Best 12-Inch Subwoofers in 2024 | Top Subs For Big Bass

Building a car audio system with great sound quality requires a quality bass response. Whether you want a 12-inch sub with more power output or lower frequency response, it can make the buying process difficult. We’ve compiled our favorite options to find the best 12-inch subwoofer for you.

We’ll also cover the top things to consider when shopping for the ideal subwoofer for your car. Want to know more about mounting depth or power handling? We’ve got you covered.

Best 12-Inch Subwoofers: Our Top Picks

Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 | Best Overall

Building a sound system with the type of thundering and punch bass people love requires a few things. High power handling is one of the most important specs and this Rockford Fosgate P3 12″ subwoofer has it in spades. With 600 Watts of RMS power (1200W Peak), this sub can handle the power needed for powerful bass. You won’t be disappointed by the P3D4-12’s subwoofer performance. It’s a powerful subwoofer with a full, impactful, and deep bass.

Rockford Fosgate’s P3D4-12 subwoofer has the power capable to rattle and shake windows and great build quality to remain durable. It’s equipped with an anodized aluminum speaker cone and a voice coil built to withstand high temperatures. Additionally, built with Rockford Fosgate’s Vertical Attach Surround Technique (VAST) technology for more efficient performance. The P3D4-12 is a quality subwoofer built well to avoid common subwoofer issues.

Whether you’re planning to utilize the P3D4-12 for car radio or in-home use, its flex-fit basket adds some flexibility for installation. Buyers will get a frequency response of 28 to 250 Hz. While capable of deep bass, it won’t approach the sub-20Hz frequencies required for an ideal home theater experience. But it is possible of an impactful, distortion-free bass is required for car stereo systems. It’s perfect for those who want more power and serious bass output. Bass sounds forceful and punchy from the Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12. This quality bass response along with its great design and build quality makes it our pick as the best 12-inch subwoofer.

Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 | Most Powerful 12-Inch Subwoofer

While the EVL-12 D2 from Skar Audio is more affordable, it outperforms our top pick in a few ways. It definitely checks a box for those seeking maximum power output. The Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 has the best power handling on our list. This is the pick for those looking to looking for rumbling bass to shake surrounding cars too. With an impressive peak power rating of 2,500 Watts (1,250W RMS power), the EVL-12 D2 can handle being paired with a powerful amplifier.

It’s no surprise that this Skar Audio subwoofer is a hard-hitting bass with such impressive power-handling specs. In addition to bass that slams, the EVL-12 D2 also has impressively deep bass. Its frequency response (25 – 250 Hz) is wide and reaches low enough to provide deep bass sounds for those interested in using it for home theater. Skar Audio touts the build quality of its competition-grade pressed paper cone woofer. There’s also high roll foam surround that circles the 12-inch woofer. Lastly, there’s an advanced cooling system to protect the dual voice coils and other components.

A well-built stiff and controlled woofer is extremely important for a subwoofer that can be pushed like this and the Skar Audio EVL-12 D2 delivers. We love the power handling of the EVL-12 D2 for those who really want to pound the pavement. It doesn’t just slam and hit hard. It also uses that power output to push impactful bass that remains accurate. We love this powerful 12-inch subwoofer from Skar Audio for those who want to produce louder sound that really pounds the pavement. When cranked up the Skar Audio EVL-12 is one of those mind-numbingly powerful subwoofers that really showcase a system.

Kicker 44CWCD124 | Best Budget 12-Inch Subwoofer

Shopping for 12-inch subwoofers on a budget will leave buyers with a mixed bag of options. Looking to get the most out of your money and add more bass to your car audio? The Kicker 44CWCD124 gets our vote for delivering the best bass quality at this affordable price point. While bass sounds muddy and loose on many budget-focused subs, this Kicker CompC series sub offers a better bass response. The Kicker 44CWCD124 doesn’t completely slouch on spec despite the lower price point. The 12-inch subwoofer offers solid peak power (600 Watts) and frequency response (27-500 Hz). It provides a bass boost by bringing the powerful, punchy bass and booming sound you want without breaking the bank.

