Updated at: 29-05-2022 - By: Lucas

A subwoofer is the best way to get a lot of bass or just improve the sound quality of your music. And subwoofers used to take up the whole trunk or back seat, but now they are made to be small enough to fit under your seat.

There are options for every size and budget, so no matter how much money or space you have, there’s a subwoofer for you.

So, we found and reviewed ten of the best under-seat subwoofer boxes and put together a complete buyer’s guide so you can get the best subwoofer for your car the first time.

10 Best Under Seat Subwoofer Boxes

under seat subwoofer box-2

KICKER 11HS8 – Best Overall

Rockville RW10CA – Best Budget

Premium Choice: Alpine Electronics PWE-S8

Cerwin-Vega VPAS10Kenwood KSC-SW11

The LOPRO8 from Sound Storm Laboratories

The Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10

BOSS’s BAB8 is an audio system.

Rockville SS8P

The Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch

Just like some subwoofers are all about the bass, you’re only here for the reviews. These are the ten best subwoofers that fit under your seat.

1. KICKER 11HS8 – Best Overall

KICKER 11HS8 – Best Overall

Size: 8 inches

RMS Watts: 150

Dimensions: 13.8″ x 9.4″ x 3.1″

RMS Power: 150 Watts

Powerful subwoofer system that is very small and made for tight spaces

Dimension: 13 7/8 x 9 3/8 x 3 1/8

8-inch subwoofer built in

Power amplifier with 150 watts RMS and 14.4 volts

The Kicker 11HS8 is a great choice if you want an under-seat subwoofer box that improves your sound quality by a lot and gives you a surprising amount of bass.

Don’t let the fact that it’s only 8 inches fool you. It can do more than you’d expect from such a small box, even though it can’t make as much bass as a 12-inch speaker. This subwoofer comes with everything you need to set it up, so even a beginner can do it.

This is a high-end setup because every part is high-quality. It’s not the cheapest subwoofer on the market, but for what you get, it’s a great deal.

Pros

Excellent quality of sound

It has more bass than most cars need.

Kicker makes very high-quality parts for sound systems.

It comes with all the parts you need to hook it up.

Cons

Compared to bigger options, this one has less bass.

More expensive option

2. Rockville RW10CA – Best Budget

Size: 10 inches

RMS Watts: 200

Dimensions: 12.4″ x 12.4″ x 2.7″

Rockville RW10CA 800 Watt 10 “Thin Subwoofer for a Car.

PWM MOSFET Power Supply with 800 Watts Peak and 200 Watts RMS.

Low Level RCA Inputs and High Level Inputs with Auto Turn-On Technology.

Adjustable Input Sensitivity and Remote Turn-On with Soft Delay.

Circuit for thermal protection and circuit for short protection.

Even if you want an upgraded stereo system, that doesn’t mean you have a lot of money to spend on it. With the Rockville RW10CA, you don’t need a lot of money to get a clear upgrade over your stock setup.

It’s a powerful 10-inch under-seat subwoofer that can make a lot of bass, but the sound quality isn’t as good as some of the more expensive options. You get a lot of controls so you can customise the sound, but that’s not the best thing about this subwoofer.

That’s all the protection circuits built in. You’re not spending a lot of money 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.

Lastly, the installation is easy enough for a beginner to do, so there’s no reason why you can’t do it yourself.

Pros

Priced within reach

It’s easy to set up.

There are a lot of controls, so you have a lot of choices.

There are a lot of safety measures.

Cons

Not as good as options that cost more.

3. Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 – Premium Choice

Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 – Premium Choice

Size: 8 inches

RMS Watts: 120

Dimensions: 13.5″ x 9″ x 3″

A cast aluminium enclosure holds an 8-inch subwoofer and a 120W amplifier.

The small size is 13.5″ L x 9″ W x 3″ D, so it can be put under or behind a seat in a truck, in the trunk of a sedan, or in the hatch of an SUV.

Power Rating: 120W RMS, RCA (0.1-4V) / Speaker Input (1.5-30V/auto sensing).

On the side, there are RCA and auto-sensing Speaker Level Inputs, as well as controls for Phase, Gain, LP Crossover, and Remote Sub Level.

The PWE-S8 is an authorised online product sold and shipped by Amazon. For professional installation, use the store locator on the Alpine USA site.

Even though the Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 doesn’t make the most bass, it has the best sound quality of any under-seat subwoofer. It’s very small and can fit under almost any seat, and a wired knob lets you control the bass from the driver’s seat.

Even though this subwoofer is a little more expensive, it is also very strong and will last a long time, so it will be the last one you buy.

It has everything you could want in an under-seat subwoofer: it’s small, durable, and of high quality.

Pros

Excellent quality of sound

Very slim design is perfect for under seats

The bass can be changed from your seat thanks to a wired knob.

