The 10 Best Shock Absorbers of 2021
Your vehicle will undergo all kinds of shaking and bouncing when on the road, but with the best shock absorbers, you will hardly notice any of it.
Shock absorbers are meant to absorb shock or dampen the ride to make it smoother. They work by dampening the shaking and bounce that come from the spring and tires, and by ensuring the chassis does not move according to these actions.
Like with most other vehicles parts, they get worn out at some point or even get damaged as a result of things like broken seals or leaking oil, and so you will need to change them.
Here we review 10 top-rated shock absorbers and also provide a handy buying guide to help with finding replacements for your vehicle.
10 Best Shock Absorbers – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Bilstein 5100 Series (Best Overall) | ||
 | 2. KYB Monomax Gas Shock (Best for Trucks & SUVs) | ||
 | 3. KYB Excel-G Gas Shock (Best Restoring Original Handling & Control Capabilities) | ||
 | 4. Monroe 911262 (Best for the Rear) | ||
 | 5. KYB Gas-a-Just Gas Shock (Increasing Performance & Stability) | ||
 | 6. Monroe MA822 (Best Air) | ||
 | 7. ACDelco 580-435 (Best for the Front) | ||
 | 8. Bilstein Monotube (Consistent & Fade-Free Performance) | ||
 | 9. Monroe Gas-Magnum (Firm Control & a Smooth Ride) | ||
 | 10. Bilstein 24191203 (All-Terrain Shocks) |
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Bilstein 5100 Series (Best Overall) |
2. KYB Monomax Gas Shock (Best for Trucks & SUVs) |
3. KYB Excel-G Gas Shock (Best Restoring Original Handling & Control Capabilities) |
4. Monroe 911262 (Best for the Rear) |
5. KYB Gas-a-Just Gas Shock (Increasing Performance & Stability) |
6. Monroe MA822 (Best Air) |
7. ACDelco 580-435 (Best for the Front) |
8. Bilstein Monotube (Consistent & Fade-Free Performance) |
9. Monroe Gas-Magnum (Firm Control & a Smooth Ride) |
10. Bilstein 24191203 (All-Terrain Shocks) |
1. Bilstein 5100 Series – Best Overall Shock Absorber
Photo: Bilstein
- Type: Mono-Tube
- Position: Front and rear
Blistein is one of the best brand to go for when looking for the best shock absorber for smooth rides, and this is one of the key reasons their 5100 Series rear shock is our top pick.
The shocks in this series are made from a sturdy and durable metal to ensure maximum durability, and they will make use of some top-notch technologies for an impressive overall performance.
These technologies include the 46 mm mono-tube design that helps to ensure consistent and fade-free performance in all driving conditions. And the patented digressive valving that will react instantly to changing surfaces for smooth and consistent rides.
With the OEM certified mounting hardware that comes with the rear shocks in the series like Bilstein 24-186742, installation should be straightforward. The shocks in the 5100 series will also come with a lifetime warranty.
Other amazing shocks in the series include Bilstein 24-186735 and Bilstein 24-186643 front shocks with collapsed lengths of 11.3 inches and 12.54 inches respectively. Both are specially designed for the Chevrolet Avalanche, but they can also work fro several other vehicles.
For those that drive the Ford-250, the 18.04-inch Bilstein 24-186025 rear shock is perfect.
While this shock absorber is still a little stiffer than the stock ones, many users will hardly even notice this as the ride quality is still excellent.
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2. KYB Monomax Gas Shock – Best Shock Absorber for Trucks & SUVs
Photo: KYB
- Type: Mono-Tube
- Position: Front and rear
With up to 40% more damping performance than what you get from standard gas shock absorbers, the KYB Monomax Gas Shock will be the perfect choice for upgrading the suspensions on your GM truck and SUVs.
The mono-tube design also helps to make these some of the best shock absorbers for light trucks as it provides a consistent and fade-free performance.
KYB also puts a rubber boot on these shock absorbers that will help protect the shaft while also keeping debris and dirt away from the seals for a long shock service life.
Also, the tough design of these shock absorbers ensures that they will automatically adjust to different driving conditions to make them ideal for almost any terrain.
The KYB Monomax Gas Shock series has some amazing shock models. They include the KYB 565102, which is a large bore front shock that gives trucks exceptional stability.
This series also has the KYB 565104, which is also a large bore shock, and it will be the perfect rear shock fro your truck to go with the KYB 565102.
The included bushings might not fit some vehicles correctly or tight enough but you can easily get replacement ones.
