Best Performance Exhaust Mufflers of 2026

Robert Reyes Avatar
Robert Reyes
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2026

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Performance Exhaust Mufflers are a popular aftermarket upgrade for car enthusiasts looking to enhance their vehicle's performance and sound. These mufflers are designed to increase exhaust flow, which can improve horsepower and torque while also giving the car a more aggressive exhaust note. They are available in a variety of materials, such as stainless steel and titanium, and can be installed on a wide range of vehicles. Performance Exhaust Mufflers are a great way to add a personalized touch to a car's exhaust system and are often a favorite among car enthusiasts looking to take their ride to the next level.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Walker Exhaust SoundFX Muffler Cover #TOP 1
Walker Exhaust SoundFX Muffler
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Walker Turbo 17615 Universal Exhaust Muffler Cover #TOP 2
Walker Turbo 17615 Universal Exhaust Muffler
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Flowmaster 42541 40 Series Muffler Cover #TOP 3
Flowmaster 42541 40 Series Muffler
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Performance Exhaust Mufflers

#TOP 1

Walker Exhaust SoundFX Muffler

Walker
18568
Walker Exhaust SoundFX Muffler Cover
Walker SoundFX 18568 Direct Fit Exhaust Muffler 2.25" Inlet (ID) 2.25" Outlet (ID) for Jeep Cherokee

The Walker Exhaust SoundFX 18568 Muffler is an aluminized steel construction that is built to last with an internal drainage system and partitions. The OE-style hangers, brackets and pipe routings make it easy to install without specialized fabrication or welding. The louvered tubes help reduce radiated noise and provide a factory-style sound quality. This muffler is designed and tested to extend muffler life.

What We Like
Durable aluminized steel construction
Easy to install with OE-style hangers and brackets
Reduces radiated noise for factory-style sound quality
#TOP 2

Walker Turbo 17615 Universal Exhaust Muffler

Walker
17615
Walker Turbo 17615 Universal Exhaust Muffler Cover
Walker Installer Turbo 17615 Universal Exhaust Muffler 2.5" Inlet (ID) 2.5" Outlet (ID)

The Walker Turbo Muffler is designed to fit a wide range of vehicles, making it a versatile choice for your exhaust needs. Before purchasing, you can easily verify if it fits your specific car by entering your vehicle’s details, ensuring a hassle-free buying experience. Built with durable aluminized steel, this muffler resists rust and corrosion, giving you a longer-lasting product. Its spot-welded bushings add extra stability and support to your exhaust system, helping it stay secure during use. Overall, the Walker Turbo Muffler offers reliable construction and compatibility checks to make installation and performance smoother for you.

What We Like
Universal compatibility
Fit verification tool
Corrosion-resistant steel
Stable spot-welded bushings
#TOP 3

Flowmaster 42541 40 Series Muffler

42541
Black
No Size
Flowmaster 42541 40 Series Muffler Cover
Flowmaster 40 Series Original Chambered Muffler – 2.50” Offset In / 2.50” Center Out – Aggressive Sound – 16-Gauge Aluminized Steel – For Muscle Cars, Street Rods, Trucks, SUVs & Strip Builds (42541)

The Flowmaster 42541 40 Series Muffler is made of durable fully welded 16 gauge aluminized steel, providing an aggressive and powerful exterior exhaust tone with notable interior resonance. It is perfect for street, strip, and off-road applications and has no internal packing to blow out. This muffler is a universal fit for a variety of vehicles.

What We Like
Durable fully welded 16 gauge aluminized steel construction
Aggressive and powerful exterior exhaust tone
No internal packing to blow out
#TOP 4

Flowmaster 430402 40 Series Muffler

430402
Black
No Size
Flowmaster 430402 40 Series Muffler Cover
Flowmaster 40 Series Original Chambered Muffler – 3.00” Center In / 2.50” Dual Out – Aggressive Sound – 16-Gauge Aluminized Steel – For Muscle Cars, Street Rods, Trucks, SUVs & Strip Builds (430402)

The Flowmaster 430402 40 Series Muffler is perfect for street/strip and off road applications. Its aggressive exterior exhaust tone and noticeable interior resonance give your vehicle an impressive sound. Made of fully welded 16 gauge aluminized steel, this muffler is durable and provides maximum durability with MIG welding.