The Kicker 44CWCD124 is a 12-inch subwoofer with a dual voice coil setup and an injection-molded polypropylene cone. The 44CWCD124 woofer has a nice black and yellow design. This in combination with the ribbed foam surround really makes for an all-around unique design. The woofer cone is also flex resistant and heavily vented to withstand high temps and long listening sessions. For the price, the Kicker 44CWCD124 provides a 12-inch subwoofer that makes high-quality bass a little more affordable. It’s also an incredibly versatile sub. Not only can users expect it to perform well in a ported or sealed enclosure. Kicker actually sells another version of this subwoofer (44CWCS124) with a single voice coil. Looking to save a little money and add more bass to your car audio setup? The Kicker 44CWCD124 has a ton of value making it an easy recommendation.

Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-12 | Best Shallow-Mount 12-Inch Subwoofer

Finding a good quality subwoofer means researching things like peak power and sound quality. But far too often, people ignore the issues of space. A single or dual 12-inch subwoofer setup with an enclosure may be no problem for some vehicles. Those with very limited space will need a more compact enclosure, which requires a shallow-mount subwoofer. Can the sound output of a shallow-mount subwoofer match a normal sub? Not typically. But some shallow-mount subs are better than others and we’re fans of the P3SD4-12. The Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-12 is a 12-inch subwoofer with a mounting depth of just 3.65 inches making it ideal for a low-profile install.

The Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-12 has some of the same great durability as our top 12-inch subwoofer. Its great build quality includes the same cooling technology, an anodized aluminum cone, and VAST technology to increase the cone size for max power. The normal 6×9 speakers that come with car stereos just can’t produce deep bass sounds effectively. And while the P3SD4-2 won’t hit like a normal-sized sub, its max power of 800 Watts still provides some surprisingly hefty thump. They hit very hard for a shallow-mount sub and still provide a respectable frequency response (34-250Hz). We love the sound output and backseat punch of the Rockford Fosgate P3SD4-12 for those looking to add more bass with limited vehicle space. For the money, it’s the best 12-inch subwoofer for those who require a shallow mount.

Rockford Fosgate Punch P1-2X12 – Best Dual Subwoofers

A loaded subwoofer enclosure is an extremely convenient solution for those looking for an easier installation. For those going this route, the Rockford Fosgate Punch P1-2X12 is our favorite option. It’s the most seamless way to install two 12-inch subwoofers in your vehicle. It removes the issue of finding the right match of the best subwoofer and enclosure. The P1-2X12 is a durable and custom ported enclosure loaded with two of Rockford Fosgate’s popular P1 12-inch subwoofers. It’s a ported enclosure that’s built to reduce port noise and allow for maximum airflow.

As an added benefit, the ported enclosure is internally wired to allow for a single binding post to facilitate an amplifier connection. This allows for a combined power handling of 500W RMS power (1000W peak power). With more than enough total power to add powerful booming bass to car stereo systems, the Punch P1-2X12 is a solid value proposition. The Rockford Fosgate Punch P1-2X12 also carries an impressive frequency range of 25-250Hz to hit deep and low. All this makes for an enticing option for those looking to boost low frequencies in their sound system. We love the P1-2X12 for those looking for two 12-inch subwoofers and easier installation. It’s our top pick for the best 12-inch dual subwoofer setup.

Honorable Mention: MTX Audio Terminator

Considerations For Finding The Best 12-Inch Subwoofer

RMS And Peak Power

While bass quality is key to good bass response, power output is king for many searching for the perfect 12-inch subwoofer. Why? A subwoofer with more power is capable of producing loud audio. Those seeking loud and booming powerful bass will want to pay attention to two specifications in relation to power handling. Peak power and RMS power. A peak power rating is the maximum power output a subwoofer can handle for short periods of time. In contrast, an RMS power rating is the amount of continuous power a subwoofer can receive.

All of these power output specs matter for multiple reasons. You’ll want to know how much power handling a subwoofer has to decide if it’s sufficient for your use case. How much power you need will depend on your use case and preference. It’s also important for amplifier matching. While an amplifier is required to power your subwoofers, it’s also possible to damage a sub with a powerful amplifier. This can happen if your amplifier outputs more power than your subwoofer can handle. Sensitivity is also an important feature to consider for those who want loud audio. A subwoofer with a higher sensitivity can produce louder sound from 200 Watts of power than a sub that has lower sensitivity.