Extremely durable construction

Cons

Compared to bigger options, this one has less bass.

More expensive option

4. Cerwin-Vega VPAS10

Size: 10 inches

RMS Watts: 200

Dimensions: 13.6″ x 9.6″ x 2.6″

Power Handling: Peak: 550 watts RMS: 200 watts

PWM MOSFET Power Supply/Thermal Protection Circuit with RCA and High-Level Inputs for Remote Subwoofer Control

Adjustable Input Sensitivity Delayed Soft Remote Turn On

Variable Low-pass Filter: 85–150 Hz Variable Bass Boost: 0–+12 dB

Constant Subsonic Filter: @ 35Hz Phase: 0 or 180 degrees

This Cerwin-Vega VPAS10 is another very small subwoofer that you can install under the seat of your car. It just missed our top three, but it’s still an excellent choice that combines price and performance.

Even though it doesn’t have as much bass as you might expect from a 10-inch subwoofer, it has a very clear sound, is easy to install, and comes with a remote that lets you control everything from the driver’s seat.

Yes, it’s a wired remote, but at least you won’t lose it in the console or glovebox!

Pros

Great balance between price and quality

Easy to set up

Offer sound of good quality

Most seats can fit it behind or under them.

Cons

Not as much bass as a 10-inch subwoofer should have.

It doesn’t have a wireless remote.

5. Kenwood KSC-SW11

Kenwood KSC-SW11

Size: 8 inches

RMS Watts: 150

Dimensions: 11″ x 7.5″ x 2.75″

Kenwood is a big name in the audio world, so it was only a matter of time before they made our list. Their KSC-SW11 is a small 8-inch speaker that’s very compact and easy to install.

It comes with all the mounting and wiring hardware and has an auto-sensing preamp to match the speaker levels. However, it doesn’t make much bass, even for an 8-inch option.

Even worse, while the sound quality is better than a stock system or even a 10-inch subwoofer, it’s not what we’d expect from an 8-inch option. In other words, you lose the bass without gaining the extra crispness – it’s a lose-lose.

Pros

Automatically matching speaker levels

It comes with everything you need to mount and wire it.

There are many sound options on the wired remote.

It is a subwoofer that is very small.

Cons

Even for an 8-inch speaker, it doesn’t make much bass.

The sound isn’t good enough for an 8-inch subwoofer.

6. Sound Storm Laboratories LOPRO8

 LOPRO8 Sound Storm Laboratories

Size: 8 inches

Watts: 400 RMS

Dimensions: 15″ x 9.75″ x 3″

With a MOSFET power supply, switching speeds are faster, performance is better with less power from the driver, gate-to-drain feedback capacitance is lower, and thermal impedance is lower, allowing 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 mostly use the low-pass filter to keep high notes out of your subwoofer (s)

HIGH-LEVEL INPUT: High-level inputs are used to connect the LOPRO8 to your factory radio or an aftermarket radio that doesn’t have low-level (RCA) inputs.

LOW LEVEL INPUT: Line level inputs, also called RCA inputs or low-level inputs, connect the LOPRO8 to the source unit using RCA interconnect cables. Most aftermarket radios have more than one pair of RCA outputs that can be connected to more than one amplifier.

VARIABLE BASS BOOST: With Variable Bass Boost, you can change the low bass within the boost range to suit your tastes.

Sound Strom Laboratories makes some cool stuff, and the LOPRO8 is a great example. It’s an affordable 8-inch subwoofer with a lot of inputs that let you change the sound.

Still, you get better sound quality than a stock system, but 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, at this price, it’s not a bad choice, especially since it has so many safety features that keep you from accidentally blowing up your new subwoofer.

Pros

Prices are very reasonable

It has a warranty of 3 years.

There are a lot of inputs that let you change the sound.

It has a lot of safety features.

Cons

Compared to bigger options, this one has less bass.

Sound quality is only OK

7. Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10

Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10

Size: 10 inches

RMS Watts: 200

Dimensions: 19″ x 13.5″ x 5.3″

High-flow port design with low noise

5/8-inch MDF was used to build it.

10 AWG terminals for input

Because they are only 3.25 inches deep on top and 5.25 inches deep on the bottom, these shallow loaded enclosures can fit in tight places.

The Rockford Fosgate R2S-1X10 is another good subwoofer that puts out a lot of bass without distorting the sound too much. It’s easy to set up and has a great price-to-performance ratio.

But if it has a lot of bass, great sound quality, and a great price, why is it so far down on our list? Simply put, it’s too big to fit under most seats, which is a big deal for a list about the best under-seat subwoofers.

You’ll need a smaller subwoofer unless you have a big car with a lot of room under the seat.

Pros

The sound quality is very good.

Very simple to set up.

Makes a lot of bass.

Great balance between price and quality

Cons

Larger size makes it harder to fit under some seats

It doesn’t make a lot of bass.

