Regular speakers are great but, unfortunately, don’t do justice to your bass-heavy songs and action-packed movies. The best subwoofers target lower frequency ranges, adding deeper tones to your audio content for total immersion. While some are more compact and ideal for small spaces, others are built to suit larger rooms, giving you plenty of choice.

Best Subwoofer Overall: Klipsch Reference R-121SW

A great choice of subwoofer for your home theater, the Klipsch Reference R-12SW is armed with a front-firing 12-inch driver that delivers 400 watts of peak power and a rear-firing port. A built-in, all-digital amplifier supplies deep, satisfying bass, and its diminutive stature means it can easily be placed anywhere without being a space hog.

Made from spun copper thermoformed crystalline polymer, this subwoofer is exceptionally light while still providing that all-important low-frequency response. Considering its size, the overall sound output is excellent. The R-121SW provides a frequency range of 25Hz to 100Hz for distortion-free audio with powerful bass tones, and it makes movie nights an absolute treat. Visually, you can opt to have the low-profile grille on or off, depending on how minimalist you like things to be, although it's more striking to look at grille-free.

Best Budget Subwoofer: BESTISAN Powered Subwoofer

A decent subwoofer on a budget isn't as impossible as you might think. With its sub-$100 price point, the Bestisan Powered Subwoofer offers plenty of value for money, enriching bass reproduction and rounding out your home theater setup.

Supporting both analog and RCA outputs, it can easily be integrated as part of your overall setup, lending powerful and distortion-free bass to any stereo or multi-channel audio system. It has a minimalist design that is suitable for small to mid-sized rooms, with a 6.5-inch down-firing subwoofer that sounds surprisingly punchy considering the price tag. It might not suit audiophiles, but it does represent a significant audio upgrade from your standard TV speakers.

Best Mid-Range Subwoofer: Polk Audio HTS 10

A very decent mid-range option, the Polk HTS 10 Subwoofer features a long-throw dynamic balance 10-inch driver as well as floor-firing power port technology that allows for a deeper bass response. And with up to 200 watts of peak power, it makes an excellent choice for smaller or medium-sized rooms.

It has a frequency response range of 25Hz to 180Hz and has universal ports that make it versatile for use with most home theater systems. That floor-firing port technology is effective at reducing any bass distortion, and there are plenty of output options to play around with, making it a good option if you like to tinker with your audio. It doesn't have wireless connection options, and the Polk Audio HTS 12 is better for larger rooms. Provided you don’t mind a wired connection, the Polk Audio HTS 10 will serve you well with its deep bass sounds.

Best Subwoofer for Movies: SVS SB-2000 Pro

Delivering 500 watts of power and 1,500 watts of peak power, the SVS SB-2000 Pro Subwoofer is an absolute beast. If you want things to get low, this is the one for you. With a frequency response range of 19Hz to 240Hz, this one is designed to provide booming bass.

It features a front-firing 12-inch high-excursion driver and has a sealed design with no open ports. The powerful Sledge STA-550D amplifier delivers bass that’s meaty, and the highs and mids sound crisp. Although wired, this subwoofer can be controlled via Bluetooth with the SVS App. Providing phenomenal audio with lashings of bass, it’s an incredible option for home theaters. If you have a larger living area, this is a great go-to for filling every inch of that space.

Best Wireless Subwoofer: Sonos Sub Mini

With its unique cylindrical design, the Sonos Sub Mini stands out from most other subwoofers in a good way. It allows for a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection that enhances audio transmission speeds and can be easily paired with other Sonos devices. Using the Sonos App, there are various customizable settings here as well, including an adjustable EQ.

Housed inside an acoustically sealed cabinet, the Sonos Sub Mini can replicate the lower frequencies of a much larger subwoofer. Inward-facing dual force-canceling woofers have been strategically placed to minimize sound distortion so you can enjoy an enhanced bass response. With a maximum output power of 250 watts, the Sonos Sub Mini won’t blow out the windows in your home. However, the sound output is very impressive and provides clear and deep bass tones to enrich your audio experience at home.

FAQ

Q: What does a subwoofer do?

Essentially, a subwoofer is a speaker that emits lower sound frequencies, offering you a more rounded, deeper sound for your setup, and providing you with a more immersive experience.

Q: What are the differences between an active and passive subwoofer?

The main difference between an active and a passive subwoofer is that the former features a built-in amplifier, whereas a passive subwoofer does not.

Active subwoofers, therefore, tend to be more cost-effective as they don't require the purchase or configuration of an external amplifier and are ready to use right out of the box. On the other hand, passive subwoofers offer much more versatility and can be used (with an external amplifier) to produce a much richer and more immersive sound.

Q: What is the difference between a subwoofer and a speaker?

Subwoofers are specifically designed to produce lower-frequency sound compared to regular speakers. Most regular speakers specialize in high and range-frequency sound, whereas subwoofers are capable of producing low-frequency bass-heavy sound to deepen the experience of the listener.

Q: Can I only use a subwoofer as part of a home theater system?

There's no doubt that a subwoofer will add depth to any home theater setup and enrich the experience for everyone. However, most subwoofers will also greatly complement your stereo setup, hitting those lower frequencies that your current speaker setup will struggle to achieve and adding a new dimension to your music.

Q: Does a soundbar need a subwoofer?

To a large extent, this comes down to personal preference. If you plan on watching lots of movies at home and want the best experience possible, you'll likely want to pair your existing soundbar with a decent sub, as even the best soundbars won't be capable of picking up the depth of low-end frequency sound that a subwoofer can.

Many soundbars come packaged with a separate subwoofer, but this doesn't always guarantee you the best possible sound quality, and shopping around for a more specialized subwoofer to complement your soundbar could produce far better results.