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ALTERNATIVES
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Scored using Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0
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Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Portable Speakers Methodology v1.0

LG ThinQ WK9 Review | 130 Data compared

Avg. price:~£260Audio output power:?Battery life:?IP rating:?Bluetooth version:4.2Weight:1810 g

LG ThinQ WK9 Review: Compare 130 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Portable Speakers category and whether it is worth buying.

7.1/10

Overall score

Score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of products in the Portable Speakers category, based on technical analysis and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference for identifying the best products in the Portable Speakers category.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 72% of models
Score components

80%

7.1

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–²Better than 72% of portable speakers
7.7

Value for money

Value for money
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

â–²Better than 59%
7.1

Technical score

Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 80% of models
Score components

32%

7.7

Audio

20%

6.9

Battery

18%

6.4

Durability

16%

6.4

Connectivity

8%

7.6

Controls

3%

7.1

Design

3%

8.1

Smart features

â–²Better than 80%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

  • No image
No image
Where to buy
    N/A~ £260
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of portable speaker LG ThinQ WK9

Technical score
Technical score
7.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Portable Speakers category across these key areas: Audio, Connectivity, Battery, Durability, Controls, Design, Smart features.
When it matters
When you want to compare products in the Portable Speakers category by technical performance, specifications, and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 80% of models
Score components:

32%

7.7

Audio

20%

6.9

Battery

18%

6.4

Durability

16%

6.4

Connectivity

8%

7.6

Controls

3%

7.1

Design

3%

8.1

Smart features

7.1
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews with the total review volume for products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you want to know how products in the Portable Speakers category perform in everyday use and how reliable owners find them over time.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by products in the Portable Speakers category.
When it matters
When you prefer products in the Portable Speakers category that have been chosen and reviewed by many other buyers.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
LG ThinQ WK9 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than 59.2% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
7.7/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the overall score of products in the Portable Speakers category with their prices.
When it matters
When you are comparing products in the Portable Speakers category and want a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

7.1

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

7.7
Audio output power
?
Driver unit size
?
Number of drivers
2
Market range: <0 – >5
This portable speaker has 2 drivers, which is more than 24.5% of portable speakers and equal to the number in 45.5% of portable speakers.
Frequency response tolerance
?
Lowest frequency
?
Show more
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth audio. 5.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
Market range: <3 – >5.3
This portable speaker supports Bluetooth version 4.2 which is older than that of 53.8% of portable speakers and equal to that of 17.8% of portable speakers.
Maximum Bluetooth range
?
Bluetooth profiles supported
?
Bluetooth LE Audio
no
This portable speaker does not support Bluetooth LE Audio. 2.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Battery life
?
Battery capacity
?
Charging time
?
Maximum charging input power
?
Built-in rechargeable battery
no
This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery. 81.4% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
IP rating
?
Water resistance
no
This portable speaker is not water resistant. 61.7% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Dust resistance
?
Waterproof depth rating
?
Drop resistance
no
This portable speaker lacks an impact-resistance rating. 32.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
On-device controls placement
top
Touchscreen
?
Smartphone app control
yes
This portable speaker supports smartphone app control. 46.1% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Compatible mobile app provides speaker control or settings.
Remote control
no
This portable speaker does not include a remote control. 15% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Fast pairing
no
This portable speaker does not support fast pairing. 22.5% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more
Weight
1,810 g
Market range: <200 g – >5.6k g
This portable speaker weighs 1,810 g which is heavier than that of 69.7% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.1% of portable speakers.
Height
13.5 cm
Market range: <5.79 cm – >29 cm
This portable speaker has a height of 13.5 cm which is taller than that of 54.1% of portable speakers and equal to that of 0.3% of portable speakers.
Width
32 cm
Market range: <7.6 cm – >37 cm
This portable speaker has a width of 32 cm which is wider than that of 83.2% of portable speakers and equal to that of 1.2% of portable speakers.
Depth
13.208 cm
Market range: <4.3 cm – >19.97 cm
This portable speaker has a depth of 13.208 cm which is deeper than that of 73.1% of portable speakers.
Carry options
none
Show more
Companion app name
?
Firmware updates
yes
This portable speaker supports firmware updates. 52.9% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
Firmware update method
OTA; App
Voice assistant support
yes
This portable speaker supports voice assistants. 73.6% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Supports direct voice-assistant control.
Spotify Connect
no
This portable speaker does not support Spotify Connect. 10.8% of portable speakers offer this feature.
Show more