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3. KYB Excel-G Gas Shock – Best Restoring Original Handling & Control Capabilities
Photo: KYB
- Type: Twin-Tube
- Position: Front and rear
KYB is one of the best shock absorber brands out there. And this OE quality Excel-G Gas Shock series has been specially calibrated to ensure that you get the original handling and control characteristics of your vehicle.
The shock absorbers use a seamless working cylinder that is matched with a Teflon coated piston band to ensure that it has a positive seal for a long service life.
With these shock absorbers, you will also get to retain correct wheel alignment thanks to the precision, sintered iron strut rod. And the shock absorbers also come with solid mounting eye rings and some bolt bushings to eliminate rattles.
Examples of some amazing shock absorbers in this series are the KYB 349105 rear shock that will be perfect for any Asian mini-van. There is also the KYB 349151 and KYB 345055, which are both also rear shocks, but they are built for Asian SUV's and Crossover's.
The bolt holes on this shock absorber seem a little too close, but for most vehicles, this will be a non issue as it does not affect installation or ride quality.
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4. Monroe 911262 – Best Rear Shock Absorbers
Photo: Monroe
- Type: Mono-Tube
- Position: Rear
Monroe 911262 is a top-rated shock absorber for the rear wheels. It uses ASD technology, which is an innovative valving design that provides greater control for improved handling and also improves the ride comfort.
The shocks also use an all-weather fluid that is designed to reduce friction while also ensuring smooth rod reaction.
The Monroe 911262 has a Fluon Banded piston that provides a consistent seal between the pressure tube and piston for better control and also to ensure maximum durability.
Also, the ASD valve on this shock absorber will sense acceleration for improved handling and safety while also enhancing the overall ride characteristics on your SUV, light truck or minivan.
The thinner layer of paint will not last very long and will hence not provide long rust-resistance. But, this is an easy to fix issue with a little DIY inventiveness. Although it can also be a little high in some vehicles, this will not be very noticeable and does not affect vehicle safety.
Monroe also has a fantastic series of shock absorbers, the Monroe Monotube, that you can check out as they have something for almost all kinds of vehicles.
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5. KYB Gas-a-Just Gas Shock – Best for Increasing Performance and Stability
Photo: KYB
- Type: Mono-tube
- Position: Front and rear
Gas-a-Just Gas Shock series of shock absorbers is all about enhancing the vehicles overall performance and making it more stable.
They will come in a monotube design, which besides being high performing will also adjust to your driving needs and condition to ensure you never experience any fading.
And with two separate chambers, which are the air-free hydraulic piston chamber and high-pressure gas area, you will get more comfortable rides and an instant performance boost when you need it.
Overall, these shocks will work well with larger tires and wheels. With them on your vehicle, it will also be safer to drive thanks to the consistent damping force and improved stopping distance.
Like many other KYB shock absorbers, these ones can be quite stiff, but a stiffer ride is a small price to pays for huge performance improvement and increased stability.
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6. Monroe MA822 – Best Air Shock Absorber
Photo: Monroe
- Type: Mono-Tube
- Position: Rear
Monroe is one of the oldest shock absorber brands. And their MA822 are mono-tube air shock absorbers with an air adjustable internal design that will let you inflate or deflate the shock as needed to suit different vehicle loads.
Smooth and comfortable rides are also guaranteed with these Monroe shock absorbers thanks to the fully displaced valving that provides a better valving range for both the compression and extension cycles.
These shocks use an all-weather fluid with special modifiers that help to reduce friction and also ensure smooth rod reaction.
The shock absorbers can be adapted to most vehicles that use an automatic leveling system. And they will work great for heavy vehicles or those that pull trailers as they are designed to provide proper ride height even when additional weight is added.
Since these shocks will not come with lower bolts or retainer nuts, a broken bolt means you will need to make a trip to you local car parts store. But, this is a small drawback that should hardly be the deal breaker.
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7. ACDelco 580-435 – Best Front Shock Absorber
Photo: ACDelco
- Type: Mono-Tube
- Position: Front
For those that use their light trucks on different terrains, this shock absorber by ACDelco will be perfect for the front wheels. And this is because its design is meant to ensure that you always get smoother and more comfortable rides.
This front shock absorber is built to match your original factory shocks in fit, form, and function, and so with these shocks on your light truck, you can be confident of great control and smooth rides.
ACDelco also provides the necessary mounting hardware and parts for simple and precise replacement.
