Music soothes our hearts, mind, and soul. True, a standard car audio system will let you listen to your favorite tunes, but the overall experience might not be that great. The best subwoofer for cars will add an instant boost to your car audio system performance. It adds a sweet bass to the low frequencies in your car audio setup, delivering ultimate audio satisfaction. Adding a subwoofer in your car will not only bring a complete makeover to the way you listen to your music but also make your long trips enjoyable. Even better, unlike the traditional models, modern subwoofers for cars come in compact designs that take minimum space in your car. Plus, they deliver a well-balanced sound, so you don’t have to worry about drowning your neighbors as you drive by. So what are the best subwoofers for cars? Well, in this guide, we have compiled a list of the best-rated and best-selling subwoofers available on the market. When doing our research, we considered their overall output, size, construction quality, and price. Without much ado, let us get to it.
JL Audio 10W6v3-D4 Car Subwoofer
Why is it best?
Versatile, compact, and powerful: it doesn’t get better than this!
If you are looking for a really powerful and solid car subwoofer that delivers a good bass, then you should consider getting this model. It features a potent speaker and premium enclosure that deliver a high bass output. Moreover, its innovative design takes minimal space in your car trunk!
Best Subwoofers for Cars In 2021
9. Kenwood KSC-SW11 Enclosed Subwoofer
Price: Very affordable
Power output: Peak: 150W / RMS: 75W
Special features: Super compact design, has a wired remote for easy control, superior quality aluminum enclosure.
Best for: Great choice for small cars and trucks
If limited space in your vehicle is your main impediment from deep bass and louder sound, this compact subwoofer from Kenwood offers an ultimate solution. Despite its compact design, the Kenwood KSC-SW11 is an impressive powerhouse that delivers surprisingly high bass without taking much space. The low profile build is so compact that it completely disappears under your car seat. True, the power is lower when compared to other models, but it is enough if you are looking for standard performance. Similar to other high-end models, this unit comes with a remote bass level control that allows for effortless customization. Moreover, thanks to the compact design, installation is incredibly easy.
Pros and Cons
- Slim design allows for easy installation into the cabin or under the seat
- Comes at an affordable price
- No distortion even at highest volume levels
- While it delivers a decent bass performance, people looking for deep punchy beats might not find it adequate
8. Rockford Fosgate P300-8P Subwoofer
Price: Fairly priced.
Power output: Peak: 1000W / RMS: 300W
Special features: All in one subwoofer with a built-in amplifier, has an onboard adjustable bass boost EQ, high-quality MDF Enclosure.
Best for: With a 300W amplifier, high-performance speaker and compact enclosure, this model gives an instant audio boost in any vehicle.
Do you crave for loud, deep, and aggressive bass in your car? The Rockford Fosgate P300-8P brings you all the features that deliver punchy beats that leave your head spinning. This all-inclusive subwoofer comes with a sealed enclosure, inbuilt amplifier, and powerful speaker. Boasting of innovative features, this system delivers the much-needed punch on the low-end frequency spectrum. The 8-inch subwoofer comes with a built in 300W class D amplifiers that has a phase switch, Bass EQ and low pass crossover. For easy customization, a unit can either is connected through the speaker levels for factory system connection or traditional line-level inputs that are compatible with the aftermarket systems. Moreover, thanks to the precision-designed MDF enclosure, this unit delivers the best acoustical properties.
Pros and Cons
- Premium construction for enhanced performance
- Has a 300W class D amplifier
- Intelligent auto turn off/on feature
- A bit heavy
7. Pioneer TS-WX1210A active subwoofer
Price: reasonably priced
Power output: Peak: 1300W / RMS: 350W,
Special features: 1300W Max Power output, urethane surround, powerful Class D amplifier.
Best for: Ideal for people looking for an all-inclusive subwoofer that perfectly fit in your car trunk or under the seat.
