Whether you’re looking to get a ton of bass or just improve the sound quality of your tunes, nothing does it better than a subwoofer. And while subwoofers of old used to take up your entire trunk or backseat, today they make them small enough that they can fit under your seat!
There are options for any budget and size, so it doesn’t matter how little space or money you have, there’s a subwoofer for you.
That’s why we tracked down and reviewed ten of the best under-seat subwoofers boxes and came up with a comprehensive buyer’s guide, that way you can get the best subwoofer for your car the first time.
10 Best Under Seat Subwoofer Boxes
- KICKER 11HS8 – Best Overall
- Rockville RW10CA – Best Budget
- Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 – Premium Choice
- Cerwin-Vega VPAS10Kenwood KSC-SW11
- Sound Storm Laboratories LOPRO8
- Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10
- BOSS Audio Systems BAB8
- Rockville SS8P
- Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch
10 Best Under Seat Subwoofer Boxes
Just like some subwoofers are all about that bass, you’re just here for the reviews. These are the ten best under-seat subwoofers out there.
1. KICKER 11HS8 – Best Overall
Size: 8 inches
Watts: 150 RMS
Dimensions: 13.8” x 9.4” x 3.1”
- 8" Powered Subwoofer Enclosure
- Ultra-compact powered subwoofer system designed for tight locations
- Just over three inches high
- 8-inch internal subwoofer
- 150-watt RMSpower amplifier
If you’re looking for an under-seat subwoofer box that drastically improves your sound quality and provides a surprising amount of bass, the Kicker 11HS8 is an outstanding choice.
Don’t let the smaller 8″ size fool you, while it can’t produce as much bass as a 12-inch speaker, it does more than you’d expect from such a small box. This subwoofer has everything you need for installation and is an amateur-friendly setup.
Every component is high-quality, and it makes for a premium setup. Sure, it’s not the least expensive subwoofer on the market, but it’s a great deal for what you’re getting.
Pros
- Outstanding sound quality
- It has more than enough bass for most cars
- Kicker makes extremely high-quality audio parts
- It has everything you need to hook it up
Cons
- Limited bass compared to larger options
- More expensive option
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2. Rockville RW10CA – Best Budget
Size: 10 inches
Watts: 200 RMS
Dimensions: 12.4” x 12.4” x 2.7”
- Rockville RW10CA 800 Watt 10" Slim Car Subwoofer.Waterproof : No
- 800 Watts Peak / 200 Watts RMS. PWM MOSFET Power Supply.
- Low Level RCA Input. High Level Inputs with Auto Turn-On Technology.
- Adjustable Input Sensitivity. Soft Delayed Remote Turn-On.
- Thermal Protection Circuit, Short Protection Circuit.
Just because you want an upgraded stereo system doesn’t mean you have a ton of money to spend on one. Luckily with the Rockville RW10CA, you don’t need a ton of money to get a clear upgrade over your stock setup.
It’s a powerful 10-inch under-seat subwoofer that can create a ton of bass, even if the sound quality isn’t as great as some of the more expensive options. You do get a ton of controls so you can customize your sound, but that’s not the most notable perk for this subwoofer.
That’s all the protective circuits built-in. You’re not spending a ton on your subwoofer, and the last thing you want to do is spend more money because you blew this one – with all those circuits, you won’t have to.
Finally, installation is novice-friendly, so there’s no reason you can’t do it yourself!
Pros
- Affordably priced
- Installation is easy
- Tons of controls give you plenty of options
- There are tons of protection circuits
Cons
- Not as good sound quality as pricier options
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3. Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 – Premium Choice
Size: 8 inches
Watts: 120 RMS
Dimensions: 13.5” x 9” x 3”
- Peak: 240 watts
- RMS: 120 watts
- 8" Woofer High-Excursion cone
- Built-in Class D Amplifier
- Frequency Response: 32-150 Hz
Sure, the Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 might not make the most bass, but you’re not going to find an under-seat subwoofer that has better sound quality. It’s an extremely compact subwoofer that fits under almost any seat, and it has a wired knob that allows you to control the bass from the driver’s seat.
