If you are looking for the best under seat subwoofer on the market, you’ve come to the right place. An under seat sub is easy to install and maintain while still pumping out just as much bass as a traditional design. Adding some much needed bass to an otherwise flat-sounding, stock stereo system will make a huge difference to your car’s audio.

Subwoofers can bring those low frequencies alive and really increase the intensity of the aural experience within your car. Also, the compact under seat versions won’t hog valuable space. They have an all-inclusive design which means that you can conserve the precious space in your dash or in the trunk.

That said, finding the best under seat subwoofer can get tricky. There are huge variety of different brands available, some of them are amazing while others leave leave a little to be desired

There are an extensive range of small subwoofers to choose from and not all of them are built alike. A lot of them are rated down to 20hz in the spec sheet. But sometime the listed specs don’t quite translate into real life performance.

That’s where we step in. We know our way around subs and we’ve handpicked the best under seat subwoofers in the market for you.

Strap in and see which sub is the best.

KICKER Hideaway 8” Powered Subwoofer

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The name sums it up pretty well.

The Kicker Hideaway is a small subwoofer that produces delectable low frequency sound.

It’s USP, is that at just over 3” in height and 14” in length, it can fit even into the most space-constrained cars. Makes for the perfect under the seat sub.

The Hideaway is a powered sub, which means that it comes with an integrated amp, which in this case, is a 150-watt RMS. While that may not sound like much (no pun intended), it will liven up any track with punching bass and depth.

The hideaway is rated for a frequency response of 25-120 Hz, which is exceptional for the price point. More importantly, that closely matches the output that it produces.

If you find the bass too heavy for comfort, you can always tone it down using the remote control bass knob that it ships with.

Installation is a cinch. It comes with a simple, power and signal wiring that makes it as easy as plug and play. A bunch of Nylon straps and Velcro fasteners are thoughtfully included in the package, which allows a clean installation irrespective of where you choose to install it.

Overall, the Kicker Hideaway is a great pick for casual listeners who want to add some punch to their bass. The easy installation and the compact size make it hard to look over.

Best features

• Compact, powered sub
• 150-Watt RMS amp
• Frequency response of 25-120 Hz
• Just 3” tall and 14” long.
• Easy plug and play installation
• Comes with nylon straps and Velcro fasteners
• Remote control knob allows customization on-the-go

Kenwood KSC-PSW8 Slim Under-Seat Subwoofer

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Kenwood KSC-PSW8 is one of the most compact subwoofers in the market, that delivers an impressive bass performance thanks to the 150W D-Class amplifier that powers it.

In fact, the bass response is on par with what you’d get with a much larger subwoofer installed in the trunk. Really fills in the gaps in the low end without sounding jarring.

It is rated to 35-150 Hz, which is not exactly very low. But unless you are an audiophile hung up over trivial details, you would hardly notice any difference in performance.

Also, it’s just 14” long and about 3” tall. Almost the same size as our #1 pick, the Kicker Hideaway, which makes it perfect for under the seat installation. It comes with a wiring harness and mounting brackets, which is the standard offering, but may require professional installation. Sadly, no Velcro straps here.

This small subwoofer features a die-cast aluminum housing that completely eliminates rattle. Also, ensures that the more delicate components are shock protected.

The sound quality is generally rated to be top notch without requiring any adjustments. But if you wish to customize a few settings, you’d be glad to know that it comes with a wired remote that lets you adjust volume, phase and crossover.

Overall, we are mighty impressed with the features and the performance of the Kenwood PSW8 compact subwoofer. Hard to go wrong with it.

Best features

• Compact sub with an 8” woofer
• 250W D-Class amp
• Sound frequency 35-150 Hz
• Just 14” long and 3” tall
• Die cast aluminum housing
• Comes with wiring harness and mounting brackets

JBL BassPro SL Under Seat Compact Subwoofer

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The JBL BassPro SL, manufactured by Harman, offers the exceptional sound quality that one typically associates with the brand. Really amplifies the low end, filling out the mix without making it heard outside the car.

