The stereo in your car is an often overlooked component. No matter how much you like music, you might not realize just how much better it could sound.
With the addition of a subwoofer to your vehicle’s stock stereo, you could give yourself a much better audio experience.
The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank in order to upgrade your car’s stereo. In fact, you could add an external subwoofer for under $100.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How a subwoofer can improve your car’s stereo
- What are the best car subwoofers under $100
- What to look for in a good subwoofer
- And a lot more!
Below is our quick list of the best car subwoofers for under $100. Keep reading to learn more of our top tips to choose and use the best car subwoofers for under $100.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
My Top Pick  | My Top Pick | Ignite IP8S, 8" Active Subwoofer Slim Powered Sub
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| View on Amazon |
Best High-End  | Best High-End | Gravity G5 12 Inch 3000 Watt Package Car Audio Subwoofer
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget Pick  | Best Budget Pick | JBL Stage 810 8
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| View on Amazon |
 | Q-POWER QPF12 12" 1700W Deluxe Series Dual Voice Coil Car Audio Power Subwoofer
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Skar Audio SDR-10 D2 10" 1200 Watt Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer
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| View on Amazon |
What's in this Guide?
Our Overall Top #1 Pick: Ignite IP8S, 8″ Active Subwoofer Slim Powered Sub
This 8-inch subwoofer is our pick for the top subwoofer for your car under $100.
This package by Ignite includes everything you need to give your car’s stereo the boost you have been looking for without unloading a huge amount of cash.
The biggest benefit of this subwoofer is that it is completely independently powered. You do not need an external amplifier in order to get it working. This is a major plus and on top of that, it is able to handle up to 300 watts of pure bass power.
With a frequency range of 30-150 hz, it delivers a clear, tight bass response that is perfect for a wide range of music genres. Whether you listen to rap or classical, this sub will be able to reproduce bass that will enhance the music rather than distract from it.
Read More >> Top 5 Best 18-Inch Car Subwoofers
Top 5 Best Car Subwoofers Under $100
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 picks below! Keep reading to learn more about these top 5 best car subwoofers under $100.
- Ignite IP8S, 8″ Active Subwoofer Slim Powered Sub (Our Top Pick)
- Gravity G5 12 Inch 3000 Watt Package Car Audio Subwoofer (Best High-End Pick)
- JBL Stage 810 8 (Best Budget Pick)
- Q-POWER QPF12 12″ 1700W Deluxe Series Dual Voice Coil Car Audio Power Subwoofer
- Skar Audio SDR-10 D2 10″ 1200 Watt Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer
Why Do You Need High Quality Car Subwoofers Under $100?
Subwoofers are specialized speakers that only reproduce the bass frequencies of the music coming from the car’s stereo.
These bass frequencies tend to move the cone of the speaker much more violently than some of the other, higher frequencies. Because of this, these speaker cones must be of a tougher, more rugged quality than full range speakers to avoid tearing and blowing.
Luckily, there are a high number of high quality subwoofers on the market that are made of high quality materials and are still under $100. This means you can upgrade your car’s stereo system without worry about your brand new subwoofer blowing a few songs in to your playlist.
Read More >> Top 5 Best 12-Inch Car Subwoofers
How to Pick the Best Car Subwoofers for Under $100?
Finding the best car subwoofer for under $100 will depend on a few different factors. However, knowing what to look for can help you find the best choice for your specific vehicle and situation.
In order for a car subwoofer under $100 to be a good choice, it needs to:
- Have a frequency response between 30 and 200 hz. This frequency range will be enough to reproduce all the right bass sounds without overloading the speaker itself. Almost all subwoofers under $100 will be designed to reproduce this frequency range.
- Be made of high quality materials. The best car subwoofers under $100 will not have paper cones. Instead, they will use things like mylar and rubber. Some subwoofers in the lower range will use standard speaker paper for their cones, so it is important that you make sure the one you buy uses tougher materials.
- Be able to withstand at least 100 watts. Most subwoofers will be able to handle a wattage load much higher than this, including subwoofers under $100, but over 100 watts should be enough for almost any car stereo system.
Now that we know what to look for, let’s take a look at what specific considerations to make when looking for high quality car subwoofers for under $100 .
What does a subwoofer do?
A subwoofer is a speaker that is designed to amplify the lower frequencies of the music coming from your car’s stereo.
Many stock speakers that come with automobiles are of the full range variety, which means that they are designed to amplify sounds within the entire range of human hearing ability.
Subwoofers, however, usually amplify the frequencies between 30 and 150 hz. These frequencies are responsible for the “thump” you can feel in your chest and aren’t usually particularly focused in stock speakers.
These stock speakers are usually made of paper and are not going to be strong enough to withstand the vibrations of these lower frequencies being focused and amplified. That’s why a subwoofer, which is made of stronger materials is so important for these deeper, more bass-centered sounds.
When looking for a subwoofer under $100, be sure to look at what kind of material the speaker cone is made of. Some cheaper subwoofers will use the standard, full range speaker paper in their cones.
