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- Wired vs Wireless Subwoofers
- What to look for when buying a wireless subwoofer?
- 7 Best Wireless Subwoofers in 2022
- Klipsch R-12SWi 400 Watts Wireless Subwoofer
- Polk DSWPRO 550WI Wireless Subwoofer
- Audioengine S8 250W Subwoofer
- SONOS SUB Wireless Subwoofer Gen 3
- Orb Audio: subMINI Subwoofer
- SAMSUNG SWA-W500 Wireless Subwoofer
- REL Acoustics HT/1003 Subwoofer
- Frequently Asked Questions about Wireless Subwoofers
- Which is the best wireless subwoofer?
In our comprehensive guide to finding the best wireless subwoofer, you’ll get all the knowledge you need to make an informed purchase.
Subwoofers are great pieces of equipment to enhance bass, but they can also increase the overall quality of sound output. A wireless subwoofer can really extend the functionality of your home audio set up too.
If you are looking to add a subwoofer to your home theatre system, to use with bookshelf speakers or even to upgrade computer audio, we have everything you need. We’ll look at things you need to think about with wireless subwoofers, the best wireless subwoofers on the market and we’ll also answer some frequently asked questions too.
Wired vs Wireless Subwoofers
Wireless subwoofers do offer several advantages over those that you need to physically hook up to the rest of your sound system.
One obvious advantage is that it cuts down on the number of cables you need. You do still need one to plug into a power source however they look much cleaner and tidier than wired subwoofers. This gives them a greater degree of flexibility and you can place it nearly anywhere whereas a wired subwoofer is a bit more limited.
Some people do say that a wired subwoofer can offer better sound quality as it is physically connected to speakers.
That being said, the flexibility that a wireless subwoofer offers and the decrease in messy wires around your home make them a great choice.
What to look for when buying a wireless subwoofer?
Before you go ahead and look at our list of the best wireless subwoofers, there are a few things you need to think about first.
Driver size
Driver size is one of the main things people look out for when buying a subwoofer.
The bigger the driver the deeper the bass. Most subwoofers have a 12-inch driver although you can find subwoofers that have larger and smaller ones.
If you are looking at driver size then you should take into consideration the size of the space you will be using the subwoofer in. A larger driver that produces deeper bass can be a bit much in a particularly small space. Also, distortion can play a factor in subwoofers with big drivers as well and it is a bit harder to control sound quality.
We have listed wireless subwoofers below that come in a range of different driver sizes.
Ported or sealed
Another aspect of a subwoofer to look at before you buy is whether it is ported or sealed.
A ported subwoofer has at least one and sometimes more openings on the enclosure. This gives the sound a much bassier noise and they are usually louder as well.
A sealed subwoofer is, as the term suggested, completely sealed. So, there are no openings on the enclosure and the box itself is usually smaller. This helps to achieve a more accurate bass sound however it does mean you’ll need to compromise a bit on the sound as it won’t be as loud.
There are pros and cons to both ported and sealed subwoofers and there isn’t really a ‘better’ one as such. It is more about what you want from the sub whether it is louder bass or you can sacrifice this for a more accurate sound with a smaller box.
Wattage
When you are looking at subwoofers, you’ll notice information about the wattage. What does this mean though?
Well, wattage basically refers to the power of the subwoofer. The higher the wattage, the louder sound you will get without distortion. You will probably see this termed as RMS (root mean square) and Peak Power.
RMS is how much power the subwoofer can handle on a continuous basis whereas Peak Power is the total power it can withstand for a short period of time.
It can get a bit technical however it is better to focus on the RMS of a subwoofer as this is the power that will be used to deliver a continuous high-quality sound.
Cost
The last thing to look at when you are buying a subwoofer is the cost.
Like all types of home and computer audio equipment, the prices can vary quite dramatically.
The best way to approach buying a subwoofer is to set a budget and stick to it as much as you can. Just because one subwoofer costs three times as much as another one, doesn’t always mean that it is three times as good.
Instead of just paying a lot of money for the first subwoofer you see, research its performance and its pros and cons. A cheaper subwoofer might actually be more suited to what you need than a really expensive one.
7 Best Wireless Subwoofers in 2022
Luckily you don’t need to go too far to find the best subwoofers on the market because we have them listed below!
Let’s have a look at these top 7 best wireless subwoofers in depth.
Klipsch R-12SWi 400 Watts Wireless Subwoofer
The Klipsch R-12SWi Wireless Subwoofer is consistently rated as one of the best on the market and it is a great all-round performer.
It comes with a 12” driver while this wireless subwoofer has a ported design too. The actual wireless setup is pretty straightforward as it comes with a 2.4Ghz wireless hi-fi pre-paired transmitter. This should connect pretty seamlessly with any receiver.
