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Best 18-Inch Car Subwoofers

Updated November 2021
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Harmony Audio HA-ML182 3500W Subwoofer
Harmony Audio
HA-ML182 3500W Subwoofer
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

One of the premium high-end subwoofers available for people wanting the highest quality.

Pros

Features competition-grade paper cone, stitch foam surround, and tinsel leads woven into spider. The result is powerful, clean sound and excellent heat dissipation. Thoughtfully designed.

Cons

This subwoofer is harder on the wallet than other options.

Best Bang for the Buck
CT Sounds TROPO-18-D2 1300-Watt Subwoofer
CT Sounds
TROPO-18-D2 1300-Watt Subwoofer
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Best Value
Bottom Line

The best value 18-inch subwoofer for a decent upgrade in performance and volume.

Pros

Ultra-high quality components place this budget subwoofer above most value options in terms of durability. Four-layer high-temperature voice coil performs well under heavy power.

Cons

Speaker requires a little bit of time to warm up when first turned on.

Skar Audio EVL-18 D4 2500-Watt Subwoofer
Skar Audio
EVL-18 D4 2500-Watt Subwoofer
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Mid-Range Model
Bottom Line

A solid all-around 18-inch subwoofer that delivers consistent low-end dynamics.

Pros

Balanced frequency distribution keeps the low-end sound from getting too muddied. Simple speaker design keeps distortion down, regardless of the sound input. Built to last.

Cons

Buyers have noted poor customer service.

Resilient Sounds Platinum Series 4000W Subwoofer
Resilient Sounds
Platinum Series 4000W Subwoofer
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Most Powerful
Bottom Line

A punchy competition-grade subwoofer with incredible tone.

Pros

Boasts a massive maximum power rating of 4,000 watts. Equips dual D2 American-made voice coils. Fantastic sound quality overall. Motor is an FEA-optimized triple-stack model.

Cons

Large, heavy, and expensive.

RCF L18P300 2000-Watt Subwoofer
RCF
L18P300 2000-Watt Subwoofer
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Expert Recommended
Bottom Line

A multipurpose, high-quality subwoofer that is lauded for its versatility.

Pros

2000-watt maximum power and 18-inch diameter drive more air than smaller, less powerful subwoofers. Subwoofer requires minimal setup and preparation.

Cons

Some older cars may require awkward placement of the subwoofer due to the large diameter. Expensive.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
170
Consumers
Consulted
20
Hours
Researched
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If you love bass-heavy music, then a car subwoofer is a great investment. It will boost lows in a serious way. Power output for 18” car subwoofers range from 300 to 7,500 watts at maximum power, though most fall within the range of 600 to 2,500 watts. The higher the watts, the more likely you’ll feel physical vibrations when cranking the volume up. Keep in mind that 18” car subwoofers are large and require more power than a smaller unit. They can also take up more space in the car. They have a larger cone than many are used to, which will produce a deeper bass sound. The cone material should be as resistant to tears and damage as possible. Some 18” car subwoofers need to warm up for a few minutes before they’ll provide the deep bass you’re looking for.

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