I love bass vibrators.

Strategically placed under your chair, they add to the experience of any movie, game, or piece of music. Every explosion, every car chase, every fight scene turns into physical vibrations that shake your body properly.

For many, the choice comes down to the Aura Bass Shaker or the ButtKicker. I have them both in my house: the Aura under my couch and the BK under my gaming chair. They are both robust and well-made products, and I cannot speak highly enough of them.

But if you had to choose one, what would it be?

It all depends on the type of experience you want. If you want to shake your bones so hard your teeth chatter and your friends fly off your couch, AND you’re not worried about the price, choose the ButtKicker.

However, if you want to organically enhance your entertainment experience, for a low cost, choose Aura.

Before we continue, let’s take a look at the stats:

Aura Bass Shaker Pro:

• 50 watts RMS, 100 watts max.
• 4 ohm impedance
• 40 Hz resonance frequency
• Usable frequency response from 20 to 80 Hz
• Dimensions: 6.2 “diameter X 2.5” tall
• 1 year warranty
• Price: $ 45 – $ 110

ButtKicker LFE Low Frequency Effects Stirrer:

• 400 Watt Minimum Power Handling, 1500 Watt Maximum
• 4 ohm impedance
• Usable frequency response from 5 to 200 Hz
• Measures 5.5 inches wide (oval) and 5.375 inches tall
• 2 years warranty
• Extras: wireless and has a patented magnetic suspension system
• Price: $ 190 – $ 229

How do they compare?

In many ways, the specs speak for themselves. These guys, while cool, are as different as chalk and cheese.

Clearly, ButtKicker has a bit more of a growl. Plus, it’s wireless, which means a neat setup with no cables attached to the walls. Given the power of this machine, you will have to work very hard to get the sound right, and you may have to glue some rubber feet to the bottom of your sofa to prevent some strange sounds from happening. However, once you get the sound right, your friends will never know what hit them when they sit down to play a game of Baja Edge of Control.

So what about the humblest Aura? At a much lower price, you won’t get all the added extras. You’ll have to deal with cables and won’t get the extreme rumble of the ButtKicker. However, the Aura responds amazingly to low sounds at low volumes. If you live in an apartment, next to crabby neighbors, this is a brilliant way to enhance your “great sound” experience without actually having great sound. The Aura subtly tricks your brain into thinking you have your subwoofer up to 11.

And the winner is?

For the mammoth rumble, the ButtKicker is ideal. However, my heart belongs to the Aura because it is responsive, rumbling, and reasonable, and it definitely holds its own against its larger cousins.