What We Like
Perfect for street/strip and off road applications
Aggressive exterior exhaust tone and noticeable interior resonance
Durable fully welded 16 gauge aluminized steel
#TOP 5

Flowmaster 8430152 3In/2.5Out Super 10 Muffler

8430152
Black
No Size
Flowmaster 8430152 3In/2.5Out Super 10 Muffler Cover
Flowmaster Super 10 Series Chambered Muffler – 3.00" Center In / 2.50" Dual Out – Race-Inspired Sound – 409 Stainless Steel – Ideal for Muscle Cars, LS Swaps, Drag Cars & Off-Road Builds (8430152)

The Flowmaster 8430152 Muffler is made of 409SS Stainless Steel, featuring an aggressive sound and Flowmaster Chambered Technology. It is a premium quality muffler with easy installation and a 2.5 inch outlet diameter. Ideal for those looking to upgrade their performance exhaust mufflers.

What We Like
Aggressive sound
Easy installation
High-quality materials
#TOP 6

Cherry Bomb Glasspack Muffler

87521CB
Cherry Bomb Glasspack Muffler Cover
Cherry Bomb 87521CB 87521 Glasspack Muffler

The Cherry Bomb Glasspack Muffler has an 8 inch body with a 12 inch overall length, 2.25 inch inlet and outlet size, and 3.5 inch body diameter. It is a performance exhaust muffler suitable for various vehicles.

What We Like
Durable construction
Improved engine performance
Enhanced exhaust sound
#TOP 7

Flowmaster 842515 Super 10 Muffler

842515
Black
No Size
Flowmaster 842515 Super 10 Muffler Cover
Flowmaster Super 10 Series Chambered Muffler – 2.50” Center In / 2.50” Center Out – Race-Inspired Sound – 409 Stainless Steel – Ideal for Muscle Cars, LS Swaps, Drag Cars & Off-Road Builds (842515)

This performance exhaust muffler is made of 409 stainless steel that ensures durability. It features Delta Flow technology that maximizes the scavenging effect, and produces a super aggressive sound level. Perfect for car enthusiasts who want an aggressive engine sound.

What We Like
Durable 409 stainless steel construction
Produces super aggressive sound level
Delta Flow technology maximizes scavenging effect
#TOP 8

Thrush Muffler Deep Race Tone

17659
Thrush Muffler Deep Race Tone Cover
Thrush Muffler Deep Race Tone (Most Applications) Inlet 2.5 Pipe Connection Offset Outlet 2.5 Offset

The Thrush Deep Race Tone Muffler is a high-performance car exhaust muffler designed to deliver an aggressive sound. Its two-chamber design provides a deep and powerful tone that car enthusiasts will love. Made from 100% welded aluminized-steel construction, this muffler is engineered to last and reduces the risk of corrosion. The sleek silver finish with an embossed Thrush logo enhances the appearance of your vehicle. With its customizable design and a variety of styles and sizes, it offers a flexible solution for universal fitment. The Thrush Deep Race Tone Muffler is backed by a 90-day limited warranty, so you can buy with confidence.

What We Like
Aggressive Sound
Engineered to Last
Sleek Appearance
#TOP 9

Borla 40359 ProXS Muffler

40359
3 inch
Borla 40359 ProXS Muffler Cover
BORLA 40359 ProXS Universal Performance Muffler 3" Offset Inlet / 3" Center Outlet 14" Long body 19" Overall Length Un-Notched Necks Reversible Design T-304 Stainless Steel

The Borla ProXS Muffler is crafted from durable T-304 stainless steel, ensuring longevity and resistance to corrosion. This material not only enhances the muffler's performance but also contributes to a sleek appearance under your vehicle. The all-welded construction guarantees a robust design, providing you with peace of mind during installation and use. With un-notched necks, this muffler is designed for weld-on installation, giving you flexibility and a secure fit. If you prefer clamping, using 3" wide band clamps is recommended for optimal performance.

What We Like
Durable T-304 stainless steel
All-welded construction
Weld-on installation option
Corrosion resistance
#TOP 10

Thrush 17715 Turbo Muffler

17715
Thrush 17715 Turbo Muffler Cover
Thrush Muffler Deep Performance Tone Inlet 2.5 Pipe Connection Offset Outlet 2.5 Center

The Thrush 17715 Turbo Muffler is a performance exhaust muffler that delivers a classic Thrush sound with its tri-flow design. It is engineered to last with its 100% aluminized-coated shell and spun lock heads. The muffler is customizable and offered in a variety of styles and sizes for universal fitment, making it a flexible solution for those who may require specialized fabrication or welding. It also has a reversible flow for maximum flexibility on customized installations.

What We Like
Delivers classic Thrush sound
Engineered to last with durable materials
Customizable design offered in a variety of styles and sizes for universal fitment
Buying Guide Image

A Guide to Selecting the Best Performance Exhaust Mufflers for Your Car

What Are Performance Exhaust Mufflers?

Performance exhaust mufflers are a type of automotive accessory designed to improve the sound and overall performance of a vehicle's exhaust system. These mufflers are typically made from high-quality materials, such as stainless steel, and are designed to be more efficient and effective than the stock mufflers that come with most vehicles.

