Music is felt rather than heard. The rumbling you hear in your automobile from deep bass frequencies comes from your car subwoofers, not the regular audio speakers.
Subwoofers are a kind of loudspeaker that reproduces low-pitched audio frequencies such as bass and sub-bass.
So, if you want that window-rattling, ground-shaking effect from your music, a subwoofer is the way to go. We’ve compiled a list of the greatest subwoofers on the market right now.
A subwoofer is a kind of speaker used to reproduce bass.
They normally work between 20 and 200 Hz, however, this may vary depending on the size of the woofer.
Larger subwoofers with a lower frequency range generate deeper tones but may lack midrange sound, whilst smaller subs with a greater frequency range produce midrange somewhat better but may lack deeper tones.
We have put together a list of the 10 best car subwoofers we think you’ll love.
In a hurry? Here’s the quick rundown:
- ⭐ Best Overall Car Subwoofer
- 🔉 Best 8-Inch Car Subwoofer
- 🔉 Best 10-Inch Car Subwoofer
- 🔉 Best 12-Inch Car Subwoofers
- 💸 Best Budget Car Subwoofer
How to Choose the Best Car Subwoofer?
Size: Consider the space available in your car and choose a subwoofer that fits that space.
Power handling: Make sure the subwoofer can handle the power that your amplifier delivers. A higher RMS rating means that the subwoofer can handle more power.
Frequency response: The frequency response range of a subwoofer determines the type of bass it can produce. A larger frequency response range is generally better for producing a wide range of bass frequencies.
Sensitivity: The sensitivity rating of a subwoofer indicates how efficiently it converts power into sound. A higher sensitivity rating means that the subwoofer will produce more volume with less power.
Impedance: The impedance rating of a subwoofer indicates how much electrical resistance it has. A lower impedance rating means that the subwoofer will require more power to operate.
Voice coil configuration: Consider whether you want a dual voice coil subwoofer or a single voice coil subwoofer. Dual voice coil subwoofers allow for more wiring options and more flexibility in terms of power handling.
Enclosure type: Consider the type of enclosure that you want to use with your subwoofer. Sealed enclosures offer tighter, more accurate bass, while ported enclosures offer more volume but with less accuracy.
Table of Contents
10 Best Car Subwoofers
1. Kicker Dual 12-inch Solo-Baric L7R
Subwoofer Features:
- Dual Subwoofers
- 1200 Watts of Power with L7R Subwoofer
- Internal Bracing
- 20% More Volume
Kicker is a well-known aftermarket brand, and several of its subwoofers have found their way into factory stereos such as those found in the Ford Mustang.
This is a serious machine weighing around 100 pounds.
Square speaker drivers, according to Kicker, are 20% louder than round drivers. The back is reinforced and vented.
The Kicker moniker accurately depicts what this subwoofer will do to your eardrums—and the windows of passing automobiles.
My Pros With This Subwoofer:
- Name brand and Quality
- Wonderful Bass sound
- Resilient Construction
My Cons With This Subwoofer:
- Expensive
- High Weight
- No amp included
2. BOSS Audio Systems CXX8 8 Inch Car Subwoofer
Subwoofer Features:
- Surround Sound
- High-quality voice coils
- 600 Watts of maximum power
- Stamped Basket
This labor-intensive sub will provide a surprisingly deep sound. However, this is only available as a single speaker.
This is the kind of low-cost item that will need customized installation. Because of the wiring, mounting, and effort involved, this device may not be the ideal option for newcomers concerned about the difficulties of a self-install.
However, the inexpensive price makes it ideal for amateurs to utilize as an experiment.
This speaker is composed of polypropylene, a strong and long-lasting material, so durability should not be a problem.
Customers have reported melting coils before reaching the maximum claimed power, so if you want to test the boundaries of your system, this might not be the most viable option for you.
My Pros With This Subwoofer:
- Lower Pricing
- Different Size Options
- Durability
My Cons With This Subwoofer:
- Requires Intensive Knowledge
- Complains about less than advertised power
- Custom Installation
3. Rockville RWS12CA Slim 1200
Subwoofer Features:
- 1200 Watts Peak power output
- High-Density Laminated Foam Surround
- Super Slim Sealed MDF Enclosure Design
- 12“ Super Slim Subwoofer
This Rockville subwoofer is an intelligent and compact unit to fit in the small spaces in your car.
