Top10 reviews of the most powerful cold air intake systems

You know the days when you’re overworked, and your boss keeps on winding your keys up to get the most out of you?

Well, I’m not trying to make boss-jokes over here, but clearly, this situation does not result in increased productivity or efficiency.

And if you feel wronged right now, take a look at your poor car engine and tell me that you’re not doing the same to it.

Vehicular engines need cold breaths of fresh air as much as we do and we can’t really judge them for not being human.

A cold air intake system takes in cooler and denser air packed with more oxygen molecule into the engine for a higher combustion rate that increases its power, efficiency, and overall performance.

And in this article, we have reviewed some best cold air intake brands that could help you improve your vehicle’s health and longevity.

So, read on to know all about it!

Best air intake systems 2024

1. Airaid
2. K&N Cold Air Intake
3. HPS Performance Products
4. Mopar
5. BBK Performance
6. AEM Automotive
7. Spectre Performance
8. Burger Motorsport
9. Injen Technology
10. aFe Power

1. Airaid

Image	Model
	Airaid 453-265 AIRAID MXP Series	Check Price
	Airaid 352-210	Check Price
	Airaid 251-230 SynthaMax	Check Price
	AIRAID 202-267 MXP	Check Price

When it comes to cold air intake for your vehicle’s engine, you know you can’t go wrong with Airaid of all brands. Airaid was founded in the year 1997 and has grown to be a reputed name since then.

The cold air intakes from the brand are one of the best out there on the market. They run on the power principle which demonstrates that when your engine breathes in cold air, it produces more horsepower and torque.

Since cold air is denser than hot air and packs more oxygen molecules, it achieves a higher combustion rate for your engine which equals more power.

The Airaid Intake Systems replace your car’s restrictive factory air box with a computer designed CAD or Cold Air Drum. It separates the Airaid premium filter from the hot engine compartment and supplies the unit with plenty of cool air, during the process.

Airaid Intake Systems are mostly smog-legal and use up factory mounting points for installation. These are manufactured using quality material and come with the brand’s Lifetime “No-Hassle” Warranty.
Pros

• Fine quality material
• Satisfactory overall performance
• Comes with warranty

Cons

• Installation isn’t that easy

2. K&N Cold Air Intake

Image	Model
	K&N 63-3082	Check Price
	K&N Engineering 71-3070 Multi Performance	Check Price
	K&N 57-2556	Check Price
	K&N Engineering 77-1563KP	Check Price
	K&N 57-3058	Check Price
	K&N 57-1542	Check Price

K&N manufactures air intakes and other aftermarket performance products using quality materials and has been a popular and reputable brand in the field for a while now.

K&N offers a wide range of air intakes from short air, ram air and air charger ones to even inexpensive units with not much difference in quality.

The cold-air intakes from this brand reduce the intake restriction and let more air to be inhaled into the air filter that is more in volume than the stock air intake, which in turn results in increased acceleration and horsepower.

The air-intake units also include numerous microscopic strands of the intricately designed filter that repels water and dirt from entering into the unit. Some of the models like the 63-3082 contain a chrome-topped high-flow air filter that ensures a consistent flow of cool air into the engine.

Also, the intakes come with a with a red filter that works as a tracking agent which traps and holds contaminants. All of these combined, help to improve engine efficacy and decrease the stuttering noise that emanates because of a faulty system.
Pros

• Comes with a washable and reusable cotton gauze filter
• Nice range and variations of cold-air intake systems
• Crosslink nylon intake tube keeps the airflow cool

Cons

• Certain models do not have CARB approval and hence, are not legal to use in California

3. HPS (HPS Performance Products)

Image	Model
	HPS Performance 837-508BL	Check Price
	HPS 27-533R Red Shortram	Check Price
	HPS Performance 827-122R	Check Price

HPS Performance Product was established in 2007 and has cemented itself as one of the leading manufacturers of aftermarket performance products and silicone hoses.

The HPS Cold Air Intake Systems features the brand’s signature reinforced silicone hoses. This ensures durability and reliable high performance during extreme driving condition.

These come equipped with a conical air filter that provides an increased surface area and dust capacity. The extra surface facilitates even more airflow at lower restriction, even more than a standard filter that is meant to be of the size of the factory air box.