And while this might be a little more expensive, it’s also extremely durable and long-lasting, so it’s the last subwoofer you’ll need to purchase.
Compact, durable, and high-quality, it’s everything you could ask for in an under-seat subwoofer.
Pros
- Outstanding sound quality
- Very slim design is perfect for under seats
- Wired knob lets you control the bass from your seat
- Extremely durable construction
Cons
- Limited bass compared to larger options
- More expensive option
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4. Cerwin-Vega VPAS10
Size: 10 inches
Watts: 200 RMS
Dimensions: 13.6” x 9.6” x 2.6”
- Compact Design: Specifically engineered to fit in the spare tire and underseat well of most vehicles, this subwoofer provides powerful bass while maximizing space
- High-Performance Bass: Equipped with a robust subwoofer, this unit delivers crisp, deep bass that elevates your music experience to new heights
- Custom Enclosure: The built-in, custom-designed enclosure is crafted from durable materials to ensure optimal sound quality and performance
- Easy Installation: Designed for straight forward installation, the subwoofer comes with all necessary hardware and a detailed manual to guide you through the process
- Power Handling: Capable of handling to its maximum power, this subwoofer ensures your audio remains clear and distortion-free even at high volumes
Another extremely compact subwoofer you can install under the seat of your car is this Cerwin-Vega VPAS10. It just narrowly missed our top three, but it’s still an extremely high-quality option that combines price and performance.
While it doesn’t produce as much bass as you’d expect from a 10-inch subwoofer, it does give you an extremely crisp sound. Even better, it’s easy to install, and it has a remote that allows you to control everything from the driver’s seat.
Yeah, it’s a wired remote, but at least that means you don’t have to worry about losing it in the console or glovebox!
Pros
- Great mix of price and performance
- Easy to install
- Provide high-quality sound
- It fits behind or under most seats
Cons
- Not as much bass as you’d expect from a 10-inch subwoofer
- It has a wired remote instead of wireless
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5. Kenwood KSC-SW11
Size: 8 inches
Watts: 150 RMS
Dimensions: 11” x 7.5” x 2.75”
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Kenwood is a huge name in the audio game, so it was only a matter of time until they popped up on our list. Their KSC-SW11 is a small 8-inch speaker that’s extremely compact and easy to install.
It comes with all the mounting and wiring hardware, and it even has an auto-sensing preamp to match the speaker levels. However, it doesn’t produce much bass – even for an 8-inch option.
Even worse, while it produces better sound quality than a stock system or even a 10-inch subwoofer, it doesn’t deliver what we’d expect from an 8-inch option. In short, you lose the bass without gaining the extra crispness – it’s a lose-lose.
Pros
- Auto-sensing preamp matches speaker levels
- It includes all the mounting and wiring hardware
- Wired remote has tons of sound options
- It is a very compact subwoofer
Cons
- It does not produce much bass – even for an 8-inch option
- Sound quality is not on par for an 8-inch subwoofer
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6. Sound Storm Laboratories LOPRO8
Size: 8 inches
Watts: 400 RMS
Dimensions: 15” x 9.75” x 3”
- BUILT-IN AMPLIFIER: With a MOSFET power supply you get improved switching speeds, better performance with less power from the driver, lower gate-to-drain feedback capacitance, lower thermal impedance for higher switching frequencies
- VARIABLE LOW-PASS FILTER: A low-pass filter is an electronic circuit that removes all the notes below the filter's frequency setting. You will use the Low-pass filter to primarily keep high notes out of your subwoofer(s)
- HIGH LEVEL INPUTS: Speaker level inputs are commonly referred to as high-level inputs. It will be used to connect the LOPRO8 to your factory radio or an aftermarket radio that does not have low-level (RCA) inputs
- LOW LEVEL INPUTS: Line level inputs, also known as RCA inputs or low-level inputs, use RCA interconnect cables to link the LOPRO8 with the source unit. Most aftermarket radios have multiple pairs of RCA outputs that can connect to multiple amplifiers
- VARIABLE BASS BOOST: Variable Bass Boost allows you to adjust the low bass within the boost range to just the way you like it
Sound Strom Laboratories comes out with some interesting products, and their LOPRO8 is a prime example of this. It’s an affordable 8-inch subwoofer that has tons of inputs that allow you to customize the sound.