A remote bass control, adjustable low-pass crossover, variable bass boost, and gain control are all included in the Slim 1200.
It has a peak power output of 1200 watts and an RMS CEA rating of 300 watts.
However, if you are looking for a subwoofer for a larger vehicle, this might not be the greatest option to go for as it is specially designed for smaller vehicles.
My Pros With This Subwoofer:
- A two-inch aluminum voice coil provides more power
- Slim, self-contained design
- Easy to fit in small spaces
My Cons With This Subwoofer:
- Not recommended for larger vehicles
- Customers claim that the sub can cease working after a few weeks
- Some customers reported getting a subpar product
4. JL AUDIO Sub Box CS110LG-TW
Subwoofer Features:
- Dual subwoofer system
- Deep bass and compact close housing
- 300 Watts RMS
Subwoofers are a great option to enhance your driving experience. However, sometimes they can be quite large to fit in your vehicle.
JL Audio’s CS110LG-TW1-2 doesn’t take up much precious real estate, measuring just 15″ W x 11-3/4″ H x 5-1/2″ D, but it provides the impact that your present system desperately lacks.
This 2-ohm enclosure is ideal for use with a 300-watt monoblock subwoofer amplifier.
To protect the subwoofer from extraneous items, the enclosure is completed with a steel mesh grille.
My Pros With This Subwoofer:
- Small Size, Large Impact
- Continuous Power Handling
My Cons With This Subwoofer:
- Not for large vehicles
5. Rockford Fosgate P300
Subwoofer Features:
- Closed-loop design
- Detachable Power/Ground connector
- Thermal and over-voltage protection
- 1-Year Standard Warranty
Because of its user-controlled features and simplicity of installation, the Punch 300 is another great option.
A 300-watt amp, an adjustable low pass crossover, a bass equalization, a phase switch, and remote control for the bass volume power this loudspeaker.
It’s as easy as putting it in the trunk and plugging it in. This product has a lot of additional functions, but for the price, some buyers would be better suited to a simpler, less costly model.
My Pros With This Subwoofer:
- Remote bass level control with high power
- Pass crossover and bass level control are both adjustable.
My Cons With This Subwoofer:
- High Cost
- Many features may seem to be useless to the typical user.
- Some consumers reported a blown fuse or a melted box.
6. JBL 10″ Car Audio Subwoofer
Subwoofer Features:
- High-Quality Bass
- 225 Watts RMS
- 1-Year Manufacture Warranty
JBL’s sturdy and reasonably priced STAGE 102 10″ subwoofer provides excellent value, both in terms of bass performance and to your budget.
This 4-ohm subwoofer has a stiff polypropylene woofer cone for clean output and a tough rubber surround to keep the woofer cone in place.
This component subwoofer can take up to 225 watts of continuous output (and up to 900 watts of peak power) and can handle just about anything you throw at it.
The fact that this subwoofer has been carefully tested at JBL’s facilities against anything from severe temperatures to heavy shaking to playing the subs at full power for hours on end is maybe the finest feature.
My Pros With This Subwoofer:
- Affordable Price
- Reliability
- Excellent Power Handling
My Cons With This Subwoofer:
- Smaller Size
7. Pioneer TS-SWX2502
Subwoofer Features:
- Shallow compact design
- Reinforced MICA injection-molded resin preloaded subwoofer cone
- Carpeted, non-slip, and scratch-resistant enclosure surface
The Pioneer TS-SWX2502 has an enlarged cone construction that gives more cone and gasket area while maintaining the usual exterior dimension.
It also features a cone surface, which helps the subwoofer to create greater bass by moving more air.
Furthermore, it is composed of a very stiff cone, which allows it to produce precise bass.
It also has a twin spider to give greater cone motion control for optimum stiffness stabilization to support the correct linear movement of the subwoofer.