Despite the fact that it is the priciest item on our shock absorbers review, you can be confident that you will get what you pay for as they are not only high-performing and reliable but also last for a long time.
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8. Bilstein Monotube – Consistent and Fade-Free Performance
Photo: Bilstein
- Type: Mono-Tube
- Position: Rear
Like most other top-notch quality mono-tube shock absorbers, these Bilstein ones are also designed to ensure that you always get consistent and fade-free performance. And being a product from one of the best shock absorber brands, you can also be confident of a long service life.
The velocity-sensitive digressive pistons are designed to react fast to changing road conditions for smooth and consistent rides. And each of these shocks undergoes an application specific tuning for optimal performance.
These shocks are a direct fit for a lifted truck and other vehicles like SUVs, and once you install them, you can be confident of significant improvement of handling, ride quality and also the comfort level.
Lack of adjustability might be a significant shortcoming for a few car owners, but it will hardly be an issues for majority of buyers.
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9. Monroe Gas-Magnum – Firm Control and a Smooth Ride
Photo: Monroe
- Type: Mono-tube
- Position: Front and rear
If you want to get firm control of your vehicle while still maintaining a smooth ride, the Monroe Gas-Magnum shocks will be a good buy for you.
These shocks make use of a larger 2-inch reserve tube that accommodates more oil to allow for better heat dissipation. And they will use an all-weather fluid to ensure smooth rod reaction by minimizing friction.
With the full displaced valving, these shocks will ensure smooth and comfortable rides by delivering better valving on both cycles.
The sintered iron pistons are durable as they are made with a stronger metal than traditional ones. And the design also includes specially designed seals that will retain gas without causes any unnecessary friction or wear.
Although the materials used to make these shocks seem to develop a little rust after a few months, this does not affect the performance of the shocks, and they will still last long enough.
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10. Bilstein 24191203 – All-Terrain Shocks
Photo: Bilstein
- Type: Mono-Tube
- Position: Rear
The mono-tube design of these shock absorbers from Bilstein provides a consistent and fade-free performance for the lifetime of the shock, and it also makes these shocks ideal for a variety of terrains.
With the unique velocity and sensitive digressive piston, this shock is designed to react instantly to changing road conditions. This ensures a smooth transition from one surface the other, and hence making it one of the most comfortable shock absorbers out there.
Also, the shock absorbers in this series are tuned specifically for each application, which ensures that they will provide optimal performance on any vehicle.
This shock absorber might not work well for heavy trucks as the damping seems a little too soft but for other vehicles live SUVs it will be perfect.
If you want other top quality Bilstein shock absorbers for different kinds of vehicles and applications, you can check out the Bilstein store.
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Types of Shock Absorbers
As you shop for a good shock absorber for your vehicle, one of the first things you need to understand is that they come in two configurations, which are twin tube and mono-tube.
1. Twin Tube
Generally, the twin tube shock absorbers will consist of the inner working tube and an external tube that acts as a hydraulic fluid reservoir and this explains its name.
These shock absorbers are also available in three types which are gas charged, position sensitive damping and acceleration sensitive damping.
Gas Charged
The main role of the gas charged shock absorbers is to prevent the hydraulic fluid from being aerated. It makes use of pressure from nitrogen gas to compress air bubbles in the hydraulic fluid.
By doing this it prevents the mixing of air and oil which creates foam.
Because foam can be compressed, it can affect the performance of the shock absorber, unlike fluid which cannot be compressed.
With the reduction in aeration, the shock absorber is able to react more predictably and relatively faster for quicker response time.
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Position Sensitive Damping (PSD)
PSD shock absorbers are designed to strike a perfect balance between handling capabilities and ride comfort.
These shock absorbers use an advanced technology that goes beyond controlling the velocity of the hydraulic fluid by also taking into account the position of the valve on the pressure tube.
The key to the functioning of this mechanism is having a pressure tube with precision tapered grooves.
Great attention is paid to every detail from the length of the grooves to their depth and taper to ensure the shock absorber will provide an optimal balance between ride comfort and control.
With the PSD shock absorbers, you essentially have a pressure tube with two zones. The first zone acts as the comfort zone which is where the normal driving will take place while the second zone is the control zone for demanding driving conditions.
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Acceleration Sensitive Damping (ASD)
Like the PSD shock absorbers, the acceleration sensitive damping ones are also designed to provide a good balance between control and comfort.