It is constructed of lightweight mandrel-bent aluminum alloy piping which facilitates optimum airflow. This delivers cool and dense air into the engine that causes an intense internal explosion in the vehicle’s combustion chamber. This results in more horsepower and torque in the low and mid-range rpm.
Pros

• Designed for high performance
• Washable and reusable air filter
• Bolt-on design for easy installation

Cons

• Won’t give a power boost

4. Mopar

Image	Model
	Mopar 77070052	Check Price
	Mopar 77060006AB	Check Price
	Mopar 77070023AD	Check Price
	Mopar 77070048	Check Price

For the connoisseurs in the field of high-performance automobile experience, Mopar stands not only as a trusted name but as a benchmark and an index for high-quality service.

Since the 50’s, Mopar has been one brand that has earned its reputation for catering to the services of muscle cars like Dodge Dart and Plymouth Barracuda HEMI.

It features a bolt-on design that allows the cool outside air to pass through a directional cone filter and funnel and directly into intake unit. The kit increases horsepower and torque considerably even under inconsistent atmospheric conditions.

The intake system comes equipped with a dry media and washable and reusable dry media filter that accelerates the engine’s efficacy and longevity. It is easy to install and includes all the necessary hardware with a simple and understandable users’ manual.

The only thing about this intake is that it is pretty loud, but that can hardly be a deal-breaker when you’re getting a high HP boost and increased engine acceleration.
Pros

• Satisfactory finish, performance, and service.
• Manufactured using high-quality materials and parts
• CARB approved

Cons

• Can be pretty expensive
• Indefinite fuel consumption

5. BBK Performance

Image	Model
	BBK 1737	Check Price
	BBK 17375	Check Price
	BBK 1835	Check Price
	BBK 1556	Check Price

BBK was founded in 1988 by Brian and Ken Murphy who personally designed their very first products. The company is mainly focused on providing parts for the modern cars and offer a wide variety of gears and accessories including high-quality cold air intake systems.

The BBK Cold Air Intake Systems are Dyno tested to produce around 7-21 extra Horsepower on an average (it depends on the kind of vehicle you’re using it in). It is lightweight and made of aluminum that builds up on your cold air intake unit and allows more of it to enter the air filter.

It features a conical cotton gauze which inhales dense and pure cold air, separating it from other impurities. This increases the combustion rate and results in more horsepower and increased engine acceleration and efficiency.

The brand designs its products keeping the requirements for sport and race cars in mind This is why the cold air intake systems like all the other products from the brand give you a reliable and high-performance experience even under extreme conditions.
Pros

• Easy and swift installation
• Reputable customer service
• Comes with a warranty period of one year

Cons

• Material could have been better

6. AEM Automotive

Image	Model
	AEM 21-744C	Check Price
	AEM 21-678C	Check Price
	AEM 21-548B	Check Price
	AEM 21-732C	Check Price
	AEM-21-8128DC	Check Price
	AEM 21-513P	Check Price
	AEM 21-8311DC Brute Force	Check Price

The AEM Automotive is brand dedicated to manufacturing standard gear and accessories for different kinds of heavy duty automobile requirements.

The cold air intake systems are manufactured from high-density polyethylene and aluminum. This ensures more power for your vehicle. The short ram air intakes are designed to fit inside the engine compartment.

The ‘Brute Force’ truck air intakes of these systems are specially designed for the conventional and popular trucks, certain muscle cars and SUVs for increasing horsepower and torque in larger engine units.

The ‘Brute Force HD’ diesel intakes are designed for diesel engines in late models, that provide longer time periods between services for high power and torque. The Dual Chamber air intakes optimize acceleration and increase horsepower and torque. And, the hybrid air intakes are specially created for Hondas, especially the Accord.

One of the unique features of this brand is that it makes an electronically tuned intake system. This allows the mass air sensor to adjust itself for proper and accurate air density for further increased HP and torque.
Pros

• Nice results
• Made from standard quality material
• Unique mass air sensor

Cons

• Can be expensive

7. Spectre Performance

Image	Model
	Spectre Performance SPE-9951	Check Price
	Spectre Performance SPE-9900	Check Price
	Spectre Performance SPE-9918B	Check Price
	Spectre Performance 9932K	Check Price
	Spectre Performance SPE-9944	Check Price

Spectre Performance, founded in 1983 by Amir Rosenbaum, is a brand that offers a range of cold air intake systems and other automobile parts for a range of different vehicles. The brand specializes in both universal and specific parts to increase their range of products.

