Best Winch Reviews – Ultimate Review & Buying Guide (Tested)

To be honest, there is no universal best winch in the world. Different winches are best for different needs.

A winch can be best for ATV but it may not work for heavy duty trucks. You’ve to know which is for what.

But that’s not easy to figure out. So, we did the research for you. We’ve found both awesome and worse winches during our research. You obviously don’t want to make the mistake of buying the wrong winch.

So, read this review then choose one depending on your vehicle and your need. You won’t be disappointed, for sure.

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Get a winch that has a capacity of at least 1.5 times of your gross vehicle weight rating. Never choose a winch based off a vehicle’s curb weight! For a vehicle weighting 5000 lbs, the winch must have minimum 7500 lbs load capacity. The higher, the safer.

Best Winch Review

Here are some of the latest Best Seller Winches on Amazon:

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1. WARN 95960 ZEON Platinum 12-S [Best Quality]

Our first pick is the Warn 95960 ZEON Platinum 12-S. If you want a very powerful and durable winch that will last for decades, then the Warn ZEON 12-S should be your first choice. Though it’s expensive. This is the best winch for jeep and truck.

The WARN ZEON 12-S offers a rate line pulling of a 12,000 pounds. That’s perfect for pulling large, heavy and massive vehicles like RVs, Jeeps, trucks and other giant automobiles.

It has a remote switch with a 12 ft lead. The rope is made out of high-quality Spydura Pro synthetic material. It furthermore has an aluminum hawse with a powder-coat finish that is made to last.

As for the motor, it has a 12V DC motor and it’s waterproof to an IP68. We can’t stress how important this feature is.

When it comes to the size and weight of the WARN 95960 ZEON Platinum 12-S, we must say that it isn’t the most compact winch. It weighs 83 pounds and measures 20 x 26.1 x 8.2 inches in dimensions, which isn’t considered as lightweight. But it’s considered as a lightweight model for heavy-duty and industrial work.

The WARN 95960 ZEON Platinum 12-S’s remote controller can read the motor temperature, can read up to 2 additional accessories. It also has a USB charging cable and car charger adapter. To be honest, we’re thoroughly impressed!

This Warn 95960 is a spectacular beast. We can say without any doubt that, if you can afford it then it surely will be perfect for you. If you have enough budget then don’t look for any other options. This is the best 12000 lb Warn winch which is perfect for jeeps, trucks and other heavyweight vehicles.

Pros

• High pulling load.
• Lightweight.
• Remote controlled; easier to use.
• Controller can control 2 extra accessories.
• Waterproof motor, Advanced control.

Cons

• Expensive.

2. X-BULL 12V Synthetic Rope [Best Winch For The Money]

If you can’t afford to buy the previous Warn winch but need one with high capacity, then this one is your second best shot. This is one of the best winch under 500$ available in the market right now.

With a pulling capacity of 13,000 lbs, this is definitely more than capable of tackling medium to heavy vehicles like jeeps, trucks and other big giants.

This winch offers 85.3 ft(26 m) Dyneema synthetic cable. Dyneema is one of the strongest & lightest fiber in the world. It is 10 times stronger than steel yet 10 times lighter than steel. This cable is even capable of stopping bullets(insane!).

This Dyneema cable floats on water and it’s water, abrasion, & UV  resistant. It’s also chemically inert, means almost any chemical can’t do any harm to it.

Apart from these, this also offers a three-stage planetary gear system that means it can transfer three times more the torque for a very similar sized fixed axis gear system.  Its automatic load-holding feature ensures max safety.

It has a free-spooling clutch for fast wire rope payout. Its alloy hawse fairlead allows smooth rope operation while protecting synthetic ropes against damage. This winch has a sealed motor for weather protection(that’s very important).

What’s unique about this X Bull winch is that it comes with 2 wireless remote controllers. An extra remote will surely give some extra facilities to control it.

If you want a high capacity, good quality winch at an affordable price then you can consider buying this X Bulll winch. If you want to check other winch models from X-Bull then you can check our dedicated review of X-Bull winches.