Frequency Range

A quality bass response must be capable of producing a sufficient amount of low frequencies. A subwoofer’s frequency response range will inform buyers of what frequencies are actually being produced. Frequency range is important because bass is a pretty broad range of frequencies (20Hz to 200Hz). Sub-bass is a portion of bass that’s typically anything less than roughly 70Hz. Sub-bass is typically considered bass you can feel in addition to hearing. The deepest bass falls within the sub-bass range. While some subwoofers can reach around 30Hz, others can hit close to or below 20Hz.

What difference does it make? Around this range, the difference can be most important for home theater purposes. Many action movie scores utilize frequencies around 15 to 25Hz. You won’t find those frequencies utilized nearly as much in music. Frequencies below 20Hz are also out of the range most humans can hear. The frequency range should be a priority for those who want the deepest bass. Particularly, if you plan to listen to sub-bass heavy music genres or watch movies.

Sound Quality

We generally discuss great sound quality and accuracy in relation to audio products with wider frequency ranges like headphones and speakers. In contrast, subwoofers only have bass frequencies to reproduce. That doesn’t mean accuracy isn’t important for bass sounds also. A quality subwoofer can make all the difference for a better bass response. Sub-par subwoofer performance can impact quality sound quality in multiple ways.

While we may love the big booming bass output from a powerful subwoofer, it’s not always high quality bass. Excessively boomy and loose bass can be overemphasized in a way that overpowers other frequencies. Don’t be fooled into spending too much money on powerful subwoofers just for impactful bass. The best subwoofers are capable of powerful bass that’s also clean and accurate. Build quality can also impact audio quality when it comes to subwoofers. Loose components, cabinet resonance, port noise, and more can all result in poor bass quality. Ensure you have a well-built enclosure and subwoofer for quality, distortion-free bass.

Comparing Our Top 12-Inch Subwoofers

Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 vs Skar Audio EVL-12 D2

The Skar Audio EVL12-D2 is a great option for those looking to save a little more money, but that doesn’t mean they are subpar in the least. They have some very distinct differences (good and bad) compared to court top pick. The Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 has a good frequency range (28 to 250 Hz) and enough power to rattle your car into oblivion. But the biggest thing they have going for them is their premium build and sound quality. Those who opt for the Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 are getting hard-hitting rumble and cleaner bass production. They will sound better and punchier for music playback.

By comparison, the Skar Audio EVL12-D2 will hit harder and produce louder sound than the Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12. It’s also capable of deeper bass with a lower frequency range (25 – 250 Hz). For the most impactful and deep bass, go for the Skar Audio EVL12-D2. Buyers who want the best all-around subwoofer and prioritize cleaner bass quality should buy the Rockford Fosgate P3.

Kicker 44CWCD124 vs Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12

Both the Kicker 44CWCD124 and the Rockford Fosgate P3D4-12 are 12-inch subwoofers from companies with long histories in car audio. Both also have a 4ohm dual voice coil and a similar frequency response range. But that’s pretty much where the similarities end. The P3D4-12 has more power, higher sound quality, and better build quality. The Kicker 44CWCD124 is a solid performer with good power that has a very affordable price tag. It will be enough to satisfy most users and two of these subs can be had for the price of one P3D4-12 subwoofer. The Kicker 44CWCD124 is the best 12-inch subwoofer for budget-minded shoppers.

Rockford Fosgate Punch P1-2X12 vs MTX Audio Terminator

This comparison of two of the best dual subwoofer setups should sound similar. The MTX Audio Terminator is an absolute steal as far as budget options go. It’s pretty powerful with a solid frequency response even if the advertised specs are inflated. Buyers just shouldn’t expect the same build quality and clean bass performance as the Rockford Fostgate Punch P1-2X12. Even less critical listeners will notice the difference in audio quality between these two dual sub setups. But those looking to stretch their money and opt for the MTX Audio Terminator will still get a ton of value for their money.

Finding the Best Car Subwoofers