Owning one of the best under seat subwoofers is a great way to have a great sound system in your car if you are tight on space.
They are small and compact devices that can be tucked under your car seat and add some power to your sound system, without having that fast and furious boy racer look to it.
For such small and slim subwoofers, you will be surprised at how impressive these can sound.
A lot of the models I am about to recommend also have built-in amps to increase the output and really crank up the following.
Here are my best under seat subwoofers that I recommend for your car or truck.
They vary in performance, style, and of course budget; but I am sure one of these recommendations will be the right fit for your vehicle.
Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission.
7 Best Under Seat Subwoofers Worth Considering
Pioneer TS-WX130DA – Best Overall
- Pioneer TS-WX130DA Compact 8" x 5. 25" 160-Watt Active Subwoofer with Built-in Amp 8" x 5. 25" woofer ; 160W max
- 50W nominal; Aluminum cone; Urethane surround; Built-in Class D amp; Digital Bass Control tailors frequency response & increases performance with selectable Deep or Dynamic listening modes; Gain
- LPF
- phase & bass modes controllable at remote; Freq resp
- Deep Mode: 20Hz-200Hz; Freq resp
Last update on 2023-05-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Pioneer TS-WX130DA under seat subwoofer is very compact with excellent sound quality.
For such a small device, the amount of bass it produces is quite amazing; if anything it’s too much bass that might be too much for a small car.
The TS-WX130DA combines a built-in 160-watt Class D amplifier and digital bass control to tailor frequency response and increase the performance to produce deep and powerful bass.
The TS-WX130DA has two listening modes.
This device has two listening modes, Deep and Dynamic that tunes the output to complement various musical styles and vehicle types.
The dynamic bass mode function which will intelligently enhance different frequencies from the music being played.
The Pioneer TS-WX130DA is extremely easy to install in your vehicle with relatively easy to follow instructions.
It’s also quite easy to configure the device to your liking by customizing how you set up the subwoofer and connecting to third-party speakers.
If you want to get the best out of this device, you should set it up with the RCA low-level inputs; this will allow you to control the subwoofer separately.
If you are looking for the best compact under seat subwoofer, this pioneer under seat subwoofer has amazing sound quality and is manufactured by a company whose reputation was built on high-quality sound and build.
This is one of the best compact under seat subwoofers you can if you have a Pick-Up or SUV and don’t fancy having a large subwoofer box.
I think it could actually be too much for a small car; even though it’s small and compact; I think it could be too much for bass for a car or a small car at least.
Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 – Best Runner UP
- 8-Inch Subwoofer And 120W Amplifier, Housed Together In A Cast Aluminum Enclosure
- The Compact Size Measures Just 13.5” L X 9” W X 3” D So It Can Be Installed Under Or Behind A Seat In A Truck, In A Sedan’S Trunk Or In An Suv’S Hatch
- 32Hz-150Hz Frequency Response, Power Rating: 120W Rms. Rca (0.1-4V) / Speaker Input (1.5-30V/Auto Sensing)
- Rca And Auto-Sensing Speaker Level Inputs Are Located On The Side Panel, Along With Controls For Phase, Gain, Lp Crossover And Remote Sub Level
Last update on 2023-05-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Alpine is another well know brand renowned for high-quality sound with a pretty big reputation; so it’s no surprise that the Alpine PWE-S8 is one of the best under seat subwoofers available.
Its compact design is powered by an 8-inch subwoofer with a 120W built-in amp with a cast aluminum enclosure.
It’s a pretty small compact device; maybe not as thin as other models mentioned in this roundup review, but still fairly compact (13.5” x 9” x 3”), which will under the seat of any truck, car, or SUV with ease.
This makes it a good fit for anyone who doesn’t want to sacrifice any space but wants to have some high-quality bass to their sound system.
One thing I must mention is installing this device; it’s so important that this is done right.
If you don’t install this correctly; you will be so underwhelmed with the sound quality it produces; so try and make sure you take your time and follow the instructions; especially if you aren’t sure what you doing.
If you are unsure, the Alpine Tech Support is great and will be able to help you out.
The Alpine PWE-S8 connects to your vehicle’s sound system through the RCA or Auto-sensing Speaker Level inputs.
On the device itself, you can control the Phase, Gain, LP Crossover, and Remote Sub Level controls; there’s also a remote with an 8ft cable to control the gain.
Compared to the Pioneer TS-WX130DA and the Kenwood KSC-SW11 which both run at less than 75w RMS, the Alpine PWE-S8 runs 120w RMS with a 240 max limit and right now is pretty much the same price as the Pioneer.
The Alpine PWE-S8 is an excellent subwoofer for under seats that should definitely be considered.
Kenwood KSC-SW11 – Best Best Enclosed Subwoofer For Cars
The KSC-SW11 is one of my two Kenwood options that has made my list and is my best enclosed subwoofer for car recommendation.
