While normal speakers do not have any problem, you need to pay attention to your setup if you are going to install powerful speakers in your car. If you have a set of large speakers or subwoofers in your car, it might end up damaging the battery or cause strain on other electrical devices like alternators or lights. To avoid that, you need to install an audio capacitor along with the audio setup. Here are some important factors to keep in mind while you are picking up an audio capacitor.
Type of Audio Capacitor: It is important to understand the various types of audio capacitors available on the market before you choose the one that suits your audio system. You can choose an electrolyte, carbon, or hybrid audio capacitor based on its advantages and compatibility with your setup. We will discuss these options in detail later in this guide.
Value Rate: This is a fairly technical specification of an audio capacitor that majorly affects its performance. The only thing that you need to remember while checking the value rate is that you need around 1 farad value rate for every 1000 Watts of peak power rating. This can easily help you find out the best audio capacitor based on your music system.
Terminals: Just a typical amplifier, an audio capacitor also has multiple terminals to which you will be connecting your audio system. While standard electrolyte capacitors have one o terminals, hybrid options offer more terminals for an intricate setup. Even if you are not finding the necessary terminals on just one capacitor, you can pair multiple options so that you can get the best performance from your system.
Today, we are going to talk about the best car audio capacitors present on the market and discuss the advantages and limitations of each option. We have carefully shortlisted these particular options from hundreds of choices on the market to help your task easier than ever. All you will have to do is go through our list and find out the car audio capacitor that fits your requirements the best. We will also add a “Buying Guide” for the best car audio capacitor later on this page to help you with your selection.
Best Car Audio Capacitor List
Best Car Audio Capacitor Review
1. Planet Car Audio Capacitor
If you already have a powerful audio system in your car, or are looking forward to upgrading in the near future, your best bet will be getting the most powerful option you can find for a car audio capacitor. So, we will start our list with this option from Planet Audio. The Planet Audio PC20F is one of the most premium car audio capacitors available on the market, and still it has managed to secure the top position on our list of the best options today. This is a 20 farad car audio capacitor, making it a more powerful option than all other options we have selected for this list today. Apart from that, it also has some great additional features like audible warnings. The audible warnings are introduced to notice you when there are problems with the capacitors such as reverse polarity or voltage overload. It will also notify you when the battery voltage gets very low. It also has some extra features like a digital display so keep track of the battery voltage. The Planet Audio PC20F is backed by a year of warranty which is pretty good for its power capacity. Best Features
It operates on 24 VDC Rated for 20 farad capacitance rating It has an audible warning system Comes with a digital display
Pros
Most powerful option on this list Highly popular car audio capacitor on the market Great choice for high-end audio systems
Cons
More of an overkill for low power speakers and amplifiers
2. BOSS Car Audio Capacitor
Since we are discussing the powerful options first, let us introduce you to yet another powerful option from a popular brand called BOSS Audio Systems. It is also a widely popular option, mostly preferred for powerful amplifiers. In the 2nd position, we are putting one more popular option from our picks which is the BOSS Audio Systems CAP8 audio capacitor. This is an 8 farad capacitance car audio capacitor that has a wide range of premium features and compatibility. Apart from the high capacitance rating, it also offers an audible warning system to avoid any damage to the capacitor itself, or your audio system. It can prevent problems like overvoltage, low voltage, or reverse polarity. When the audio system is operating at a very low level and in a stable state, the BOSS Audio Systems CAP8 audio capacitor will automatically go to sleep to preserve power. You will also get a digital display on the device itself so that you can continuously check the battery voltage level. It is also backed by a year of warranty which further ensures its reliability. Best Features
It operates on 24 VDC Rated for 8 farad capacitance rating It has audible warnings Digital display for monitoring
Pros
One of the popular choices for a car audio capacitor Great option for loud audio systems Automatic sleep system to save power
Cons
Not the best option for basic car audio systems
3. Pyle Car Audio Capacitor
As a lot of standard car audio systems are powered by an amplifier with around 1 or 2 kW power output capacity, a lot of users select a 5 farad audio capacitor for their system. If you are also looking for the same, check out this option from Pyle. Pyle has been in the music industry for decades now, offering a wide range of options specifically revolving around car audio systems. Their Digital Power Capacitor is also a fairly popular choice, and our 3rd pick for this list. The Pyle Digital Power Capacitor is a 5 farad audio capacitor that can be an efficient choice for a lot of car owners. This system operates on 12 to 24 VDC supply and offers great compatibility with medium to high-end car audio systems. The Pyle Digital Power Capacitor is a relatively smaller unit compared to the options we have seen so far and is available in a cylindrical design to save space. But, it still has a small digital display for voltage monitoring. It also has a built-in protection circuit that can prevent accidental reverse polarity in your system. It will also save your amplifier from overvoltage issues that can permanently damage the unit or the speakers. Best Features
