Why Trust Our Opinion on Car Subwoofers?
CarAudioNow isn’t your typical automotive blog—we’re an award-winning platform built by car enthusiasts who have first hand experience in the audio shop installing products. Led by our editor, Kameron, and a select team of expert writers, we’ve dedicated years to testing and installing a diverse range of subwoofers, building a deep understanding of their performance, sound quality, and overall value to consumers. We get our hands dirty, purchasing some of the products on our list and graciously receiving others from manufacturers. Our recommendations are the result of a careful blend of first-hand experiences and in-depth research. We frequently refresh our lists with new and noteworthy subwoofers in an effort to stay at the forefront of what’s on the market and provide our readers with the latest and greatest products too.
And at CarAudioNow, we don’t rely on AI to spit out generic lists. We take pride in delivering content that goes beyond regurgitated information – car audio and video is what we love. Rather, our focus is on crafting meaningful lists with practical insights to empower you to make informed decisions. We’re not here for a quick buck or to chase Google rankings; our reader’s trust, reputation and genuine love for the products we recommend is why we do what we do. Read more about how we choose our top lists here.
In this article: We'll review our best powered subwoofer picks for your car or truck, with quick reviews, photos and price comparisons to help you save money on the subwoofer you choose.
If you want to round out the sound system in your car with some bass, adding one of the best powered car subwoofers on our list is a great way to do so. If you're not familiar with a powered subwoofer, they're very straight forward in concept. A powered sub is the combination of a subwoofer, amplifier and subwoofer enclosure in one. Having a subwoofer pre-installed in an enclosure with a perfectly matched amplifier simplifies a lot. Here's a few benefits to purchasing a powered sub over a stand alone component subwoofer listed here:
- They're pre-packaged with the subwoofer and amplifier pre-installed eliminating the need to research and purchase an amplifier separate from the subwoofer.
- They come installed in an enclosure so you don't need to build or purchase a separate enclosure.
- Wiring and installation is simple. In most cases you can drop it in your trunk and wire it to your vehicle's battery with the included wiring kit.
- They're universal and can be installed in nearly all vehicles that have enough space.
In most cases, these types of subwoofers are great for adding a little extra bass to a factory stereo round the sound out a bit. Or, they're great for an aftermarket system that you want to easily add some additional bass to the system without going through the hassle of custom wiring, subwoofer enclosures and so on. In fact, many of the products on our list here can even fit underneath your seat so you don't have to worry about even taking up trunk space. Powered subwoofers, at least in the automotive industry, aren't normally used for earthshaking bass though. They're a quick, simple and straight forward solution to adding bass to a vehicle that needs it.
Here Are Our Best Powered Car Subwoofers in 2024
Best Overall Powered Subwoofer for Your Car or Truck
JL Audio ACP110LG-TW1
Latest Prices
Key Features
- Compact 10-inch subwoofer and 400W Class-D amplifier
- MDF box with V-Groove technology
- Flared slot porting
- Measures 21” L x 13.5” W x 6.625” H Weighs 25 pounds
JL Audio ACP110LG-TW1 Quick Review
The JL Audio ACP110LG-TW1 is a top-notch powered subwoofer. Compact, high quality, super powerful – the ACP110LG is the complete package. The key thing that stood out to us about this unit was its performance. It delivers clear, powerful bass without using too much space. This is more than just a subwoofer and an amp shoved in a box. This is a specially designed subwoofer that we think you should check out above any other powered sub on the market.
Construction
JL Audio speaker boxes are made in the company’s Florida production facility. JL Audio uses a special V-Groove, CNC cut, medium-density MDF to build these speaker boxes. The V-Groove allows the panels of the box to fit precisely and be leak-free for optimal sound quality once assembled. Port and woofer holes are precisely cut to ensure good stability when the speaker is installed.
JL’s assembly of the boxes is unique. Rather than glue the wood together and wrap it in carpet, JL Audio glues the panels to the carpet, then folds the panels into a box, gluing the V-Groove along the way. The single panel of carpet functions as a wrap when the box is assembled.
Subwoofer
The powered subwoofer component uses an ultra-low clearance TW1 subwoofer measuring at 10 inches. The subwoofer uses several patented construction elements to provide deep bass in a shallow package.
Excursion is everything in terms of making bass. The TW1 subwoofer uses concentric tube suspension that allows the motor to sit higher up in the body of the woofer while providing excellent range of motion from the spider. The voice coil sits within the motor to eliminate the top-plate and provide a slim profile with plenty of mechanical range.
On its own, the TW1 is a contending subwoofer worthy of including in our best slim subwoofers. This package includes a TW1 that has an impedance of only ¼ ohm, allowing the greatest extraction of power from every volt available.