Pros

• Lightweight and compact.
• Great pulling load.
• Remote control(3 remotes).
• Fairlead and a free spooling lever action clutch.
• 3-stage planetary gear, Sealed Motor.

Cons

• No overload protection.

3. Warn 89120 ZEON 12 Winch

This winch offers a rate line pulling of 12,000 pounds, therefore making it perfect for pulling large, heavy and massive vehicles. It’s one of the best winches for Jeep wrangler jk, RV, speedboat etc.

It’s remote controllable and it has a remote switch with a 12 feet lead. Apart from that, it has a roller fairlead, a newly designed planetary gear train and a sealed system for protection against the elements.

Another good thing about the Warn 89120 ZEON 12 Winch is its mounting capability. It has a  durable satin-black cast-aluminum housing, muck-busting sealing and a convertible control pack that offers maximum freedom and adjustability while installing the winch.

Pros

• Roller fairlead, Sealed motor.
• 3-stage planetary gear.
• Lightweight and compact.
• Good pulling capacity.
• Easy to install.
• Remote Control.

Cons

• Mounting plate feels loose.
• Tends to freeze.

4. Smittybilt 97495 XRC Winch

This is one of the best off-road winch for jeep, car and related safari type vehicles that don’t need high load capacity winch.

This winch offers a single line pull rate or loading capacity of 9500 pounds. Its weight is 83 pounds and 25 x 13 x 10 inches in dimensions.

This winch comes with a remote, but it’s corded. It would be better if the remote was wireless. It has about 94 ft of the cable being run by a 6.6 HP motor. Speaking of which, the motor used in this winch is very powerful and it is waterproof(IP67 rated).

It also has a 3-stage planetary gear train for extra power and control, and a 4-way roller to make sure that the cables come back home more neatly. This makes using the winch easy. This is the best jeep winch at its price range.

You can check our dedicated winch review of Smittybilt to see other winch models from this brand.

Pros

• Good pulling load.
• Compact and lightweight, comparative.
• Remote-controlled; easier to use.
• 4-Way Roller Fairlead.
• 3-stage planetary gear.
• Waterproof 6.6 HP motor.
• Great after-sale security deals.

Cons

• Motor overheats.
• Rope isn’t Synthetic.

5. Yescom 12000 lb 12V Wireless Recovery Winch

Our next pick is the 12,000 lb 12V 6.6 Recovery Winch from Yescom. Perfect for jeeps, trailer trucks, SUV, RV and small ATV.

The Yescom 12000 lb 12V 6.6 Recovery Winch is 83 pounds on weight and  26.3 x 15.2 x 12 inches in dimensions. This winch offers a single line rate pull of 12000 pounds. It has a 12V motor.

The best part about this machine is that it is remote controlled and therefore wireless with wire pull in and pull out! It has a 3-stage planetary gear which furthermore helps increase the intensity and performance.

Not bad for the price, right? It also has a 4-way roller fairlead to guide the rope onto the drum more precisely as opposed to tangling up.

The free spooling clutch will allow you to pull out the rope, by hand, without using electric power. However, make sure to wear gloves.

In the package, it includes battery leads, a pair of safety gloves, safety pull strap, roller fairlead, box assembly, 1 remote switch, remote control and a few other fixing accessories with it.

Pros

• High pulling load.
• More or less compact and lightweight.
• Remote controlled; easier to use.
• 4-Way Roller Fairlead.
• 3-stage planetary gear.
• Comes with heaps of accessories; complete kit.

Cons

• Cables tend to tangle and ratchet up too frequently.

6. Superwinch 1585202 LP8500Winch Gen II

Our next pick is the LP8500 Gen II Winch from Superwinch.

The Gen II Superwinch offers a carrying load of about 8,500 pounds. This would make the winch ideal for small to medium vehicles like ATVs and UTVs, and small cars.

It has 94 feet of steel wire rope with a heavy-duty latched hook and rope thimble and automatic, mechanical load holding the brake. Much like the rest of our winches, the Gen II Superwinch is also a remote-controlled machine. It has a 15m rubber handheld remote.

