9 Best Small & Compact Car Amplifiers [2022 Reviews]

Are you looking for the smallest car amplifier that doesn’t burn your pocket and gives a fantastic bass boost by maintaining the car audio quality?

You are at the right place!

We have created this comprehensive guide, including some of the compact amplifiers for car on the market.

If you are the kind of person that enjoys loud and solid music, a good car amplifier is a necessary commodity.

Amplifiers can simply improve your music quality. With a 4-channel amp, you get to increase the power to your woofers and speakers, hence better sound quality.

Many modern vehicles have audio systems with retrofitted irreplaceable stereo head units. This can make it quite difficult to upgrade the factory audio system, and most people do not know where to start.

However, you can enhance your car’s audio system’s sound quality with small and compact amplifiers for cars and speakers. Easy to install and use, these mini amplifiers offer more power, cleaner sound, and better performance of your car audio.

Now the question is, how do car amplifiers work?

They use some unique arrangement of an internal power supply to supply the circuits in the internal amplifier with a higher power.

The sections then take the audio signal, usually supplied by the stereo to boost it, then deliver it to the speaker terminals.

These mini amps are made with a thin enclosure, allowing it to fit into the tight spots of your automobile.

Due to their small size and easy to install process, these amplifiers are suitable for vehicles with limited space such as sports cars and hatchbacks.

They may not be powerful enough to run huge subs. Though, they definitely can add some punch to your car audio music.

Generally, many people consider Class D amplifiers to be more efficient than Class AB. This is because Class D tend to produce lower power consumption and less heat than Class AB. But for a subwoofer, there are other aspects to consider as well.

The best car amplifier for a subwoofer is a Class AB or Class H amplifier. A Class AB amp features coke can capacitors and toroidal transformers to ensure that the woofer responds instantly when kicked.

Class D transformers are too slow compared to Class AB, thus cannot keep up the repetitive bass. A Class AB car amplifier also has an excellent dumping factor in the 50 to 100 range.

Time to highlight the best compact car amps available in the market.

9 Smallest Car Amplifiers for 2021

Before we delve into the detailed reviews, here are some essential features that you should consider before buying the perfect amplifier for your car. 

Important Features to Check in a Car Amplifier

• Channel count: If your vehicle uses the OEM stereo system, you need to consider getting a four-channel car amplifier to run the main cabin speakers. Some cars, however, can only use a two-channel amp.

• Channel power:  The PEAK watts per channel and the Root Mean Square (RMS) help determine the amount of power that every automobile speaker uses.

The RMS provides a constant supply of power with Minimal sound distortion, while the PEAK power is the max power that it can generate on a specific channel. All the car speakers should handle both PEAK power and RMS on the amps channel so that the speakers are not damaged.

• Sound processing: Sometimes, your car audio system may feature a factory stereo with the typical bass and treble controls instead of equalizer control options.

In such a situation, you may need an amp to provide additional sound processing. You can opt for simple solutions such as using a manual EQ or use advanced amps, which can automatically configure the speaker delays and the frequency equalization.

• Crossovers and filters:  Amplifiers usually feature filters and crossovers to give the correct frequencies to each vehicles’ speaker.

Either they can have a fully configurable cross over installed for each channel, which allows you to control the frequencies at which sound crosses from one speaker to another or the simpler low or high-pass filters with fixed and exact cut off frequencies.

Whenever possible, use the car stereo head to set the crossover frequencies and, if not, consider using the amplifier. However, never use both. 

• Power requirements:  When working with small motorcar amplifiers, you should pay more attention to the ease of installation than the general power output.

The four-channel amplifiers that feature a 45 watts (45 watts RMS x 4 )or 50-watt RMS (50 watts RMS x 4) tend to draw more than a small amount of power, allowing you to tap directly into the negative and positive leads for the stereo head unit.

This setup prevents the complications that can arise from running a new circuit from the automobile battery or the fuse box.

• Channel flexibility:  For an amp to be flexible, it should have channel bridging- supports a variety of power and channel configuration.

For example, if you have an amplifier that uses 75 watts RMS x 4 per channel, it can also support additional settings such as a setup with channels running 75 watts RMS x 2 each (standard speaker).