The Kenwood KSC-SW11 is specifically designed to be compact and for vehicles that are short on space but want to add a little bass to their current or factory sound system.
Weighing just over 6 pounds and such a small frame (11 x 7.5 x 2.75 inches); it fits easily under the seat of your car or can be tucked away neatly in the trunk.
As this is a powered subwoofer, you won’t need to worry about connecting it to an external Amp to get this to work.
What you get is a 150W subwoofer that pushed out a lot more bass than you might expect.
Using the remote that’s included you can tune to sound to your liking by setting the HZ to avoid any distortion and also adjusting the volume to suit the type of music you are listening to.
This will need to be done manually of course as it doesn’t have the dynamic bass mode function that you get with the Pioneer TS-WX130DA which will intelligently enhance different frequencies from the music being played.
Like most Kenwood subwoofers, the KSC-SW11 is very easy to install. Simply, wire the subwoofer to your battery ground it, and then connect it to your head unit using RCA cables.
You will need to purchase the RCA cables separately as they are not included with this unit.
Overall, the Kenwood KSC-SW11 is an excellent device and is my best-enclosed subwoofer for car recommendation.
Rockville SS8P 400 – Best Under Seat Subwoofer Under $100
- Package Includes: (1) Rockville SS8P 400 Watt Slim Under-Seat Active Powered Car/Truck Subwoofer Sub, (1) Rockville RWK10 10 Gauge Amp Installation Kit ANL Fuse Holder 100% Copper RCA
- 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: < 0.4%. Subwoofer Level Remote Control. Fuse Rating: Single 15A
- 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
- Rockville RWK10 10 Gauge 2 Channel Car Amplifier Wiring Installation Kit. (1) 17 High Grade Twisted Pair of 100% Copper RCA Cable. 17' 10 Gauge Translucent Blue SuperFlex Power Cables. 17 18 Gauge Blue Remote Cable. 17 16 Gauge Clear Speaker Wire. 3' 10 Gauge Clear SuperFlex Ground Wire. Gold Plated AGU Heat Resistant Fuse Holder. 40 Amp ATU Inline Fuse. 7 Split Tube Loom. Accessories Included: Wire Ties, Ring Terminals, Butt Connectors, Spades, and Grommets . Soft abrasion proof insulating jacket allows for 100% improved flexibility. PVC outer jacket can with-stand an extreme temperature range of -40 to 220 degrees F
Last update on 2023-05-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
One I think I hate about doing these round-up reviews is that the one brand might have multiple options making my recommendations.
This post is no different.
However, they usually vary in price for your standard budget, mid-range and premium range options.
The Rockville SS8P is my best under seat subwoofer under $100 recommendation.
For less than $100, you are getting a good quality, power unit, and full amp install kit. Not bad for less than $100.
The Rockville SS8P is an all in one unit with an amp in a slim 2.8″ thick frame.
Since the amp is built-in, it makes the installation a breeze (once you can follow instructions at least).
An easy to install device was one of Rockville’s main goals when designing this under seat subwoofer.
Rockville wanted to ensure that their device could be easily connected to any vehicle factory or aftermarket system.
They also made the install easier again by placing all the inputs and outputs on one side of the subwoofer, keeping everything neat and tidy.
Like the Rockville RW8CA mentioned below in this post, the SS8P 400 also has the smart turn on that will automatically turn the amplifier on and off when it senses an audio signal.
The SS8P produces 400 watts of peak power and 100 watts RMS; which is quiet goo considering it costs less than $100.
If you are looking to add a little more kick to a factory vehicle sound system; the extra little bass this device produces makes it a great purchase, especially if you don’t want to blow your ears off and empty your wallet.
The Rockville SS8P 400 is without a doubt one of the best budget under-seat subwoofers that come as an all in one unit with an install kit included; all for less than $100.
Rockville RW8CA 8″ – Best Budget Under Seat Subwoofer
- Rockville RW10CA 800 Watt 10" Slim Car Subwoofer.
- 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.
Last update on 2023-05-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It’s no surprise why the Rockville RW10CA is one of the best under seat subwoofers you can buy online.
You don’t need to worry about any false promises from Rockville as this model has been approved by the Consumer Electronics Association.
So you can be rest assured, whatever Rockville is saying, you can be sure it’s true.
In fact, the Rockville RW10CA is one of the only slim under-seat subwoofers that are compliant with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).
Ok, that sounds great an all, but what are you getting if you pick up one of these?
With 600 watts of peak power and 150 watts RMS, the Rockville RW8CA packs plenty of power for such a slim device (2.7 Inches Thick).
For such a thin device, the level of bass is quite impressive; and it can be easily controlled using the remote control that included.
If you are buying this particular model; I would definitely consider buying the bundle with the amp and install kit.
It’s only a little bit extra but makes the install easier and more straight forward.
The device is very easy to install and what’s great is you don’t need a remote wire from your receiver to trigger the unit on and off.
Why is this useful?