Apart from that, it also has powder-coated hawse fairlead and a free spooling lever action clutch. As for your outdoor concerns, the Superwinch has a weather-sealed solenoid and circuit breaker to stand against the element.

Pros

• 3-stage planetary gear.
• Fairlead and a free spooling lever action clutch.
• Lightweight and compact.
• Good pulling load.
• Remote control, Sealed motor.

Cons

• Rusts early.
• Short lifespan.

7. Warn 89040 Vantage 4000 Winch

Premium brand WARN makes high quality & extremely durable winch. And the one now we have on our list is a minimal & very popular Warn 89040 Vantage 4000 lbs Winch. One of the best portable winch for ATV, UTV & small cars.

Warn 89040 Vantage 4000 Winch offers a load taking the capacity of 4000 pounds which probably isn’t over the top, but is still more than enough for pulling vehicles like ATVs and other similar automobiles.

It has a three-stage planetary gear train for smooth, efficient and powerful winching. It furthermore features a mechanical spring brake for so that you can operate with maximum control while operating.

Much like our previous 2 winches, the Warn 89040 Vantage 4000 Winch also comes with a corded remote which make using this thing heaps easier.

Speaking of which, the Warn 89040 Vantage 4000 Winch is one of the most lightweight winches on our list.

It measures 15.5 x 13 x 6.5 inches and weighs a ridiculous 8 pounds only! The motor and drive used on this winch come entirely sealed, therefore protecting it from the external elements. It has a mounted mini rocker switch beside the remote.

One very important detail that you don’t want to miss out on is that you can choose the rope for this Warn winch from aircraft grade wire or lightweight synthetic.

Pros

• Sealed motor and gear train; weather resistant.
• 3-stage planetary gear.
• Remote controlled; easier to use.
• Compact and lightweight, comparatively.
• Good pulling load.

Cons

• Tends to freeze.

8. Superwinch 1130220 LT3000 ATV [Best Cheap Winch]

If you are on a too tight budget and looking for a basic model then the Superwinch 1130220 LT3000ATV is for you! It’s one of the best off-road winch for the money.

Since the weight of ATV & UTV isn’t that much, this is the best winch for ATV and UTV at its price range. You don’t need to spend much money buying a winch with 10k+ lbs capacity for ATV or UTV; a 3000 lbs winch will be more than enough for you.

It has a roller fairlead and mounting plate for no-fuss installation. Apart from that, it has a 50 feet cable rope and a handheld remote. Next, it has a 1.2 HP motor which is sealed for protection against the elements.

Additionally, it has a full metal 3-stage planetary gear train. It can transfer 3 times more the torque for a very similar sized fixed axis gear system.

Small, affordable and portable, perfect for light-duty winching!

Pros

• Low price.
• Compact and lightweight.
• 3-stare planetary gear.
• Remote control.
• 3-way fairlead roller.
• Sealed; weather-resistant.

Cons

• Poor grade wiring.
• Low capacity.

Verdict

Each winch is a little different from the rest. We have listed everything from affordable to high-end, basic to fancy. So, you have plenty of them to choose from according to your priorities.

Here’s our final takeaway: If you have enough money to spare then you can go for Warn Zeon Platinum 12-S without a second thought. Premium quality, expected to last for decades and it will never fail when in need.

If you have a limited budget then X-Bull 13,000 lbs will be the second best choice. Higher pulling rate, good quality but still affordable in price.

That’s all for now. Good luck with your purchase!

Winch Buying Guide & Tips

What to Check Before Buying a Winch?

• Load Taking Capacity

The first and foremost feature to look for when going shopping for a winch is checking on the single line rate pull or load taking the power of that machine.

This point is so important that you could regret not considering this. Load taking power basically decides the amount of weight the winch will be able to pull for you.

As you can guess now, the point should depend on the type of vehicle or automobile you are buying the winch for. Bigger, heavier automobile equals higher the load taking number. A winch that can hardly pull a car may not be suitable for a jeep.

• Battery Selection

Winches come in 2 forms: Hydraulic and Electric. And since we’re looking into electric types here, we will need a battery to go with that. You may ask, why?

It’s because electric winches run and operate by using your automobile’s battery. Kind of like a parasite, if you will.

