To quote the late great philosopher Maghan Trainor - it’s all about that bass. And that statement is never more applicable than when you’re cruising in your car, windows rolled down on a hot summer’s day, blaring out some of your favorite anthems. To feel that kick drum and bass over the engine, you’re going to want a quality subwoofer.
A 10-Inch subwoofer will completely elevate your car stereo system, bringing that extra thump to the kick drum and throb to your bass, giving you that added sonic clarity.
But whether it’s drum ‘n bass or heavy metal you’ll be channeling through your speakers, you’ll need to consider what kind of music you’ll be listening to before you splash out on your subwoofer, weighing up the differences between dual voice coils and enclosure types.

But where do you start with finding the best subwoofer for you?
What features are you looking for in your onboard speaker that will help deliver the audio quality you desire? How much can a top-of-the-range subwoofer be looking to set you back in terms of price?
Well, don’t worry audiophiles, because we have the answers to those questions, with our list of some of the best 10-Inch subwoofers currently available on the market.
Then we’re rounding our article up with a buyer’s guide that should help you figure out what sound system to opt for and some frequently asked questions from vehicle sound enthusiasts.
OUR TOP PICK
Our first subwoofer to make the cut is a very compact and highly portable sub that comes at a fairly reasonable price.
This subwoofer easily integrates into your existing sound system and has adjustable bass controls on the housing that means you can go from bass-lite to that dash-throbbing heavy bass, depending on your preference - introducing the Sound Storm Laboratories LOPRO10 Amplified Car Subwoofer.
We’ll start by saying that this is a very accessible speaker that is relatively simple to install, simply connect it to your existing sound system under the dash.
You can also operate it with remote control, which comes with bass boosting properties if you want to give your music that added punch.
With high- and low-level RCA inputs, you’ll be able to adapt it quickly to your existing sound system, installing it in a wide variety of locations throughout the interior of your car or truck.
Pros:
- You can rest easy that this subwoofer will last you for a number of years, coming as it does with thermal and short-circuiting protection.
- With the remote control function and the optional bass enhancement, this is very user-friendly and amenable to further upgrades. If you’re planning on developing your car’s sound system in the future, you can’t really go wrong with this as a starting model.
- The price - considering how affordable this model is, it’s no wonder that it has come highly rated by users. It’s perfect for audiophiles who also don’t want to break the bank.
Cons:
- This subwoofer has a little less power than some of the other models on this list. This might not make it an ideal speaker for those of you who want the dial set to ear-splitting.
EDITORS CHOICE
Our next subwoofer is one that has a durable voice coil with a copper-laced aluminum build and an RMS of 250 watts to deliver a healthy dose of sonic power.
You can be assured that the bass sound on this model will be ultra-solid, with a polypropylene core that shifts a fair amount of air through its cone system - introducing the Rockford Fosgate 10-inch Subwoofer.
This one can be considered as a budget option for audiophiles, with an excellent performance to price ratio. You can easily plug this one into your existing sound system, allowing you to set it to 2 and 4-ohm variants.
The dual coil voice design will make sure that the bass hits those wheel-shaking upper levels, with a multi-material body construction of aluminum, copper and polypropylene that can more than handle the extra thrum.
Pros:
- This is the subwoofer that gives you as much value for money as possible - if you want a solid bass sound in your car but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars, then this is the bass unit for you.
- The solid construction of the body is perfect for handling those deep earth-shaking notes, allowing the sound to move through the copper-clad aluminum body with 250 watts of power to guarantee that this unit won’t give out on your halfway up the motorway.
- This is a perfect entry-level subwoofer, for those drivers who have only just purchased their first car. It comes with mounting screws, so it should be easy to install in any section of your car’s interior.
Cons:
- This bass unit has a lower RMS than a lot of the others on this list.
BEST VALUE
This next subwoofer is called a shallow mount, as it comes in a compact design that has a depth of 3 and ⅛ inches, making it the ideal unit for smaller vehicles.
However, don’t expect a reduction in sound quality, because this product more than delivers, with an RMS of 300 and a 1,200 watt of high performance - introducing the Pioneer TS-SW2502S4 10-inch Shallow-Mount Subwoofer.
The main reason for purchasing this subwoofer is for the compact installation and power that it provides - it really is a unit that takes both power and space into consideration. The tones and brightness of the bass sound are unlike any other unit, with a wide frequency range of between 12Hz and 12,500Hz.
If you want that extra hefty subwoofer bass sound and have an extra few dollars to spare, you can always purchase two of the Pioneers and install them under your dash or in the side compartments. Due to the compact nature of this speaker’s design, this will be more than easy to accomplish.