How Do Performance Exhaust Mufflers Work?

Performance exhaust mufflers work by allowing exhaust gases to flow more freely through the exhaust system. This can be achieved in a number of ways, depending on the specific design of the muffler. Some performance mufflers use a series of internal baffles and chambers to direct the exhaust gases in a specific manner, while others use perforated tubes or other types of internal structures to achieve the same effect.

Regardless of the specific design, the goal of a performance muffler is to reduce backpressure in the exhaust system. This can help to improve horsepower and torque, as well as enhance the overall sound of the exhaust.

Why Choose a Performance Exhaust Muffler?

There are several reasons why someone might choose to install a performance exhaust muffler on their vehicle. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • Improved horsepower and torque: As mentioned above, one of the primary benefits of a performance exhaust muffler is that it can help to improve horsepower and torque. This can be especially useful for vehicles that are used for racing or other high-performance applications.

  • Enhanced exhaust sound: Another common reason for choosing a performance muffler is the improved exhaust sound. Many people prefer the deeper, more aggressive sound that these mufflers can provide, as compared to the stock mufflers that come with most vehicles.

  • Increased fuel efficiency: In some cases, a performance muffler can also help to improve fuel efficiency. By reducing backpressure in the exhaust system, the engine can operate more efficiently, which can result in better fuel economy.

Choosing the Right Performance Exhaust Muffler

When it comes to choosing the right performance exhaust muffler for your vehicle, there are a few key factors to consider. Some of the most important things to keep in mind include:

  • Compatibility: The first and most important factor to consider is compatibility. It's important to choose a performance muffler that is designed to fit your specific make and model of vehicle.

  • Sound: Another important factor to consider is the sound that the muffler will produce. As mentioned above, many people choose performance mufflers for the enhanced exhaust sound they provide. Be sure to research the different muffler options available and listen to recordings or videos of each one to determine which one will produce the sound you prefer.

  • Performance: Of course, the primary reason for choosing a performance muffler is to improve the performance of your vehicle. Be sure to research the specific performance benefits of the different muffler options available, and choose one that is known to provide the best results.

  • Price: Finally, it's important to consider the price of the muffler you're considering. Performance mufflers can vary widely in price, so be sure to shop around and compare different options to find the best value for your money.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a performance exhaust muffler can be a great addition to any vehicle, providing enhanced sound, improved performance, and increased fuel efficiency. By considering compatibility, sound, performance, and price, you can choose the right performance muffler for your specific needs and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much horsepower can a performance muffler add?

The horsepower gain from a performance muffler can vary depending on the car. It can range from as little as 2-3 HP to as much as 50 HP. To get a more accurate estimate of the horsepower benefits, it's recommended to consult with an expert who can assess your specific vehicle.

2. What will a performance muffler do?

A performance muffler is designed to optimize the flow of exhaust gases, reduce backpressure, and enhance the sound quality and volume of your car. It achieves this by using chambers, baffles, tubes, and perforations to create sound waves that cancel out or muffle the original sound waves.

3. Does a performance muffler change sound?

Yes, a performance muffler can change the sound of your exhaust. By installing a performance muffler, using wider pipes, or adding aftermarket exhaust tips, you can achieve a different and more aggressive exhaust sound.

4. Is a performance muffler worth it?

Yes, a performance muffler is worth it for several reasons. It can improve horsepower by optimizing exhaust flow and reducing backpressure. Additionally, it can enhance the sound quality and volume of your car, giving it a more aggressive and powerful sound.

5. What is the difference between a regular muffler and a performance muffler?

The main difference between a regular muffler and a performance muffler is the sound. A performance muffler is designed to produce a more aggressive and powerful exhaust sound compared to most stock mufflers. Depending on the specific performance exhaust system chosen, the sound may vary.

6. How can I make my exhaust sound deeper?

To achieve a deeper exhaust sound, a free-flowing performance muffler can be used. Performance mufflers from brands like Borla or Magnaflow, which incorporate hair or fiber-like material for sound absorption, can provide a deeper tone compared to stock mufflers or those using chambers or baffles.

Editor's Notes

During our performance exhaust muffler research, we found 24 performance exhaust muffler products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 45,954 customer reviews through our big data system to write the performance exhaust mufflers list. We found that most customers choose performance exhaust mufflers with an average price of $82.14.

The performance exhaust mufflers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of performance exhaust mufflers, including Walker, Flowmaster, Cherry Bomb, Thrush, Borla. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Robert Reyes Avatar

Robert Reyes is a dedicated writer from San Francisco with a bachelor of degree in mechanics and a bachelor of degree in marketing. He focuses on making some complicated topics simple and enjoys explaining complex and technical things in an easy-to-understand way.