10 Best Cold Air Intake
The best cold air intakes in this review and buying guide will help you find the right one for your car in minutes, so you can avoid hours of research. The worst thing about driving a car is when it’s too hot or too cold to turn on the AC or heat.
Installing a cold air intake not only boosts performance but also helps with the temperature inside your vehicle. If you’re tired of wasting gas money and time because your A/C can’t keep up, then read through this article before making any purchase decisions!
Top 10 Best Cold Air Intake
Here is a list of our top ten best cold air intakes that should help you make the right decision.
1. K&N 69-3531TS Air Intake
$349.99
The K&N 69-3531TS is considered to be one of the best cold air intake systems on the market. This model comes with three different intakes: dry, oiled and washable. K&N promises that this air intake system will provide noticeable increases in horsepower, torque and throttle response without sacrificing fuel economy.
Features:
- Constructed from high-quality materials
- Comes with three different intakes
The cold air intake doesn’t come cheap, but it’s still a great choice for anyone looking to add a boost of power and efficiency to their car. The only downside is that you’ll have to purchase the inlet tube separately.
It may seem expensive at first, but with increased horsepower and torque as well as better fuel economy, this is probably the best cold air intake for you.
Best Things About K&N 69-3531TS
Includes 3 different intakes for any driving situation Easy to install Increases horsepower, torque and throttle response without sacrificing fuel economy
What’s Bad About K&N 69-3531TS
Expensive, but it’s worth the cost Requires separate purchase of inlet tube Not compatible with older cars or trucks that had some mods done
2. Cartman Universal Clamp-On Engine Air Filter
If you’re on a budget, then consider purchasing an universal Cold Air Intake Filter, which is one of the best cold air intakes under 100 dollars. The Cold Air will help you unlock hidden power by giving your engine the ability to breathe more easily. This system bolts right in without any modification required at all.
Features:
- High-quality airflow filter
- Increases power by allowing more air to be pushed into the engine
- Removes heat from air for an even cooler environment
The Cold Air Intake Filter is a great option for anyone who wants to save money, but doesn’t want to settle for subpar performance. The carbon fiber box can give you up to 15 horsepower and 18 ft/lbs of torque!
Best Things About Cold Air Intake Filter
Easy to install Can be installed within minutes Invisible heat shield Awesome performance for its price range Provides cool air to the engine
What’s Bad About Cold Air Intake Filter
Not compatible with cars that have superchargers or turbochargers Connecting hoses are not included May take time to install
3. Injen Technology - SP short ram intake system
The Injen Sp Series is a great choice for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on a cold air intake. The filter itself won’t cost more than 30 dollars, and it’ll provide both power and efficiency gains at a budget-friendly price point.
Features:
- Efficient filter design
- No modifications are required to install (bolts right in)
- Increases torque and horsepower by up to 10% compared to the stock intake
The Injen SP is not only easy on the wallet, but it will give you awesome increases in power performance. Installation takes all of five minutes, which makes this one of the best cold air intakes for the money.
Best Things About Injen SP
Bolts right in so no permanent modifications required Inexpensive Efficient filter design Provides up to 10% increase in horsepower and torque over stock intake system Gains noticeable power from 4,000 rpm to redline
What’s Bad About Injen SP
Only provides horsepower gains, not fuel economy or throttle response Doesn’t come with the entire intake system No heat shield.
4. K&N Cold Air Intake Kit
$299.99
If you’re looking for the best cold air intake system then the K&N High-Performance Cold Air Intake is perfect. It provides high levels of efficiency and power gains, which can be felt right away after installation. This kit comes with a heat shield to help protect it from engine heat, as well as an easy-to-install design that’s compatible with most cars and trucks.
Features:
- Urethane construction -Increases throttle response and torque
- The invisible heat shield included for maximum protection from engine heat
Increases torque and horsepower by up to 10% compared to stock intake Improves throttle response and fuel economy by as much as 18% over the factory air filter Removes heat from engine for cooler environment Includes lifetime airflow restriction replacement warranty
The K&N High-Performance Cold Air Intake Kit has a lot going for it, from its urethane construction to the heat shield. Installation only takes about half an hour, and you’ll notice gains in both power performance and throttle response. This is one of the best cold air intakes on the market today.
