Are you looking for the best 8-inch subwoofer? Then, you’re in the right place.
True audiophiles will immediately start looking to upgrade their car’s audio system when purchasing a new vehicle. The differences between a factory system and a quality aftermarket system can be like night and day for those who appreciate their music.
If you want a deep, rich bass sound without a larger speaker’s overkill, an 8-inch subwoofer will deliver what you are looking for.
Choosing the best 8-inch subwoofer for your system can be overwhelming with so many choices on the market, so we have chosen several woofers that provide a mix of price and performance. We will look at each speaker’s general features, pros, and cons and feel the best overall performer.
Larger subwoofers can be overpowering and distort the overall musical experience. Many people mistake underestimating smaller subs, but they can deliver great bass for an economical price if they are correctly installed and powered.
Top 4 Best 8-Inch Subwoofers:
| Image | Model | Watts | DB | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 (Top Pick) | 150-300 | 82 | Check Price |
 | Rockford Fosgate P2D4-8 | 250-500 | 83 | Check Price |
| Polk Audio AA3085-A | 100-500 | 90 | Check Price |
 | JL Audio 8W3V3-4 | 250-500 | 83 | Check Price |
Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 Subwoofer (Editor’s Choice)
Features
- 8” Dual 2-Ohm
- Power Handling: Peak: 300 watts / RMS: 150 watts
- Impedance: Dual 2 ohms
- Top-mount depth: 2-11/16″
- Frequency response: 38-250 Hz
Description
Another moderately priced 8-inch subwoofer, the Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8, really impresses. The speaker has a peak power rating of 300 watts and an RMS rating of 150 watts.
This subwoofer produces some punching bass and is constructed with an anodized aluminum cone and a vertical attach surround technique.
The Punch series woofers deliver the output to satisfy you when you want your music loud and maintain a sound quality for when you want to listen to and enjoy your music.
The Rockford Fosgate engineers continue to improve the Punch series year after year, making it one of the most sought-after lines for audiophiles and bass lovers alike.
It features a dual tear and fatigue resistant poly-cotton spider for extra strength and anodized aluminum voice coil formers to handle heat buildup under full power situations.
In short, this 8-inch subwoofer is designed to perform.
Pros
- Substantially better bass than even a premium factory system
- Great depth of sound and tight bass
Cons
- Not as punchy as some of the other models we tested
- Not as low of a range of other models
Rockford Fosgate P2D4-8 Subwoofer – Best on a Budget
Features
- 8-inch, dual 4-ohm
- 250 Watts RMS 500 Watts Peak Power Rating
- Features 2.25 Inch Copper Clad Aluminum Voice Coil
- VAST Vertical Attached Surround For Increased Cone Area
- Features Flex Fit Basket Design
- Kevlar fiber reinforced paper cone with high-density polyfoam surround.
Description
If you are looking to dip your toes into the waters when upgrading your audio system and can’t or don’t want to spend a lot of money, the Rockford Fosgate P2D4-8 is for you.
Currently selling for around $70, these babies make it happen without spending a lot of money. So if you’re looking for cheap 8-inch subwoofers for your car, these may be your choice.
They come in either two or 4-ohm models with 500w maximum power handling and 250 RMS.
This subwoofer features a Kevlar fiber reinforced paper cone with high-density polyfoam, high temp voice coils with a spun-laced Nomex reinforced collar, and a flex fit basket with slight adjustments when mounted.
It can make its way down to 33hz, but we recommend tuning your box to about 45-50hz for a better audio experience.
Pros
- Inexpensive if you are on a budget
- Good quality and experience for the price
- The best budget 8-inch subwoofer on our list
Cons
- Not as capable of handling power
- Does handle lows very well
Polk Audio AA3085-A MM840 Subwoofer
Features
- 8” 4-ohm subwoofer
- Polymer cone with butyl rubber surround
- Carbon composite basket
- Certified for marine use
- Power range: 100-250 watts RMS
- Peak power handling: 500 watts
- Frequency response: 26-200 Hz
- Sensitivity: 89 dB
- Top-mount depth: 3-15/16″
Description
If you are looking for a quality subwoofer with excellent frequency response and a fair price, the Polk Audio AA3085-A MM840 may be just what you need. They are currently listed at $99.99 and deliver an excellent sound for the money.
Polk Audio’s new Mobile Monitor (MM) series is their next generation in loudspeaker design. The AA3085-A MM840 is designed to offer unparalleled sound quality with exceptional value for the price.