It operates on 12-24 VDC Rated for 5 farad capacitance rating Built-in reverse polarity and over-voltage protection circuit All necessary mounting hardware is included
Pros
Great choice for relatively lower powered systems Compact audio capacitor Coming from a reliable brand
Cons
Terminals are a bit fragile
4. Sound Storm Car Audio Capacitor
We also have a popular choice for a low-power audio capacitor coming from Sound Storm Laboratories. This can be the right choice for you if you don’t need excessive power to run your audio setup. The Sound Storm Laboratories C352 is also a pretty reliable choice for low-end audio systems and perfect choice for those who don’t need a lot of power for their setup. This car audio capacitor has 5 farad capacitance rating and it works at 16 VDC voltage rating. But, you will find about 10% capacitance tolerance with this unit which is pretty good. And the surge rating of the Sound Storm Laboratories C352 goes up to 24 Volts. The terminal of the Sound Storm Laboratories C352 are chrome plated so that they can be safe from corrosion caused by moisture in monsoon or winter season. Since all the necessary mounting hardware is included in the package, you can start the installation of the unit right after unboxing it. It is also backed by a year of warranty which is pretty good considering its a comparatively affordable choice. Best Features
It operates on 16 VDC Rated for 3.5 farad capacitance rating About 10% capacitance tolerance Surge capacity rating is 24 Volts
Pros
Perfect option for basic car audio systems More compact and slim compared to other options Easy to install
Cons
Does not leave a lot of rom to upgrade the car audio system
5. RECOIL Car Audio Capacitor
If you are on a tight budget and are not powering a powerful amplifier, we will suggest going with this option from RECOIL. Though it is not as popular as other choices, it is the cheapest option that is included on this list. The RECOIL R1D is one of the most compact and budget-friendly options that we are including on this list of the best car audio capacitors. This is a 1 farad capacitance audio capacitor measuring only 14.29 x 6.97 x 3.98 inches in size. So, mounting or installation of the unit should not be a problem. It also works with 10 to 16 VDC supply, making it an ideal choice for smaller cars. As for the compatibility of the capacitor, the RECOIL R1D will work well with any amplifier having 1000 watts power output rating, or lesser. It also has a low ESR so that the power losses are minimized and you can expect rapid charging of the unit. It also minimizes internal heating issues which is crucial for a car accessory. Despite being a cheaper option, it features a digital display for voltage monitoring and works with almost any gauge wire. Best Features
It operates on 10-16 VDC Rated for 1 farad capacitance rating Works with any gauge wire Low ESR
Pros
Cheapest option for a car audio capacitor Widely compatible with standard audio systems Great choice for basic amplifiers
Cons
Not the right choice for amplifiers having more than 1000 watts power rating
6. BULLZ Car Audio Capacitor
Bullz Audio is also a brand that is known for offering a wide range of budget options for audio accessories. While the brand majorly deals with system cables and convertors, it also offers a pretty handy capacitor. The Bullz Audio Capacitor is also a fine choice for medium to high-end audio systems that a lot of people would want in their cars. The Bullz Audio Capacitor has 5.5 farad capacitance rating which makes it an ideal choice for amplifiers having 5000 watts power output capacity. It also has the benefits of a low ESR, further extending its lifespan and minimizing the risks of heating issues. The Bullz Audio Capacitor is also a pretty cheap investment compared to other options on the market offering similar capacitance ratings. And, you can expect fast charging speeds for the capacitor, extending the performance of your car’s audio system. A great feature of this capacitor is that it is housed inside a high-strength aluminum housing and measures about 11.1 x 6.02 x 4.45 inches in size. So, you can easily tuck it away in a corner of your car and forget about it. Best Features
It operates on 12 VDC Rated for 5.5 farad capacitance rating Measures only 11.1 x 6.02 x 4.45 inches in size Housed inside a high-strength aluminum housing
Pros
Budget option for a high-end audio system Build quality is pretty good Up to 5000 watts amplifiers are supported
Cons
Maximum voltage rating is 12 Volts
7. Audiobank Car Audio Capacitor
Moving on to some of the lesser known brands on the market, we have a pretty neat car audio capacitor designed by Audiobank. Apart from car audio capacitors, Audiobank also manufactures amplifiers, speakers, and other related car audio accessories. The Audiobank car audio capacitor is yet another budget choice that we have that will pair well with low-power amplifiers and won’t cost you a lot, like other similar options on the market. The Audiobank car audio capacitor is rated for 3.5 farad capacitance rating, making it an ideal choice for up to 3500 watts power rating amplifiers. Such amplifiers are usually what you need for a compact car audio system with up to 2 powerful subwoofers. The Audiobank car audio capacitor is also equipped with chrome-plated alternators to avoid environmental damage to the unit. Furthermore, there is a small LED-powered display on the capacitor that helps you keep an eye on the battery voltage level and make it easier to manage the system and audio levels accordingly. Best Features