And just about any battery won’t so, since the battery that works for your car may not be able to supply power to your car’s winch. It is therefore very important that you get a battery that caters to both your automobile and your winch.

Tip: Look into marine or spiral cell batteries (dual-cell batteries) for your match.

• Warranty

We’re not a big believer of warranties. Why? First, dead cheap stuff hardly ever come with one. Second, and most of the times, the ones that do don’t come from the reliable manufacturer and they end up dishonoring the warranty.

However, this rule does not apply to high-end and expensive top rated winches. Many products which come from quality brands, have a lot of claims and they end up charging fortunes on those claims alone.

So, when you get one that is expensive or come from a brandy company, try and get yourself a warranty.

• Cable Material

Burlap, jute ropes won’t cut it for winches. All best heavy duty winch use very specific and sophisticated ropes that are made to pull even the most monsters of automobiles and like a kid.

These ropes are made of different diameters, thicknesses, and braiding. Most electric 4 wheeler winches use synthetic ones, but manufacturers produce a wide range of other types of ropes. Each varies in strength, pulling force, durability, and precision. Consult with your seller to find the best cable or rope for your vehicle.

• Cable Length

You should also look into the length of the cable you are getting with your winch.

On average, most winches should get you 80 to 100 ft of cable. But then again, we personally suggest that you get the size you need, not what you think you’ll need. Don’t go too long, nor too short. This, of course, depends on the type of vehicle you have, so check the packaging or ask the seller to help you out with deciding the cable size you should get.

• Waterproofing

Your winch is obviously going to spend the majority of its life out in the open. Needless to say, it is going to be facing a lot of harsh elements.

And to make sure that your winch lasts the years, it is therefore very important that you get one that comes with a sealed or rated waterproof motor housing. If you can look for the same on gear trains, then even better.

• Cable Retrieving

Cables, on their way back into their cylinder, have a notorious tendency to get stuck or tangle into a hellish mess.

We advise you to look for winches that go back into their housing just as easily as it comes out. You will probably need to do a little testing for this since there’s no saying how a particular winch does in this department. So, trail and error, boys. Trail and error.

How To Choose the Right Winch Size

According to wiki data, winch is a device used to pull in or let out a rope or cable. The right size that you need for your winch, depends on the purpose for which you will use this. This guide will help you to pick the right winch size.

It is essential to buy a winch that has a sufficiently powerful motor. If it has a little power, it won’t be able to pull the vehicle. Winches with enough power will have more tendency to overheating, although it will be able to pull the vehicle for short durations. Winch capacity is already rated in pounds. So, they need not compare torque figures.

Get one that has a capacity of at least 150% of your gross vehicle weight rating. Never choose a model based off a vehicle’s curb weight!

You should choose a winch with higher capacities. Most of the off-roaders don’t go into the mud or sand with empty vehicles. Equipment, passengers and different material can drive the weight of a vehicle well above its unloaded curb weight.

There are comparatively few benefits of choosing a smaller winch. Although trucks and sports-utility vehicles winches are not identical, they are similar in weight and size. It will not be more difficult to mount a large winch than a smaller one.

The cost will be the primary difference. The financial difference between an 8,000 and a 12,000-pound winch is relatively minor, though the heaviest duty models can be very expensive. peoples who have doubts regarding the capabilities of a lesser winch for their applications should choose the more powerful one.

Different Types of Winch

Winches come in handy in many different ways, when you’re operating a sports utility vehicle or truck in an outdoor setting. They have been assisting humans in many kinds of works for millennia. They’re so old, ancient Greeks used those to lift heavy things, hoist bridges and in major architectural tasks. This old-school technology continues to be more than useful, especially when your automobile is stuck.

Winches have some major types. They are electrical, hydraulic, mechanical drum-style, mechanical hand-operated, mechanical capstan-style, mechanical portable, hybrid etc.

Electric Winch

Electric winch uses an electric motor instead of a normal one and this motor is powered by electricity, just like a drill motor. They require a power supply. This is the best of all types.

