A subwoofer adds the deep bass your main speakers leave out, for home theater and music. Models here are powered, wireless or under-seat, from Alpine, Audioengine, Bose, JBL, Kicker, Klipsch, PIONEER, Polk Audio and Sonos. Pick by where the sub will go: a small room, a desk or under a seat.
Audioengine S8 review: verified specs, which powered speakers it pairs with, crossover and placement tips, and how it compares with the S6, R-8SW and PSW10.
Klipsch R-100SW review: verified specs for the 10-inch, 150W sub, receiver hookup, crossover and placement tips, and why the R-101SW may be the better buy.
Klipsch Reference R-8SW review: verified specs, receiver hookup, placement for its down-firing 8-inch woofer, and when the R-100SW or Polk PSW10 is smarter.
Polk Audio PSW10 review: verified specs, how to connect it to receivers and old stereo amps, crossover and placement tips, and how it compares with rival subs.
Sonos Sub 4 review: which Sonos soundbars and speakers it pairs with, two-sub rules, placement tips, and when the Sub Mini or an older Sub (Gen 3) is enough.
This Sonos Sub Mini review isn’t going to blow smoke up your HDMI port.
Read the review →
How do I choose the right subwoofer?
Start with the gear you already own. The Sonos Sub 4 is for Sonos systems only. The Klipsch R-100SW suits AV receivers, and the Polk Audio PSW10 fits old and new amps. The Audioengine S8 pairs with powered speakers.
Next, match the sub to your space. The Klipsch Reference R-8SW suits small rooms. Under-seat models from JBL and PIONEER sit below a seat. The Kicker 51HS8, Kicker 51HS10 and Alpine PWE-S800 are compact powered subs.
Powered subwoofer
A sub with its own built-in amplifier. It needs a signal input and a power source, but no separate amp.
Wireless subwoofer
A sub that gets its signal without a cable to your speakers or receiver. It still plugs into wall power.
Under-seat subwoofer
A low, flat sub built to fit in the gap under a vehicle seat.
Frequently asked questions
Should I pick Sonos, Klipsch, Polk Audio or another subwoofer brand?
Match the brand to your gear. The Sonos Sub 4 is for Sonos systems only. The Klipsch R-100SW suits AV receivers. The Polk Audio PSW10 fits old and new amps. The Audioengine S8 pairs with powered speakers. Alpine, JBL, Kicker and PIONEER list compact and under-seat models.
Do I need a separate amp for a powered subwoofer?
No. A powered sub has its own amplifier built in. The Audioengine S8, Klipsch R-100SW and Polk Audio PSW10 are all powered models on this page.
What is the difference between a wireless and a wired subwoofer?
A wireless sub skips the signal cable to your speakers, but it still needs wall power. The Sonos Sub 4, Sonos Sub Mini and Bose Bass Module 700 are the wireless models on this page.