It operates on 12 VDC Rated for 3.5 farad capacitance rating Chrome-plated battery terminals Small LED-powered display
Pros
Great choice for small capacity audio systems Works for up to 3500 watts amplifiers Comparatively cheaper than many other alternatives
Cons
System upgrades will require addition of another capacitor
8. Audiotek Car Audio Capacitor
Audiotek is also bringing a similar option on our list of the best car audio capacitors as our last choice. Though it is also not a popular choice, it can be perfect for a smaller audio system. The Audiotek Car Audio Capacitor can also be a great choice for your car’s audio system if you don’t have multiple drivers or powerful subwoofers. This model can support up to 3500 watts amplifiers as it has a 3.5 farad capacitance rating. And with the 13.58 x 6.5 x 3.9 inches dimensions, this unit can fit well into a variety of automobiles such as ATVs, snowmobiles, and even motorcycles. As for the reliability of the outer shell, Audiotek Car Audio Capacitor features many protective circuits that you will find on premium options. Plus, it has chrome-plated terminals to avoid external damage caused by weather. Despite being a smaller unit, the Audiotek Car Audio Capacitor still offers a compact digital display to help you keep track of battery voltage while you are out on a trip. Best Features
It operates on 12 VDC Rated for 3.5 farad capacitance rating Comes with a digital display Chrome-plated battery terminals
Pros
Great choice for low to medium sized audio systems Supports up to 3500 watts amplifiers Compact design makes installation easier
Cons
Not as reliable as other car audio capacitors
9. BELVA Car Audio Capacitor
We will finish our list of the best car audio capacitors with one more great option for low-power audio systems. This unit is made by Belva, a reliable brand choice for audio amplifiers, bass packages, and many other essential accessories. The BELVA Professional Grade Capacitor is our final choice for this list and can be the right one for you if you haven’t found the perfect option yet. This unis is specifically designed for smaller car audio systems powered by a 1000 watts amplifier, if not lower. However, there are no compromises made in terms of build quality of the unit since it is made up of copper-clad aluminum to offer uninterrupted power supply. Furthermore, the CCA wire used for the BELVA Professional Grade Capacitor is made up of 30% copper whereas other standard options are made up of 10% copper. This increases the conductivity of the wire and reduces the interruptions signal transmission. This is also one of the compact options on our list measuring around 14.7 x 8.9 x 7.7 inches and has an audible warning system for electrical problems. Best Features
Audible warning system Rated for 1 farad capacitance rating 30% copper CCA wire Best for 1000 watts amplifiers
Pros
High quality design Compact option Made from copper-clad aluminum
Cons
Quite an expensive choice for the given capacitance rating
Buying Guide For The Best Car Audio Capacitor
When you are looking for a car audio capacitor, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind that can affect its compatibility with your system and the overall performance of the speakers after installation. A lot of buyers coming to this guide today would be buying a car audio capacitor for the first time, making it even more confusing since there are a lot of technical terms and electrical parameters that you need to understand. To help you with that, we have prepared this buying guide where we will discuss such parameters in detail and help you understand their importance. Apart from the technical specifications, you should also take a look at the ergonomic features of the car audio capacitor such as digital display and LED indicators. While these features don’t affect the performance of the capacitor, they definitely make the device much easier to monitor and handle on a daily basis.
1. Type Of Car Audio Capacitor
A car audio capacitor is not something that you will look forward to replacing anytime soon since they are quite expensive and sometimes can be a hassle to install and plug into the audio system properly. Therefore, you need to get the perfect car audio capacitor so that you can get the best results and enjoy your music system up to its full potential. For that, you need to understand various types of car audio capacitors and decide which option fits your needs the best.
2. Electrolytic
One of the advantages of electrolytic car audio capacitors is that they offer a rapid charging system. But with that, you will also get an overall lesser power capacity that can create problems later on. These audio capacitors are usually pretty compact and offer up to 1 farad value rate per 1000 watts of power. In comparison, this is a great choice for a lot of users, especially if you have a moderate sound system and want a similarly efficient capacitor to pair with the setup.
3. Carbon
Carbon audio capacitors work almost in a completely different direction than electrolyte audio capacitors. These capacitors are designed with the sole purpose of increasing the overall power storage capacity of the capacitor. Thus, a carbon audio capacitor can certainly supply more power output to the system and maintain a balanced flow of juice when the surge limit is reached. But with the increased power storage, there is a limitation of slow charging speeds. As for the value rate, you should get the same farads per 1000 watts of power as an electrolyte audio capacitor.