The power supply types depend on the kind of winch you are dealing with. They can be powered by either Ac or DC. Atv winches usually work on a DC power source and they use an ATV battery. Other trailer and truck winches run on simple 12 V DC source. Winches don’t use a big amount of electricity as their gear system is doing all of the work.

Some gears can be very simple like bike gears. Smaller gear can turn a much larger gear. Advanced winches can also have elliptical gears or planetary gear trains. When you’re using an electric winch, you should probably use some gloves to be safe. The wires poking through can cause damage.

Hydraulic Winch

Hydraulic winches work by power conversion, the electrical power required is increased by 20 to 30%. They work on a fluid power source with the help of a hydraulic mechanism along with a motor pump positioned in between the hydraulic winch and the generator.

When you’re going to buy a winch for a ship, then the type will be based on the size of the ship itself. In those cases, a hydraulic winch is preferred even over an electrical one.

They generally have a longer lifespan. But you need to replace the damaged parts of the winch as soon as you notice.

Hybrid Winch

Hybrid winches are very cheap, strong and efficient and they are built from spare parts. The owner of the vehicle finds an old winch and connects the winch to the vehicle, and then uses a motor and hydraulic pump as a drive for the winch.

Hand winch

A hand winch is used for pulling or lifting large or heavy items. Hand winch makes it easier to move an item by mechanical advantage. They can be used for loading boats onto trailers, multipurpose hauling or lifting of light loads.

They are designed for use with cable or strap. They are available in all cranking types-loop, hand crank, ratchet styles.

Though a hand winch minimizes the labor, a lot of manual labor is still required. They use a double clamping mechanism through which a steel rope is moved. It is equipped with a clutch through which the cable is protected.

Winches should never be used to lift, hoist, transport or support people. They should not be used when people are passing below them. This may cause serious accidents.

Car Winch

Car winches are supposed to connect the car to another vehicle or any object. It comprises of a very powerful cable that connects the car with another vehicle or object. Car winch may depend on the power supply from the car or it may operate with the help of a motor.

This can be used to help pull out a car which is struck. Or it can be used to attach a smaller object to your vehicle to drag it along.

The car winch is built with a rod in the center that is attached to a crank. This crank can be used along with a motor or may require a manual force to be operated.

Mechanical Portable Winch

The mechanical portable winch is consisting of a drum winch hooked up to a chainsaw motor to provide motive force and they are handmade. This type of winch runs independently of the vehicle to which it is attached.

Mechanical Drum Winch

Mechanical drum winches receive power from running the engine. This type of winch can work whenever the engine is running or whether the gear is engaged or not. They are more powerful than electrical types.

Mechanical Capstan Winch

Mechanical capstan winches draw power from the engine through the crankshaft. Dog clutch device connects to the crankshaft’s pulley and draws power. It works when the engine is running.

Lever Winch
These types have self-gripping jaws and they don’t use spools. Lever winches are great for use in construction sites. They enable you to lift several tons of weight easily.

Air Winch

Air winch is also known as an air hoist or air tugger. This type of winch is generally used to suspend or lift materials.
They are more versatile, safer and durable than electric, diesel and hydraulic type winches. If you are involved with large-scale construction work, then you can pick this select this type of winch.

However, there are several types available and all of them function in a similar way.

Best Winch Brands

In this point, you will get an overview of some of the top winch manufacturers and I hope, it will help you to decide the right winch from the right brand.

Warn Winches

The warn industry is founded by Arthur Warn, in 1984. They have been delivering top of the line of high powered winch and accessories for over 67 years. Warn Industries developed the very first recreational winch in 1959. They are very well known for their durability, innovative designs, and most reliable winch. They have also won a lot of awards for their best quality products. They make some of the best off-road winches.

Whether you need a winch for your trucks, jeeps, cars or even a commercial application, warn industries has you covered. With pioneering features such as a rugged drive train, Winches made warn industries quickly become the leading brand for off-roaders. Their top tired winches are the best winch to buy if you’ve got enough money. warn drill winch is also their another famous winch.

Featured Product: The M8000 WARN winch is probably one of the most popular product because of its right size for the right price. M800 has enough pulling power for most common Jeep, trucks, and SUVs. You will be able to rely on this winch model for years. It is one of the best portable and waterproof winch.

