What Is 2022’s Best Car Audio Capacitor?
Many people have complained about how bright high beams are at night. But when you’re driving, you need that light to see. And if you listen to music while driving, you might notice that your headlights get slightly dimmer.
While bright headlights are an issue, so are dim ones. But that doesn’t mean you should stop listening to music. You just might need to install the best car audio capacitor.
Quick Picks: Compare The Best Car Audio Capacitors
Page Contents
- 2022’s Best Car Audio Capacitors Reviewed
- 1. Sound Storm C352 3.5 Farad Car Capacitor
- 2. SoundBox SCAP2D 2.5 Farad Digital Capacitor
- 3. SoundBox 4 Gauge Amplifier Kit
- 4. Planet Audio PC10F 10 Farad Car Capacitor
- 5. BOSS Audio Systems CAP8 Car Capacitor
- 6. BULLZ AUDIO 2.2 Farad Capacitor
- 7. Belva 2.0 Farad Power Capacitor
- 8. Stinger SPC505 Pro Hybrid Capacitor
- 9. NVX True 1.0 Farad 20V Digital Capacitor
- FAQ
- Why Do You Need a Car Audio Capacitor?
- Can You Install a Capacitor Yourself?
- How Can You Choose the Best Car Audio Capacitor for You?
- Is an Expensive Car Audio Capacitor Better?
- Boost Your Sound
2022’s Best Car Audio Capacitors Reviewed
The best car audio capacitor can improve the sound quality of your car stereo. But there are a lot of capacitors available on the market, so it can be hard to choose the right one.
Whether you just got your car or have had it for a while, you should consider the best car audio capacitor for you. The right one will depend on your needs, compare a few models to see which you like best.
1. Sound Storm C352 3.5 Farad Car Capacitor
The Sound Storm C352 3.5 Farad Car Capacitor is easy to install and offers the power you need to keep lights from dimming during bass drops.
Sound Storm’s C352 3.5 Farad Car Capacitor can help store and consume energy when you need it. It has a capacitance tolerance of + or – 10 percent, and it can handle about 16V of power, but it can work with surges up to 24V.
The capacitor features chrome-plated posts, and it measures 11.56 inches by 3.94 inches by 4 inches. You also get a mounting and installation kit, so you don’t need to gather the tools yourself.
It comes with screws, wires and other equipment so that you can install the capacitor with ease. Once you install it, the capacitor will provide consistent power to your car’s amplifier, which can help with the sound quality.
You will need to charge the capacitor, but you can do that by placing the charging resistor between the positive cable and the positive terminal. After it finishes charge, you should remove the resistor and connect the positive cable and terminal.
The capacitor comes with an instruction manual, so you can follow the steps for charging and installing everything. Then, you can test the capacitor to make sure it works properly.
Our Final Grade: A+
Pros
- Charges quickly
- Keeps headlights from dimming
- Works as expected
Cons
- A little large
2. SoundBox SCAP2D 2.5 Farad Digital Capacitor
The SoundBox SCAP2D 2.5 Farad Digital Capacitor can stabilize your car stereo amplifier during a power surge.
SoundBox’s SCAP2D 2.5 Farad Digital Capacitor uses high-strength cylindrical aluminum housing to protect the internal parts. It has a bright LED light to show the charging status, and it has a digital-over-voltage protection system.
The capacitor can stabilize the amplifier flow up to 2500 watts, and it has a digital display that shows the voltage. You can take advantage of the notification alert system, which can tell you when the capacitor is safe.
This capacitor has nickel-plated post connectors that are resistant to rust, so you can use the capacitor long term. It features an automatic on/off feature, so you don’t have to worry about turning it off when you aren’t using it.
The device measures 8.7 inches by 5.2 inches by 3.7 inches, so it’s relatively small. It’s also not too heavy since it weighs about 2.29 pounds. Once you install it, you can put the capacitor almost anywhere you need to.
Our Final Grade: A+
Pros
- Looks good
- Easy to install
- Works well
Cons
- Doesn’t help with voltage drops
3. SoundBox 4 Gauge Amplifier Kit
The SoundBox 4 Gauge Amplifier kit includes more than a capacitor, which can be nice if you need to make more sound adjustments.
If you need a capacitor and an amplifier, you should consider the SoundBox 4 Gauge Amplifier Kit. It comes with everything you need to improve the sound quality of your car stereo.
You get a 2.5 Farad Digital Capacitor, which offers a 2500-Watt peak power rating. It also features a digital display so that you can view things like the charge level and voltage.
