Looking for the best 12 inch subwoofers for your car?
If music is important to you, you probably want a fuller spectrum of sound than what your car’s stock sound system can offer on its own.
Even if your speakers sound great, they’re only capable of so much. When it comes to emphasizing the deeper frequencies associated with bass, car subwoofers are your best bet.
Why are 12-inch car subwoofers preferred over other sizes?
The answer is simple. They’re effective, they’re easy to fit in most vehicles, and their pricing is affordable. In short, you can get a nice set of great-sounding 12 inch subwoofers without going into debt.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What are the advantages of 12-inch subwoofers?
- What you need to know about car subwoofers before buying
- And much more!
Below is a quick list of my favorite 12 inch car subwoofers. Keep scrolling to learn more of my top tips to choose and use the best 12 inch car subwoofers.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
My Top Pick  | My Top Pick | Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 12" 2500 Watt Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer
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| View on Amazon |
Best High-End  | Best High-End | Alpine Type R 12 Inch 2250 Watt Max 4 Ohm Round Car Audio Subwoofer
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget Pick  | Best Budget Pick | Rockford Fosgate R2D4-12 Prime R2 DVC 4 Ohm 12-Inch
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| View on Amazon |
 | Infinity Reference REF1200S 12" Shallow Mount Subwoofer
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Car Subwoofer by Massive Audio KILOX122 - High SPL Bass 12” Subwoofer
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| View on Amazon |
What's in this Guide?
Our Overall Top #1 Pick Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 12″ 2500 Watt Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer
This is our top pick due to its quality paired with its affordability. The Skar Audio 12 inch subwoofer is ideal for its price.
Aside from encasing, a subwoofer’s material plays a big part in producing its sound. This helps determine the type of sound it produces, as well as its volume level. That’s why the Skar 12 inch dual 2-ohm subwoofer’s paper cone and high roll surround paired with its two-layer spider suspension enable this subwoofer to produce a deep bass sound at a realistic price.
Overall this design offers impressive sound quality, great sounding bass notes, and good durability for a reasonable price. Plus, it’s relatively easy to install in your car or truck to get your new sound as soon as possible.
Top 5 Best 12-inch Car Subwoofers
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 picks below! Keep reading to learn more about these 12-inch car subwoofers.
- Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 12″ 2500 Watt Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer (Our Top Pick)
- Alpine Type R 12 Inch 2250 Watt Max 4 Ohm Round Car Audio Subwoofer (Best High-End)
- Rockford Fosgate R2D4-12 Prime R2 DVC 4 Ohm 12-Inch (Best Budget or Runner Up)
- Infinity Reference REF1200S 12″ Shallow Mount Subwoofer
- Car Subwoofer by Massive Audio KILOX122 – High SPL Bass 12” Subwoofer
What are the Advantages of 12-inch Car Subwoofers?
It turns out that 12-inch subwoofers are the most common choice thanks to their price and quality. While there are pros and cons to every choice in the subwoofer world, 12-inch subwoofers have way more pros than cons. Let’s check out their perks below.
Less “Boominess”
Subwoofers can be as small as 8 inches, and as large as 20 inches on average. Technically speaking, 8, 10, and 12 inch subwoofers are considered “small.” Put simply, 12 inch subs are the largest “small”subwoofer size.
Further, if you’re looking to get subwoofers, you’re obviously looking for some “boom.” Otherwise, we wouldn’t care about subwoofers in the first place. But boominess can become negative very quickly if it starts hitting a little too hard.
While it may seem that bigger is better, small subs like our 12 inch variant can actually produce a higher SAF (otherwise known as “spouse acceptance” factor.) While this doesn’t really matter if you’re in your car, it does mean that you can drive throughout your neighborhood at night without receiving noise complaints.
Packs A Meaner Punch
Another benefit of 12 inch subwoofers is that they produce a sound that goes beyond hearing. Subs tap into your other senses as well. You can feel the audio in your chest, and you can even see the sound as it shakes your console and your mirrors.
The lower the hertz (hz), the deeper the bass. If you really want to feel the bass hit in your soul, you’ll want subs that produce anywhere from 20 to 120hz. Our list of best 12-inch subwoofers for your car includes subwoofers that offer frequencies of 24 to 27hz. This is ideal when you want your music to trigger multiple senses.
What Do I Need to Know About Subwoofers Before Purchasing a 12-Inch Car Subwoofer?