Sound wise, we really enjoy the noise this wireless subwoofer gives off. It delivers deep bass without much distortion and the sound levels are good too.
There isn’t much to dislike at all about this wireless subwoofer. It provides great sound, comes with a transmitter, is easy to set up and aesthetically it is well designed.
Pros
- Great all-round wireless subwoofer
- Offers good sound and deep bass
- Comes with a transmitter
- Easy to set up and get started
- Has a modern and clean design
Cons
- Might not extend the range of your speakers too much depending on what speakers you have
Subwoofer specifications
- Driver size: 12”
- Wattage: 200w
- Ported or sealed: Ported
- Dimensions: 18.5 x 14 x 16 inches
Polk DSWPRO 550WI Wireless Subwoofer
Polk is usually a good go-to option for any home audio system and the Polk DSWPRO 550WI Wireless Subwoofer is no different.
This is a very good subwoofer even if it is a bit on the pricey side.
It has a 200-Watt amplifier as well as a 10” driver. The bass and overall sound is very good with the Polk subwoofer and it is an ideal way to enhance your home audio. With its driver size it would be well suited to slightly smaller spaces but it can operate well in medium rooms too.
The subwoofer has an elegant design. It isn’t going to stand out too much but that is a good thing and it should fit in nicely with your home aesthetic.
You get a remote as well as the Polk Room Optimizer™ which helps you to position this subwoofer correctly in your home setup.
If you are looking for a great-sounding sub that looks the part too, it is hard to go wrong with the DSWPRO 550WI.
Pros
- Offers great sound for home theatre systems
- Has a really nice aesthetic
- Powerful and provides good bass
Cons
- A bit on the pricey side
- Doesn’t come with a transmitter
Subwoofer specifications
- Driver size: 10”
- Wattage: 200W
- Ported or sealed: Ported
- Dimensions: 15.5 x 15 x 16.2 inches
Audioengine S8 250W Subwoofer
Next on our list is the Audioengine S8 250W Subwoofer.
Cost-wise it is fairly middle of the road but it does offer good performance. This wireless subwoofer is really compact so if you do need to move it about your home or even outside, it is easy to do so.
With an 8 inch driver, the sound level is going to be a bit lower than some others however the sound quality is great. It features magnetically shielded housing which helps to reduce distortion and also has a 250W Class D amp.
It is wireless-ready but you do need to purchase the Audioengine W3 Wireless Adapter separately which can ramp up the cost a bit.
All in all, a great wireless subwoofer that is compact but still produces really good audio.
We’ve reviewed this wireless subwoofer previously and you can read the full in depth guide here.
Pros
- Small and compact subwoofer
- Offers good sound quality and bass
- Wireless-ready and reasonably priced
Cons
- Need to purchase wireless adapter separately
- Might not be powerful enough depending on your needs
Subwoofer specifications
- Driver size: 8”
- Wattage: 125W
- Ported or sealed: Sealed
- Dimensions: 11.25″ x 11.25″ x 11.25″ inches
SONOS SUB Wireless Subwoofer Gen 3
There is something we absolutely love about the SONOS SUB Wireless Subwoofer right away – its design.
Forget what you think a normal subwoofer should look like because this is definitely a bit different. If you want a unique aesthetic to your sub and for people to notice it, the SONOS wireless subwoofer is what you need.
Aside from its design, it does perform well too.
This wireless sub is pretty small with 6” drivers however the overall audio is good. The one downside is that it can only be used with other SONOS equipment – ideal if you have this kind of setup but not suitable if you don’t.
2 force-canceling drivers at the center of Sub eliminate vibration and rattle so you get powerful bass without any distortion.
Pros
- Beautiful looking wireless subwoofer
- Offers good performance given its size
- Small and doesn’t take up much room
Cons
- Can only use it with other SONOS equipment
- Is quite expensive
Subwoofer specifications
- Driver size: 6” x2
- Ported or sealed: Sealed
- Dimensions: 15.3 x 15.8 x 6.2 inches
Orb Audio: subMINI Subwoofer
This is a great all-in-one solution as it comes with everything you need to get set up right away.
The Orb Audio: subMINI Subwoofer is wireless ready. It is pretty small but packs a punch in the sound department and it is the ideal accompaniment to small speakers.
It comes with a 6” driver and class D amp. If you are looking for a sub to fit in a bedroom, home office or even a smallish living room, it is perfect. It doesn’t take up much space but does produce deep bass and high audio quality.