It is an 8” powered under seat subwoofer with a compact footprint and an all-black, matte ABS housing. The general consensus among shoppers seems to be that subs with flashier designs are more likely to be stolen. Well, JBL keeps it minimalistic. The ABS enclosure also reduces distortion.

At 2.81” tall and just under 14” wide, it is on par with the rest of the subs in this list. It is best suited for under seat installations, but can also be installed easily in the dashboard.

A minor quibble that we have with it is that no installation accessories are included in the package, except for four mounting screws. No cables, nothing. You have to buy that separately.

Coming to the specs, the BassPro is powered by an RMS 125-Watt Class D, amp, which is more energy efficient and dissipates heat a lot better.

Lastly, the BassPro comes a whole bunch of controls that allow you to really customize the sound to your liking. There are knobs for crossover control (XOVER), Bass Boost and Level, while there’s the intelligent Audio sense, an input load which can be used if you connect it to a Head Unit, and phase. A wired remote control is also included in the package for more frequently used settings.

If you are looking for impressive bass and the option to connect the subwoofer to aftermarket systems, the JBL BassPro is one of your best bets.

Best features

• Tough ABS housing
• All-matte, minimalistic design
• Compact footprint
• Class D, energy efficient amp
• Better dissipation of heat
• RMS 125-Watt
• Bunch of controls to customize the sound

Kenwood KSC-SW11 Compact Powered Enclosed Subwoofer

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The KSC-SW11 is Kenwood’s pocket-sized offering that produces a thumping bass that will impress both casual and discerning listeners with a keen ear for detail.

We really meant when we said its pocket sized. It’s just 8.25” x 5.15”. That’s slightly bigger than an old Walkman. This means that even if you do not fancy a sub under your seat, you can pretty much install it anywhere in the car.

In fact, it even resembles a Walkman with a minimalistic, die-cast aluminum housing. Certainly won’t attract prying eyes.

The performance is exceptional for such a mini subwoofer. That 75-watt amp delivers way more than what you expect of it. Even at full volume, it does not diminish the mids and highs. Just fills the gaps beautifully.

But there is some amount of distortion, which is to be expected to be fair. The sweet spot is just a little more than 50% volume.

Just like the rest of the design, the controls are pretty basic. There are just three dials on the panel. One for volume, one for crossover control and a switch for phase. If you like to tinker and dial down the sound, then this may not be the right fit for you.

However, we like that all of these controls are available on the remote control, which makes life easier.

The Kenwood KSC-SW11 is a great sub for the price, provided you have your expectations right. If you are looking at an underseat subwoofer to knock off your socks, this isn’t the one. But if you are looking to accurately reproduce the lows, this does a fine job.

Best features

• Smallest under the seat subwoofer
• Just 8.25” x 5.15”
• 75-watt Class D amp
• Powerful performance
• Does not dominate the mids and highs
• Minimalist controls

Rockville RW10CA Slim Low Profile Active Sub

Last update on 2021-09-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Rockville RW10CA is a 10” powered subwoofer that retails for a lot lesser than most of its 8” counterparts.

So if you are shopping on a shoestring budget, but looking for a sizeable bass, you might want to check this out.

It is a beautifully designed unit that has a black ABS housing and a die-cast aluminum grill with a blue trim. Not as unassuming as some of the other under seat subwoofers in this list. But not overly flashy either.

It also has a squarish design, rather than a rectangle, which means that the footprint is slightly larger than the competition. But it’s only about 2.7” thick. So its not bulky at all.

Powering it is a 200-Watt RMS amp with a peak power of 800-watts. A lot of manufacturers like to bluff about the peak power rating to mislead buyers. But the Rockville RW10CA is CEA-2006 compliant, which means that it’s rated for the power output and Signal-to-Noise Ratio.

