Best budget car amplifiers for 2026
Our top picks for high-quality, low-price amps
In this article: We present a small, curated collection of subwoofer and multi-channel car amplifiers from a variety of manufacturers available for a better-than-reasonable price.
- Bargain bass — Sound Ordnance™ M350-1
- Subwoofer's best friend — Kicker CXA400.1T
- Budget 4-channel with digital signal processing — Jensen JA4B
- High-power 4-channel — DS18 G1000.4D
- Full-system power — AudioControl EPICFIVE
- 5 channels on a budget — RetroSound Technophonic
- 8 channels plus DSP for under $500 — JBL DSP4086
Nothing improves the sound in your car quite like adding an amplifier. Everything you listen to sounds and feels richer when you add power to the mix. Whether you run your system wide open or softly enough for conversation, a power amplifier will breathe life into your music, bringing out all of its excitement and detail.
For good bass, a subwoofer amp is a necessity. An amplifier also gives you a clean power source that can drive full-range aftermarket speakers without straining. Price doesn't always determine excellence, that's why finding a great deal on an amplifier can make all the difference in the world.
Our top car amplifier picks
Here's our latest list of some of the best budget-priced car amps that we carry. Each of our picks packs a ton of value for their dollar. They are popular-selling amplifiers and are great for anyone wanting to upgrade their car audio setup without spending a lot of money.
They deliver reliable power, clear sound, and work well with both factory and aftermarket speakers. Each amplifier was chosen based on popularity, customer reviews, and solid performance. Whether you need better bass or a full-system power boost, our selections can help you enjoy better-sounding music in your car.
If you're planning a subwoofer system, you'll also benefit by checking out How to match subs and amps for further help and recommendations.
Sound Ordnance M350-1 — Bargain bass
Basics: Sound Ordnance's M350-1 mono subwoofer amplifier can provide up to 350 watts RMS to your sub — more than enough power to overcome all the sonic enemies of clean, loud bass. A wired remote lets you control the level of bass action from the comfort of your front seat.
Extras: This amp's tiny size allows it to fit almost anywhere in a vehicle. Its tough construction, rugged looks, and generous warranty ensure you will enjoy the full power of your music for the long haul.
Details
- 350 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms
- 290 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms
- wired bass remote included
- cooling fan
- 3-year warranty
Kicker CXA400.1T — Subwoofer's best friend
Basics: Kicker's CXA400.1T mono subwoofer amplifier can put out up to 400 watts of full, clean, loud bass signal. The amp controls the quality of the bass tone with a variable low-pass filter to get maximum performance from your sub/enclosure combination. It also has a subsonic filter to remove extreme low-frequency resonance distortions, and a variable bass boost that adds some extra low-end punch when you want it. This amplifier works with 1-ohm loads, so you won't have to worry too much about matching impedances when you add a second sub to your system.
Extras: Kicker's Fail-Safe Integration Technology (FIT™) keeps this amp's input free from noise or interference, so you can tap into your vehicle's speaker wiring for an input signal without a worry. A 3-second turn-on/turn-off delay eliminates system pops and other noises. The CXA400.1T comes with hardware that lets you mount it vertically, so you can put it in a location that takes up very little floor space.
Details
- 400 watts RMS x 1 at 1 ohm
- 300 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms
- 150 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms
- speaker-level inputs handle premium factory signals
- 3-second delay eliminates turn-on/turn-off system pops
- 2-year warranty extends to 3-year when purchased with a Kicker amp wiring kit
Jensen JA4B — Budget 4-channel with digital signal processing
Basics: Jensen's compact JA Series JA4B 4-channel amplifier fits almost anywhere in your car, produces 90 watts of power per channel for your speakers, and works with Jensen's DSP Amp app so you can tune the sound to perfection using your smartphone. The amp's DSP tuning controls include crossover adjustments to match signals to speakers, EQ presets for different music genre preferences, and a bass boost for extra impact and fun.
Extras: The channel pairs are bridgeable, so you can use your JA4B to power two front speakers with 90 watts each while simultaneously driving a subwoofer with up to 230 watts RMS, or two subs with up to 230 watts each. This little amp also features RGB accent lighting that you can adjust with the app to add some visual bling to your setup.
Check out our review the JA Series Jensen amplifiers and the Jensen DSP AMP app.
Details
- 90 watts RMS x 4 at 4 ohms
- 115 watts RMS x 4 at 2 ohms
- 230 watts RMS x 2 bridged at 4 ohms
- DSP adjustments via Bluetooth connection using Jensen DSP AMP app
- RGB color illumination
- 3-year warranty
DS18 G1000.4D — High-power 4-channel
Basics: The DS18 Gen-X G1000.4D full-range Class D amp pumps out four channels of 90 watts so your front and rear speakers will play music the way you want — "in your face" loud and clear above the roar of the engine and road.
Extras: You can also use this amp to power a single pair of speakers plus a subwoofer from bridged channels — up to 300 watts RMS to a sub. High- and low-pass filters tune the signal to match a wide variety of tweeters, midrange speakers, and subs to achieve the best sound.