Pros
- Ideal for a home theater set up
- Offer good quality sound
- Nice modern design
Cons
- Price is just for one tower speaker
- Design might not be to your tastes
Subwoofer specifications
- Driver size: 6”
- Wattage: 50w
- Ported or sealed: Sealed
- Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 9 inches
SAMSUNG SWA-W500 Wireless Subwoofer
Offering good sound quality and able to be paired with a variety of Samsung soundbars, the SAMSUNG SWA-W500 Wireless Subwoofer is a decent and relatively inexpensive choice.
It comes with a 5.6” driver and 120w of power so does offer decent audio quality for its size. In fact, it can be housed pretty easily as it isn’t the biggest so is ideal in a compact setup.
Price-wise it is a bit expensive for what you get. You can certainly get better subwoofers and you can probably find a sub that is a bit cheaper and offers more. If you see it with the price knocked down a bit on sale, then it is certainly a decent option to choose.
Relatively unspectacular but still offering good sound quality, the Samsung SWA-W500 is a a sub to keep on your radar.
Pros
- Works with various Samsung soundbars
- Quite compact so works well in small rooms
- Decent level of power and sound quality
Cons
- Doesn’t pair with some soundbars even Samsung products
- Can probably find better subs for the same price
Subwoofer specifications
- Driver size: 5.6”
- Wattage: 120w
- Ported or sealed: Sealed
- Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.9 x 10.7 inches
REL Acoustics HT/1003 Subwoofer
The final choice on our list of the 7 best wireless subwoofers is the REL Acoustics HT/1003 Subwoofer.
It is wireless-ready with a powerful 300Watt Class D power amplifier. The 10” driver will also allow for high sound output. This is a great wireless sub to use in a home theatre set up and it is compatible with pretty much any system. It is this versatility that really helps this sub as it isn’t particularly limited in other audio products you can use it with.
If music is your main reason for getting a sub, you will really love this one. It performs brilliantly across a wide range of genres.
Price-wise it isn’t the cheapest but it is far from the most expensive wireless sub on our list. For what you get sound wide and with its functionality and compatibility, this subwoofer is definitely one to take into consideration.
Pros
- Great fro playing music
- Works with a wide range of equipment
- Powerful driver and amplifier
- Decent priced for its performance
Cons
- Need to purchase HT Air Wireless separately
Subwoofer specifications
- Driver size: 10”
- Wattage: 300w
- Ported or sealed: Sealed
- Dimensions: 12.5 x 13.7 x 13.8 inches
Frequently Asked Questions about Wireless Subwoofers
Question: Is a wireless subwoofer better than a wired subwoofer?
Answer: While some people say a wired subwoofer offers a better and more accurate sound, wireless subwoofers have come on a lot in recent years. Many offer high-quality sound on par with a wired sub and the big advantage is you won’t have any cables apart from a power source.
Question: Do I need more than one wireless subwoofer?
Answer: In the majority of cases having one wireless subwoofer is enough to greatly enhance bass and overall audio with your sound system. Depending on the size of the space you will be playing music or audio on, you might need more than one.
Question: Can I use a wireless subwoofer in a small room?
Answer: Yes. A subwoofer can be used anywhere from a small space to a large open room. You can pair up a wireless subwoofer with speakers designed for small rooms for a greatly enhanced audio experience.
Question: Are wireless subwoofers more expensive than wired subwoofers?
Answer: Many wireless subwoofers are more expensive than their wired counterparts. However, for the extra money you usually get an easy setup process with less clutter. That being said, you can also find budget wireless subwoofers.
Question: Where should I place my wireless subwoofer?
Answer: It depends on many factors such as the size and shape of your room, where your speakers are, and if you are using them inside or outside. The best thing to do is to try it out in several locations to discover where you get the best sound.
Which is the best wireless subwoofer?
A wireless subwoofer has the capability to really enhance your home audio system. Whether you are using it for movies, to play music, gaming or even to boost your computer audio, there is a wireless subwoofer out there that will help.
So, how do we choose one out of your list of the top 7?
If you want the best overall wireless sub, we would opt for the Klipsch R-12SWi Wireless Subwoofer. There isn’t actually much we can say wrong about it unless you have a really top-end set of speakers as it might not extend the range as far as you’d like.
However, this is the best all-around performer. It comes with a 2.4Ghz wireless hi-fi pre-paired transmitter, high power and it is well designed too. This sub looks great in a modern setup.
As an alternative and if you are looking for a sub that is a bit smaller, go for the Orb Audio: subMINI Subwoofer. It is really compact but still offers great audio quality and we like the pretty basic but modern design it comes with as well.
This wireless sub will work great in a small room such as a bedroom, home office or even a small living room and is a great piece of kit for the price.