Best subwoofer: beef up the bass of your audio with the best home cinema subs

That rumbling bass frequency that fills the movie theater during a dramatic action scene is a massive part of what makes the experience so immersive. The best subwoofers generate the thunderous feeling of bass vibrating through your seat, making you feel like you're in amongst the action.

To recreate that feeling at home, you'll need a great subwoofer as part of your home theater audio setup.

Subwoofers are speakers that specifically deliver bass frequencies (these are the frequencies at 20-200Hz if you want to get technical). Yes, of course, you can get bass from ordinary speakers, but with a subwoofer, you'll get the kind of bass vibrating around the room and through your seat.

It's what delivers the authentic movie theater experience. Of course, subwoofers aren't purely for movie buffs, though. On the other hand, if you love listening to bass-heavy music, a subwoofer will definitely enhance the experience. And if you're just building your audio setup, take a look at our guide to the best surround sound systems.

Here's our pick of the best and most popular subwoofers available now. We've considered size, appearance, frequency response, and how easily it'll connect to your current system.

The best subwoofers in 2023

Ohio-based SVS provides home audio solutions that many audio enthusiasts enjoy. The SB-1000 Pro is a compact sub that still packs a punch when it comes to low frequencies. The wide frequency range from 20–270Hz should provide more than enough bass to make your home theater feel like you’re at the movies.

The accompanying smartphone app gives you all the control you need to adjust the volume, create custom presets, and optimize settings to suit your room. Plus, you can make all the adjustments from your favorite spot on the couch to optimize the listening experience for this part of the room.

This mid-range subwoofer packs a 12-inch driver into a neat box that’s not too tricky to hide under furniture. It’s a great solution if you’re short on space or reluctant to invest in a sizable sub but still want some punchy bass for the ultimate home theater.

This wireless subwoofer from Sonos is the perfect option if you’ve already invested in a Sonos soundbar or speakers (to see which we like the best, head on over to our best soundbars guide). The sleek high gloss finish and refined, subtle design make it a great addition to your living room, and nobody will guess it’s a sub.

But, if you prefer your technology to be heard and not seen, it can lay on its side and slide under the sofa without impacting the audio quality.

It’s easy to pair with your existing Sonos system, and the audio settings will automatically balance the sub with other Sonos speakers, offloading low frequencies to the sub so your other Sonos speakers can look after the higher frequencies.

There are adjustable EQ settings in the app, or you can use the Trueplay software and allow Sonos to tune the system to the acoustics of your room. So if you’re not an audio geek but appreciate the good quality sound, Sonos gives you an easy route to superior home audio.

Small subwoofers don’t always deliver when it comes to impactful bass, but if you’re prepared to invest a bit of extra cash, you’ll get all the bass you could hope for from this small box. As subwoofers go, this 10-inch cube is compact and will be easy to tuck out of sight. Additionally, the side-firing design leaves the front of the box looking streamlined and simple and not at all like a typical sub.

Not only does it come with two 6.5 in drivers, but 1000W of built-in amplification will make sure this little box produces deceptively big bass. As a result, it provides the perfect compromise for bass lovers who value interior design that speakers don’t dominate, but it’s not the most affordable option.

If you’re looking for a sub that’ll enhance your home theater setup but won’t break the bank, the Polk Audio HTS is a great choice. Despite the affordable price, this front-firing subwoofer is powered, so you won’t need to invest in a separate amp or power source – just hook it up to your audio source, and you’re good to go. Unfortunately, it’s not wireless, so you will need to run a cable to it.

Not only is there a 10 or 12-inch option, but you can also choose between a black or walnut finish to complement your décor, and as subwoofers go, we think this one looks pretty good. With a frequency response as low as 25Hz, it’ll produce enough rumbling bass to take your movie experience to the next level but without an eye-watering price tag.

The spun copper injection-molded graphite cone is what gives this sub its distinct look, but it’s not all style over substance. This construction makes it lightweight and rigid – exactly what is required for excellent low-frequency response. It’s got a digital amp built-in, so you don’t need to hook it up to an external amp, but it’s not wireless, so you’ll still need to get your audio to it via a cable.

The frequency response range isn’t as wide as you get from some other subs, but for under $500, this Klipsch sub will deliver all the bass you need for most home theater or music setups. At 16.4 inches deep, it’s not a compact sub, but thankfully at just 14.5 inches tall, you should still be able to tuck it under a side table if you want it out of sight.

How to choose the best subwoofer for your home

Not all subwoofers are made the same, and there are a few useful things to know when deciding which one will meet your needs. Here’s our guide to some of the terminology. 

Caroline Preece

As a lifelong movie fan, Caroline is obsessed with getting the very best sound quality for her home theater set-up. As smart home editor for Livingetc, she loves bringing together that passion in her personal life and the knowledge she has gathered over the past decade as a technology journalist. The products on this list were chosen by both her and experienced freelancers and are based on industry familiarity with the best brands and products.