. Speaking of the equalizer, you can choose from four presets: “Natural,” “Immersive,” “Bass Boost,” and “Treble Boost.” Additionally, you can save two custom settings using an eight-band equalizer, which you’ll likely want to achieve the best sound—more on this later.

The noise-canceling feature works reasonably well; during testing, it effectively muted background noise, such as hairdryers and keyboards, but it didn’t provide the near-silent listening experience found in Bose QuietComfort Ultra. There’s also a transparency mode that lets in some external noise, which is handy during a run or similar activities.

App Features and Customization

What I appreciated about the XBoom Buds app is that it quickly runs a test to determine the optimal fit in your ear and optimize noise cancellation. All I had to do was stand next to a noise source, similar to an air conditioner, and the XBoom Buds worked wonders.

Other useful features include a "Whisper" mode for maintaining voice clarity during quiet calls, a "Wind Noise Detection" feature to reduce interruptions while listening, a "Find My Earbuds" feature that plays a sound if your earbuds get lost, and a gaming mode to minimize latency.

Overall, many features echo what I previously experienced with LG's recent release—the Tone Free T90S. You get customizable touch controls, multipoint connectivity, and voice alerts for reading received messages aloud. However, you will also miss out on some premium features from the T90S, including the UVnano bacteria-cleaning technology, the Plug & Wireless feature, and surround sound technology like head-tracking.

So, if you still crave top-notch sound and an extensive feature set, the T90S remains your best bet. However, that doesn’t mean the XBoom Buds lack their own set of features. Plus, with longer battery life—10 hours without ANC and 7.5 hours with it, extendable with a convenient charging case—they still hold their ground. While it may not be as impressive as the 12-hour battery life of the JBL Live Beam 3 (10 hours with ANC on), LG still offers a solid option.

Sound Quality Evaluation

• Clear audio output with rich bass
• Some tuning is needed for a more balanced sound
• AAC support, but no aptX Adaptive this time

Upon turning on the LG XBoom Buds, I noticed they were set to Natural EQ mode, emphasizing deep bass and high frequencies. I quickly switched to the custom equalizer with toned-down highs. The default calibration emphasizes upper frequencies so strongly that the higher sounds—especially percussion—can become grating.

This small adjustment made a significant impact. The high frequencies became much more controlled, and the mids were clearer. As expected from the name XBoom, there’s a strong focus on lower frequencies. For instance, while listening to "Black Eye" by Allie X, I noticed the drum machine hits had amazing depth—they were also fast enough to keep the track’s signature "bounce." Vocals, synths, and other elements weren't separated enough to create a lush, multilayered sound, but they were clear enough in the mix for enjoyable listening.

Unfortunately, however, delicate electronic music that kicks in around the fifth minute of a song gets a bit drowned out—perhaps partly due to the lack of high-resolution Bluetooth streaming. While they support AAC, there’s no aptX Adaptive, which would have been a great addition to the LG Tone Free T90S.

Nonetheless, these earbuds still deliver clean and enjoyable sound. When I played "Come On Back With Your Love – Sunrise Mix" by Kolter, the vocals were crisp, and the powerful bass left me dizzy with enjoyment.

The XBoom Buds also handle bass well. I was immediately struck by the powerful bass in “The Boys Are Back In Town” by Yung Gravy—a common area where cheaper competitors often fall short. The sound quality did dip a bit at maximum volume—around 90-100%—but I never felt the need to crank the music up that high.

Another sound-related aspect worth mentioning is the microphone quality. When I recorded a voice message, my speech was relatively clear, with minimal interference and only a slight hiss. During a video call with a colleague, my voice came through a bit tinny—not to the point of being difficult to understand, but enough that switching to my everyday earbuds noticeably improved the sound.

Design and Comfort of LG XBoom Buds

• Doesn't look particularly polished
• Reliable but somewhat uncomfortable fit
• IPX4 water resistance

I’ll get straight to the point, dear reader: I’m not a fan of the LG XBoom Buds' design. First, they appear bulkier than the sleek and elegant T90S. They also stick out quite a bit, making them less discreet than some rivals.

The XBoom Buds come in at a slightly lower price point than the T90S, and this is reflected in their simpler charging case and basic aesthetics. I tested the white variant, but they’re also available in black if that’s more your style. The only notable design feature is the almost hook-like attachment that fits snugly in your ear, which is great for active use. These hooks may look a bit awkward, but they’ll stay hidden in your ears—a decent feature overall.

However, the noticeable downside is their comfort level in your ears, at least for me. Unfortunately, their rounded shape makes them feel a bit bulky, meaning I rarely wear them for more than an hour. While they do sit securely and snugly in your ears, I wish they appeared and felt less imposing.

On the upside, they are IPX4 rated for splash resistance. At least the earbuds are, as it’s best to keep the case away from water. This means they’re suitable for workouts or light rain. The package also includes ear tips of various sizes, allowing you to achieve a tighter or looser fit.

Value of LG XBoom Buds

• Starting price is much lower than previous LG Buds models…
• … but it includes fewer premium features
• Still, there are budget-friendly options with a better price-to-quality ratio

The LG XBoom Buds essentially serve as a budget-friendly option within the mid-range category, competing with excellent earbuds like the Sony WF-C700N. This makes them considerably cheaper than the LG Tone Free T90S of 2024, which were undeniably more premium.

Of course, the LG XBoom Buds present a different offering. They're not designed for high-quality sound playback and don’t focus on spatial, three-dimensional sound. They are also somewhat simpler, lacking UVnano technology or Plug & Wireless features. However, given their still-rich feature set and decent sound, they are reasonably priced.

That said, I’d argue there are plenty of earbuds that sound just as good, if not better, and are significantly cheaper. For example, we rated the Nothing Ear (a) five out of five for sound quality due to their fun, energetic sound and LDAC support.

Let’s not forget that $90 isn’t exactly cheap for wireless earbuds. If you lean towards more affordable options, there are numerous great budget models, like the Sony WF-C510, which we even preferred over the pricier Apple AirPods 4.

Testing Methodology for LG XBoom Buds

• Two weeks of testing
• In-office usage and while walking
• Primarily using Tidal for music

I tested the LG XBoom Buds over two weeks, using them for several hours each workday and even longer. I tried them in the office, at home, and while walking to assess their noise cancellation effectiveness in various settings.

Most of the time, I tested the LG XBoom Buds using Tidal on a Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, but I also tried using them with Spotify and YouTube on my Windows laptop. While listening to music, I browsed the TechRadar playlist, featuring tracks from various genres, but I also spent hours enjoying music from my personal library.

Where applicable, I compared them with the LG Tone Free T90S across convenience, sound quality, noise-canceling capabilities, and features.

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