With these shock absorbers, you will get greater control and improved ride comfort. They achieve this by going beyond the velocity sensitive damping and instead focusing on impact.
The increased focus on the impact on the ASD shock absorbers is achieved through a new compression valve design.
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2. Mono-Tube
Mono-tube shock absorbers are high-pressure gas shocks that only have one tube which is the pressure tube.
Inside the pressure tube, there are a couple of pistons which are the working and dividing pistons.
The key difference between the twin tube and mono-tube shocks is that the latter will allow for upside down or right side up mounting as it will still work either way.
Also, the mono-tube will not have a base valve as all the control during the extensions and compression will occur on the piston.
For these shock absorbers, the rod and piston have to move up and down to balance the force during operation.
These shocks can also run cooler than the twin-tube types as the working tube is exposed to the air. And they will also offer better performance for the frequent off-roaders.
But because these shocks tend to be pricier to make they are also more expensive. Also, they will require high pressured gas injection, which can lead to a stiffer ride.
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Buying Advice: If you want a shock absorber that will help give your vehicle a ride that is as close to factory characteristics as possible, go for the twin tube types.
But, if you want to increase the vehicle's responsiveness go for the mono-tube types. Mono-tube shock absorbers are also the best for replacing factory-installed mono-tube shocks.
How to Buy the Best Shock Absorbers
1. Style
Shocks will come in different styles and each will have merits and demerits and will be suitable for different riding conditions. Here are some of the most common shock absorber styles out there.
Gas Shocks
Many manufacturers will provide gas shocks as original equipment quality shocks. They have oil and nitrogen gas sealed inside, which are what cushions your ride. Because they can handle the extra bouncing better, they often last longer on the small vehicles than the standard shocks.
Standard Shocks
Standard shocks are generally what many car manufacturers will have on the car when you get it. These shocks will not have any special or unique features as they are just basic, and you will hardly get any that can serve you for more than 100,000 miles.
Heavy-Duty Shocks
Because the heavy-duty shocks are mostly made for use on SUVs, trucks, vans and other relatively larger vehicles, they will come with a larger center shaft and better attachment points than the gas and standard shocks.
With these types of shocks, you will get a stiffer ride until the vehicle gets a heavier load, which is when they even out for a smoother ride.
Automatic Level-Control Shocks
These are the kinds of shocks that you would typically find on the expensive luxury vehicles. They use an air pump system that will only be activated when there are differences in the vehicle’s weight distribution.
When you have passengers on your luxury vehicle or extra weight, the air pump is activated to add pressure to shocks to compensate for the extra weight so that the ride remains smooth.
Air Shocks
Air shocks like Monroe MA822 are similar to the automatic level-control shocks in that they require air to be added to the shocks, but their work mechanism is more of a manual process.
These types of shock have an air inlet that will allow air to come in and pressurize the shock to lift the vehicle for better control and improved ride quality.
Overload Shocks
Overload or coil-over shocks as they are also referred to as will have a spring coil around the outside section of the shock cylinder. This coil is meant to help vehicles stiffen the shock’s reflex action, and they are great for use on off-road vehicles like rock climbers.
2. Compatibility with Vehicle
The many types of shock absorbers out there can make it hard to choose the right one for your vehicle. But, the most important thing to always consider is the vehicle compatibility. Here is a simple compatibility summary.
Vehicle Type | Shock Absorber Type |
|---|---|
Off-Road Truck | External Reservoir Shock Absorber |
Off-Road Truck (raised) | Monotube Gas Shock |
Van (full-size) | Monotube Shock |
Pickup (standard) | Original Equipment Replacement Shock |
SUV (heavy-duty) | Air Springs and Monotube Gas Shocks |
SUV (standard) | Twin Tube Shock |
3. Driving Conditions
The roads that you drive through often also determine the best shock absorbers for you. For example, off-road adventures will require tougher shocks that can withstand more bounce.
If you ride in smooth roads often, almost any shock absorber can work for you as it will not have to face a lot of bounce or abuse.
The standard and gas shocks that come with most cars are often good enough for normal driving conditions, while the heavy-duty shocks are the best for muddy roads and rough roads full of gravel.
Some shocks like Bilstein 24191203 will also adapt to different terrains, which makes them ideal for use in almost any condition.
4. Material and Durability
Even if your shocks offer the best rides and control, they will not be very convenient if you have to change them after every few thousand miles. This also means you have to spend more on the shock absorbers, which can be expensive in the long run.
Before you buy, shock absorbers, you should check the material and ensure you only settle for something highly durable.