Pros:
- The more petit units like this are perfect if you want to double up on your sound, buy two for the price of one single units of any other model and install them at opposite ends of your vehicle for that thunderous dual-bass effect.
- The power of this subwoofer will also be appealing for anyone who wants that crystal clarity when it comes to distinguishing between bass notes.
- With an impressive frequency range of 12Hz to 12,500Hz, you can rest assured that your speakers won’t blow out if you crank up the volume. This is certainly a unit designed to handle loud sounds.
Cons:
- This unit won’t fit easily into 10-inch subwoofer boxes, so you might find yourself having to customize your storage unit.
RUNNER UP
This next speaker unit is another one that features a dual-coil system to handle that extra bass, with a state-of-the-art venting system that ejects the air through the sealed gap, helping the unit to cool faster and keeping the temperature controlled.
This has a sustained power output of 500 watts, so you can be sure that it will keep your speaker powered for hours on end - introducing the Rockford Fosgate P3D2-10 Punch 10-Inch Subwoofer.
The dual coil design and build quality of this subwoofer is undoubtedly its most impressive features, the core being manufactured out of anodized aluminum, which means that it will preserve its shape despite any heat that it’s subjected to.
The Rockford Fosgate will emphasize the depth of the bass as well as the volume.
Pros:
- The precision-engineered cooling system will not warp the metal, even when subjected to the most extreme temperatures, meaning little distortion in sound and reducing the damage to the speaker over time.
- The bass will be punchy and deep through this speaker, which is perfect if you're intending on playing heavy metal or rock and want the warm tones of the bass or feel the thump on the kick alongside the distorted guitars.
- This unit has a decent RMS and wattage, ensuring that it won’t give out through repeated hard vibrations.
Cons:
- The deepest tones of the bass can sound a little muddied through this speaker, which might not be appealing to die-hard audiophiles.
RUNNER UP
Our final subwoofer is probably the most versatile in the list. Not only does it have a great audio output, but with a dual coil voice system, you can connect to your existing amps to create an 8-ohm sound level.
With 600 watts of RMS, you can pump out bass at a high volume with minimal levels of distortion - introducing the JL Audio 10W6v3-D4 10-inch 600w Subwoofer.
Whether operating at high or lower registers, this subwoofer will keep the bass tones bright and clear. With the added compatibility with your existing amplifiers, this speaker only gives the committed sound enthusiast more reason to invest in it.
This has a rare clarity and power for a speaker of this smaller size.
Pros:
- This is the best speaker on our list - when it comes to portability, power and sonic clarity, you really can do no better. It is a versatile subwoofer that can be easily connected to your other speakers to boost your overall sound system.
- The bass tones of this speaker will be crystal clear, the higher end sounds coming through very bright, while the lower tones will pack a punch.
- The dual voice coil will boost both the bass and the volume of your speaker, perfect if you want to blast out some bass-heavy rock or grime on a summer afternoon.
Cons:
- With higher quality comes a higher price - you can expect to spend a fair whack on this subwoofer, although if you do want the very best in sound quality and storage, you probably won’t begrudge paying the extra.
Best 10-Inch Subwoofers Buying Guide
When it comes to picking out the ideal subwoofer for your vehicle, you’ll be deluged with all the different varieties of speakers out there and it can certainly seem overwhelming at first. But it’s important to know whether you value bass, volume or a combination of the two before buying a speaker.
Passive Or Powered Subwoofer - Which Will You Be Needing?
There are two different styles of subwoofer - powered and passive. The difference is simple though - a powered subwoofer contains its own internal amplifier while a passive subwoofer does not.
When using a passive subwoofer, you will need to buy an external amplifier. The reason for buying a passive model is that they are generally cheaper and easier to carry than a powered subwoofer. You will also be able to upgrade your passive subwoofer as and when necessary.
One of the main benefits of any powered or active subwoofer is the fact that they reduce the amount of space you’ll need in your vehicle while being cheaper in the long run as you won’t have to invest in any additional speakers. However, the downside of a passive amp is the increased weight, which might make installation difficult.
Single And Dual Voice Coils
As you might have read above, most subwoofers come in 2 different coil types - single and dual voice. The main difference between these two is flexibility: the single-coil can only be wired at the ohm level prescribed by the manufacturer, whereas the dual-coil can be adjusted for higher and lower levels of volume performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Power Do You Need For A 10-Inch Sub?
There will usually be a recommended RMS rating listed with your subwoofer. The lowest amount indicated is the minimum amount of power your subwoofer will require.
Bass notes usually need more electrical juice, so you’ll probably end up moving to the larger number indicated on the manufacturer's specifications. However, you shouldn’t have any trouble with your amplifier’s RMS output exceeding the subwoofer’s RMS output, just make sure you turn the volume down low to avoid blow-out!