A high-performance cold air intake kit that provides horsepower gain.
A rotationally-molded aftermarket performance air intake system.
A high-quality intake made from from aerospace-grade aluminum.
An intake that works with OEM computer systems to improve the engine.
A quality cold air intake system that improves torque by 6 to 8 percent.
Cold air intakes are one of the most popular car modifications to improve your engine’s overall performance. Most cold air intakes are relatively easy to install as the installation process only requires simple tools, while the process as a whole typically only takes an hour or so. As is standard for our review team, we took an unbiased approach to formulate our list of the best cold air intakes.
Cold air intakes are specific to the vehicle you drive, but Ram, Chevy Silverado, GMC, and Toyota Tacoma drivers need not worry as the recommended cold air intakes below will work on your vehicle. The list above is not an exhaustive list as there are many different cars and off-road vehicles that our recommended intake systems will fit on.
5 Best Cold Air Intakes
- Dyno-Tested: Spectre Performance Air Intake Kit
- High Air Flow: K&N Cold Air Intake Kit
- Great Warranty: Injen Technology SP1121P Polished Intake System
- Quality Construction: AF Dynamic Black Air Intake Filter System
- Reusable Filter: Ares Motorsports Cold Air Intake System
Our Review Standards
To select the cold air intakes featured in this buyers guide, our team first combed through dozens of resources such as DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer and cold air intake-specific websites, instruction manuals from manufacturers, and reviews from online retailers. We pay particularly close attention to quality reviews and recommendations that highlight the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability.
We also factored in the quantity and quality of online retailer reviews from websites such as Amazon, RealTruck, Advance Auto Parts, and more. We looked at factors such as standout customer reviews, prices, meaningful superlatives, and discount shipping eligibility.
Why You Can Trust Us
Since 2020, we have published over 200 auto product reviews in an effort to make shopping for auto products easier. Our team of writers, editors, researchers, and product experts collaborates to thoroughly vet top products. We try to perform in-house testing on real vehicles whenever possible before making our recommendations.
When testing is not feasible, however, our aim is to make your life easier by doing all the online research for you and presenting that research in the form of easy-to-read product comparisons and buyers guides, rather than outright recommendations. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
Cold Air Intakes Buyers Guide
Cold air intakes are one of the most popular car modifications around and for good reason. Cold air intakes offer a range of benefits, but unfortunately, they’re not universally street-legal. Knowing whether you’re safe to install a cold air intake is imperative, while knowledge of the different types of air intake systems and what cold air intakes do for your vehicle could be useful when making a purchasing decision.
Legality Concerns
Cold air intakes are not street-legal in every state. Cold air intakes are illegal for sale or street use in any state that has adopted California Emissions Standards under Section 177 of the Federal Clean Air Act of 1970. For an intake system to be legal on a specific vehicle, the part must be granted a California Air Resources Board Executive Order (CARB EO) number.
CARB EO numbers only make a part legal on a specific vehicle make and model for a specific year (or years). To satisfy smog inspection requirements, the CARB EO number must be displayed in the engine bay of your vehicle. The following states below have outlawed cold air intakes:
- Arizona
- California
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia (D.C.)
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
Types of Air Intake Systems
There are three main types of air intake systems: cold air intake systems, short ram air intakes, and ram air intakes. Each type of air intake system has its own benefits and drawbacks, but it’s easy to get the three mixed up in your head.
- Cold air intakes: This type of air intake features a longer tube than its counterparts with an air filter positioned on the front end. Due to the filter being mounted further from the engine block itself, it is able to draw cooler air and therefore produce more power.
- Short ram air intakes: This type of air intake features shorter air tubes than the other types of air intake systems. As the filter is close to the engine, it won’t draw in as cool of air as cold air intakes. However, this type of air intake has the advantage of fitting in tighter spaces.
- Ram air intakes: This type of air intake collects air from high-pressure areas at the front of the vehicle. Unlike cold air intakes, the air filter is positioned at the back of the engine rather than at the front of the tube.
#1 Dyno-Tested: Spectre Performance Air Intake Kit
The Spectre Performance Air Intake Kit is designed to increase horsepower and torque, as it is dyno-tested with up to 50 percent more airflow than factory box air filters and intake pipes. By improving throttle response, this cold air intake improves acceleration and uphill performance when towing. This cold air intake will also protect your engine from contaminants and debris.
According to the manufacturer, you won’t have to worry about cleaning your filter for up to 100,000 miles. To further protect your engine from contaminants, this cold air intake filter features an advanced oiled synthetic filter. A black powder-coated heat shield helps prevent warm air from the engine bay from entering the intake inlet.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $200
- Advanced oiled synthetic filter
- Up to 50 percent more airflow than factory parts
- Improved uphill performance when towing
What Customers Are Saying
RealTruck Review Score: 4.1 out of 5 based on over 40 reviews
Reviewers rave over the Spectre Performance Air Intake Kit and many customers comment on how good this cold air intake looks. One man comments on how much better his 2020 Jeep Gladiator sounds with this kit installed. Several customers note the value for money of this cold air intake kit.
#2 High Air Flow: K&N Cold Air Intake Kit
The K&N Cold Air Intake Kit improves your vehicle’s engine sound and acceleration, as well as uphill performance when towing. The manufacturer claims that you won’t need to clean your filter for up to 100,000.0 miles in the product description and all K&N air filters are washable and reusable. It should be noted that this product comes with a 10-year/1,000,000.0-mile limited warranty.
