Best Active Subwoofers Under $500 2026
Affordable active subwoofers under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For DJ
For Electronic Music
For Dance
For Hip Hop
For Large Venues
For Bass Extension
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
the box pro Achat 112 Sub A
by
the box pro
Hip Hop
Large Venues
Bass Extension
Key Feature:
• Essential for electronic music genres
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for bass
- • Often includes crossover for main speakers
✗ CONS
- • Setup complexity with crossover settings
- • Expensive addition to PA system
the box pro Achat 112 Sub AActive 12" SubwooferPower: 350 W (RMS)Class B amplifierMax. SPL: 124 dBFrequency range:...
⭐
4.8/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 214528
$384
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Behringer VQ1800D
by
Behringer
Electronic Music
Hip Hop
Dance
Key Feature:
• High-power bass reproduction
✓ PROS
- • Often includes crossover for main speakers
- • Extends low-frequency response of system
✗ CONS
- • May overpower smaller venues
- • Heavy and bulky to transport
Behringer VQ1800DActive 18" SubwooferWith 500 W class D amplifierBuilt-in stereo crossover with high-pass filter...
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 320399
$340
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Behringer DR18SUB
by
Behringer
Bass Extension
Dance
DJ
Key Feature:
• Essential for electronic music genres
✓ PROS
- • Often includes crossover for main speakers
- • Extends low-frequency response of system
✗ CONS
- • May overpower smaller venues
- • Setup complexity with crossover settings
Behringer DR18SUBActive Subwoofer18" SubwooferPower: 800 W RMS / 2400 W peakInputs: 2 x XLR balancedOutputs: 2 x...
⭐
4.7/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 523252
$438
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
the box pro TL 110
by
the box pro
Hip Hop
DJ
Electronic Music
Key Feature:
• Often includes crossover for main speakers
✓ PROS
- • High-power bass reproduction
- • Often includes crossover for main speakers
✗ CONS
- • Heavy and bulky to transport
- • Requires power outlet near subwoofer
the box pro TL 110Active Subwoofer with DSPParticularly suitable for use in conjunction with the box pro TL 63 midrange...
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 452287
$428
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
the box pro DSP 18 Sub
by
the box pro
Dance
Large Venues
DJ
Key Feature:
• Extends low-frequency response of system
✓ PROS
- • Essential for electronic music genres
- • High-power bass reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Setup complexity with crossover settings
- • Heavy and bulky to transport
the box pro DSP 18 SubActive SubwooferSpeaker: 18"Power: 800 W RMS / 2400 W peakMaximum level: 128 dBFrequency...
⭐
4.8/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 424348
$494
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
the box Pyrit 112 Sub A
by
the box
Electronic Music
Bass Extension
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Often includes crossover for main speakers
✓ PROS
- • High-power bass reproduction
- • Essential for electronic music genres
✗ CONS
- • Requires power outlet near subwoofer
- • Setup complexity with crossover settings
the box Pyrit 112 Sub AActive High Power SubwooferEquipped with: 12" speaker with 4" voice coilPower: 500 W...
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 351886
$472
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Proel S12A
by
Proel
Large Venues
Hip Hop
Dance
Key Feature:
• High-power bass reproduction
✓ PROS
- • High-power bass reproduction
- • Essential for electronic music genres
✗ CONS
- • Setup complexity with crossover settings
- • May overpower smaller venues
Proel S12AActive Hybrid Bandpass SubwooferWith integrated ClassD digital power amplifierEquipped with: 12"...
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 445596
$428
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
the box pro Achat 112 Sub A WH
by
the box pro
Dance
Electronic Music
DJ
Key Feature:
• Essential for electronic music genres
✓ PROS
- • Often includes crossover for main speakers
- • High-power bass reproduction
✗ CONS
- • Requires power outlet near subwoofer
- • May overpower smaller venues
the box pro Achat 112 Sub A WHthe box pro Achat 112 Sub A WH-12Active 12" Subwoofer350 WSPL 124dB MaxFrequency...
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 317173
$417
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Proel S10A
by
Proel
Hip Hop
Large Venues
DJ
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for bass
✓ PROS
- • Extends low-frequency response of system
- • Often includes crossover for main speakers
✗ CONS
- • Expensive addition to PA system
- • Heavy and bulky to transport
Proel S10AActive Hybrid Bandpass SubwooferWith integrated ClassD digital power amplifierEquipped with: 10"...
⭐
4.6/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 445595
$318
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
the box CL 112 Sub MK II
by
the box
Bass Extension
Large Venues
Dance
Key Feature:
• Often includes crossover for main speakers
✓ PROS
- • Essential for electronic music genres
- • Built-in amplification optimized for bass
✗ CONS
- • Setup complexity with crossover settings
- • Expensive addition to PA system
the box CL 112 Sub MK IIActive 12" SubwooferPower: 120 W RMS / 300 W Peak + 2x 120 /300 W RMS / Peak for the Top...
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 341323
$417
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Behringer VQ1500D
by
Behringer
Large Venues
Electronic Music
Dance
Key Feature:
• Often includes crossover for main speakers
✓ PROS
- • Built-in amplification optimized for bass
- • Extends low-frequency response of system
✗ CONS
- • Setup complexity with crossover settings
- • Heavy and bulky to transport
Behringer VQ1500DActive 15" SubwooferWith 500 W class D amplifierBuilt-in stereo crossover with high-pass filter...
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 320402
$366
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Proel S15A
by
Proel
Large Venues
Bass Extension
Electronic Music
Key Feature:
• Essential for electronic music genres
✓ PROS
- • Essential for electronic music genres
- • High-power bass reproduction
✗ CONS
- • May overpower smaller venues
- • Requires power outlet near subwoofer
Proel S15AActive Hybrid Bandpass SubwooferWith integrated ClassD digital power amplifierEquipped with: 15"...
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 445597
$483
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Behringer B1200D Pro
by
Behringer
Dance
DJ
Hip Hop
Key Feature:
• Extends low-frequency response of system
✓ PROS
- • Extends low-frequency response of system
- • Often includes crossover for main speakers
✗ CONS
- • May overpower smaller venues
- • Requires power outlet near subwoofer
Behringer B1200D ProEurolive-Series 12" Subwoofer500 W Class-D amplifierBuilt-in peak limiterFrequency range: 45 -...
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 316568
$307
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Alto TX 12S Subwoofer
by
Alto
Electronic Music
Bass Extension
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Built-in amplification optimized for bass
✓ PROS
- • High-power bass reproduction
- • Built-in amplification optimized for bass
✗ CONS
- • Requires power outlet near subwoofer
- • May overpower smaller venues
Alto TX 12S SubwooferActive SubwooferPower: 450 W RMS900 W peakEquipped with one 12" wooferFrequency range: 46 -...
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 611520
$413
#15
⭐
4.4/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
LD Systems Sub 88 A
by
LD Systems
DJ
Hip Hop
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Often includes crossover for main speakers
✓ PROS
- • Extends low-frequency response of system
- • Essential for electronic music genres
✗ CONS
- • Setup complexity with crossover settings
- • Expensive addition to PA system
LD Systems Sub 88 AActive 2x 8" bass reflex subwoofer150 W RMSFrequency range: 40 - 140 HzPeak SPL: 115...
⭐
4.4/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 244144
$318
How to Choose the Best Active Subwoofers
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced active subwoofers typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