LG ThinQ WK9 vs the average portable speaker

246810TotalAudioConnectivityBatteryDurabilityControlsDesignSmart features
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average portable speaker does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • Has Chromecast built-in
    This portable speaker has Chromecast built-in, while the average portable speaker does not have Chromecast built-in.
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • 1 more microphones
    This portable speaker has more microphones than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Supports party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • Supports multi-room audio
    This portable speaker supports multi-room audio, while the average portable speaker does not support multi-room audio.
    Supports synchronized multi-room playback.
  • Has a noise-canceling microphone
    This portable speaker has a noise-canceling microphone, while the average portable speaker does not have a noise-canceling microphone.
    Uses microphone noise/echo cancellation for calls or voice.
  • Has built-in stereo speakers
    This portable speaker has built-in stereo speakers, while the average portable speaker does not have built-in stereo speakers.
    Provides true stereo output within the unit.
  • 1 more microphones
    This portable speaker has more microphones than the average portable speaker (2 vs 1).
    2 vs 1
  • Supports Wi-Fi connectivity
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi connectivity, while the average portable speaker does not support Wi-Fi connectivity.
  • Has Chromecast built-in
    This portable speaker has Chromecast built-in, while the average portable speaker does not have Chromecast built-in.
  • Wi-Fi standard detailed
    This portable speaker supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), while the average portable speaker supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n).
    Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) vs Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
  • Includes a power adapter
    This portable speaker includes a power adapter, while the average portable speaker does not include a power adapter.
  • Has an equalizer
    This portable speaker has an equalizer, while the average portable speaker does not have an equalizer.
    Offers user-selectable EQ, tone adjustment, or sound presets.
  • Supports party mode
    This portable speaker supports party mode, while the average portable speaker does not support party mode.
    Supports synchronized multi-speaker party/group playback.
  • Has a hardware microphone mute switch
    This portable speaker has a hardware microphone mute switch, while the average portable speaker does not have a hardware microphone mute switch.
    Has a physical microphone mute control.
  • Supports playback mute
    This portable speaker supports playback mute, while the average portable speaker does not support playback mute.
    Speaker playback audio can be directly muted.
  • 1 more EQ presets
    This portable speaker has more EQ presets than the average portable speaker (1 vs 0).
    1 vs 0
  • Supports multi-room audio
    This portable speaker supports multi-room audio, while the average portable speaker does not support multi-room audio.
    Supports synchronized multi-room playback.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This portable speaker supports voice assistants, while the average portable speaker does not support voice assistants.
    Supports direct voice-assistant control.
  • Supports firmware updates
    This portable speaker supports firmware updates, while the average portable speaker does not support firmware updates.
    Supports user-accessible firmware updates.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • Does not have a built-in rechargeable battery
    This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery, while the average portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery.
  • Does not have a 3.5 mm AUX input
    This portable speaker does not have a 3.5 mm AUX input, while the average portable speaker has a 3.5 mm AUX input.
    No built-in 3.5 mm AUX input.
  • Does not have a battery level indicator
    This portable speaker does not have a battery level indicator, while the average portable speaker has a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This portable speaker has fewer USB ports than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 1,010 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (1,810 g vs 800 g).
    1,810 g vs 800 g
  • 13.9 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (32 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    32 cm vs 18.1 cm
  • 4.21x less popular
    LG ThinQ WK9 is less popular than the average portable speaker (1 vs 4.21).
    1 vs 4.21
  • 2.89x more expensive
    LG ThinQ WK9 is more expensive than the average portable speaker (£260 vs £90).
    £260 vs £90
  • Does not have a 3.5 mm AUX input
    This portable speaker does not have a 3.5 mm AUX input, while the average portable speaker has a 3.5 mm AUX input.
    No built-in 3.5 mm AUX input.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This portable speaker has fewer USB ports than the average portable speaker (0 vs 1).
    0 vs 1
  • 0.8 Bluetooth levels older
    This portable speaker has an older Bluetooth version than the average portable speaker (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • Does not have a built-in rechargeable battery
    This portable speaker does not have a built-in rechargeable battery, while the average portable speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery.
  • Does not have a battery level indicator
    This portable speaker does not have a battery level indicator, while the average portable speaker has a battery level indicator.
  • Is not water resistant
    This portable speaker is not water resistant, while the average portable speaker is water resistant.
  • 1,010 g heavier
    This portable speaker is heavier than the average portable speaker (1,810 g vs 800 g).
    1,810 g vs 800 g
  • 13.9 cm wider
    This portable speaker is wider than the average portable speaker (32 cm vs 18.1 cm).
    32 cm vs 18.1 cm
  • 4.91 cm deeper
    This portable speaker is deeper than the average portable speaker (13.2 cm vs 8.3 cm).
    13.208 cm vs 8.3 cm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