Amplifier
The Class-D amplifier provides up to 400 watts RMS. The design doesn’t ramp up voltage as most designs using a switching power supply will do. Instead, the built-in DCD technology optimizes the 12-volt supply in combination with the ultra-low impedance speaker at extremely high amperage. The speaker will receive around 50 amps of current flow to allow for the high wattage capabilities you want.
What We Like About the JL Audio ACP110LG-TW1
When it comes to adding a compact yet powerful subwoofer, these types of designs are excellent. The enclosure measures only 5-inches high so it’ll fit in lots of tight locations. The best part about this design is the premium, hard-hitting bass response you get. Installation is fast and easy. The patented features of the design and construction ensure an excellent sounding and reliable subwoofer.
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent bass response that greatly increases audio performance
- Slim profile that will fit in lots of tight locations
- Highly efficient amplifier doesn’t draw a ton of power
Reasons Not to Buy
- The enclosure is not as slim as some designs
Best High-End Powered Car Subwoofer
Focal IBus 2.1
Latest Prices
Key Features
- 8-inch subwoofer mounted in an aluminum chassis
- 75 watts RMS power handling
- 55 watts x 2 amplifier power (RMS)
- Includes ISO wiring harness and power lead
- Allows a proper 2.1 channel configuration
- 45-150 Hz subwoofer frequency response
- 55-55KHz amplifier frequency response
- Dimensions: 13.5” L x 9.8” W x 2.8” H
Focal IBus 2.1 Quick Review
Focal is one of our favorite high-end brands for car audio speakers, subs, and amplifiers. This French company goes above and beyond to ensure you get tight, controlled bass in a compact package that is also easy to install. Focal is light on details about things like proprietary technology, build components, and overall construction which is usually a red flag for us. Having installed and loved hundreds of Focal products, we can confidently say that you’ll be amazed at the sound quality and bass response, even if you don’t have a ton of information about how and why this powered sub sounds so good.
Construction
Focal uses an all-aluminum chassis to mount the amplifier and speaker into a compact unit. The chassis is strong, lightweight, and more compact than, for example, JL Audio’s MDF box. The aluminum construction keeps everything well protected from damage and makes for a high-end appearance and feel. The chassis has a brushed finish that looks great, so you won’t have to hide the box to keep your car looking clean.
Subwoofer
There is very little information about the construction of the 8-inch subwoofer. Focal provides the RMS and max power handling, but doesn’t provide information on the woofer cone, spider, motor, or other details you’ll usually see. There is also no equivalent sub available separately, so this speaker design is only for use in the iBus 2.1 system.
What we do know about the speaker is that it has a nominal RMS of 75 watts. The frequency response is 45-150 Hz, so this one is dedicated to only the bass frequencies.
Amplifier
Focal uses a 2-channel x 55 watt amplifier to provide you with a 2.1 channel solution. There is no information available about the class of amplifier or any other details except that it is built-in and ready to run.
What We Like About the Focal iBus 2.1
Sound is everything, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better sounding subwoofer solution that fits under the seat of many compact cars. At a miniscule 2.8 inches high, this solution can work in sub-compact cars where space is at a premium. We like that Focal includes the wiring harness to connect directly to an aftermarket head unit. A wired remote allows you to make changes without having to unearth the sub from its mounting location.
Special Note from Focal
Focal products are pricy, but they carry a good warranty, and the company will back its products up. The thing that you need to keep in mind is that if you purchase any Focal products from an unauthorized retailer, you’ll get no support and no warranty. Focal specifically instructs buyers to avoid purchasing through Amazon either directly or from a third-party seller. If you are looking for an online retailer in the U.S. for Focal products, we recommend you go through Crutchfield.
Reasons to Buy
- Amazing, deep bass that’s tight and controlled even when at high volumes
- Easily integrates into factory or aftermarket systems using included wiring
- Attractive brushed aluminum case
Reasons Not to Buy
- Limited information about design features
- Somewhat difficult to get support due to overseas customer service
- No warranty unless purchased through specific retailers
Best Budget Powered Car Subwoofer
Infinity Basslink SM2
Latest Prices
Key Features
- 8” subwoofer mounted in an ABS chassis
- Class-D amplifier
- 125 watts RMS
- 35-120Hz frequency response
- Low-pass crossover adjustable from 50-120 Hz
- Bass Boost
- Dimensions: 13-9/16” L x 10-1/16” W x 2-⅞” D
- Does not include wiring harness
Infinity BassLink SM2 Quick Review
Infinity puts out high-quality products often at reasonable price points, and that’s exactly what you get with the SM2. This is a compact and powerful bass solution for vehicles that lack the space for traditional subwoofer boxes, amplifiers, and other components. When you’re looking for a budget solution, we think this is the product you’ll be happiest with.