Still, while you get better sound quality than a stock system, with the LOPRO8 it’s all about the customization – not the crispness. And while you get the amount of bass you’d expect from an 8-inch subwoofer, it’s not nearly as much as you’d get from a larger option.
Still, it’s at this price point it’s not a bad choice, especially considering it has tons of protection circuits, so you don’t have to worry about blowing up your new subwoofer on accident.
Pros
- Very affordably priced
- It has a 3-year warranty
- Tons of inputs allow you to customize the sound
- It has tons of protection circuits
Cons
- Limited bass compared to larger options
- Sound quality is only OK
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7. Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10
Size: 10 inches
Watts: 200 RMS
Dimensions: 19” x 13.5” x 5.3”
- The R2S-1X10 sealed loaded enclosure is internally wired to create a 2-Ohm amplifier load with power handling of 200 Watts RMS / 400 Watts Max
- The R2S-1X10 sealed loaded enclosure is internally wired to create a 2-Ohm amplifier load with power handling of 200 Watts RMS / 400 Watts Max
- The wedge design is optimized for single-cab trucks with limited seat travel, and constructed with 5/8” MDF, covered in high density carpet, and features quick release compression terminals
- The R2S-1X10 can fit in tight spaces due to the slim-line depth of 3.25" on the top and 5.25" on the bottom – Wedge dimensions: 13.5" x 19.0" x 5.25" (bottom) x 3.25" (top)
- Famous Rockford Fosgate build quality with a full 1-year warranty
Another decent subwoofer option that pushes out a ton of bass without distorting sound quality too much is the Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10. It’s extremely easy to install and is an excellent mix of price and performance.
But considering it produces tons of bass, has outstanding sound quality, and is available for a great price, how’d it fall so far down our list? In short, it’s just too big to fit under most seats. And for a list all about the best under-seat subwoofers, that’s a big deal.
Unless you drive a bigger vehicle with tons of space under the seat, you’ll need to find a smaller subwoofer.
Pros
- Provides very good sound quality
- Very easy to install
- Produces tons of bass
- Great mix of price and performance
Cons
- Larger size makes it harder to fit under some seats
- It doesn’t produce the most bass
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8. BOSS Audio Systems BAB8
Size: 8 inches
Watts: 400 RMS
Dimensions: 12” x 9.25” x 2.94”
- Space Saver - The combination of amplifier and subwoofer all into one, makes this ideal for spatially challenged vehicles. With a slim design, there are a few installation options. Embrace the Bass.
- Built-in Amplifier - A built-in 800 Max watt amplifier powers the subwoofer
- Pulse Width Modulated - This design controls the output voltage and current precisely by not only removing the output current sensing loss, but also eliminating all secondary feedback circuitry. It increases efficiency, is lighter, smaller reliable
- Variable Low-Pass Filter - A low-pass filter is an electronic circuit that removes all the notes below the filter's frequency setting. You will use the Low-pass filter to primarily keep high notes out of your subwoofer(s)
- High Level Input - Speaker level inputs are commonly referred to as high-level inputs. It will be used to connect the BAB8 to your factory radio or an aftermarket radio that does not have low-level (RCA) inputs
This BOSS Audio System is a bit misleading. Sure, it has a 400 RMS watt rating, but if you’re expecting the sound quality and power that comes with a typical 400 RMS watt subwoofer, it’s a bit disappointing. We can’t really explain it, but the powers are just not there.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have outstanding sound quality – because it does – but it does mean it’s a bit too expensive for what you’re getting. It still doesn’t have as much bass as larger subwoofers, although it does have a variable bass boost that gives you a bit more control from song to song.