Well, if you aren’t too familiar with installing the subwoofers; it means when you turn off your music signal, the amp that’s built into this system will automatically turn itself off.
The Rockville RW8CA is excellent value considering the quality and bass you get compared to other setups without spending a fortune.
I know these are generally hidden under the seat or in the back of the car, but I like the design of this model.
The blue is really cool looking and will suit the eye of someone who doesn’t want the same plain boring black.
JBL BassPro SL 8-inch – Best Option For Flexible EQ Adjustments
- 8" JBL BassPro SL Powered Under-Seat Compact Subwoofer Enclosure | Power Output: Peak: 250 Watts | RMS: 125 Watts | Efficient Class D Amplifier | Proprietary, shallow-profile woofer
- LED power (green) and protect (red) indicators | Soft start turn-on | Speaker-level (high-level) inputs with Audio Sense Auto-on | Gold-plated Power, Ground and Remote screw-down connections | 3-way protection circuitry (thermal, overload, and speaker short protection)
- Wired Bass Remote Controller Ready, Compatible with GTO-RBC (sold separately) | Input sensitivity: Low level: 200mV - 2V | High level: 2V - 20V | Frequency Response: 35 - 120 Hz
- Variable low-pass filter: 50 - 120 Hz, 12 dB/octave | Variable Bass Boost: 0 to +9 dB bass boost at 70 Hz | Selectable Phase Switch: 0° - 180° | Maximum Current Draw: 12A
- Quiescent Current Draw: <800mA | Fuse Rating: 20 A x 1 | Dimensions: 9-7/8"W x 13-9/16"L x 2-13/16"H
Last update on 2023-05-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The JBL BassPro is a tidy 8″ under seat subwoofer that packs a punch.
In fact, according to JBL, it’s designed to “provide low distortion and great bass performance in an ABS enclosure with a remarkably compact footprint.”
If you are looking for a small, power under subwoofer that enhances your vehicle’s sound system; this could be the one for you.
The Crossover control and flexible EQ adjustments let you tune the upper and mid base to suit the rest of your car speakers for a smooth transition.
One thing that I must mention is the efficiency of the JBL BassPro.
It requires very little current from your car’s electrics to run and also keep cool.
You won’t hear the bass from two blocks away, but you aren’t supposed to with this subwoofer.
The goal here to have a high-quality subwoofer that fits under your seat that gives anyone’s sound system.
This particular model is best suited for cars, rather than trucks I feel.
Its small design fits perfectly under the seat of many cars rather than deep in the back of a truck. One other thing that might throw some people off is the price.
It’s almost double the price of the Rockville RW8CA and its one of the best selling models currently available on Amazon.
Kenwood KSC-PSW8 8″ Under Seat Powered Subwoofer
- Class D amplifier
- 150 watts RMS power (250 watts maximum)
- Frequency response: 35-150 Hz
- Sensitivity: 81 dB
Last update on 2023-05-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 under seat subwoofer is designed to produce high-quality bass from a small and compact device that fits nicely under your seat.
It’s not the most powerful under seat subwoofer that some of the others mentioned in this post, but it doesn’t need to be.
The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 produces 150 watts of RMS power and 250 watts at its max.
You can control the bass from the driver’s seat using the wired remote that’s provided.
However, what you can control with the remote is limited compared to some other subwoofers for under car seats that we mentioned.
Using the remote, you can control the crossover, gain, and phase.
For example, the JBL BassPro also lets you control the upper and mid-level bass.
It’s not a major thing; but when you are looking for one of the best under seat subwoofers, and its costing over $200; you would expect a little more control ability.
A wiring harness and mounting brackets are also included to install this relatively easy.
This is a great subwoofer for under your car seat.
It sounds great, looks great, it’s easy to install, but I wish there was a little more control options to allow you to get the perfect sound transition between the subwoofer and vehicle system.
This might be more of an issue for the proper sound junkies who have that ear for every decibel.
FAQ
Are Under Seat Subs Any Good?
Yes, the main purpose behind under-seat subwoofers is to improve your current sound system without sacrificing any space. Despite their small size, some of the best under seat subwoofers can produce a high level of bass which can greatly improve your factory or third party sound system.
Can You Put A Subwoofer Under A Seat?
Yes, subwoofers that are small and compact can be put under your car seat. Subwoofer manufactures have realized this demand has created and designed under-seat subwoofers with this need in mind.
How Do You Install Under Seat Subwoofers?
If you purchase an under-seat subwoofer it will come with step by step instructions on how to install and set up the device.
It basically consists of wiring the subwoofer to your battery, grounding it, and then connecting it to your head unit using RCA cables.
There’s plenty of YouTube videos available online that should be able to help out with this.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this roundup post about the Best Under Seat Subwoofers was useful to you and one of my recommendations is a good fit for you and your vehicle.
Go through the specs of each in a little more detail to find one that fits your needs.
If you feel I have left out a model; please comment below to let me know.
Disclaimer
Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission.
Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases.
The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