Construction
One cost-cutting measure Harmon Audio uses with this build is an ABS case rather than more expensive aluminum or wood products. The case is durable and well-designed to make under-seat installation a snap. There isn’t anything fancy about the design – rather it is functional over attractive. It’s easy to mount and relatively lightweight. The case is designed to work together to help the amp and woofer provide ideal sound reproduction.
Subwoofer
An 8-inch woofer provides good bass response from a very compact package. You aren’t going to get bone-rattling thump from this compact powered solution, but it will fill in the low notes your factory or aftermarket system isn’t producing. The woofer uses a polypropylene cone for durability and good rigidity while saving you money over more exotic materials. The woofer is specifically designed for this application, so it isn’t a crossover component you can add to any system. Though the power handling of the speaker itself is unknown, it will handle the built-in wattage from the amplifier without trouble.
Amplifier
This design uses a high-power Class-D amplifier for excellent frequency response and low heat. Class-D amps are compact, making them ideal for applications like this one. You can check out more about amplifier classes if you’d like. The amp provides 125 watts RMS to the sub but doesn’t include the ability to route power to other speakers. You will get a full complement of on-board tuning options including a built-in crossover, gain, and bass boost settings.
What We Like About the Infinity SM2
This is a great option when you are trying to build on a budget. While the unit is basic, it provides good bass response that fills the gaps most factory systems lack. Its compact size makes it easy to install in tight spaces. Our favorite thing about the SM2 is the rich, pure bass that it produces. Again, this powered sub isn’t going to rattle your windows, but it does make your music feel more realistic and rounded.
Reasons to Buy
- Great sound from an inexpensive, compact powered sub
- Easy to install and tune for your specific music preferences
- Doesn’t look cheap
Reasons Not to Buy
- Requires additional power wiring harness for installation
Best Powered Car Subwoofers: What to Look For
It’s essential that you understand what you are looking for in order to find the best powered subwoofer for your car. You will want one that meets your specific needs for your specific vehicle. It needs to fit your vehicle, as well as your preferences. So take your time and select and item with care.
First of all, you need to look at the dimensions and measurements of the powered subwoofer. Make sure the product you choose can fit in your trunk or under the seat. Take measurements to ensure that your car has enough space for the item you desire. If you are choosing a subwoofer for your trunk, you should have enough space no matter what you drive. However, if you are choosing a subwoofer that will be placed under the seat, you need to make sure there is enough height. This is very important if you have a car with power front seats, as these seats often have components underneath.
You should also be on the lookout for how much power the sub you choose can handle. This will be listed in watts and will give you a good idea of how much power the subwoofer can handle. The key thing to consider, since these subwoofers are already paired with an amplifier, is how powerful you'd like your system to be. The more power, the louder the system will be.
While we’re discussing power, be sure to keep an eye out for ohms. This'll indicate electrical resistance, or “impedance.” (It “impedes” the electrical flow.) Most subwoofers have 4-Ohms, but there is a vast variety of products available so finding the right one for your needs should not be a problem.
Before you install your subwoofer, you’ll need to know what type of enclosure it has. There are two common types, a sealed and a vented enclosure. Sealed enclosures are air tight and have a very basic design. Vented subwoofers, also known as “ported subwoofers,” have various vents that emphasize specific frequencies. Typically, sealed enclosures are better for small spaces like trunks or under seats. Ported enclosures are a great design for larger spaces.
The amount of voice coils will also make a difference. Voice coils give input to the speakers, and if it has one coil (know as Single Voice Coil or SVC), it will have one input that you need to wire. Dual voice coils, however, are popular among audio enthusiasts who want more options when wiring their system.
Finally, take into account the size of the subwoofer. While the enclosure will have its own measurements, the subwoofer inside the enclosure will effect how the speaker sounds. In most cases, the larger the subwoofer, the lower the frequencies it can reach. However, larger subwoofers can't keep up with faster bass. This may be heard more in fast pace rock or metal music. If space is not a concern and you want the lowest bass possible, then a large subwoofer is your best option.
About this List
We take our best lists very seriously. Our list of best powered subwoofers is assembled based on extensive research that we do internally, combined with in-person testing and our industry experience. They're our our guidelines and products we consider high quality, reliable, perform well and are priced reasonably too. We take our recommended lists very seriously and work hard to keep them up to date with the most relevant products on the market. Our goal is to provide you with products that you can have confidence in purchasing. We're updating them all the time too so you can always come back the next time you're looking to buy a powered subwoofer and know that you're looking at the most current top pick products.
If you're looking for a stand alone subwoofer, consider checking out CarAudioNow's lists of Best Shallow Mount Subwoofers and Best Component Subwoofers.
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