Look for a subwoofer that uses rubber, mylar, or heavy duty speaker paper in its cone. This will ensure that you won’t run into any issues like tearing or blowing.
This video gives an in-depth explanation of why the materials that your subwoofer is made of are important and how they can affect the quality of sound:
Will You Need a Separate Amplifier?
One of the things that many people want to know when they start researching subwoofers and car stereo modifications is whether or not a separate, dedicated amplifier will be necessary.
Amplifiers are power sources for speakers. They provide the wattage that is necessary to drive the speakers and provide the movement in order for sound to come out.
Luckily, your car’s stereo will already have an amplifier built in. This amplifier should be enough to drive a small subwoofer just like the ones we have chosen for our list. In fact, some of them even come with their own power supply, so you don’t have to worry about buying an external amplifier.
However, if you are very dedicated to high quality sound, you may want to invest in an amplifier that is specially designed to work with subwoofers. This will give you a clear, focused bass sound as well as extra wattage to really kick things up a notch.
The issue with this separate amplifier is that it will end up costing you some extra money. If you are just looking for the best car subwoofer for under $100, you do not have to take this extra step.
There are some subwoofers under $100, such as our top pick below, that have their own amplifier built in. This is a great feature to look for as it will eliminate the need for a separate amp while still delivering the best possible sound.
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Our Reviews of the Best Car Subwoofer Under $100
This small subwoofer package by Ignite is a great choice for those who would like that extra step of bass boost without having to invest in an external amplifier.
This subwoofer is an active speaker and is powered internally, giving you that extra wattage without a whole lot of complicated wiring.
With a low frequency range and a high quality speaker cone, it has enough power and durability to deliver big bass sounds in a relatively small package.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Built-in amplifier + Low frequency range + Small package | – Enclosure may rattle – Small speaker size |
2. Gravity G5 12 Inch 3000 Watt Package Car Audio Subwoofer
This high-end option is great for people who already have an external amplifier and want the most focused, intense bass sound they can find.
With an air-flow cooling system to ensure efficient operation, this subwoofer is built to last through many hours of music.
Designed to handle up to 3,000 watts of power, there is almost no stereo system on earth that this speaker won’t be able to stand up to. On top of this, it has a wide frequency range of 30-500 hz for a larger amount of sound reproduction.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Wide frequency range + 3,000 watt peak power + Air-flow cooling system | – Pressed paper cone – Foam surround may muffle higher frequencies |
JBL is one of the most trusted names in audio reproduction. From car stereos to large concert hall PA systems, they are a name you can trust.
This subwoofer is a great example of taking something that works on a larger level and making it into a smaller package.
With the ability to handle up to 800 watts, its speaker cone is tough and durable.
On top of this, it also has a large voice coil that is built to reprroduce sub-frequencies below the level of human hearing. This helps bring in undertones that can improve overall sound.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Large voice coil + 800 Watt power handling + Small package | – Doesn’t come with separate amp – Larger frequency response delivers less focused bass sound |
4. Q-POWER QPF12 12″ 1700W Deluxe Series Dual Voice Coil Car Audio Power Subwoofer
The die cast frame of this subwoofer is built to withstand high levels of bass and volume all at once.
If you’re looking for a subwoofer that can handle high volumes and deliver incredibly focused bass response, this is a great choice.
With two voice coils that work in tandem to provide a wide frequency reproduction and a crisp bass sound.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + Dual voice coils + Heavy duty frame +Foam surround | – Wide frequency response delivers less focused bass – Lower wattage than some other models |
5. Skar Audio SDR-10 D2 10″ 1200 Watt Max Power Dual 2 Ohm Car Subwoofer
This 10-inch beast of a subwoofer by Skar audio packs a bass punch that is perfect for those who want the most power out of their car stereo.
With a high temperature copper voice coil, there is almost no limit to the amount of bass that this subwoofer can reproduce.
Combined with an air cooling design, it is also built to last for many years and many hours worth of high-intensity music without degrading the sound over time.
| PROS (+) | CONS (-) |
| + 10-inch speaker + 600 watt power handling + Air flow cooling | – Lower frequency response – 2-ohm connection may not be compatible with some stereos |
Our Top Pick: Ignite IP8S, 8″ Active Subwoofer Slim Powered Sub
This package by Ignite is the best overall pick due to its self-contained amplifier and easy hookup.
If you are looking to keep your entire upgrade of your stereo under $100, this is the best way to do it.
You will not have to purchase any extra equipment such as an enclosure or amplifier and you can be certain that it will be high-quality enough to give you the bass response you have been looking for without dropping a whole lot of extra cash.
Final Thoughts On the Best Car Subwoofers for Under $100
Now that you understand everything that you might need when installing a new car subwoofer, you can make the right choice.
Sometimes, upgrades come with a lot of extra expense, but by keeping your subwoofer under $100, you can be sure that you are getting something that is high quality while still having money left over in the budget.
By knowing what to look for in a subwoofer, you can get the one that is right for your needs as well as under your monetary limit.