In the end, it’s not a bad choice, but we feel you can do better if you’re spending this much.
Pros
- Outstanding sound quality
- Very slim design lets it fit into tight spaces
- Variable bass boost gives you more control
Cons
- Limited bass compared to larger options
- More expensive for what you get
- The watts rating is a bit misleading
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9. Rockville SS8P
Size: 8 inches
Watts: 100 RMS
Dimensions: 11.4” x 8.3” x 2.8”
- Rockville SS8P 8" 400w Slim Under-Seat Active Powered Car/Truck Subwoofer Sub.
- Enclosure is made out of cast aluminum which stays cool at all times. Peak Power Handling: 400 Watts.
- RMS Power Handling: 100 Watts. Heavy Duty Mounting Feet. PWM MOSFET Power Supply. Low Level RCA Input. High Level Inputs with Auto Turn-On Technology. Adjustable Input Sensitivity. Soft Delayed Remote Turn-On. Thermal Protection Circuit, Short Protection Circuit. Overload Protection Circuit. Green Power/Red Protect LED. Phase Switch: 0° or 180°.
- Low Pass Filter: 50Hz - 150Hz. Bass Boost: 0 - 12dB @ 45Hz. Built in Subsonic Filter @ 20Hz. THD:
- Specifications: Peak Power 400 Watts. RMS Power: 100 Watts. Impedance: 4 Ohm. Dimensions (L x W X H): 11.4" x 8.3" x 2.8" Inches. Frequency Response: 20Hz - 150Hz. Signal to Noise Ratio: >90dB. Sensitivity: 90dB @ 1w / 1m. Input sensitivity, Low level: 300mV. Input sensitivity, High level: 1.0V
The Rockville SS8P is another 8-inch subwoofer that can improve the sound quality of your stock sound system without breaking the bank. It’s an extremely affordable option, but unfortunately, it doesn’t produce the most bass nor have the very best sound quality.
Still, it made our list for a reason. In addition to the lower price tag, it has an auto turn-on feature, adjustable input sensitivities, and tons of protective circuits.
If you’re on a tight budget but want a better sound system than what your stock sound system offers, the Rockville SS8P is a great way to do it.
Pros
- It has auto turn-on technology
- Adjustable input sensitivity
- There are tons of protected circuits
- Very affordable
Cons
- Not the best sound quality
- Very little bass
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10. Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch
Size: 12 inches
Watts: 300 RMS
Dimensions: 15” x 19.8” x 7”
- The Punch P300-12 is a self-contained all-in-one solution featuring a Punch 12” subwoofer in a custom sealed enclosure and is powered by a mighty 300 Watt amplifier
- The system is all-inclusive, so you only need to run power, ground and a signal from the source to get this baby moving – Dimensions (Wedge H x W x D1 x D2): 15” x 19.8” x 11” x 7”
- Featuring an adjustable 12db/Octave low pass crossover, built-in adjustable bass EQ, built-in 0°/180° phase switch and Remote bass level control included
- Closed-loop design ensures optimum performance between woofer, amplifier and enclosure with easy integration in aftermarket or OEM audio systems using RCA or speaker level signals
- Famous Rockford Fosgate build quality with a full 1-year warranty
We really love the Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch, and we felt it was necessary to add a 12-inch subwoofer to the list. The problem is the size. Yeah, a 12-inch subwoofer pushes a lot of bass, but it’s also a 12-inch subwoofer.
We’ve yet to find a seat it fits under, but we also couldn’t find a smaller 12-inch subwoofer. And for a list that’s all about the best under-seat subwoofers, that’s a pretty big drawback.
