The 3.6L Pentastar V6 in the Jeep Gladiator is a willing engine, but the factory airbox is built for quiet, not for breathing. Swapping in a quality cold air intake is one of the few bolt-on upgrades that actually changes how the JT feels off idle, sharpens throttle response, and lets the engine pull a little harder once you are rolling. It is also the mod most Gladiator owners do first because it takes about an hour with hand tools and gives you that deeper V6 growl under load.
We focused on intakes that genuinely fit the Gladiator JT (2020 and up gas models, with notes for the EcoDiesel where relevant), looking at filtration quality, water management for trail and overlanding duty, fitment around the Gladiator’s tight engine bay, and whether the sound is satisfying without being droning. Here are the seven we would actually bolt on, ranked best first.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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S&B Cold Air Intake for Jeep Gladiator JT 3.6L Best Overall Sealed airbox, oiled or dry cotton filter option, 99.0%+ filtration efficiency rating |
9.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
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K&N 63 Series AirCharger Cold Air Intake for Jeep Gladiator Best Sound Oiled cotton-gauze high-flow filter, heat shield, claimed dyno-evaluated power gain |
9.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
aFe Power Magnum FORCE Stage-2 Pro Dry S Intake for Gladiator Best Filtration Pro DRY S three-layer synthetic filter, rotomolded housing, no oil required |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Airaid Cold Air Intake System for Jeep Gladiator 3.6L Best Value Performer SynthaMax dry filter or oiled option, one-piece molded tube, sealed intake box |
8.9 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Mishimoto Performance Air Intake for Jeep Gladiator JT Best Fit and Finish Wrinkle-coated aluminum tube, oversized dry filter, airbox with factory snorkel compatibility |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Spectre Performance Air Intake for Jeep Gladiator 3.6L Best Budget Pick Oiled cotton conical filter, powder-coated heat shield, bolt-on V6 fitment |
8.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
 |
Rough Country Cold Air Intake for Jeep Gladiator JT 3.6L Best for Overlanders Sealed intake box, pre-oiled washable filter, designed alongside Gladiator lift and off-road kits |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. S&B Cold Air Intake for Jeep Gladiator JT 3.6L: Best Overall
S&B earns our top spot because it does the thing a cold air intake is actually supposed to do, which is keep cold air cold. The roto-molded airbox is fully enclosed and seals against the hood, so the filter is pulling from outside ambient air instead of the hot air baking off the Pentastar. On the Gladiator that matters, because the JT engine bay is cramped and runs warm, especially crawling at low speed. Throttle response off idle is noticeably crisper, and the build quality is the nicest in this group, with no sloppy gaps or flimsy clamps.
The honest weakness is sound. If you are buying an intake mainly to hear the V6, the sealed box will disappoint you, because it stays fairly civilized even at wide open throttle. S&B also gives you a choice between an oiled cotton filter and a dry filter, and the dry Power Stack is the one we would pick for dusty trail use, but it does need real drying time after cleaning. Pick this if you want measurable performance and clean filtration over drama.
- Fully enclosed roto-molded airbox that seals to the hood for true cold air feed
- Choice of S&B oiled cotton-gauze or dry Power Stack filter, both reusable and washable
- Direct bolt-on fit for the 2020 and up Gladiator JT 3.6L Pentastar
Pros: Sealed box keeps hot engine bay air out better than open filters; Independently evaluated filtration efficiency is genuinely high; Clean, OEM-quality fit and finish in a tight engine bay
Cons: Sealed design mutes the intake roar some owners want; Dry filter version needs careful drying time after a wash
2. K&N 63 Series AirCharger Cold Air Intake for Jeep Gladiator: Best Sound
K&N is the name most Gladiator owners think of first, and the 63 Series AirCharger lives up to the reputation where sound is concerned. This is the intake to get if you want the Pentastar to announce itself. The oiled cotton-gauze filter flows freely and gives the V6 a deep, throaty growl that builds with the throttle, and the mandrel-bent tube and molded heat shield make for a tidy, confidence-inspiring install. K&N also includes a genuinely long warranty on the filter, which reusable cotton media tends to back up over years of cleaning.
The trade-off is that the heat shield is open at the top rather than a fully sealed box, so on hot, slow trail days it does ingest some underhood heat that a sealed S&B-style box would block. The other thing to watch is the classic K&N mistake of over-oiling the filter after a clean, which can foul a MAF sensor on some vehicles. Apply oil sparingly and let it wick in. If you want character and easy long-term maintenance, this is the pick.
- Reusable oiled cotton filter rated for very long service intervals between cleanings
- Mandrel-bent intake tube with a molded heat shield for the Gladiator engine bay
- Backed by the K&N Million Mile limited warranty on the filter
Pros: Deep, aggressive intake note under acceleration; Filter cleans and re-oils instead of being replaced; Strong dealer and parts-store support if you need help
Cons: Heat shield is open at the top, so it is not fully sealed; Over-oiling the filter is a common owner mistake
3. aFe Power Magnum FORCE Stage-2 Pro Dry S Intake for Gladiator: Best Filtration
aFe’s Magnum FORCE Stage-2 is our pick for owners who never want to touch a bottle of filter oil. The Pro DRY S synthetic media just gets washed, dried, and reinstalled, with no re-oiling and no risk of fouling a sensor, which removes the single most common intake headache. The filter itself is physically large with plenty of surface area, so flow stays strong even as it loads up with dust, and the rotomolded housing with a sight window is one of the better looking intakes you can put under a Gladiator hood.