It would be running at 150 watts RMS power each (as a subwoofer), or two channels at 150 watts RMS x 2 each for the subwoofers. With this, you can easily bridge the channels and double the power for a subwoofer. 

9 Best Small and Compact Car Amplifiers Reviews

Now that you know the essential features to check in a mini car amp, you are ready to get a worthwhile amp to upgrade your vehicle audio profile. Below we have highlighted 9 of the best and compact car amplifiers in the market today.

1. Rockford-Fosgate-R500X1D-1-Channel-Amplifier

Rockford Fosgate is a household name with all their rights reserved in the car audio community. 

They are a famous brand with an excellent reputation for producing high-quality audio products such as speakers, amps, signal processors, and subwoofers.

The R500X1D-1-Channel-Amplifier is one best small and compact vehicle amps that Rockford Fosgate can offer its consumers.

It features four-channel amps, which deliver 75-watt RMS x 4 to both the front and back speakers, giving you the power to fill your vehicle with high-quality music.

Through the first impression, you will feel that you are dealing with an audio component with a well thought out setup.

It features an all-black design with a huge Rockford Fosgate logo placed right in the middle of the top panel. It is designed so that no controls are grouped, thus concealing the massive heat syncs and connectors.

The R500X1D-1-Channel-Amplifier is a 500-watt monoblock audio component with a power rating of 2 Ohm. You can also, however, get a 300-watt model with 4 Ohms. It also features a frequency response that ranges from 20Hz to 250 Hz.

This Rockford Fosgate model also provides different filters to work with. They include the high pass, low pass, and all-pass filters.

Besides, it features an onboard EQ, which can deliver a +18 dB bass boost and push the volume at 25 Hz. The R500X1D-1 model finally features a remote device for you to control the EQ from anywhere in the vehicle comfortably.

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2. New Crunch PX-1000 – 1000 Watt Amp Car Stereo Amplifier

Suppose you are new to the automobile audio community. In that case, the New Crunch 1000 Watt Stereo Amplifier is the ideal entry-level amp you can purchase for your vehicle stereo at an affordable price.

This Crunch model features high-quality hardware and circuit designs and exclusive and innovative technologies to ensure that your music is of high quality with minimal distortions.

The New Crunch PX-1000.4 Car Stereo Amplifier uses four-channel amps, class A/B tech in stereo mode, alongside Class D tech in mono mode.

The full Class A/B tech used on the circuit allows the POWER DRIVE to develop high-quality sound with minimal distortions. This, however, may mean that the circuit boards get to require additional space than in other topologies. 

In this Crunch model, the designers have made sure to trim some of the more technical features to create a more high-performance amp that delivers the typical high-quality music you would expect in a Crunch powered amp.

The Crunch PX-1000.4 model also incorporates tech like Quick Thermal Dispersion (QTD), allowing more aluminum on the heat sink than other amplifiers. This tech makes sure that the amp produces more power while running cold while ensuring that the music distortion is undetectable.

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3. Alpine PDR-V75 5 Channel Digital Amplifier

If you are in the market for a mini amp that packs more juice with minimal installation hassle, and at a great price, Alpine PDR-V75 5 Channel Digital Amplifier – 100 watts RMS x 4 + 350 Watts RMS x 1 is the best option to consider.

It is one of the tiniest and most powerful car amplifiers in the market today.

At only 10-3/4 “W x 2 “H x 6-1/2 “D, this tiny five-channel amplifier is designed to be small and compact enough to fit into some of the tightest spots in your vehicle, that most amps wouldn’t reach.

The alpine mini amp’s smart Class D design allows it to increase the receiver’s power output to 75 watts RMS x 4 – channels, and 250 watts RMS x 1 channel.

This is more than the other popular alpine model, KTP-445U/445A, that drives 45 watts RMS x 4-channel configuration, 45 watts x two-channel + 90 watts x one-channel configuration, or a 90 watts x two-channel configuration.

This makes the amp a better alternative to the amplifiers that put out 20 watts per channel at peak power. This significant jump produces enough power to sustain even the most power-hungry speakers.

Perhaps the most significant feature for the Alpine PDR-V75 5 Channel Digital Amplifier is that it’s so efficient that you can run it from the same circuit that powers the receiver, so long as the radio fuse is 15 amps or higher.