V
venturebeat.com
19/11/2018
Summary of the review
LG Xboom WK9 review: Boomy bass can't make up for Google Smart Display shortcomings
P
pcmag.com
18/01/2019
Summary of the review
LG Xboom AI ThinQ WK9 Smart Display Review - PCMag Read more detailed tests and technical specifications on the LG Website.
T
techadvisor.com
09/05/2018
Summary of the review
LG Smart Display ThinQ WK9 Review: Hands-on
C
cnet.com
06/12/2018
Summary of the review
LG WK9 ThinQ Xboom AI Smart Display review
T
techradar.com
10/01/2018
Summary of the review
Hands on: LG WK9 Wireless Speaker with Google Assistant review

Third-party reviews

What customers like about LG ThinQ WK9

  • Bright, crisp 8-inch touchscreen display with comfortable viewing angles.
  • Powerful 20W dual stereo speakers tuned by Meridian Audio that get exceptionally loud.
  • Excellent Google Assistant integration providing smooth voice commands and smart home control.
  • Responsive microphones that capture voice commands reliably from across the room.
  • Built-in front-facing camera supporting video calls and Chromecast out of the box.
  • Handy physical camera shutter and microphone mute button for enhanced user privacy.

What customers don't like about LG ThinQ WK9

  • Clunky, blocky, and utilitarian physical design that lacks elegance.
  • Mediocre high and low-frequency audio performance with underwhelming bass for its large size.
  • Muffled vocal and mid-range clarity making speech sound compressed at times.
  • Relatively high launch price compared to other similarly capable smart display competitors.
  • Lacks standalone battery portability requiring it to remain plugged into a power source.
  • The large footprint and wide bezels occupy significant space on countertops or tables.

Verdict

The LG XBOOM AI ThinQ WK9 is a smart display and speaker featuring an 8-inch HD touchscreen, integrated Google Assistant, and a built-in 5-megapixel front-facing camera with a physical privacy shutter. Its main audio architecture relies on 2-channel, 20-watt stereo front-firing speakers tuned by Meridian Audio, supported by dual rear passive radiators alongside Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Chromecast connectivity. Key advantages include powerful, clear vocal audio performance, seamless hands-free smart home integration, and cross-platform Google Duo video calling capabilities. However, notable drawbacks include a bulky, blocky design with wide black bezels, average sound fidelity for its high price tag, and audio that can sound muddy during complex music tracks.

Compare LG ThinQ WK9 with other products in the Portable Speakers category

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