Shocks can be made from various materials, but the most common ones are steel and aluminum. Steel shock absorbers are often the cheapest, but they can be a little cumbersome to install.
Aluminum shocks, on the other hand, are adjustable and lighter, which is why many drivers will prefer them, but most are relatively pricier than the steel types.
Besides the material, also check on the overall construction of the shocks and make sure that it is sturdy enough for maximum durability.
5. Price
While the quality of the absorbers, their performance and compatibility are the most important factors to consider, the price also matters a lot and you cannot overlook it when picking shocks.
Always start by coming up with a budget or decide on how much you are willing to spend on the shocks and look for the best-performing ones within your budget.
That said, you can expect to spend anything from $20 to $500 depending on the size, model and vehicle brand and many other factors.
6. Ease of Installation
If you are one of those vehicle owners that always prefer to do everything on their own without paying a mechanic, the ease of installation of shock absorbers is a vital factor to consider.
It is important to note that some shocks will require customization or modifications for installation. For such types of shocks, you will often need to pay a professional for installation.
If you still want to install the shocks that require modifications on your own or have the mechanical skills to do it, make sure that the shocks come with a mounting kit and detailed instructions.
For the shock absorbers that do not require modification, installation should be straightforward, and you can easily do it yourself by following the instructions that most manufacturers will provide.
FAQs
Q: Are KYB Shock Absorbers any Good?
A: Yes, they are some of the best in the market, and the company is known for making shocks that help to stiffen the ride in a good way.
Q: Will Better Shocks Improve Ride Quality?
A: Yes, with good shock absorbers, your ride quality will improve significantly. Shocks helps to smoothen rides, improve handling and optimize the vehicle's overall performance which translates to improved overall ride quality.
Q: Why are Bilstein Shocks Better?
A: They make use of a special gas pressurized design that will improve both on and off road handling. And they are also application-specific tuned to ensure they suit every vehicle and application perfectly.
Q: Do Shocks Really make a Difference?
A: Yes, they make a huge difference. Besides smoothing and making your rides more comfortable, they ensure that your vehicle can take anything the road throws its way.
Q: How often Should I Replace my Shock Absorber?
A: It depends on how often you drive the vehicle and the driving conditions. But, you typically need to inspect and change them regularly. However, most good types should give you a service life of at least 50,000 miles or 4 to 5 years.
Q: Should I Replace 4 Shocks at the Same Time?
A: Yes, if possible because combining new shocks with worn ones leads to undesirable effects. But, if you cannot replace all 4 shocks, you should always replace them in pairs, that is, the front shocks or rear shocks at the same time.
Q: How do I Know When My Shocks are Bad?
A: The overall ride comfort and smoothness will reduce significantly with bad shocks. Also, unusual noises when going over bumps, excessive body sway and rocking when cornering and uneven tire wear are all signs of bad shocks.
Q: How Long do Shock Absorbers Last?
A: Life expectancy of most shocks is between 4 and 5 years, but it can be shorter than this in bad road conditions. Also, in some good road conditions, it can extend even up to 10 years.
Conclusion
With our top 10 heavy duty shock absorbers review above, you should now have an idea of some of the best brands and models to buy.
But, from our list, the Bilstein 5100 Series is our top overall recommendation. And this is because the series has some top-quality and high-performing shocks that are also consistent and easy to install.
However, for those that drive trucks and SUVs, the KYB Monomax Gas Shock is an unbeatable option.
Sources
- How to Buy a Good Quality Shock Absorber - Your Mechanic
- 10 Best Shock Absorbers – Review
- 1. Bilstein 5100 Series – Best Overall Shock Absorber
- 2. KYB Monomax Gas Shock – Best Shock Absorber for Trucks & SUVs
- 3. KYB Excel-G Gas Shock – Best Restoring Original Handling & Control Capabilities
- 4. Monroe 911262 – Best Rear Shock Absorbers
- 5. KYB Gas-a-Just Gas Shock – Best for Increasing Performance and Stability
- 6. Monroe MA822 – Best Air Shock Absorber
- 7. ACDelco 580-435 – Best Front Shock Absorber
- 8. Bilstein Monotube – Consistent and Fade-Free Performance
- 9. Monroe Gas-Magnum – Firm Control and a Smooth Ride
- 10. Bilstein 24191203 – All-Terrain Shocks
- Types of Shock Absorbers
- How to Buy the Best Shock Absorbers
- FAQs
- Conclusion