There are many aspects that factor in here. You want to make sure your amp can handle the subwoofer of your choice. This means you must check your wattage, the ohm levels, voice coil configurations, and size when purchasing subwoofers. For more help on matching your amp with your subs, check out this channel’s explanation!
You’ll also want to consider how much room you have available in your vehicle, and which type of enclosure you’d like to use. Traditionally speaking, subwoofer enclosures are either sealed or ported. In short, sealed enclosures are best if you don’t have much room, while ported enclosures are larger and take up the most space.
If you’re here, you probably have your amp but not your subs. Or, you have neither. Either way, you’ll want to match your subs to an amp. Below, we’ll explain what to look for when this is the case.
Wattage Levels
Make sure that your amp’s wattage can handle the subwoofers you choose. Check your amplifiers RMS wattage rating, then check the sub’s RMS rating to make sure they’re a good match.
Ohm Numbers
It’s also important to understand what ohms are, and what their numbers mean. Essentially, the lower the number, the more powerful when it comes to subwoofer output. The lower the ohm number, the higher the wattage output.
However, if your amplifier isn’t powerful, it’s best to stick with subwoofers that offer higher ohm numbers, like 6 or 8. Or, simply stick to options like our number 4 pick which allows buyers to switch between 2 and 4 ohms depending on amplifier capability.
Voice Coil Configurations
There are several ways to wire up subs. It mostly depends on if you choose a SVC (single voice coil) or a DVC (double voice coil) subwoofer. SVCs come with 2 wiring posts while DVCs offer 4.
All of this wiring, ohm, and voice coil stuff can get confusing, which is why there are helpful tools to aid you in wiring up your subs to your amplifier or vice versa.
Subwoofer Size
Size does affect sound when it comes to subwoofers. While you may assume that the larger the sub, the better the quality, that’s not necessarily the case. Here’s why.
Basically, distortion is way less likely when you’re using subs that are 12 inches versus larger 15 or 18 inch subs. In fact, 12-inch subs are more likely to produce deep yet clear bass that won’t sound fuzzy or low-quality. A good 12-inch car subwoofer will provide boom without the crunch.
On the flipside, there’s a huge debate between 10 inch subs and 12-inch subs. This is because varying configurations can affect quality. Often, one 12-inch sub can perform the same as or even outperform a set of 10 inch subs when it comes to the deepness of the bass.
If you’re looking for depth over clarity, starting out with a single 12-inch subwoofer can save you some cash while providing you with a clear boomy sound.
Sealed or Ported Enclosures?
This choice depends on a few factors. Sealed enclosures are smaller, yes, but they’re also more SAF-friendly. If your vehicle doesn’t offer a lot of space, and you’re not looking to start an earthquake with your bass boom, sealed enclosures are ideal.
Conversely, if you want to pack a mean punch, and you’ve got plenty of space, a ported enclosure may work best for you. Maybe you don’t mind waking up the entire neighborhood? Or, you know when to turn your volume down when deemed appropriate.
Whichever route you go, just make sure to check the subwoofer’s enclosure compatibility and volume levels before making a purchase. It’s also possible to use bandpass enclosures or just let the subs reign free on their own, but those methods are less popular.
Our Reviews of the Best 12-Inch Car Subwoofers
1. Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 12″ 2500 Watt Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer
This subwoofer is an all-around great option for its quality and its price.
Due to its high-temperature voice coil and its basket’s cooling method, you don’t have to worry about the EVL-12 D2 overheating as a result of overplay.
Its peak performance lands at 2,500 watts, with an RMS of 1,250, which is its consistent wattage rate.
Its high wattage gives it a clearer and crisper sound than subs with only 500 watts or less.
The only negative thing we have to say about our top pick is how heavy it is. While several subs we’ve looked at only weigh 10 to 15 pounds, this one weighs around 33 pounds. This may make it more difficult to install.
However, this isn’t an issue for everyone, and you can always get assistance installing your subs if needed.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Doesn’t overheat after hours of steady use + Peaks at 2,500 watts leading to crisp sound + Affordable for its class | – Heavier than the average subwoofer |
2. Alpine Type R 12 Inch 2250 Watt Max 4 Ohm Round Car Audio Subwoofer
Our top quality pick is by one of the most reputable audio brands out there.
This Alpine R Series 12 inch subwoofer offers HAMR, which reduces stress on the cone and creates a loud, clean, and clear sound.