8.BOSS Audio Systems BAB8

Size: 8 inches

Watts: 400 RMS

Dimensions: 12″ x 9.25″ x 2.94″

Space Saver: Since the amplifier and subwoofer are built into one unit, this is a great choice for vehicles with limited space. With its slim design, there are a few ways to install it. Embrace the Bass!

Built-in Amplifier: The subwoofer is powered by an 800 Max watt amplifier that is built in.

Pulse Width Modulated: This design precisely controls the output voltage and current by removing the output current sensing loss and all secondary feedback circuitry. This makes the design more efficient, lighter, smaller, and more 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 mostly use the low-pass filter to keep high notes out of your subwoofer (s)

High Level Input: High-level inputs are used to connect the BAB8 to your factory radio or an aftermarket radio that does not have low-level (RCA) inputs.

Even though this BOSS Audio System is rated at 400 RMS watts, it doesn’t sound as good or have as much power as a typical 400 RMS watt subwoofer. We’re not sure why, but the power just isn’t there.

It still doesn’t have as much bass as larger subwoofers, but it does have a variable bass boost that gives you a little more control from song to song.

In the end, it’s not a bad choice, but if you’re going to spend this much, we think you can do better.

Pros

Excellent quality of sound

It’s very thin, so it can fit in tight places.

The bass boost can be changed, giving you more control.

Cons

Compared to bigger options, this one has less bass.

It costs more for what you get.

The watts number isn’t all that accurate.

9. Rockville SS8P

Rockville SS8P

Size: 8 inches

RMS Watts: 100

Dimensions: 11.4″ x 8.3″ x 2.8″

Rockville SS8P 8 “400W Actively Powered Slim Under-Seat Subwoofer for Cars and Trucks.

The case is made of cast aluminium, which always stays cool.

Peak Power Handling: 400 Watts. RMS Power Handling: 100 Watts. Mounting Feet for Heavy Duty Use.

Power Supply for PWM MOSFET. The RCA input is low level. High-Level Inputs that automatically turn on.

Change the sensitivity of the input. Remote turn-on with a soft delay. Circuit for thermal protection and circuit for short protection.

The Rockville SS8P is another 8-inch subwoofer that can make your stock sound system sound better without breaking your budget. It’s a very cheap option, but it doesn’t have the most bass or the best sound quality.

Still, there was a reason it was on our list. In addition to being cheaper, it has a feature that turns it on by itself, input sensitivity that can be changed, and a lot of safety circuits.

The Rockville SS8P is a great way to get a better sound system than what comes with your car if you’re on a tight budget.

Pros

It has technology that turns on itself.

Adjustable sensitivity of the input

There are a lot of circuits that are safe.

Very affordable

Cons

The sound wasn’t the best.

Not much bass

10. Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch

Size: 12 inches

Watts: 300 RMS

Dimensions: 15″ x 19.8″ x 7″

The Punch P300-12 is an all-in-one system that comes with a 12″ subwoofer in a custom sealed enclosure and a powerful 300 Watt amplifier.

The system is complete, so all you need to do to get this baby moving is run power, ground, and a signal from the source. Dimensions (Wedge H x W x D1 x D2): 15″ x 19.8″ x 11″ x 7″

It has a 12db/Octave low pass crossover that can be adjusted, a built-in bass EQ that can be adjusted, a 0°/180° phase switch, and a remote bass level control.

The closed-loop design makes sure that the woofer, amplifier, and enclosure all work well together and makes it easy to add to aftermarket or OEM audio systems that use RCA or speaker level signals.

When you buy from an authorised Rockford Fosgate dealer, you get a full one-year warranty on the famous Rockford Fosgate build quality.

We really like the Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch, so we thought it was important to include a 12-inch subwoofer. The size is what’s wrong. Yes, a 12-inch subwoofer puts out a lot of bass, but it’s also a 12-inch subwoofer.

We haven’t found a seat that it fits under yet, but we also couldn’t find a 12-inch subwoofer that was smaller. And for a list about the best subwoofers for under the seat, that’s a pretty big problem.

Also, keep in mind that the bigger the subwoofer, the more bass it will produce, but it will also distort the sound more. You’re giving up quality for bass, but the Rockford Fosgate P300-12 Punch is a great choice for what it is. Just make sure you have room for it.

Pros

Makes a lot of bass

Choices that are good

Cons

More expensive option

The sound changes more as the size gets bigger.

Very big choice

Final Thoughts

If, after reading the reviews and the buyer’s guide, you’re still not sure which one is best for you, why not go with the Kicker 11HS8? It got our top pick for a reason, and it has a surprising amount of bass and great sound quality.

The Rockville RW10CA is a great option if you’re on a tighter budget, but don’t expect the same level of results. Just make sure it fits and order an under-seat subwoofer. You won’t be let down.