The sheer number of shock options for popular cars and trucks can sometimes be overwhelming. This guide aims to help you understand what each shock does best to find the ideal fit for your car or truck.

The most important consideration for finding the best shocks is what YOU use your vehicle for. If your truck sees more starlight than stoplights, you need a stronger shock than the soft squishy factory dampers. At the same time, if you spend all day in your SUV you don't want your teeth jarred out on every manhole cover. The best shocks for getting your pickup to the camp site through mud and over rocks will be stiffer and able to resist overheating. The most comfortable shock for getting your mom to church and the quilting circle will be soft and forgiving, but if your mom tends to run late to the quilting circle and likes to make up time on the road, we're back to looking at performance shocks.

High Performance

High performance shocks and struts (in this guide we'll use the terms interchangeably, click here to learn more about the difference between shocks and struts) are designed to give your car or truck the best handling possible. For drivers who push their vehicles to the limits, an extra inch or two of grip can mean everything, so they are willing to sacrifice a bit of road comfort for a lot of safety. These shocks and struts will keep your car glued to the corners and help your truck stay on the trail. For towing applications, these shocks will keep your truck and trailer driving straight and true, no matter how windy or bumpy the road gets.

----------

Bilstein Sport (B8) High pressure monotube shocks and struts available for trucks and sports cars. Bilstein B8 Sport shocks will have a stiffer valving than the B6 Heavy Duty, giving you the most precise handling possible. The Bilstein Sport is specially designed to work with lowering springs up to 2" lower than stock. Only available for select sports cars and sporty sedans.
Recommended for: High Performance Driving, Lowered Cars.

----------

KYB AGX Adjustable shocks and struts give you the option to dial in your sports car's handling performance. The KYB AGX's adjustable damping is the best way to tune your car's damping short of a full coilover kit. Ride around all week with a soft, cushioned ride and then crank up the performance for the weekend or tune your ride at the autocross for perfect performance. Designed to work with lowering springs up to 2" lower than stock. Only available for select sports cars.
Recommended for: High Performance Driving, Lowered Cars.

----------

Bilstein 5160 Remote Reservoir Offroad Shocks for lifted trucks and SUVs. The Bilstein 5160 Series uses high pressure monotube technology and a remote oil reservoir to prevent overheating even in the toughest situations. Remote Reservoir Bilstein 5160 shocks are available for stock height and lifted trucks. Built to withstand the intense heat and abuse of Baja Mexico, the Bilstein 5160 will keep your truck handling like a go kart through the toughest dirt, mud, silt, and rocks in the world.
Recommended for: High Performance Offroad Driving, Lifted Trucks, Offroad Towing.

----------

Fox Performance Series shocks are designed for extreme offroad use and abuse. Fox Performance monotube shocks use an internal floating piston to deliver reliable offroad performance in a bolt-in package. All Fox Performance Series shocks are built from corrosion resistant clear anodized aluminum to guarantee years of use even in the toughest conditions and are fully rebuildable. Built with high performance offroading in mind, the Fox Performance Series is available for lifted or stock height trucks and with a standard shock body or a remote reservoir body depending on application.
Recommended for: Lifted Trucks, High Performance Offroad Driving (remote reservoir models), Towing.

----------

Performance Daily Driver Shocks

Performance daily driver shocks for drivers who use their car or truck as their primary means of transportation but also sometimes push their vehicle harder than the average person. Most drivers shopping for performance shocks fall into this category. If you use your truck for your daily commute but also tow a trailer a few times a week or need to get down unpaved trails, or if you like to open your car up when the road allows it, these are the shocks for you.

----------

Bilstein Heavy Duty (B6) shocks and struts are engineered for the perfect blend of comfort and performance. Bilstein's B6 Heavy Duty shocks and struts use a high pressure monotube design to prevent overheating along with valving designed for performance while towing or driving on rough roads without being too stiff for daily use.
Recommended for: Towing, Rough Roads, Light Offroading, Aggressive Performance Driving, Work Trucks, Plowing, Diesel Trucks.

----------

KYB Monomax truck shocks are KYB's answer to the need for a heavy duty monotube shock. Built only for trucks and the tough use they see towing, offroad, and driving everywhere with heavy loads. Monomax is an ideal performance upgrade work trucks, vans and SUVs with a 40% stiffer valving than original equipment units.
Recommended for: Towing, Rough Roads, Light Offroading, Work Trucks, Plowing, Diesel Trucks.

----------

KYB Gasajust is KYB's monotube shock for trucks, SUVs and performance cars. The KYB Gasajust uses a speed sensitive valving to adjust to road conditions on the fly and give your car or truck an excellent upgrade over factory shocks. Valved 30% stiffer than original equipment shocks, the Gasajust is a good halfway point between factory comfort and an all-out performance shock.
Recommended for: Aggressive Street Driving, Rough Roads, Muscle Cars, Commuting, Worn Suspensions.

----------

Comfortable Daily Driver Shocks

Comfortable daily driver shocks for vehicles used primarily on normal roads for every day driving and only occasionally used for towing or aggressive driving. Drivers not looking for performance upgrades should use these shocks for the best ride possible, slightly better handling and a longer shock life than original equipment units.

----------

KYB Excel-G shocks and struts are available for most passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks. KYB Excel-G shocks use a low pressure twin tube design for years of dependable and comfortable performance. The Excel-G is typically valved 10% stiffer than original shocks to make up for wear on the car's suspension and return the vehicle to factory performance.
Recommended for: Daily Driven Cars, Commuting, Worn Suspensions.

----------

Bilstein B4 Touring Class shocks offer the legendary reliability of Bilstein shocks without the rougher ride of a high performance monotube. With a low pressure twin tube design and a soft comfortable valving, the Bilstein Touring Class shocks are the best factory replacement units for everyday driven cars.
Recommended for: Daily Driven Cars, Commuting.

----------

Monroe Sensatrac shocks and struts are low pressure twin tube units designed as a comfortable original equipment replacement. Monroe Sensatrac shocks adjust to road conditions better than original equipment for a safer, more reliable ride.
Recommended for: Daily Driven Cars, Commuting.

----------

Monroe OESpectrum shocks and struts are low pressure twin tube replacement units built for imported cars. Using the Sensatrac's road sensing technology for the best ride possible, the OESpectrum shocks and struts are direct bolt-in replacements for worn out factory struts and shocks.
Recommended for: Daily Driven Cars, Commuting.

----------

Bilstein Comfort shocks are high pressure monotube shocks available only for certain trucks with a softer valving than the B6 Heavy Duty. The Bilstein Comfort shocks are typically designed as a performance upgrade for a lighter truck and also sold as a higher quality comfort-oriented shock for a heavier truck.
Recommended for: Daily Driven Cars, Commuting, Light Duty Trucks.