4. Hybrid
This is a rather new and innovative addition to audio capacitors that manages to bring the best of both types to an audio capacitor. But since you are getting only the benefits of both electrolyte and carbon car audio capacitors, hybrid car audio capacitors tend to be a bit more on the expensive side. Hybrid car audio capacitors appear quite similar to an amplifier, but they offer much more power in comparison. We will also recommend you get one that offers 5 farads per 1000 watts of power if you are going with a hybrid option. Basically, a hybrid car audio capacitor will work as a backup battery for your audio system along with increasing its performance.
5. Value Rate
The value rate is the most important factor when it comes to car audio capacitors as it directly affects the expected performance of the unit and whether it is compatible with your system or not. The value rate is measured in farads which is a units of electrical capacitance and it basically tells you the amount of charge stored in the device. Generally, you will need an audio capacitor with around 1 farad value rate for every 1000 watts of power available on your audio system. Usually, 1 to 5 farad value rate audio capacitors are quite popular for general applications as they seem optimal for standard car audio systems. But, if you have built a custom audio setup with high wattage requirement, you should consider going with a higher value rate audio capacitor. This is usually the case for car audio systems that are part of a competition.
6. Surge Value
The surge value of the car audio capacitor is also an important factor, just like its value rate. Unlike farads that deal with the amount of power stored in the device, the surge value is basically the limitation of voltage the capacitor can handle before exceeding its design limit. To get an idea about the compatible surge value for your audio capacitor, you need to take note of your car’s alternator and battery specifications. The general rule of thumb is to always maintain a higher surge value on the capacitor so that it can supply power to the speaker system without any problem. Also, keep in mind that the car audio capacitor you are buying cannot handle higher voltage than its surge limit. If that is the case, you might end up with a permanently damaged audio capacitor that will need a replacement.
7. Available Terminals
Lastly, you will need to ensure that the car audio capacitor that you are buying offers the right terminals for your application or not. Just like an amplifier, there are multiple terminals present on a car audio capacitor that tells you about the connectivity options available with the capacitor. Usually, an electrolyte car audio capacitor will have 1 or 2 terminals since they are compact in size. On the other hand, a hybrid option will offer you more terminals that make it a better choice for custom-designed speaker systems. If you don’t need additional terminals right now, you can get a basic option and add more capacitors in the future for more terminals when you upgrade the car system. But, you can imagine how that can be inefficient in terms of storage space and investment. Instead, you can go with an option with extra terminals as it leaves room for future upgrades. And if not, you can still use the extra terminals for powering other devices without affecting your audio system.
Conclusion
Installing a loud and powerful sound system in your car is quite easy. What’s difficult is to correctly power the system to get the best performance without damaging your car’s battery and other crucial electrical components. For that, you will need to connect the amplifier of the audio system via a car audio capacitor. These capacitors can efficiently handle the input current needed for your amplifier and take away the load from your car’s battery, preventing damage to other components such as lights, alternators, or the battery itself. These secondary power suppliers for your audio system are crucial for high-end as well as moderately powered car audio systems. And on this guide, you will find the best buying options for a car audio capacitor. We also have a buying guide for the best car audio capacitor that will surely help you with your choice. And if you want a quicker purchase, go with one of our top recommendations provided here.
If you are sure that a high-value rate is vital for your car’s audio system, you should loosen the budget range and go with the Planet Car Audio Capacitor. This is basically the most powerful option that we have chosen for this list, offering 20 farad value rate. You will also find 10, 3.5, and 2 farad options from the brand that are similarly as premium as this option. Apart from the high value rate, it also has an audible warning system for reverse polarity, overload, and low battery issues.
The BOSS Car Audio Capacitor is also a great option that brings a lot of power into the equation, making it suitable for high-end car audio systems. This is an 8 farad car audio capacitor with a similarly premium design aspect and feature set as our last recommendation. Apart from that, BOSS Audio Systems also have a few other options such as a 2, a 3.5, and an 18 farad option that might be perfect for your needs. Just like many other premium options, you will also notice a small digital display on the BOSS Audio Systems CAP8 to check the status of the capacitor.
Lastly, we will suggest the RECOIL Car Audio Capacitor as it is the optimal choice for small to medium-powered car audio systems. It is also an economical choice since it is the most affordable option on this list. The RECOIL R1D offers 1 farad value rate, making it an ideal choice for 1000 watts amplifiers and compatible audio systems. Despite being an affordable choice, the RECOIL R1D features a small display so that you can monitor the battery voltage level without any problem.
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