Where it gives a little ground is fine filtration. A high-grade dry synthetic is excellent, but it does not quite match the laboratory efficiency numbers of a fully sealed cotton or premium box like the S&B at the very finest particle sizes, which is worth knowing if you spend a lot of time in deep dust. We also found the tube routing a touch tight around the Gladiator’s coolant lines, so take your time on the install. For zero-maintenance confidence on the road, it is hard to beat.
- Pro DRY S synthetic media that never needs re-oiling after washing
- Large conical filter with a rotomolded housing and clear sight window
- Engineered fit for the 2020 and up Gladiator 3.6L
Pros: Oil-free filter is foolproof and MAF-safe; Big filter surface area for strong sustained flow; Looks great with the sight window when the hood is up
Cons: Synthetic dry media filters less fine dust than premium sealed boxes; Tube routing can be tight near the Gladiator coolant lines
4. Airaid Cold Air Intake System for Jeep Gladiator 3.6L: Best Value Performer
Airaid sits right in the sweet spot for Gladiator owners who want most of the sealed-box benefit without overthinking it. The intake box is enclosed enough to keep the filter feeding on cooler air, and you get to choose between the SynthaMax dry media, which never needs oil, and a traditional red oiled cotton filter if you prefer that route. The one-piece molded tube fits cleanly with no rattles, and the whole kit goes in with hand tools and a clear instruction sheet, which makes it a great first mod for someone new to wrenching.
The compromise here mirrors the other sealed designs, namely a more subdued sound than an open K&N. You feel the gain in throttle response more than you hear it. The styling is also a matter of taste, with bold color accents that look great to some and loud to others under the hood. None of that changes the fact that Airaid delivers honest, sealed-box performance and reliable filtration in a package that is easy to live with day to day.
- Choice of SynthaMax dry media or red oiled cotton filter
- One-piece molded intake tube for clean, rattle-free fitment
- Enclosed intake box that isolates the filter from engine heat
Pros: Enclosed box gives near-sealed cold air performance; Dry filter option means no oiling required; Straightforward bolt-on with good included instructions
Cons: Quieter than open-element intakes; Color accents are bold and not to everyone's taste
5. Mishimoto Performance Air Intake for Jeep Gladiator JT: Best Fit and Finish
Mishimoto built its name on cooling and intake parts that look like they belong, and the Gladiator intake is no exception. The cast aluminum tube with its wrinkle coating is the best looking piece in this roundup, and it pairs with an oversized dry filter tucked inside an enclosed airbox that keeps heat at bay. Mishimoto also engineered the kit to keep working with the Gladiator’s factory fresh-air ducting, so the filter still gets a clean cold feed rather than just gulping engine bay air. The lifetime warranty is reassuring for a part you plan to keep.
Two honest notes. The aluminum tube is heavier than the molded plastic tubes most rivals use, which matters to nobody on the trail but is worth mentioning to weight-conscious builders. And because the airbox is enclosed and the filter is dry, the sound bump is real but modest, so this is not the intake for someone chasing maximum volume. If you want a clean, durable, great looking install that does its job quietly, Mishimoto is an easy recommendation.
- Cast and wrinkle-coated aluminum intake tube with a premium look
- Oversized dry filter housed in an enclosed airbox
- Designed to retain compatibility with the factory fresh-air ducting
Pros: Excellent fit and finish that looks factory-plus; Enclosed airbox keeps the filter away from heat; Backed by Mishimoto's strong lifetime warranty
Cons: Heavier aluminum tube than plastic competitors; Modest sound increase rather than a dramatic one
6. Spectre Performance Air Intake for Jeep Gladiator 3.6L: Best Budget Pick
Spectre, which is part of the same family as K&N, is the value option that still gives you a real performance intake rather than a no-name part. You get a reusable oiled cotton-gauze conical filter and a powder-coated heat shield, and on the Gladiator that combination wakes up the intake note nicely for not much outlay. Installation is genuinely beginner-friendly, with a small parts count and a layout that makes sense, which is why we point new owners toward it when they want sound and a little response without committing to a flagship kit.
The reason it sits lower in the ranking is straightforward. The heat shield is more open and less sealed than the premium enclosed boxes, so on hot days the filter sees more underhood heat, and the overall fit and finish, while perfectly serviceable, is a clear step below S&B, aFe, or Mishimoto. As an oiled filter, it also needs the usual sparing re-oil after cleaning. For an owner who wants the most sound and response for the least spend, though, Spectre delivers.