If the fuse voltage is lower, you will have to connect a separate power wire to the battery to install the Alpine amplifier.

You can switch the Alpine PDR-V75 5 model to a 3- or 5- channel mode. It is also equipped with selectable high-pass filters, switchable RCA, front, and rear gain controls that are great at upgrading your car’s sound system without necessarily taking up space.

It may not be able to win that coveted “audio sound of competition,” but it can deliver enough juice to give factory car stereos a run for their money.

The alpine mini-vehicle amp is suitable for vehicles with limited space such as sports automobiles and hunchbacks.

It is also straightforward to install – with an Alpine –specific wiring harness that directly connects the amp to the head unit. You get to minimize the inconveniences of running the power lines and grounds.

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4. Audiopipe Class D Monoblock Amplifier 1500W

The Audiopipe amp series is precisely engineered to provide your car with lots of high-quality power for even the most high-end sound systems. It is an amplifier for car enthusiasts who like to upgrade their automobiles with high-quality audio systems.

The company designs quality products while maintaining a compact design for all its products at a price that suits its consumers.

The Audiopipe Class D Monoblock Amplifier 1500W is one of the top choices for their consumer line series.

This amp encompasses the best electronic protection circuitry to ensure that it minimizes harmful short circuits, overheating and overloads.

This class D monoblock amplifier is designed with large toroids to maximize performance. Located under the amps hood, these toroids work to regulate its voltage levels.

The toroids are made oversize to ensure that the amplifier produces even, and consistent power. This provides the better sound quality output and increases the longevity of the components as well.

The Audiopipe Class D Monoblock Amplifier designers also went to great lengths to make sure that the amp does not overheat.

It features quality aluminum heat sink alongside cooling fins on each side and grills embedded in the topside of the plate to ensure efficient heat dissipation.

This prevents the annoying heat-related shutdowns, commonly experienced in cheap amplifiers.

Since D monoblock is designed for hitting sound, they are also compatible with 16V vehicle electrical systems.

They can produce more than the standard power because they can accept a higher voltage than the usual 12 V amp.

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5. Crunch PX 1000.2 Power Amplifier 

If you have just purchased a new vehicle and are looking to upgrade its sound system, the Crunch PX 1000.2 Power Amplifier is an excellent option for you to get when starting. This amp is a good quality product sold at an affordable price.

It incorporates excellent quality hardware designs and exclusive technologies, to produce good quality music with minimal sound distortions.

With Crunch POWERX, it uses class A/B technology, four-channel amps, and Class D in the mono to make the sound better.

The POWERX technology also features Quick Thermal Dispersion, which adds more aluminum to the amps heat sink to ensure that it remains cool while also reducing music distortions. 

The new Crunch PX 1000.2 Power Amplifier also features the Bullz Audio BGE4RP Economy Amp Wiring Kit to ensure that the user has everything they need for proper installation.

The Kit features flexible wires to increase maneuverability in tight spots, several terminals, a turn-on wire, and many other practical tools.

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6. Kenwood KAC-M3004 Compact 4 Channel Digital Amplifier

If you are an outdoor enthusiast who loves listening to the music while on the open road, the Kenwood KAC-M3004 Compact 4 Channel Digital Amplifier is the best option.

 The KAC-M3004 amplifier model utilizes a conformal-coated main Printed Circuit Boards (PCB).

This offers the amp some added layers of protection against harsh outdoor conditions such as moisture. A marine certified amp, its internal features are also covered up to make it dirt-proof.

The Kenwood amplifier is also very portable, making it a suitable amp for vehicles such as motorcycles, boats, and ATVs. You can easily fit it in your yacht and enjoy good quality music while sailing!

This Kenwood model can comfortably power up your car’s music with up to 50 watts RMS per channel (4 ohms: 50 watts x 4 or 2ohms: 75 watts x 4).

It also offers the user a maximum of 600 watts maximum – much more than the sounds that may be in your surrounding environment.

Another exciting feature you can expect to find on the KAC-M3004 amp is the automatic signal sensing turn-on. This means the amplifier can comfortably power on more than one subwoofer at a time.