Coming to the most important part, the sound. The Rockville RW10CA produces a very decent bass. It fills up the mix with very little distortion. The size of the bass is slightly better than what you get with 8” subs.

There are also a whole bunch of controls that allow customization, including an auto-turn on option, that automatically detects an audio signal, powering on the amp.

While the Rockville RW10CA may not win any awards for its bass, it definitely packs a punch with the features at this price point.

Best features

• 10” powered sub
• 200-watt RMS
• CEA-2006 Compliant
• Just 2.7” thick
• Level controls, subsonic filter and bass boost
• Ships with all installation accessories

Rockville SS8P Under-Seat Active Subwoofer

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Rockville SS8P is a slightly smaller, albeit, equally good subwoofer that will be a great addition to stock stereo players.

It produces a very subtle bass, that’s enough to bring the low frequencies alive, without rattling your jaws or causing palpitations.

Just like it’s meatier sibling, the RW10CA, the SS8P has a very slim profile. It’s only 2.8” thick and 14.3” wide. This means that it will easily slip under the seat or even in the dash.

It features an aluminum housing that does a phenomenal job at dissipating heat. The control panel is very thoughtfully designed with all inputs and output controls on one side. This makes for a very clean installation without messy wiring.

If you like to tinker with the sound, then you’d be glad to hear that it retains most of the controls that the 10” sub boasts of. So, you have a low pass filter 50Hz – 150Hz, a bass boost that goes from 0-12dB and a subsonic filter that’s rated to 20Hz. It also features the automatic signal detection, which soft powers the amp on by itself.

The SS8P slim line subwoofer is powered by a 100-watt RMS amp that has a peak power of 400-watt. There’s enough power to produce clean, consistent lows.

Best features

• 8” powered subwoofer
• 2.8” thick, slim profile
• Alluminum housing
• Easy wiring and installation
• Multiple customization controls
• Auto turn on and turn off
• 100-watt RMS amp

Sound Storm Laboratories LOPRO10 Low Profile 10 Inch Sub

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Sound Storm Labs LOPRO10 is a 10” powered subwoofer that boasts of a peak rating of 1200 watts.

Well, the RMS is about 600 watts, which is phenomenal for an under seat subwoofer of this size. The question is, does it produce that kind of sound output? To be honest, it doesn’t. The output is a lot closer to a 150-200W RMS sub.

It has a very slim profile and is about 15” wide, which makes for an easy under-the-seat installation. For pickups, this would be an easy install on the back wall.

The LOPRO10 features a MOSFET PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) power supply system, which allows faster signal switching and better power efficiency. The amps are class A/B, which helps keep distortion to the minimum.

That said, the sweet spot is about 75% of the volume. Anything more and it does sound a little distorted.

There are ample controls for customization including a bunch of low pass filters and a subsonic filter. There’s also a wired remote control that lets you alter the subwoofer levels and alter the bass depending on whether you want a crisp sound or are looking to knock your socks off.

Overall, this is a great choice for casual listeners looking to add some pop to the low end. It’s very reasonably priced too. Hard to beat that.

Best features

• 10” powered sub
• Slim profile for easy under-the-seat installations
• MOFSET PWM power supply
• Class A/B amplifiers
• Peak power of 1200 watts
• RMS power of 600 watts
• Low pass filters and subsonic filter
• Remote control for subwoofer and bass control

YaeCCC 10” 600W Under-Seat Sub Woofer

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The YaeCCC 10” sub is a very underrated unit that produces a very consistent, clean low end without sounding distorted, or without drowning the mids.

That’s a tall order for a sub that’s at least 50% cheaper than the branded competition.

It is a very minimalistic unit that has an ABS and stainless steel housing. It is just 2.5” thick and about 13” wide, which translates into an easy installation under the seat. Even if you have a hatchback with minimal room, this can easily be installed.

It is powered by a 180-watt RMS amplifier that offers way more power than the 100 and 75-watt options. But hey, it’s an off-brand. That may or may not be a deal breaker for you.

