Replacing your car horn might not be something that you have ever considered but there are many reasons why we think this is a good idea. There is a good reason why a car has a horn and it’s not for annoying other drivers! A car horn is a safety measure and in some countries, it’s even illegal to drive without one. You need to think of a car horn as a mode of communication. How can you alert other drivers or pedestrians if you don’t have a horn? Shouting out of the window just isn’t going to cut it! If you have a car horn that isn’t loud enough then you’re literally putting your safety at risk. Not all car horns are made the same and when it comes to some makes and models, the sound just isn’t loud enough. If you are looking for a specific sound or an extra loud car horn then there are lots of car horns on the market which have different sounds. In this review, we have researched several loud car horns that are available to buy online and have listed our favorites. We have written a buying guide where we offer advice as to what to look out for when buying a car horn and we talk about laws surrounding car horn volumes.
The Best Loud Car Horns
1. HELLA Loud Car Horns
These loud car horns offer really good value for money and have a fantastic reputation as being some of the most powerful, loud horns on the market. The manufacturers says that they “look and sound like nothing else on the road” – aren’t you curious to hear how loud they are? We know we are! The loud car horn has been designed with a black coated metal body with a red protective grille for a stylish look and provide high quality performance. The horns are simple to install and come with mounting brackets and instructions for a fast install.
2. PIAA Superior Bass Horn
What we really liked about this loud horn set is that they are super easy to install. No complicated wiring or added fuses are necessary – just simply remove your old car horns, connect the power and ground to your new PIAA horns. These car horns give a loud, deep tone that is guaranteed to grab the attention of any nearby drivers and pedestrians and they boast an impressive 112 decibels. These twin tone (330 Hz and 400 Hz) horns make a great replacement for your factory horns and provide such a louder sound. There are three tones to choose from to suit your needs and they emit a nice deep tone that will alert drivers and pedestrians.
3. Zone Tech Single Trumpet Air Horn
If you’re looking for a super loud and powerful loud truck horn then this air horn might be the best option on our list. This loud horn is not only a good value for the money, but it provides 150 decibels of noise – ideal for boats, trucks, lorries and trains. This horn certainly means business! The noise from this horn can only be described as a very loud and bellowing sound which is simple to install. All hardware is included in the price – adding yet more value to this product. The horn is versatile and can be mounted onto any vehicle with 12V DC power available. It’s been manufactured from premium quality material and is weather resistant. This is a durable air horn with a nice appearance too – with its shiny chrome design.
4. Stebel Nautilus Compact Mini Air Horn
This electric air horn may be compact in size, but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in sound! This unique little car horn has a black ABS finish giving it strength and durability. If you’re looking for a loud car horn then this little beast can produce 139 decibels of sound. Not only is it loud but it has a pleasant harmonized sound too with twin 530Hz and 139Hz. It’s simple to install and has a water resistant compressor. You can use this will any vehicle (car, truck, boat, golf cart, motorcycle etc) with a 12V system.
5. FIAMM Freeway Blaster Low Note Horn
If you’re on a budget and looking for a low cost loud car horn then make sure you check this product out. The FIAMM AM80SX Low Note Horn features an aluminum coil motor with steel housing that is corrosion-resistant. This is a two terminal horn that can be installed in any vehicle with a 12V system. It’s perfect for UTVs, ATVs, motorcycles, trucks, and cars and produces 133 decibels of sound, so this is no quiet horn! The package is really good value for money and includes a universal mounting bracket, jumper wire, and female connectors. All horns have been tested for maximum performance and exceed SAE and OEM specifications.
6. Marco Super Loud Air Car Horn
While we admit that this product might not be the cheapest on our list, it’s certainly holds up when it comes to top quality. This super loud truck horn will emit 148 decibels and boasts immediate activation – meaning there’s zero time delay between the time you press the horn and the time it sounds. Making this one of the loudest and safest on our list. The trumpets feature an attractive design with black plated trumpets and two heavy-duty compressors. The company claims that there’s no maintenance required and we like the sound of that! This versatile product will fit any car, truck, or SUV with a 12V electrical system. All the hardware is included in the kit too.
7. Wolo Bad Boy Air Horn
You get great value for the money with this product which promises to be two times louder than a factory car horn – that’s a massive increase in decibels. This horn uses the latest air horn technology with a patented one-piece design that requires no hoses. You can install this air horn really easily and it mounts with just one bolt from the kit. The horn produces a powerful dual tone air horn sound that is super loud. It will fit any vehicle with a 12V electrical system and has been built with a heavy-duty maintenance-free compressor.
8. Super Loud Marco Tornado Compact Air Horn
This Marco car horn is a beast when it comes to sound. This compact air horn is capable of producing up to 151 decibels and has a powerful, loud sound which is comprised of two harmonized tones. You are sure to get the attention of any drivers or pedestrians whilst using this horn. The manufacturers have tested each product before it leaves the factory so you can feel safe in the knowledge that your horn meets all necessary standards. There is a two year limited warranty included too.
9. HELLA Disc Horn Kit
These super reliable disc horns are said to sound like nothing else on the road. Guaranteed for safety and sound, these horns make a reliable replacement for your factory horns. These loud car horns offer great value for money and an excellent price-performance ratio. If it’s high quality that you’re looking for, then this product won’t let you down. The kit includes one piece high tone horn (420Hz) and one piece low tone horn (350Hz). The company uses the latest acoustic technology to produce the best horns on the market.