Mile Marker Winches

Mile marker industries provide highly durable electric and hydraulic winches, shackles, recovery kits, vehicle accessories, mounting systems and more to off-roaders. They have been in business for 30+ years. You can count on Mile Marker industry when you need a reliable, well tested and high-quality winch for your 4×4 or ATV.

Mile marker introduced hydraulic winch kits that get their power source from a vehicle’s power steering pump. In 1997, they came out with a two-speed version of this type winch. Hydraulic winch kits of Mile Markers have some performance capabilities not found in most electric winches.

Most important point is that they make winches for the US military. That’s why they are highly reliable. The hydraulic Mile Marker winch is approved for Humvees in the US Military. Though they are most known for their patented hydraulic models, they also offer a full line of ATV, electric, utility and industrial winches.

Featured Product: Mile Marker Hl12000 Winch is one of their best products.

Smittybilt Winches

Smittybilt has manufactured quality parts and accessories for 4 wheel drive vehicles for more than five decades. The company ensures every part and accessory is of the highest quality prior to distribution. Smith was one of the original 4WD enthusiasts. His dream was to create a business that would make truck and jeep parts.

Featured Product: The Smittybilt XRC Winch has all the best features you could want in a standard winch. It has the 6.6Hp series motor, 9500lbs of line pull, reliable roller fairlead and it is waterproof. This is one of the best 9500 lb winch. This one is another best jeep winch under 500.

X Bull

This is an Australian company which is started about 9 years ago. But they gained popularity in a very short time. Because they offer high-quality products at a reasonable price.

Superwinch Winches

Superwinch building winches for the next generation off-roaders, tactical vehicles, trailers etc. This is the largest privately held winch manufacturers in the world. They set out to make an amazingly powerful product that is focused on strength, flexibility, and performance. They make some of the best cheap winches. Superwinch terra series winches are famous.

Featured Product: Superwinch 1585202 LP8500 8500 lbs winch have the speed to get the job done very quickly. They have a compact design so they stay out of the way when not in use. These two things have made the EP9.0 winch an excellent product.

Ramsey Winch

Ramsey Winch is a leading manufacturer of Electric, Hydraulic, Planetary and Worm Gear winches and Planetary Hoists. Their products are manufactured by highly skilled and trained engineers. They are very well known for dependability, endurance and quality.

In 1944, two brothers named  Rayburn Ramsey and Claude Ramsey founded Ramsey Brothers Tool and Die in Tulsa. At that time, they manufacture tools, parts and dies for Douglas Aircraft Company. The demand for aircraft parts was extremely high at that time because of the Second World War.

With the end of the war in 1945, the demand for aircraft parts suddenly declined. Claude moved on to design a front-mounted winch, called the model 101. This was specially designed to be used in passenger cars and pickup trucks. It was a crankshaft operated winch.

It became the mainstay of the recovery and towing industry. The model 101 got great success and in 1947, they renamed their company to Ramsey Brothers Winch Manufacturing Company.

In 1978, Claude’s son became sole owner. Ramsey Winch Company started to produce a wide array of 4WD products. Gridiron Capitol acquired Ramsey Industries Inc in 2007. Nowadays, this industry offers its products through authorized dealers. They make some of the best truck winches and off-road winches for the money.

Apart from these brands, there are lots of other brands who make winch: Speedmaster , Engo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: Which type will be right for me?
Ans: The type of winch depends on the application.

Ques: Can I install the winch on vehicle by myself?
Ans: Surely, winch installation is an easy process.

Ques: Which winch type will be better for my jeep?
Ans: You should go for an electric winch.

Ques: How can I double my winch capacity?
Ans: Use a snatch block to double your winch capacity.

Wrapping Up

We hope that this best winch for trucks and jeeps review have helped you to find the right one for your needs. If you still need anything else to know about winch then please let us know via the comment section below.

Please do share the article, so that your friends can also see & check out this review. This may help them if they are planning to buy a winch. Apart from that, your sharing will motivate us to do more review.