As a result, the Pioneer TS-SWX2502 is another excellent choice on our list for improving the audio power of your vehicle.
My Pros With This Subwoofer:
- Easy to install
- Optimum space utilization
My Cons With This Subwoofer:
- Normal Music Power
- Not enough value for the price
8. Sony XS W104ES
Subwoofer Features:
- 450W RMS power handling
- Separated Notch Edge Surround
- Five-beam Frame design
- Dynamic Air Diffuser
The Sony XS W104ES from the Mobile ES range is another excellent flagship-level choice on our list. Sony’s main automotive speaker series, the Mobile ES family, was first introduced in 2021.
The Mobile ES subwoofers have a lot of fascinating technology that isn’t seen in other subwoofer lines.
Sony, for example, employs a unique Honecomb-stamped Aramid Fiber material for the woofer.
It’s strong and long-lasting. The woofer surround is a technique called Separated Notch Edge Surround by Sony.
The Separated Notch Edge surround, when paired with their progressive height rate spider, allows the woofer to travel farther vertically (X-Max), allowing the cone to push more volume with higher efficiency.
My Pros With This Subwoofer:
- Lightweight Rigid Cellular Cone
- Durability
- Separated Notch Edge Surround
My Cons With This Subwoofer:
- High Cost
- Mostly for experts
9. Focal Performance Sub P 30
Subwoofer Features:
- 100-250 watts RMS
- Peak power handling of 500 Watts
- 35Hz to 500Hz of frequency response
The Focal Flax Evo subwoofers are of the highest quality.
These subwoofers, designed and produced by some of the world’s most recognized sound experts, have outstanding build quality and provide exceptional sound supremacy.
Focal is well-known for its expertise in low-frequency audio reproduction, which has earned these subwoofers a cult following among bass fans all over the world.
Focal Performance Sub P 30 is designed and developed for the top tier of vehicle audio enthusiasts.
The design, craftsmanship, and performance of Focal’s Flax Evo Series are exceptional.
You may give them a lot of power and they will work flawlessly without any sound distortions, keeping your system’s bass reproduction precise and powerful.
However, excellent goods come at a high price.
My Pros With This Subwoofer:
- Impressive sound quality
- Powerful pure bass
My Cons With This Subwoofer:
- High cost
- Require lots of power
10. Polk MM1 Series
Subwoofer Features:
- 1200W single voice coil
- Dynamic Balance
- Waterproof Santoprene
Polk Audio and the MM1 subwoofer series are perfect for harsh or outdoor locations that need a robust subwoofer.
Polk provides them in twin and single voice coil versions, and each speaker has been fog, salt, UV, and spray tested in order to achieve an IP56 ultra-marine rating.
Install these subwoofers in your boat, truck bed, or on the outside of your RV; they will operate in any environment.
The best thing about the Polk Audio MM1-series subwoofers, apart from their exceptional lifetime, is that there is no compromise in sound quality in exchange for all that safety.
Polk engineers used high excursion bump motors, a tough poly cone, and Santoprene surrounds to guarantee that every note is heard.
High-performance Neodymium magnets provide long-term performance. A vented pole and basket design with integrated fuses ensure a strong and steady speaker.
My Pros With This Subwoofer:
- Highly durable
- Great for harsh environment
- Rigid speakers
My Cons With This Subwoofer:
- Enclosure required
- Non-returnable
FAQ
Is it worth getting a subwoofer for my car?
If you enjoy listening to music with strong bass or want to experience movies with more depth and dimension, then a subwoofer is likely worth considering.
What size subwoofer sounds the best in a car?
Generally, a 10-12 inch subwoofer is a good size for most cars, offering a balanced combination of deep bass and sound clarity.
When should you not use a subwoofer?
A subwoofer should not be used in a setting where it could disturb others, such as in a residential area at night or in a shared space where loud bass could be disruptive.
If you compromise on audio quality your lengthy car rides might undoubtedly be less enjoyable.
Imagine being stuck in traffic or on a long car ride knowing you might have an unsatisfactory listening experience.
With that said, his list has some of the best subwoofers for creating a window-rattling, ground-shaking impact with your music.
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