It has automatic signal sensing turn-on which can easily power more than one subwoofer. In short, you can easily power up anytime, anywhere with the KAC-M3004!

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7. Soundstream PN4.1000D 1000W 4-Channel Picasso Nano Series Class D Amplifier

Gone are the days when one had to load up the trunk of their car with subs and amplifiers to improve the overall car sound system.

Now you can easily power up the complete speaker and subwoofer system with one single amp –the new and improved Soundstream PN4.1000D 1000W 4-Channel Picasso Nano Series Class D amp.

This powerful amp can comfortably power up your entire sound system, and still be able to fit even in the tightest of spaces of your car.

It features an incredibly compact design with a tarantula logo that is very easy on the eyes. It is an ideal amplifier for cars with limited spaces.

This Picasso Nano amp series can provide 4 ohms: 140 watts for each of the four channels, or / 2 ohms: 250 watts x 4 for four channels.

This is an excellent balance between the sub and speaker levels. The amp can also support up to a maximum of 500 watts of RMS power.

Soundstream amplifiers also offer the user control features such as High-pass filters on both front and rear end channels, to reduce the bass on the full-range speakers, making the sound loud and clean.

The subwoofer channels also allow you to use low-pass filters and boost options to improve the sub’s performance.

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8. Rockford Fosgate R600X5 Prime 5-Channel Amplifier

If you are looking to streamline your vehicle’s audio system, you should consider investing in a five-channel amplifier.

These amps are designed to run the audio system as a whole of a car. The most popular and efficient 5-channel amp is the Rockford Fosgate R600X5 Prime 5-Channel amp.

With this amp, you can run both front and rear speakers and the subwoofer from just a single unit. This helps save on money, time, and space.

This Rockford and Fosgate model feature four 75 -watt speaker channels with one sub-woofer channel, which produces 300 watts in just 2 ohms. 

This compact amp may require minimal space, but it delivers an overwhelming 1000 Watts of POWER. The power produced is sufficient to run the five channels with the right balance between the channels.

With cast aluminum heat sink fitted in the amp, this model can run for a prolonged time without overheating.

It also features four-gauge power/ground meters and top mount controls to improve the general quality of sound. The amp also incorporates a 12 dB/octave crossover, which can accept high RCA input levels.

The general design of the R600X5 Prime 5-Channel amp is simple enough to allow easy installation. The design also features a subwoofer volume control for easy equalization.

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9. Rockford Fosgate T400X2ad Power 400 Watt Class-AD 2-Channel Amplifier

This model from the Rockford Fosgate consumer line is one of the tiniest yet powerful amps available in the market.

At 7 “W x 1-15/8 “H x 4-1/4 “D, the T400X2ad Power 400 Watt Class-AD 2-Channel Amplifier can power up each of the speaker channels with up to 200 watts RMS.

As one of the most powerful car amplifiers on the market, the amp delivers up to 25% more power across all impedance loads, i.e., 200 Watts x 2 at 4-Ohm or 200 Watts x 2 at 2-Ohm, or 400 Watts x 1 at 4-Ohm Bridged.

This model is also cleverly designed to prevent overheating. It comes installed with a dual-fan forced air cooling mechanism that prevents the amp from overheating to support loud music for more extended periods.

This model also utilizes its proprietary Class AD tech by combining the Class D technology’s high efficiency with the Class A system’s high fidelity. The effect is that the amplifier produces an efficient and high-quality sound output.

This tiny amp also utilizes Fostgate’s Calibrated Level Eliminates Audible Noise technology system, ensuring that the sound is powerful and clean. This CLEAN tech ensures that your amplifier matches the receiver’s output.

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Final Thoughts

Getting an amplifier to upgrade your vehicle’s sound system can be a daunting affair. There are so many options available, each featuring different technologies and suitable for different cars. Choosing an amplifier for the vehicle’s sound upgrade is not an affair that should be taken lightly.

You need to carry out extensive research to be well equipped with the necessary knowledge to get your car amplifier’s right price.

First, you can read the first section to determine the crucial features that you need to check for when shopping for an amp.

 It will help you identify the features of a great car sound system with the best power output, most robust bass boost, and powerful car amplifier and at a price that suits your lifestyle.