- Reusable oiled cotton-gauze conical filter for repeated cleaning
- Powder-coated steel heat shield to block some underhood heat
- Simple bolt-on kit aimed at first-time intake installers
Pros: Strong intake sound for an affordable kit; Filter is washable and reusable rather than disposable; Easy, beginner-friendly installation
Cons: Heat shield is less sealed than premium boxes; Fit and finish is a step below the top brands
7. Rough Country Cold Air Intake for Jeep Gladiator JT 3.6L: Best for Overlanders
Rough Country is a Jeep and off-road specialist, so it makes sense that its Gladiator intake is aimed squarely at the overland and trail crowd. The enclosed intake box keeps the filter sealed off from engine bay heat and from the worst of the trail dust, which is exactly what you want when you are crawling slowly through dry, dusty terrain where airflow over the engine is minimal. It uses a pre-oiled washable filter, so cleaning and reusing it is part of the deal, and the brand’s lifetime replacement warranty fits how owners actually use these trucks.
Be realistic about the gains. Rough Country’s intake is a solid, sensible upgrade, but the throttle response and power improvements are modest next to a flagship S&B or K&N, and the filtration, while good, is not the finest in the group for the smallest dust particles. What you are really buying is a well-sealed, trail-friendly intake from a brand whose whole catalog is built around the Gladiator. For an overland build where dust management and warranty support matter more than peak numbers, it is a smart fit.
- Enclosed intake box that pairs well with off-road and overland builds
- Pre-oiled, washable, reusable filter element
- From a brand built around Jeep and Gladiator off-road parts
Pros: Sealed box suits dusty trail and overland use; Comes from a Jeep-focused off-road brand with broad support; Backed by a lifetime replacement warranty
Cons: Performance gains are modest compared to flagship kits; Filtration is good but not class-leading for fine dust
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a cold air intake actually add power to my Jeep Gladiator?
A cold air intake will add a modest but real gain on the 3.6L Pentastar Gladiator, usually a few horsepower and a slightly fatter torque curve, with the bigger benefit being sharper throttle response off idle and a more eager feel once you are moving. It is not a transformative power adder on its own, and anyone promising large gains from an intake alone is overselling it. Where you really notice the difference is in everyday drivability and the deeper intake sound, and the gains grow when an intake is paired with a tune or exhaust as part of a wider package.
Does installing a cold air intake void my Jeep Gladiator warranty?
Installing an intake does not automatically void your Gladiator’s factory warranty. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealer cannot void your entire warranty just because you fitted an aftermarket part, and they can only deny a specific claim if they can show the part actually caused the failure. In practice that means an intake will not affect a coverage claim on, say, your transmission or infotainment. The grey area is engine-related claims, where over-oiling a filter and fouling the MAF sensor is the classic avoidable mistake, so install carefully and keep your factory airbox in case you ever want to revert.
Sealed airbox or open-element intake, which is better for the Gladiator?
For most Gladiator owners a sealed airbox like the S&B, Airaid, or Mishimoto is the smarter choice, because it isolates the filter from the hot engine bay and feeds it genuinely cooler outside air, which is the whole point of a cold air intake. An open-element intake like the K&N gives a louder, more aggressive sound and is easy to service, but it can ingest more underhood heat, especially during slow trail driving when there is little airflow. If you want measurable, consistent performance pick a sealed box, and if you mainly want the V6 to sound mean, an open element is the way to go.
Oiled cotton filter or dry synthetic filter for off-road use?
For dusty trail and overland duty, a quality dry synthetic filter such as aFe’s Pro DRY S or S&B’s dry option is often the easier choice, because it never needs re-oiling and there is no oil to migrate onto your MAF sensor. Oiled cotton filters like K&N’s flow extremely well and excel at fine filtration when correctly maintained, but the risk is over-oiling after a clean. Both styles filter the Gladiator’s engine well if you maintain them properly, so the real decision is how much you want to fuss with filter oil. If you want a wash-and-go filter, go dry, and if you want maximum flow and do not mind careful re-oiling, go cotton.
How hard is it to install a cold air intake on a Jeep Gladiator?
Fitting an intake to the Gladiator JT is among the most beginner-friendly mods you can do, typically taking around 30 to 60 minutes with basic hand tools like sockets and a screwdriver. You remove the factory airbox and intake tube, set the new heat shield or airbox in place, slide on the tube and filter, and tighten the clamps. The only things to watch are getting every clamp fully snug so there are no air leaks and routing the tube cleanly around the Gladiator’s coolant lines. Most kits include clear instructions, and there are plenty of JT-specific install videos to follow along with.
Our Verdict
For most Jeep Gladiator owners, the S&B Cold Air Intake is our top pick because it nails the fundamentals, sealing the filter off from engine heat, delivering genuinely high filtration, and offering the cleanest fit and finish in the group, all of which translate to crisp, repeatable real-world performance. If you care more about waking up the Pentastar’s voice, the K&N 63 Series AirCharger is the runner up, trading a fully sealed box for a deeper, more aggressive intake roar and an easy-to-service oiled filter. Whichever you choose, keep the filter clean and the clamps tight, and your JT will breathe and respond noticeably better than it did from the factory.
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Video: Related tutorial from YouTube