The cold air intake system from this brand include a high flow air filter that is designed to capacitate a high volume of cold air into the unit. This leads to higher rates of internal implosion and combustion generating a high amount of power, adding up horsepower and torque to the vehicle.

The brand is known to achieve high grades on looks and produces rather handsome looking gears equipped with red, blue and black high-performance air filters.

The Spectre air intake installation could be easily carried out due to its direct bolt-on design for the stock intake system.
Pros

• Stylish designs
• High-performance air filter
• Easy installation

Cons

• The material of the hardware components can be flimsy

8. Burger Motorsport

The Burger Motorsport Performance provides an affordable solution to automobile requirements. The air intakes of this brand include a cold air duct and a lightweight heat shielding airbox bottom.

These parts of the unit maintain the temperature of the cool air and prevent it from getting warm on contact with the adjacent heated parts of the vehicle’s engine unit. The air intake systems also come with a high flow ducting and standard inverted conical air-filters to match the rest of the accessories.

These air intake systems add tremendous power to the engine and increase the engine efficiency. What we did like about this brand that it conducted a thorough test of the product, where it was found that the BMS system freed up a degree of power turbo spool speed that achieved a significant sound improvement.

In the Dyno testing, the air intakes were found to add over 10 units of HP to the wheels at 25 psi per boost levels.

Pros

• Easy and fully reversible installation
• Easy to clean
• Improves the throttle response
• Provided energy boosts

Cons

• Quite expensive

9. Injen Technology

Image	Model
	Injen Technology RD1482P	Check Price
	Injen Technology SP1993BLK	Check Price
	Injen Technology SP2117BLK	Check Price
	Injen Technology SP2110P	Check Price
	Injen Technology SP1431P	Check Price

This is a company that specializes in the manufacturing of almost all types of performance-related automobile parts. Injen Technology began by specializing in cold air intake systems itself and later widened the range of its product.

It offers tuned air intake systems and also, power-on-demand air intake systems that includes removable pre-filters.

The cold air intake systems are designed to have a special MR Technology and Air Fusion. The MR Technology is designed after their thorough experience in cold air induction, and it delivers the highest power gains with an optimal filter location, all the while maintaining a safe A/R ratio.

The Air Fusion is another one of Injen’s patented technology that stabilizes short term and long term fuel trim levels, which in turn helps in increasing the engine’s efficiency.

Also, the unit includes AMSOIL Dry nano-fiber performance filters that facilitate hassle-free maintenance and protective filtration and airflow, speeding up the air intake.
Pros

• Innovative technology
• Superior design
• Protective nanofiber filters
• Easy installation

Cons

• Quite Expensive

10. aFe Power

Image	Model
	aFe Power Momentum GT 54-72102	Check Price
	aFe Power Magnum FORCE 54-12092-1	Check Price
	aFe Power Magnum FORCE 51-12192	Check Price
	aFe TR-1001P Takeda	Check Price

aFe or Advanced Flow Engineering Power is a famous manufacturing brand of user-friendly performance parts for Jeeps, trucks, compact sports cars and other sports utility vehicles. This caters to the requirements of the present generation. The company’s website even allows you to design your own air filter.

As of now, the Company has designed three kinds of air filters, the specifications and details of which they have duly stated on their web page for the user’s information.

The cold air intake systems are manufactured using steel heat shields, intake tubes, and molded plastic airboxes. The filters are made using several layers of dry synthetic filtration media.

The stage 1 air intake models do the primary job of improving horsepower and increasing low torque gains with a significant increase in sound and are the least expensive. Stage 2 models provide a substantial increase in horsepower, a high rise in torque but not so much of an increase in the sound.

This can be the most expensive in the lineup.
Pros

• Powder coated heat shield
• Heat insulated roto molded plastic tube
• Satisfactory performance

Cons

• Installation problems might occur
• The sound can be too loud

Conclusion

Cold air intakes are very important for the health of your vehicle’s engine. It not only increases the performance, but it also helps to improve the efficiency and longevity of the car.

We hope we were able to provide you with a clear insight about the brands that could help you get the suitable air-intake system.

Top5 cold air intake systems for your car by Automechanicknows.com

1. BBK 1718 Cold Air Intake System

2. Skunk2 343-05-0100 Cold-Air Intake System

3. DC Sports CAI1207

4. Airaid 201-285 AIRAID

5. K&N Performance Air Intake