The unit is designed for an easy installation. Even if you are a novice, you should be able to get this up and running in no time. The package includes a short fused power cable, a remote wire, ground, high-level input pigtail, mounting brackets and a wired remote control knob. All that you need is an RCA cable.

Overall, this is a terrific option for the price. It adds a punchy bass with no distortion or clipping. Also offers enough customization for the audiophiles to dial down the sound.

Best features

• Budget-priced 10” sub
• Just 2.5” thick. Easy installation
• ABS housing with stainless steel mesh
• 180-watt RMS
• Includes all installation accessories
• Punchy bass with zero distortion or clipping

Alpine Electronics PWE-S8 Compact Powered 8-Inch Subwoofer

Last update on 2021-09-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last but not the least, we have the Alpine PWE-S8, a pocket-sized powered sub that produces a thumping bass that’s comparable to a full-sized woofer.

It’s designed for plug and play installation, even in cars with very limited space. It’s under 3” thick and a little more than 13” wide.

It features a 8” quad-coil sub and a 120-watt RMS, Class-D amp that are nested in a cast metal enclosure that stays cool even with continual operation.

There’s a side panel that features phase, gain, and low-pass crossover controls. Also included is a wired remote control for convenient access to more basic controls.

Coming to the performance, this under the seat subwoofer packs a punch with the bass. It performs consistently well even at high volumes. There’s no distortion or clipping. The woofer is rated down to 35hZ and to be fair, it performs well with even lower notes than that.

This is a premium-priced offering though. So if you are looking for a weekend project for casual listening, this isn’t it.

On the contrary, if you are looking for those R&B tracks to come alive, this is just what you need.

Best Features

• Pocket sized unit
• Just 3” thick
• 8” quad-coil sub
• 120-Watt RMS Class-D amp
• Cast metal enclosure
• Side panel with all controls
• Wired remote control
• Rated down to 35Hz
• Consistent sound quality

How to Select the Best Under Seat Subwoofer?

Sometimes, even seasoned audiophiles are at wits end while shopping for the best under seat subwoofer, because they are a reasonably new addition to the automobile AV market.

Very little is known about these. How do they sound? How well do they hold up to everyday use?

Most of these units look alike and have identical specs.

Besides, the bass preferences are so individualistic. At 20, you’d probably want a full sized subwoofer and amplifier combo that rattles your neighbor’s window.

But at 40, you are just looking for something that fills up the bass and offers some realism to the track.

With this buyer’s guide, you’ll know exactly what features to look for, in order to find a sub that matches your taste and fits your budget.

What’s the Difference Between a Normal Subwoofer and an Under Seat Subwoofer?

An under the seat subwoofer is a usually a small-sized, compact subwoofer that has an all-inclusive design. It features a built-in amplifier along with the sub, that are then housed together in a single slim line unit.

As the name suggests, these units are normally installed under the driver’s or the passenger seat.

The idea is to conserve space, minimize installation woes and yet, provide the listener with reasonably good sound quality. Unlike a few decades ago, when quality sound cost a premium, these days, you can easily find the best under seat subwoofer for around $150-200.

The caveat is that you cannot customize the components of the sub. It comes bundled with everything and lets’ say you prefer an amp with more power, it’d be difficult to rig a factory-produced unit.

A normal subwoofer on the other hand, is a much larger unit that’s installed in the trunk. If you have a small car or truck, then it would mean sacrificing on precious space.

But these units typically deliver a much superior audio quality and accurate low frequency bass. Also, you have the option to customize all the components including the amp.

Size Considerations

Under seat subwoofers are available in a range of sizes starting from 8” and extending all the way to 12”.

The larger units will hog more space. But offer much better bass response.

The smaller units on the other hand do reasonably well with the mid notes. It’s only the really low notes that they seem to struggle with. But these are the easiest to install in any car. They slip in comfortably under the driver’s seat or the passenger seat. Why most of these are so compact, that you can easily install them in the dash.