The package includes a copper-clad aluminum power wire and ground wire, as well as a protective wire. You also get installation accessories, so you can set up the capacitor when you get it.
Also, the set includes the terminals and wires you need to set everything up. It’s a great option if you want to add extra power to your amplifier as well as use a capacitor.
Our Final Grade: A
Pros
- Cables won’t oxidize
- Easy to install
- Protects car battery
Cons
- Not the highest quality option
4. Planet Audio PC10F 10 Farad Car Capacitor
The Planet Audio PC10F 10 Farad Car Capacitor is a solid choice for anyone who needs a lot of extra power.
This capacitor can handle a working voltage up to 16 volts, and it can surge up to 24 volts. It will send out an audible warning if it experiences reverse polarity, low battery voltage or a voltage overload.
The 3-digit display shows the voltage, and the blue display is easy to see. You can make sure the capacitor is operating as it should, so you can ensure everything is safe.
It has a voltage accuracy of 0.1 volts, and the capacitance tolerance is + or – 10 percent. The capacitor is also pretty hefty as it weighs about five pounds. It measures 9.5 inches by 6.4 inches by 2.5 inches.
The capacitor works for stereo systems that have 2000 watts, and you can use it with higher-powered systems. Regardless of the power, the capacitor will turn off when you turn off your car.
Our Final Grade: A
Pros
- Includes resistor for charging
- Works well
- Very powerful
Cons
- Possible quality control issues
- Doesn’t always charge
5. BOSS Audio Systems CAP8 Car Capacitor
The BOSS Audio Systems CAP8 Car Capacitor offers many fantastic features, such as a voltage display and the ability to work with lots of power.
This capacitor uses working voltage up to 16 volts, and it can handle surges up to 24 volts. It uses a 3-digit digital LED display to show the voltage, and it is accurate to 0.1 + or – the volts.
The capacitor will use an audible alert if there’s low voltage or a voltage overload as well as if there’s reverse polarity. It also features a capacitance rating of about 10 percent.
You also don’t have to worry about turning off the capacitor because it will go to sleep automatically when the voltage is low or doesn’t vary. It’s easy to fit almost anywhere because it measures 9 inches by 6 inches by 20 inches, and it weighs about 5.3 pounds.
The CAP8 model has 8 Farad for the power, but you can also get this capacitor with 2, 3.5, 4 and 30 Farad. Then, you can get the power you need to keep the lights from dimming when listening to music.
Our Final Grade: A
Pros
- Keeps lights from dimming
- Charges well
- Great power
Cons
- Doesn’t last long
6. BULLZ AUDIO 2.2 Farad Capacitor
The BULLZ AUDIO 2.2 Farad Capacitor is great for adding extra power to your personal vehicle’s sound system.
If you don’t need a ton of extra power, consider the BULLZ AUDIO 2.2 Farad Capacitor. It has a digital voltage display, so you can see how much power it’s using. You also get all of the accessories you need to set up the capacitor.
The device works with up to 12 volts of power, and it can increase the power of bass frequencies. However, it doesn’t come with a regulator or a resistor. Still, you can get everything to run relatively quickly.
If you don’t have much experience, you may want to ask a professional to install the device for you. Then, you can make sure everything works smoothly.
It can work well with minor voltage drops, but you may need something more powerful for more significant changes.
Our Final Grade: A
Pros
- Keeps headlights from dimming
- Works consistently
- Great value
Cons
- Lights up at random times
- Won’t always charge
7. Belva 2.0 Farad Power Capacitor
The Belva 2.0 Farad Power Capacitor features warning sounds and offers the boost of power your sound system needs.
This capacitor uses 10 to 16 volts of power, and it runs on systems with up to 2000 watts. It uses audible warning indicators to let you know when something is wrong, so you can make changes.
The device also uses an automatic shutoff feature to protect the device and your car. You can use the ring terminals to connect almost any gauge of wire.
To charge the capacitor, you can slide the circuit board into the screws. It takes about a minute to charge up to 13 volts. However, you don’t get a ton of accessories along with the capacitor.
Our Final Grade: A-
Our Final Grade:
Pros
- Works as designed
- Good price
- Keeps lights from dimming
Cons
- Doesn’t hold a charge
- Quality control issues reported
8. Stinger SPC505 Pro Hybrid Capacitor
The Stinger SPC505 Pro Hybrid Capacitor is great for getting a clear, loud bass response from your car sound system.
If you don’t need a ton of power but want a little more than average, consider the Stinger SPC505 Pro Hybrid Capacitor. It works like a battery and capacitor combo, and it’s suitable for systems with up to 1000 watts.