It hits very hard for an 8 inch and fills in music perfectly. However, it is not overpowering, just clean, crisp bass.
The sound is very clear and deep, sounding almost as good as a 10-inch sub.
The speakers are available in Single and Dual Voice Coil Configurations, which allows for flexible wiring options. The nickel-plated heavy-duty input terminals accommodate speaker wire up to 8 AWG or twisted pairs of 12 AWG.
This subwoofer is a great option when balancing performance and price. With 90 dB, it’s also the most powerful 8-inch subwoofer on our list.
Pros
- Great sound for the price
- Flexible wiring options
- Crisp bass
Cons
- Long break-in period
- Noticeable strain handling 500w
JL Audio 8W3V3-4 Subwoofer – Most Durable One
Features
- 8″ Single 4-ohm Subwoofer
- Mineral-filled polypropylene cone woofer
- 250 Watts RMS / 500 Peak
- Rubber surround
- Top Mount Depth: 4.63″
- Cutout Diameter: 7.09″
Description
The JL Audio 8W3V3-4 8” Single 4 ohm W3V3 Series Subwoofer is a highly rated, more expensively priced, 8-inch subwoofer that provides deep sound without any of the distortions that you would expect to find in less expensive woofers. In addition, they provide an almost unexpected low bass audio reproduction for their size.
Of the four speakers we reviewed for this article, these are the most expensive, at around $180 per speaker, but the sound you get is perfect.
JL Audio is known for their highly well-performing products, and this 8-inch subwoofer is no exception.
JL Audio designed them to produce powerful bass while being pushed with a medium-power amp. In addition, they have cooling features that deflect heat away from the internal motor structure, ensuring long-term durability.
The subwoofer has an 8-inch mineral-filled polypropylene cone, while their patented design eases the stress experienced by the assembly during cone movement. As a result, it provides tight, clean bass with outstanding power handling and control.
The subwoofer can be driven by as little as 75 watts, but we recommend running an amplifier capable of between 175-250 watts for the best performance.
If you have a little extra money to spend, the JL Audio 8W3V3-4 is worth a look.
Pros
- Serious sound with minimal distortion
- Very durable due to patented cooling features
- Low bass audio for its size
Cons
- Most expensive of the four speakers we reviewed
- A bit bulky, but nothing too bad
How to Pick the Best 8-inch Subwoofer for the money
- Power – Pay attention to RMS power ratings. RMS ratings measure continuous power handling or output and are a more realistic measure than peak power.
- Sensitivity – A sub with a higher sensitivity rating requires less power to produce the same sounds as a model with a lower sensitivity rating.
- Frequency Range – This gives you an idea of how low a sub can play.
- Enclosure Type – Has a significant impact on the type of sound the subwoofer produces. Generally, sealed boxes give the most resonant, most accurate sound.
Every audio system can benefit from having a subwoofer. They can provide clean, deep, more powerful bass than a stock speaker. But buying a subwoofer can be a confusing proposition. With a wide range of sizes, amps, and frequency responses to choose from, we believe that an 8-inch subwoofer will provide a great sound at an economical price.
If you are looking to create a great-sounding stereo system, but lack enough space in your car or truck to fit a larger subwoofer, a smaller sub like an 8 inch will add a decent amount of punching bass to any vehicle.
Admittedly, even the best 8-inch subs probably aren’t going to turn many heads as you’re rolling down the street, but don’t underestimate the four subwoofers we’ll be reviewing below. A properly installed and sufficiently powered 8-inch subwoofer can make a world of difference.
As we dive in and start to review the best 8-inch subwoofer, we’ll look at several factors, including a few technical specs, sound quality, and overall performance. While you may get a deeper thunder with a larger subwoofer, it is easier for the magnet to move because of the smaller cone and weight of an 8-inch subwoofer, which results in a punchy bass sound.
The Best 8-inch Subwoofer: Our Verdict
In our hunt for the best 8-inch subwoofer, we relied on our testing and others’ reviews to give you the clear winner. Keeping in mind price, performance, ease of installation, and durability, we believe the Rockford Fosgate P3SD2-8 to be the best value.
They are moderately priced, deliver outstanding bass, and our installers said they were among the easiest to install as well.
Although it took several hours for the speakers to find their groove, the wait was worth it, and we feel confident that you’ll be happy with them too.
So if you are ready to upgrade your factory system or are looking for an upgrade to your sound but can’t fit 10” or 12” subwoofers in your ride, you won’t be disappointed with this choice.