Best Things About K&N High-Performance Cold Air Intake Kit
Urethane resin construction increases airflow by as much as 37% compared to stock intake Faster throttle response Heat shield included for protection from engine heat Includes lifetime replacement warranty Extremely easy installation
What’s Bad About K&N High-Performance Cold Air Intake Kit
Doesn’t come with the entire kit – you will need to purchase a few items separately for a complete installation Expensive More power can be achieved with other products
5. aFe Power 54-22972-B Air Intake System
The AFE Dual Cold Air Intake System is one of the best cold air intakes on the market, providing you with huge gains in torque and horsepower. This kit is especially popular among those who drive diesel trucks, and it installs right in so you can enjoy a noticeable difference in power performance.
Features:
- Increases torque and horsepower by up to 15%
- Installs in 30 minutes or less
- No vehicle modifications required Includes heat shield for maximum protection from heat damage Improved throttle response and fuel economy
Increased airflow by as much as 42% compared to stock intake system Improves throttle response and fuel economy by up to 18% over the factory air filter Removes heat from engine for cooler environment Crafted from high-quality materials for durability
Best Things About AFE Dual Cold Air Intake Kit
Priced reasonably for the power gains it delivers Gains up to 15% increase in torque and horsepower Easy installation without any permanent modifications required Heat shield included for protection from engine heat Improved throttle response and fuel economy Removes heat from engine Provides huge power increases
What’s Bad About The AFE Dual Cold Air Intake Kit
Does not come with the entire kit – you will need to purchase a few items separately for a complete installation.
6. Spectre Universal Clamp-On Air Filter
The Spectre Car Intake Air Filter Replacement is one of the best cold air intake breather filters on the market. This filter sets itself apart from other replacement filters because it provides maximum filtering power for your engine while being easy to install and resistant to damage. You can use this filter with a wide range of vehicles, from SUVs to race cars.
Features:
- Increases airflow by as much as 25%
- High quality, washable and reusable design for maximum filtration power
- Long life span allows one filter to last for years without replacement – easy installation
Enhances throttle response and fuel economy Removes heat from engine Contains up to 99.3% dirt-trapping efficiency Improves power performance and acceleration
Best Things about Spectre Filter
Provides maximum filtration power for your engine – increases airflow by as much as 25% Long life span allows one filter to last for years without replacement Easy installation Made from premium materials
7. K&N Cold Air Intake Kit with Washable Air Filter
Features:
If you need an easy to install cold air intake for your Nissan Frontier, here’s the perfect kit. The K&N Cold Air Intake Kit with Washable Air Filter is one of the best cold air intakes on the market today due to its quick and easy installation process.
- Increases horsepower by up to 15%
- Increases torque by up to 11%
- Improves throttle response and fuel economy
It is no secret that people are always looking for the best way to make their vehicles more powerful. There are many ways to do this, but one of the most popular methods is by adding a cold air intake. Cold Air intake provide an increase in horsepower and torque by allowing fresh air into your engine rather than recirculated air from inside the cabin.
Best Things About K&N Cold Air Intake Kit with Washable Filter
The K&N Cold Air Intake Kit is priced affordably for most people’s budgets. This intake features a washable lifetime filter that will last you the life of your vehicle, meaning fewer replacements are needed during the installation process Installs quickly and easily in less than an hour.
Cold Air Intake Buying Guide
What are the benefits of an air intake filter?
Have you been looking for a way to increase horsepower and torque without spending too much money? A cold air intake is a perfect solution.
Cold Air intake provides an increase in horsepower and torque by allowing fresh air into your engine rather than recirculated air from inside the cabin. This new, cool air will help cool down your vehicle’s exterior while providing more power to get moving faster.
There are many benefits of owning a Cold Air Intake Kit for your car or truck: Some systems will cool your exterior to provide more power, while other kits work by giving you cleaner fuel with less resistance or drag against your engine. Not only can you achieve better airflow at your vehicle’s intake system, but some systems also provide heat protection to the exterior of your engine from the extreme temperatures you can get in some climates.