The 10” under the seat sub is a decent middle ground to go with if you seek the best of both worlds.

That said, the advantage of going for an 8” subwoofer is that you can install two of these for a more rounded sound profile.

Powered vs. Passive Subwoofers

The best under the seat subwoofers are powered, which means that they have an integrated amplifier. You just need to connect a few wires and you are all set to rock and roll.

Passive subwoofers on the other hand need to be powered by an external amplifier. The advantage of a passive sub is that you have more control over the power, as you can handpick an amp.

The disadvantage is that you lose more space. Also, it’s more like a conventional audio system, which is not exactly power efficient.

That segues perfectly into our next point.

Power

If you are looking for a low profile subwoofer that produces thumping bass, the power rating is the most critical specification that you need to consider. There’s no substitute for raw power.

However, this is precisely what manufacturers use to mislead customers. There are two types of numbers that are often used interchangeably while describing the power rating of a sub.

• RMS Power: RMS power or ‘Root Mean Square’ power is the continual power output that the woofer can produce without sounding distorted. It is a more realistic measure of the actual power that the sub can handle. In an under the seat sub, this number is a great indicator of how loud the unit can get. The average RMS power for under the seat subs is 100-200W by the way, which is not overly loud. Very rarely do we find units with an RMS of above 500 W.
• Peak Power: Peak power is the maximum power that the sub can handle, but only in short bursts. If a manufacturer advertises the peak power of the sub instead of the RMS, then it is an attempt to mislead the customer into believing that the sub is extremely loud. But in reality, if the subwoofer were to handle the peak power continually, it would get toasted.

The takeaway, is that watch out for the RMS power, not the peak power. It is a much more reliable and honest measurement of the performance you can expect from your compact subwoofer.

Frequency Range

The frequency range for bass refers to the sounds that you can hear from 20 Hz to 160 Hz.

Of this, 60 Hz to around 20 Hz is referred to as sub bass, which is the lowest frequency audible to human ears. Sub woofers are designed to operate from 100Hz to around 20 Hz.

The average frequency rating though is around 35 Hz to 100 Hz. That’s a good ballpark number to base your selection on.

In an ideal scenario, lower the frequency rating, more bass you get.

But when it comes to under the seat subs, not all of them will be able to produce tones below 30 Hz satisfactorily. They might produce the physical vibrations, but will not be able to accurately reproduce the sound.

So don’t get hung up over lower frequency ratings. They rarely translate into real world results, even with top rated under seat subwoofers.

Cost vs. Sound quality Considerations

We mentioned earlier how it is completely possible to get great audio quality for much less than what you’d have to pay for it in the early 2000s.

However, there’s still an average price range that you’ll have to pay to buy one of the best under the seat subwoofers.

That’s $100-250.

Will you find mini subwoofers south of $100? Absolutely. But they sound like trash and will start to clip at high volumes. Also, don’t expect these to pick notes lower than 50 Hz.

Under Seat Subwoofer Installation

Look for subs that are almost plug and play. Does the model ship with the accessories you need to install the subwoofer? Under the seat subwoofers are more prone to shock and hence need to be mounted securely.

Most manufacturers design their subwoofers for easy installation with minimal wiring, because it is installed in one of the most cramped spaces in the car.

The subwoofer that you select should also have a control panel that’s easily accessible, with speaker and power inputs.

Frequently Asked Questions

A lot of potential shoppers have questions about the best under the seat subwoofers.

To help answer some of these, we have created this brief FAQ, that we believe will be immensely helpful in making an informed decision.

Closing thoughts

That’s it folks. We hope that you enjoyed reading our recommendations for the best under seat subwoofer. The Kicker Hideaway is hard to beat, but all the products we’ve covered in this article are worthy contenders – depending on your audio goals.

Have your own two cents to add to this? Use the comment box below. We’d love to hear from you.