Combining Low distortion class D amplifier, High output speaker with high bandwidth and high-quality enclosure, and this subwoofer delivers a premium sound that you will love. The slim enclosure doesn’t take much of your car trunk and can be easily fixed under the car seat. For seamless control, this subwoofer comes with adjustable controls that include phase control, LPF, and variable bass boost. This is not all, for enhanced control, it also comes with a wired remote control. Moreover, the high-quality enclosure that has a trapezoid shape ensures high rigidity and improved capability in handling deep bass. The innovative design also allows for easy installation in the cabin or under the car’s seat.
Pros and Cons
- Delivers deep bass even at highest volume settings
- High quality build enclosure
- Innovative trapezoid shape allows for easy installation
- Pricy but worth every penny thanks to the advanced features
6. Rockville RW10CA 10″ Subwoofer
Price: Fairly Price
Power output: Peak: 800W / RMS: 200W
Special features: Adjustable Input Sensitivity, thermal protection circuit, low pass filter.
Best for: Ideal for any vehicle with limited trunk space and needs a versatile under the seat subwoofer.
Are you looking for a practical solution to offer you great bass in your car without taking much of your trunk space? Well, the Rockville RW10CA subwoofer might be your best bet. It features a slim enclosure that easily fits under your vehicle’s seat. Unlike other subs that come with separate amplifiers, this unit has, the amplifier built in for enhanced convenience. This feature also makes installation super easy. Notably, this unit comes with an 800W peak power and the various products on the market with dubious rating RMS. Note don’t fool 200W. This model has deep bass and clear high than some of the Chinese models with ratings of over 10,000W. Moreover, this unit comes with super easy controls that let you tweak the sound just the way you want.
Pros and Cons
- High Power Handling
- Excellent sound quality
- Can be installed in small spaces
- Few customization options
5. MTX Audio TNE212D Terminator Series
Price: Fairly priced
Power output: Peak: 1200W / RMS: 400W
Special features: Two 12-Inch Terminator subwoofers, rugged five/8 inch MDF Construction, 2 Inch Aluminum voice coil.
Best for: Ideal for anyone looking to add bass to their vehicle.
Adding a great sounding system in your car doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. The MTX Audio Terminator Series is an all-inclusive subwoofer that gives super deep bass and superior highs for optimum sound clarity. This model makes use of a lightweight polypropylene dust cap as well as a giant rubber enclosure to deliver a premium sound that any rap or hip hop music lovers would die for. It also features a rugged MDF enclosure that not only ensures durability but also handles the excess bass continuously. In addition, it includes a dedicated amplifier inbuilt; you will never have to worry about spending any extra cash on external amplifiers.
Pros and Cons
- Comes with an amplifier
- Stylish design improves a car’s interior
- Excellent sound excursion
- Lower power consumption
4. Rockville SS8P Under-Seat Subwoofer
Price: Very affordable.
Power output: Peak: 400W / RMS: 100W
Special features: The Input Sensitivity is Adjustable, compact under-seat design, safety enhanced with the protected thermal circuit.
Best for: Ideal for car or truck under seat active.
If you were like most people, you would love to conserve every inch of your car interior. However, for music lovers, your journey does not have to be boring just because you want to save space. The Rockville SS8P subwoofer lets you enjoy both of the two worlds. With its under-seat design, this unit conveniently fits in the unused space under the car seat. This means it never uses your precious cargo space at the same time, allowing you to enjoy fresh music wherever you go.
Along with the impressive space-saving design, this model comes with an inbuilt amplifier. Another remarkable feature we found in this model is that the output and inputs are set on one side. This makes the wiring easier and neater.
Pros and Cons
- Made using high-quality materials
- Delivers accurate bass
- Impressive versatility
- Installation takes sometime
3. Pioneer TS-SW2002D2 8-inch Subwoofer
Price: Very affordable
Power output: Peak: 600W / RMS: 150W
Special features: Dual 2-ohm voice coils, 600 watts peak power, mica-injected resin cone.
Best for: Works well in free-air applications
Finding a hard-hitting subwoofer that fits in a slim enclosure and still delivers deep bass is not easy. Be as it may, the Pioneer TS-SW2002D2 subwoofer is a precious gem. It comes in a slim enclosure and fitted with premium features that deliver fantastic bass and clear highs. Thanks to the oversized cone, this sub delivers more accurate and louder bass than other models. Even better, its double spiders work hand in hand to provide high-efficiency sound production. Some of the other impressive features that come with this unit are the robust enclosure, intuitive controls, and inbuilt amplifier.