Things to Consider Before Buying Cold Air Intake
Before buying a cold air intake system, you need to consider several important factors. The most important factor is how much power do you want out of the cold air intake kit? Depending on your response to this question, you will have different options available to you.
You should also think about the number of bolt-on mods that your vehicle already has before purchasing a cold air intake system. This will help you narrow down the type of kit that you need for your vehicle, as well as how much power to expect out of it. Also, think about whether or not an air filter is necessary, and if so what kind should you buy?
Take all these factors into consideration when purchasing a cold air intake system, and you are sure to have the maximum power available out of your current vehicle.
What Should You Look for in an Air Intake Kit?
Here are some of the most important factors to consider when shopping for an air intake kit.
Specific Vehicle custom design:
One of the most important factors to consider when shopping for an air intake kit is that it is specifically designed for your vehicle. This means that the manufacturer has done a great deal of research and engineering to make sure that their product works with your specific vehicle. The more tailored an air intake kit is, the better it will perform overall on your car.
Durability :
You also need to think about the durability of an air intake kit. This is especially true if it is made out of plastic instead of metal. This will help you determine how long it will last before you need to replace it, as well as how much maintenance it will require throughout its lifetime.
Cold air intake style:
You also need to think about the style of air intake kit you wish to purchase. Some intake systems are designed for cold air intake, while others allow your car to breath more efficiently without actually cooling the air as a cold air intake system would.
Air filter:
Another important factor is what kind of filter or filters come with an air intake kit? If you purchase one that incorporates an air filter, it should be either washable or reusable. Washable filters are easier to clean and maintain than replaceable ones since they can just be cleaned in your washing machine. It is important to decide if the extra cost of replaceable filters will work for your needs before purchasing an air intake kit with that feature.
Ease of Installation:
One of the most important factors to any consumer is how easy an item is to install and use. Make sure that you review what others have said about the ease of installation, what tools you need for setup, and whether or not it will include a detailed step-by-step guide to help you complete your task. If there are many things to consider before installing an air intake kit, you should probably look for another one.
Price:
You also need to think about the price of an air intake system. This will help you determine how much money you are willing to spend on your purchase, as well as whether or not it fits into your budget.
Filtering Dust and Dirt:
You may also want to consider how effective an air intake kit is at filtering dust and dirt. This will help you decide if the cleaning process will be easy or tedious, as well as what kind of maintenance you need to do regularly.
Are Air Intake Filters Difficult To Install?
Although there is a wide variety of Cold Air Intake Kits out there, most are fairly easy to install. Some systems will work with any make and model vehicle while others only work with specific makes and models – but both usually come with step-by-step installation manuals.
If you are not concerned about noise levels, classic air intakes tend to be very easy to install – usually only requiring the removal of the factory intake system and replacing it with a new one. However, if noise is an issue, then you should consider looking into turbo style intakes that place the filter inside the vehicle and away from prying eyes.
FAQs
What is the best cold air intake kit for cars?
Some of the best cold air intake kits are made by Cold Air Inductions. Their designs help your vehicle perform at its maximum potential without creating any additional strain or wear on your engine. They have kits for most vehicles, including Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Jeep, and many more popular car brands.
What is the difference between an air intake system and an air filter?
An air intake system is a more complex piece of technology that can help your vehicle perform at its maximum potential. A cold air intake kit, for example, will cool the exterior of your engine to provide extra power via forced or cold airflow. Air filters are primarily used to filter out dirt and dust particles from getting into your engine. These two systems are not the same, and they do have different purposes.
What kind of car is best for cold air intake?
Cold air intake kits work with a variety of different engines, but they can typically be found on sports cars or large engine vehicles such as trucks and SUVs. They will usually provide more power, give your engine a smoother ride, and help you save money on gas.
Final Thoughts:
Air intake kits are an essential component for providing your engine with the best performance possible. We’ve reviewed some of the top cold air intakes to help you decide which one is right for you and your vehicle. Whether you want a kit that cools your exterior or filters out dust, we have something to suit all needs.
Let us know if there is anything else we can do to make sure that our readers find what they need in this article!