The high-flow air filter that’s featured on this cold air intake increases horsepower, provides outstanding filtration, and is made from K&N’s non-oiled Dryflow Synthetic media. It’s an easy installation to replace your factory air box and installing this cold air intake is something that your average automotive enthusiast would be able to accomplish in an hour or less with simple hand tools. The mandrel-bent aluminum intake tube featured on this cold air intake offers 50 percent more airflow than OEM intake systems.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $300
- Air filter made from K&N’s non-oiled Dryflow Synthetic media
- Offers 50 percent more airflow than OEM systems
- Improves engine sound
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.7 out of 5 based on over 575 reviews
Customers say the K&N Cold Air Intake Kit is easy to install and doesn’t negatively affect their vehicle’s gas mileage. One woman claims she’s trusted K&N replacement filters for years, but this is the first time she’s invested in a performance upgrade kit. She says this cold air intake kit has exceeded all of her expectations.
#3 Great Warranty: Injen Technology SP1121P Polished Intake System
The Injen Technology SP1121P Polished Intake System is backed by Injen Technology’s limited lifetime warranty. This cold air intake is constructed from aerospace-quality aluminum to improve corrosion resistance and save weight. Overall, this cold air intake is designed for the greatest horsepower and torque improvements possible.
The cold air intake features Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welded hardware and adaptors while the majority of the intake system is made from aluminum. Filter elements are constructed from surgical cotton gauze, which is precisely oiled to maintain consistent colder airflow and prevent obstructions to the intake system. The cold air intake also features Injen’s patented MegaRam (MR) technology and Air Fusion technology.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $400
- TIG-welded hardware and adaptors
- Constructed from aerospace-quality aluminum
- Features Injen’s patented MR and Air Fusion technology
What Customers Are Saying
RealTruck Review Score: 4.8 out of 5 based on over 25 reviews
Customers love the Injen Technology SP1121P Polished Intake System. Reviewers speak to its easy installation, great sound, and high quality. Several customers remark on the noticeable jump in horsepower they felt after installation. One man speaks on the improved throttle response he now feels in his vehicle.
#4 Quality Construction: AF Dynamic Black Air Intake Filter System
Using solely top-quality stainless steel button head bolts, washers, locknuts, and band clamps, the AF Dynamic Black Air Intake Filter System doesn’t settle for low-quality materials during the construction process. This kit comes complete with a high-flow air filter and an aluminum heat shield with an insulation mat. The reflective insulation mat material when added to the heat shield will further reduce intake temperatures and heat soak from the engine compartment.
The cold air intake works with OEM computer systems to help the engine more efficiently draw in cooler air, which in turn results in better throttle response, consistently higher horsepower output, improved fuel economy, and all-around better engine performance. This intake system comes with everything needed for installation. It should be noted that no cutting, drilling, or fabrication is required during the installation process.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $200
- Works with OEM computer systems
- Improves fuel economy
- Features reflective insulation mat and heat shield
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.2 out of 5 based on over 70 reviews
Customers say the AF Dynamic Black Air Intake Filter System fits well, looks good, and sounds good. One reviewer with negative feedback claims this cold air intake kit sounds good, but the heat shield doesn’t fit. Other negative reviews speak to the included instructions not being clear.
#5 Reusable Filter: Ares Motorsports Cold Air Intake System
The Ares Motorsports Cold Air Intake System works with OEM computer systems to help your engine draw in cool air resulting in improved throttle response and more explosive horsepower output. The heat shield kit featured on this cold air intake system improves filtration efficiency up to 95 percent, improves torque by 6 to 8 percent, and adds 5.0 to 10.0 horsepower.
This cold air intake system is easy to install with basic tools, and no additional parts are necessary for installation that aren’t already included in the box. Only high-quality silicone couplers, elbows, and hoses were used in the manufacturing process rather than cheap rubber. The high-flow air filter featured in this cold air intake system is both washable and reusable. It should be noted that a professional installation is highly recommended by the manufacturer.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $200
- Easy to install with basic tools
- Improves torque by 6 to 8 percent
- Improves filtration efficiency up to 95 percent
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on over 30 reviews
Customers say the Ares Motorsports Cold Air Intake System provides a big step up in exhaust noise. Those with negative feedback complain that there aren’t any included directions, but YouTube videos are incredibly helpful.
Cold Air Intake: Bottom Line
Cold air intakes are designed to improve engine performance in your vehicle. Cold air intakes are an aftermarket product, and it’s important to select the right intake system that is compatible with your vehicle. Cold air intakes enhance your engine performance by increasing horsepower and responsiveness when accelerating.
They can also boost your fuel economy, saving you money on gas. This buyers guide serves as a tool to provide you with all the information if you are looking to buy and install a cold air intake system in your vehicle.
Cold Air Intakes At A Glance
| Cost | Tube Construction | |
|---|---|---|
| Spectre Performance Air Intake Kit | $200 – $270 | Aluminum |
| K&N Cold Air Intake Kit | Around $350 | High-density polyethylene |
| Injen Technology SP1121P Polished Intake System | $300 – $450 | Aluminum |
| AF Dynamic Black Air Intake Filter System | Around $200 | Stainless steel |
| Ares Motorsports Cold Air Intake System | Around $200 | Aluminum |
Best Cold Air Intake: FAQ
*Data accurate at time of publication.