Pros and Cons
- High-efficiency sound production
- High sensitivity and energy efficiency
- Requires small installation space
- Requires some modifications for it to fit the box
2. JBL BassPro SL – Compact Subwoofer for Car
Price: Fairly priced
Power output: Peak: 250W / RMS: 125W
Special features: Output: Peak: 250 Watt, soft start turn-on, variable low-pass filter.
Best for: Smaller cars that need an under-seat compact subwoofer.
Any music lover can attest to that adding a subwoofer in their vehicle will instantly make their rides enjoyable. However, installing separate subwoofers and amplifiers can be a hassle. Luckily, with the BassPro SL – JBL, you never have to deal with these inconveniences. It comes with a slim design; raw power and heavy-duty build enclosure. The powerful output instantly draws your attention when you listen to punchy beats and clear highs. Better yet, this unit fits under the car seat, so you will never have to worry about sacrificing your trunk space. Despite having a peak power of 450W and 150W RMS power, it delivers a reliable performance than most models with exaggerated power ratings. Moreover, this unit comes with a remote control that lets you fine-tune the settings to your liking.
Pros and Cons
- Produces deep vibrating bass
- Compact and easily fits under your car seat
- Convenient wire connectors
- Ideal for only under the seat installation
1. JL Audio 10W6v3-D4 Car Subwoofer
Price: A bit expensive
Power output: Peak: 1200W / RMS: 600W
Special features: Long Linear Excursion Capability, high power handling, DMA-Optimized motor designs.
Best for: Ideal for every vehicle that requires premium bass sound without the use of separate subwoofers and amplifiers.
Since day one, JL audio has been at the forefront of bringing car audio revolution. This brand has remained a global leader in audio innovation by delivering the best audio system to suit your lifestyle. The JL Audio 10W6v3-D4 is an all-inclusive car subwoofer that includes a power amplifier. This takes out the hassle of having to install separate subwoofer and amplifier. It features a polypropylene cone speaker, a 200W amplifier, as well as proprietary technology that ensure a deep bass and clear sound even at high volume. Plus, it comes in an open design and vented pile piece that ensures it remains cool at the same time reducing distortion even at the highest volume levels. What’s more, this subwoofer has a signal-sensing feature that allows for automatic operation.
Pros and Cons
- Durable materials can withstand constant use
- Powerful output
- Made by a reputable company
- Comes at a high price tag
Selecting The Best Subwoofers for Cars
Your car subwoofer can make or break the audio system in your vehicles. While they are designed to deliver a powerful bass response that gives lives to low-frequency sounds, there are some crucial features you need to look for before making your final decision.
Space
Ultimately, a larger subwoofer will deliver a loud and rich bass. However, if you don’t have much space in your car, installing a larger model might not be an option. Before making your selection, you need to think about the space available and the type of cargo you carry. Luckily, even if you don’t have the luxury of space, you can still go for the under the seat subwoofers which still delivers a decent performance.
Power output
As you can see from most of the reviewed models, the subwoofers come with two measures of power output. These are the RMS (Root Mean Square) and Peak power. The RMS usually denotes the tolerable margin intake of a subwoofer. On the other hand, the peak power is the maximum tolerable power of the subwoofer. For enhanced performance, look for the models with matching RMS watt with the amplifier wattage.
The frequency scale
Additionally, you also need to pay attention to the frequency scale. Of course, you would want a low bass, but if you don’t have an idea of the science that plays the role, you might not get what you want. Besides looking at the treble function, you should also ensure that the unit delivers distortion-free sound even at high volumes.
Conclusion
There is no ultimate winner for all when it comes to choosing a car subwoofer. This is because our preferences are not equal. Some of us might be looking for deep vibrating bass while others might want a compact model that fits in small spaces. Be as it may, we have done in-depth research to bring you an all-inclusive list that best fit your needs. Go through the list carefully and pick the model that suits your needs best!