Details
- 90 watts RMS x 4 at 4 ohms
- 150 watts RMS x 4 at 2 ohms
- 300 watts RMS x 2 bridged at 4 ohms
- speaker-level input harness included
- 2-year warranty
AudioControl EPICFIVE — Full-system power
Basics: AudioControl's EPICFIVE 5-channel amp delivers more power per square inch and watts per dollar than most other car amplifiers on the market. This amp uses Class D technology to punch above its weight, sending out four channels of 75 watts plus one channel of up to 700 watts to make your speakers and subwoofer sing out loud and clear with minimal stress to your car's electrical system.
Extras: For ultimate bass sound and connectivity, the EPICFIVE includes a power and ground connection harness that'll work with AudioControl's EPICENTER bass enhancers, as well as with their other line output converters that take factory speaker-level signals and make them suitable for the amp's input.
Details
- 75 watts RMS x 4 + 300 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms
- 150 watts RMS x 4 + 500 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms
- 300 watts RMS x 2 bridged at 4 ohms + 700 watts RMS x 1 at 1 ohm
- subwoofer channel includes EPICBoost™ and connection for optional Epicenter® bass processor
- wired remote control
- 1-year warranty
RetroSound Technophonic — 5 channels on a budget
Basics: The modest-looking RetroSound Technophonic 5-channel amp can power your entire system, sending 65 watts RMS to each of your front and rear speakers while delivering up to 330 watts RMS to your sub. Highly efficient Class D technology keeps this powerful amp running as cool as it looks and allows for a compact chassis that'll fit in a lot of out-of-the-way locations.
Extras: The Technophonic can also be set up for 3-channel operation to power a couple of high-performance speakers with 190 watts each, while sending 330 watts to a sub. The amp’s subwoofer channel features a bass boost, so you can really pile it on if you want. A wired remote lets you adjust the level of bass for each song from your front seat.
Details
- 65 watts RMS x 4 + 225 watts RMS x 1 at 4 ohms
- 95 watts RMS x 4 + 330 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms
- 190 watts RMS x 2 bridged at 4 ohms + 330 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms
- remote bass knob included
- 1-year warranty
JBL DSP4086 — 8 channels plus DSP for under $500
Basics: The incredibly compact JBL DSP4086 8-channel amp/processor will provide eight channels of 40 watts RMS while sculpting the sound with powerful tuning software using your Windows PC. The DSP4086 can take the signals from your vehicle's front, rear, center, and subwoofer channel and then process those signals to create eight powered outputs, including two for front tweeters.
Extras: Every channel features: 31-band EQ, switchable from parametric to graphic; completely variable high-, low-, and band-pass filters with selectable slopes; time delay, up to 12ms in 0.2ms increments; and 0/180° phase adjustment. You can assign each input to an output, and you can sum signals in order to create a balanced full-range signal.
Details
- 40 watts RMS x 8 at 4 ohms
- 60 watts RMS x 8 at 2 ohms
- 6 assignable inputs
- DSP tuning adjustments made via USB to a Windows PC
- adjustments include crossovers, EQ, phase, and delay
- 1-year warranty
Get everything you'll need
- You'll need an amplifier wiring kit to properly install your new amp. But don't worry, we'll recommend the right type of power and ground wiring kits to go with your amp when you're shopping on our site.
- Most wiring kits don't include speaker wire, so be sure to get enough to reach from the amp to your speakers or subs.
- We also carry a wide selection of common installation tools needed for car audio work.
We can help you match an amp to your budget
Crutchfield carries almost 300 different car amplifiers to choose from, and we're here to help you get the one that’ll work best for you at a price you can afford. We also have tips in our Car amplifier buying guide. And if you need a little guidance finding exactly what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly Advisors.
Free lifetime tech support is included with your Crutchfield purchase.
Popular questions customers ask
If the sound gets muddy when you turn it up, you need the added power of an amplifier. You probably know the difference in sound between your TV speakers and a home theater system. An amplifier in your vehicle can make that kind of difference. You'll hear a bigger, fuller sound, with more detail and greater impact, especially if you've installed better speakers in your vehicle.
The first consideration is how many speakers you'll be powering and how much power each speaker will handle. Once you know that, you'll know how many amplifier channels you'll need and how much power you'll want.
Yes, you can, as long as you have a basic knowledge of electronics and you're handy with tools. You'll have to run a power wire from your vehicle's battery back to your amp's location, and then a ground wire from the amp to your vehicle's chassis. It's important to do the job correctly so you don't damage your vehicle. Our Tech Support people can help you if any issues come up.
Check your speakers or sub to see how much power they can handle in terms of "watts RMS." For a subwoofer, you should select an amplifier that produces approximately that much RMS power. Speakers are more forgiving, so you don't always have to max them out, although more power always sounds better.
The easy answer is "one speaker per channel." You'll need two channels to power a pair of speakers, four channels to power your front and rear speakers, or one channel to power a subwoofer. There are plenty of exceptions to this rule, so contact an Advisor to get the best advice for your situation.
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