The 4 Best Subwoofers of 2024

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Our pick

This 10-inch subwoofer offers an ideal blend of bass power and finesse in a compact package, but you can buy it only directly from the manufacturer.

The Rogersound Labs Speedwoofer 10S MKII 10-inch subwoofer is a refreshing surprise for anyone who thinks subwoofers are nothing but big, ugly boom machines. It’s an updated version of a subwoofer that has been a top recommendation of numerous publications for six years running. The MKII version adds a couple of new features that make it subtly better, including separate listening modes for music and movies.

At 16 by 15 by 16.75 inches (HWD), the 10S MKII is compact enough to fit unobtrusively into most rooms or even under some end tables. But it’s sold only through the Rogersound Labs website.

Budget pick

This model delivers the best performance we’ve heard or measured from a subwoofer priced under $300, but it looks like a plain, black box.

Simply put, the Monoprice SW-12 12″ 400 Watt Powered Subwoofer performs better than any budget subwoofer we’ve tested. Not only does this 12-inch model produce enough low-end output to deliver serious home-theater sound, but it also offers tight, tuneful bass that works wonderfully with any kind of music. That said, it doesn’t sound as full and natural as our more expensive picks.

On the downside, its plain, boxy design and matte-black finish won’t win admiring looks, and its cone-shaped plastic feet might damage a wood or tile floor.

Upgrade pick

This subwoofer is powerful and offers more tuning options to tailor the sound to your taste and room. But it’s large, and it has that stereotypical subwoofer look.

For home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles, the Hsu Research VTF-2 MK5 12-inch subwoofer is the stuff of dreams. For those who crave a beautiful living room, however, it may be the stuff of nightmares, since its bulky, 21-by-15-by-22-inch (HWD) physique and basic-black-box design certainly conform to subwoofer stereotypes.

In our tests, on average the VTF-2 MK5 played 50% louder across the entire measurement range than our top pick, and our panelists were impressed with its ability to shake their listening chairs. Multiple tuning modes allow you to optimize this subwoofer’s sound to suit your taste.

Like our top pick, this model is sold only through the manufacturer’s website, and shipping costs are not included in the price.

Also great

If you need high performance but don’t have space for a big subwoofer, this subwoofer is a great choice—but it can’t deliver as much deep bass as our top pick.

The SVS SB-1000 Pro is a great choice for people who live in small spaces or who are averse to cluttering their living-room floor, as well as for audiophiles who want to dial in their bass to perfection. Measuring 13.5 by 13 by 13.75 inches (HWD), this subwoofer is compact enough to hide under many end tables, yet in our tests it exceeded the performance of some larger subs we evaluated.

The SB-1000 Pro costs more than our top pick and doesn’t deliver as much deep bass, but its accompanying smartphone app has an equalizer that lets you adjust the sound to be smoother and more natural.