The capacitor can keep your headlights from dimming, and it can also stabilize the battery. It can handle up to 16 to 18 volts of surge power, and you can use it to monitor the system voltage.
There’s a bright LED display that you can use to check on the power, and you can use 0 or 4 gauge wires. It also looks sleek, so it can fit in with any car, which is nice since it’s about 11 inches long. The capacitor is also 3.7 inches by 8.9 inches, and it weighs 3.2 pounds.
You can use all four terminals so that you don’t have to put two wires into a single one. However, you can still use the same wires you would for other capacitors.
Our Final Grade: A-
Pros
- Works well
- Holds and releases charge well
- Fits under the passenger seat
Cons
- Can be hard to set up
- Not as powerful as claimed
9. NVX True 1.0 Farad 20V Digital Capacitor
NVX’s True 1.0 Farad 20V Digital Capacitor can increase your car stereo sound quality while maintaining the brightness of your lights.
The NVX True 1.0 Farad 20V Digital Capacitor has a built-in distribution block that you can use to connect multiple systems to the capacitor. It comes with a mounting bracket that makes it easy to install securely.
There are also screw terminals that you can use to connect the power/ground cables. Then, you don’t need to call in a professional to install it.
Whenever you have a lot of bass in a song, the device will keep your lights from dimming. If you want to listen to loud music at night, it can help you see by maintaining the lights.
It’s a true 1.0-Farad capacitor, so it offers better performance than other models. The capacitor has many electrical conductors, and it can handle stereos up to 1200 watts. It also improves the overall peak performance of your stereo, for bass and all frequencies.
The capacitor measures 12.8 inches by 9.65 inches by 4.33 inches, so it’s not too big. You can also use it with a separate battery if you need more power than the capacitor can offer.
Our Final Grade: A-
Pros
- Great quality
- Easy to install
- Keeps power consistent
Cons
- Might require extra power
- Not for lacking amperage
FAQ
If you’re still trying to decide on the best car audio capacitor for you, you may have some concerns. Before you choose one, you should make sure it will do what you need it to and that it has enough power.
Consider these other common questions to ask before you buy your next car audio capacitor.
Why Do You Need a Car Audio Capacitor?
One of the main reasons people install a car audio capacitor is their headlights. When you’re playing music with a lot of bass frequencies, vthe power can affect how bright your headlights are.
If you want to avoid unnecessary dimming, a capacitor can provide excess power to your stereo. Then, you can still see the road and listen to your favorite songs.
Can You Install a Capacitor Yourself?
Many capacitors come with instructions, so you can install them yourself. However, if you don’t have much experience, you should ask for a professional. They can install the capacitor and hook everything up correctly.
Because of that, you will have a lower risk of the device short-circuiting or developing other problems. If you decide not to hire someone, make sure you follow the instructions and take it slowly as you connect the capacitor to your sound system.
How Can You Choose the Best Car Audio Capacitor for You?
Choosing the best car audio capacitor can be difficult because it usually comes down to your needs. If you don’t need a ton of extra power, you can choose a capacitor with a lower Farad rating.
Farads are the unit of power that shows the capacitor’s capacitance level. A Farad is the amount of capacitance compared to how many volts of difference are applied across plates. It also relates to how electrons move from one plate to another.
A Farad states how much power the capacitor can transfer. So if you need more of a boost, you should look for a capacitor with more Farads.
You may also want to think about the size of the device. If you don’t have a big dash or much room in the passenger seat, you should look for a smaller capacitor. Similarly, you should also look at the weight and determine if there’s a good place for it in your car.
Is an Expensive Car Audio Capacitor Better?
You might also wonder if you should invest a lot of money into a capacitor. In some cases, a more expensive model will have the power you need for your sound system. However, you don’t need the most expensive option to get the results you want.
Consider how much power you need and how dim your lights currently get. Then, you can determine if you need a more powerful model or not.
Also, you should think about how much you want to spend on the device. You don’t want to spend more than you can afford, even if it’s on the best car audio capacitor. Instead, try to find a balance between cost and quality.
Boost Your Sound
Choosing the best car audio capacitor can be difficult, so consider everything from your budget to how much power you want. Think about where you plan to put the device and if you’ll need help installing it.
Some capacitors are easy to hook up, while others require more work. And unless you have some tools already, you may want to consider a kit that comes with all of the accessories you need.
Whatever capacitor you choose, you can expect it to improve the sound quality of your stereo, and you won’t have to worry about your headlights dimming during a big bass drop.