Also, keep in mind the larger the subwoofer, the more bass, but also more sound distortion. Your sacrificing quality for bass, but the Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch is an excellent option for what it is – just make sure you have room for it.
Pros
- Generates tons of bass
- High-quality option
Cons
- More expensive option
- Larger size distorts the sound more
- Very large option
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Buyer’s Guide
Getting the right subwoofer for your car is no small task. There are tons of options out there and tons of specs to look at. And if you don’t know what you’re looking at, you might get a great subwoofer, and it still not be what you were looking for.
That’s why we came up with this comprehensive buyer’s guide to walk you through everything you need to know. That way, you can get a subwoofer that does precisely what you want the first time.
Sound vs. Quality
One of the most important specifications you need to look at when selecting your subwoofer is the size of the box. For under-seat subwoofers they typically come in two sizes, 8-inches and 10-inches:
- The difference between the two sizes is pretty simple, the larger the subwoofer, the more sound they can distort to create more bass.
- But while they might make more bass, more sound distortion means lower sound quality.
- It’s a tradeoff you can’t get around, if you want more bass, you’re going to lose sound quality. While 8- and 10-inch subwoofers are the most common, we did include one 12-inch subwoofer on our list. The tradeoff remains the same, if a bit more pronounced.
- The larger the subwoofer, the more bass. This tradeoff is why it’s important to note what you’re looking for before purchasing a subwoofer. If you want high-quality music, then go with an 8-inch under-seat subwoofer, but if you want a bit more bass, go with a 10-inch option.
Double Checking Watts
More watts mean more power, and more power means a more powerful sound system. But you can’t just hook up a subwoofer that can handle a ton of watts and expect premium results. You also need a system that’s pushing that many watts.
It’s a careful line you need to walk because if you have too many watts, you’ll blow the subwoofer, but if you don’t have enough, you’re not getting the most out of your speakers.
Just remember, the subwoofer is the output, and it can’t put out what you don’t put in.
Amps and Ohms
One of the most important specifications you need to look at when installing your subwoofer is how many amps are in the system. This isn’t a mix and match game – everything needs to match. If you have speakers rated at one amount of ohms and your subwoofer doesn’t match, you’re going to fry your system. There’s no wrong number here, and there’s no advantage to having more or fewer ohms, but it all needs to match.
Verifying Fitment
Do yourself a favor before ordering your subwoofer and check a few things:
- For starters, physically measure the space underneath your seat. Don’t rely on Internet forums or even manufacturer specifications.
- Go out with a tape measure and get the measurements yourself. This is the only way you’ll know with 100-percent certainty that the new under-seat subwoofer you’re ordering will fit.
- Of course, you still need to verify ohms and watts like we already mentioned but having a space to mount everything is important too.
Installation
While there are a few subwoofers that are novice-friendly to install, novice-friendly doesn’t mean idiotproof. We’re not saying that if you can’t install it, you’re an idiot, what we’re saying is that if you don’t know a thing about sound systems, you need to do your homework before trying to install them.
It’s not a situation where you want to be guessing if you’re doing everything right. While you might be good to go, you also might hook something up wrong and fry your brand-new system.
And if you fry the system during installation, it doesn’t matter what kind of warranty you have – you’re out of luck.
If you’re not going to take the time to research and turn yourself into an audio and electrical expert, it’s best that you leave the job up to the professionals. They’ll ensure everything’s hooked up correctly, and you can enjoy your new sound system in peace!
Final Thoughts
If you’re still unsure what the best option for you is after reading through the reviews and the buyer’s guide, why not go with the Kicker 11HS8? It earned our top nod for a reason and pushes out a surprising amount of bass while giving you fantastic sound quality.
Of course, if you’re on a tighter budget, the Rockville RW10CA is a great choice too, just don’t expect the same level results. Just verify fitment and get an under-seat subwoofer on order, you won’t be disappointed.