Buying Guide & FAQ
If you’ve made the choice to buy a new car horn then you might find yourself a little overwhelmed by the large variety available on the market. Loud car horns vary in price, quality and volume. If you’re looking for a motorcycle horn then a train horn might be a little OTT…or maybe not, depending on your needs! Below we have written a guide which should help you decide what is the best car horn for your vehicle. We will talk about the benefits of changing your horn and answer your most commonly asked questions regarding car horn laws in the US and safe decibel levels. Whether you are a professional or a novice, our guide will help you through the process.
Keep reading to find out more…
What to Consider When Buying a Loud Car Horn
Below we have listed what we feel are the top priority features to look out for when buying a car horn:
- Suitability
What type of vehicle do you own and how loud do you need your horn to be? Are you wanting a nice harmonized sound or a loud meaty sound to alert fellow drivers of your presence? Think about your needs before you rush out and buy a loud car horn and make sure that it is 100% compatible with your vehicle before you take the plunge and buy. Most air horns are compatible with 12V electrical system but some may vary. Make sure you check the technical specifications and see if the product is suitable for your system.
- Decibels
Again, the type of vehicle that you will be installing the horn into is highly relevant to the type of horn that you buy. If you own a boat or large truck then you will likely need a louder horn that can produce the maximum amount of decibels. A smaller car or motorcycle will need less. Where do you drive or sail? Do you live in a neighborhood with older people or children? If so, you might want increased decibels for maximum safety.
- Price
Car horns vary in price and quality but as with most products, you get what you pay for. If you opt for the cheapest option then don’t be surprised if you don’t get the best sound.
- Ease of Installation
How easy is the car horn to install? Some require a lot more work than others so check the product specifications to see what exactly is involved. Will you need a professional or can you take on the job yourself. Consider this before buying the most complicated product on the market and therefore giving yourself extra costs.
Benefits of Owning an Air Horn
The horn on your car is a vital part of your driving experience and without it, you would be driving recklessly and may even be committing a crime as it’s illegal to drive without a horn in many countries and cities. Your car horn is a mode of communication to other drivers and pedestrians on the road. It’s also the best way to let your buddies know that you’re outside their house waiting for them, without having to leave the vehicle! Whether you need to replace your regular car horn or are simply looking for something a little louder, then an air horn makes a good replacement. An air horn is louder than a regular horn which means people are more likely to hear you and therefore react faster. Owning an air horn will not only give your vehicle a better sound, but it’s much safer too.
How to Install a Car Horn
Because there are many different types of car horns it may come as no surprise that there are also many different ways to install a car horn! Most of the best loud car horns come in a kit with hardware included so you can make an easy installation. The type of vehicle you drive will change the placement of the parts and mounting brackets. We don’t advise installing a new car horn unless you have a basic knowledge of mechanics, because you’ll need to be aware of the safe spots to drill holes and the best way to wire the system. All reputable car horns will come with full installation guides to help you through the process. If you are not entirely comfortable doing this yourself then get the help of a professional.
Loud Car Horns FAQs
Q: What is the law with car horns in the US?
Due to the nature of modern car horns – loud and often antisocial, there are certain laws that drivers must adhere to. Car horn laws differ from state to state which can make it difficult to know if your car horn is legal. Many US states have a 110 decibel limit for use on streets and most states stipulate that drivers cannot emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound! This is normally under 110 decibels. Train horns normally operate around 130 – 150 decibels so you might want to have this in mind before making a purchase. The best way to find out if your state has certain laws against your car horn is to check the relevant DMV or BMV website for your US state. Landing yourself a fine for using your car horn would absolutely suck!
Q: What is a horn switch?
A car horn switch or car horn button can usually be found mounted on the steering wheel or just to the side of the steering wheel. You will find most car horn switches in the center of your steering wheel. The horn switch is responsible for grounding the relay and allowing power to flow through the relay to the horn when depressed. If a horn switch is not working then it may not sound the horn which could be very dangerous as this is the way you communicate to other drivers and pedestrians.
Q: What is a safe decibel level?
As we mentioned in the FAQ section above, some US states have a law that says you can only use a car horn at a certain volume of decibels. Car horns tend to vary from 100 – 150 decibels. Humans talk around 60 decibels and garden machinery such as lawnmowers operate around 90 decibels and a rock concert will be around 120 decibels. It is thought that sound above 85 decibels is harmful if exposed for a prolonged period of time. Luckily with car horns, you will only ever hit the horn for a few seconds at the very most.
Q: How loud are air horns?
Air horns are designed to be loud as they are normally used by trucks and trains. These air horns are measured in decibels which indicate the volume. They work by using an air tank full of air that supplies pressure to the air horn. There is an end cap inside the air horn which houses a metal diaphragm, this then vibrates with pressure from the tank and emits a distinctive sound. A train or truck air horn will usually produce 150 decibels whereas car horns are usually lower in decibels. So your hearing remains intact!
Our Top Pick
Our favorite loud car horn from the list was the HELLA 003399801 Supertone 12V High Tone Twin Horn Kit. Not only is this a reputable brand with a great reputation for quality but we felt that this horn provided good value for money. This is a powerful horn with a super loud sound. The manufacturers says that they “look and sound like nothing else on the road” which makes us instantly want to install this into our vehicles. This is a 12V twin horn kit which means that it’s pretty versatile too and will be suitable for any vehicle with a 12V electrical system. We really liked the look of it too and liked the fact that it was easy to install.