Further, the spider and cone are attached to the voice coil in this case, creating flexibility and better accuracy.
Alpine also steps up its game by adding talc to the dust caps.
In short, this improves the subwoofers attack and helps it recognize lower frequencies.
The only negative to this option is that it costs a bit more than our top pick, and it only produces 2,250 max watts as opposed to the Skar’s 2,500.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + HAMR technology creates a clearer sound + It offers a more accurate bass hit + Provides faster attack and lower frequencies | – Its max wattage is less than the number one pick (Skar EVL-12) |
3. Rockford Fosgate R2D4-12 Prime R2 DVC 4 Ohm 12-Inch
Our budget pick is pretty much everything you could want from a cheap subwoofer.
For under $60.00, the Rockford Fosgate R2D4-12 Prime subwoofer includes a heat-safe voice coil former, withstanding temperatures of up to 100 degrees fahrenheit.
It uses aluminum rather than plastic, leading to longer durability and higher quality. This is amazing given how affordable this product is.
Speaking of coils, this product also meets CEA-2031 standards, meaning it can handle power in a way that won’t cause long term damage to the voice coils.
Finally, this subwoofer can work well with sealed and ported enclosures alike. Whether you need extra space or you want a bigger boom, the Rockford Fosgate R2D4-12 will fit just fine.
The only negative to this one is that it peaks at only 500 watts. However, that’s to be expected given its affordable price tag. It still works well for new users. It’s enough to heighten the bass quality without getting into the expensive stuff.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Heat-safe aluminum coils help provide longevity + It meets CEA-2031 standards, making its voice coils even more durable + Works with sealed or ported enclosures | – Maxes out at 500 watts |
4. Infinity Reference REF1200S 12″ Shallow Mount Subwoofer
This subwoofer is easy to lift and doesn’t take up as much room thanks to its slim design.
If your amplifier isn’t able to handle 2 ohms, you can simply flip a switch to use 4 ohms instead.
The developers literally freeze, bake, and shake these subs to ensure their durability. They even use an ultraviolet light to add a layer of protection so that these subs last well, thanks to OEM-level reliability testing.
Additionally, it will fit in any sub box that’s designed for 12 inch subs, despite its shallow design.
The downside to the Infinity Reference RED1200S 12 inch subwoofer only comes with a 1 year warranty despite its longevity claims, which may seem detouring.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Can switch from 2 ohms to 4 ohms + Passes the OEM-level reliability test + Will fit in any 12 inch sub box | – Only comes with a 1 year warranty |
5. Car Subwoofer by Massive Audio KILOX122 – High SPL Bass 12” Subwoofer
The reason this one is last on our list is definitely not because of its quality.
Massive Audio has created a subwoofer capable of up to 2,000 watts of deep bass sound despite its smaller size.
It comes with dual coils which means you have multiple wiring options to fit your personal taste.
It provides great sound in larger trucks, and its 2 ohm setup makes it ideal for stronger amplifiers like the Hifonics Hfi2000d amplifier.
The downside is that despite it being a bit pricier than most of our options, it doesn’t come with a free limited warranty. However, there are available options for paid 2 to 3 year protection plans.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Provides up to 2,000 watts of deep bass audio + Offers 2 ohm dual coils + Great option for large trucks | – No available limited warranty plans despite higher price |
Our Top Pick: Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 12″ 2500 Watt Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer
Our top pick offers great wattage, it comes with dual coils, and gets the loudest bass level with its 2 ohm capability. It also offers the best cooling system on the list.
This is definitely the best 12 inch subwoofer for its price, as it’s capable of picking up low tones, and it has a sensitivity of 85.4 decibels. This higher decibel rating works well with the wattage to produce louder sounds.
While there are probably better subwoofers on the market, it’s hard to beat the deal you get for the price with this 12 inch Skar Audio sub.
Final Thoughts On The Best 12-Inch Car Subwoofers
Subwoofers are not necessary, but they’re certainly exciting. While newer vehicles are starting to come equipped with better sound systems, even brand new cars only come with 8 inch subwoofers on average.
If you’re looking to upgrade your vehicle’s sound system, you can’t perfect it without a good subwoofer or two. In our experience, 12 inch subs are a great happy medium between too quiet and so loud that they’re distorted.
We hope this article helps you decide which 12 inch subwoofers are the best for your car!
