Best Winches of 2021 – Complete Review

| Last Updated: January 3, 2022

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Finding the best winch is a challenge. But knowing what to look for in a winch will make the search process be less difficult. There are so many winches out there that you can use for multiple applications. They can be used for personal use, which can come in handy as a rescue apparatus for those stuck in ditches, mud holes, and even shallow bodies of water.

Mechanics have long relied on winches for the purpose of towing disabled vehicles from the side of the road to their garage (and in other similar situations). A great winch should be well-built, reliable in use, and have the potential to last you as many uses (and years) as possible. While a lot of winches are currently available on the market, only eight of them stand out as the best in the business.

We put them together in a list where we will be reviewing each one (and allowing you to choose one for your own use). Before we get to the list, we’ll talk about what a winch is and how they work. We’ll also talk about what size winch you might need and how you can choose one out of the many that flood the market. 

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • 55-foot cable included
  • 4,500-pound weight limit
  • Runner-up for best overall winch
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  • 9500-pound weight limit
  • Best winch for the money
  • Made from high-quality materials
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  • Best ATV/UTV winch
  • Synthetic rope included
  • 3500-pound weight limit
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  • Best overall winch
  • 9500-pound weight limit
  • 6.6 HP Amphibious Motor
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  • Wireless remote
  • Best winch for trucks
  • Made from high-quality and waterproof materials
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  • Includes 30 feet of rope
  • 500-pound weight capacity
  • Best mini and portable winch
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  • Best spare tire winch
  • Designed to handle spare tires
  • Compatible with trucks and RVs
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What is a Winch?

A winch is a device that is used for the intent to tow or lift heavy objects. Most of these winches are equipped with a rope or cable made from either metallic or synthetic materials. Some winches may also use chains instead of rope or cables. Winches may also be powered by electricity or even a vehicle’s engine (depending on the type). 

How Does a Winch Work?

Most of the winches that are in use today are used for hauling heavy weight loads. These include but are not limited to vehicles, trailers, and even heavy machinery like construction equipment, among many others. The winch rope is spooled and can be deployed by using the motor equipped to the winch.

Once you attach the rope to the trailer, vehicle, or whatever else, you can shorten the winch by rolling it back until the cable is at a safe and appropriate length for transport.

What Size Winch Do I Need?

It all depends on the measurement of the truck bed or trailer that you intend to attach the winch to. It’s important that you make the necessary measurements so you are able to find a winch that will fit properly. Keep in mind that not every winch is of the same size. Some are smaller (or larger) than others. For example, a larger size winch may be useful for larger-sized trucks (i.e.--diesel-powered trucks).

How Do I Choose a Winch?

While searching for a winch, you’ll need to know a few things that will allow you to choose a winch for your own use. It’s important to keep your eyes peeled for some features and characteristics so you can make an informed decision. The following things to look for are:

Price

The price will, in all likelihood, play a role in your decision. But it should not be the only reason why you bought it. If you are on a budget, the price might be something to pay close attention to. But remember, quality and performance will be higher on the totem pole. Find the best that you can afford in terms of these characteristics rather than being tempted to purchase a low-price winch that comes with poor quality and sub-par performance. Even if it means spending money on a winch that is priced on the high end of your budget scale, you are getting more value and consistent results.

Installation

The last thing you want to do is install a winch that might be complex. So you’ll need to be able to install with ease and with the right tools. Also, be sure to take measurements so the installation is not as difficult because of an ill fit. Another is to make sure the winch you choose is compatible with your vehicle’s truck bed or trailer. 

High-Quality Materials

There are winches with ropes made from metallic materials and some are made from synthetic materials. Both types of ropes are proven to be strong, but each will excel at one project or another. Metallic ropes are great for the usual towing and lifting, while synthetic ropes might be better if you are using the winch in a rescue situation. Consider what you are intending on using your winch for so you can choose which winch will be better for you.

Review of the Best Winches

The following is a list of the eight best winches currently on the market right now. As you go through each one, you should make a note of the characteristics or features to find out which winch sticks out the best. You may have used one before and might have a good idea of what your ideal winch consists of. If you find one that is close enough, you'll know it’s a winning choice. Now, let’s take a look at the best overall choice on the list:

Best Overall:
  Superwinch 1125220 25000-lb

PROS

  • Fairly easy installation
  • Super-powerful motor
  • Handles heavy-duty lifting and towing
  • A lot of users say the rope length was perfect
  • Installs quite nicely on some vehicles and even ATVs

CONS

  • Some say the rope quality could be better
  • A few reported some missing hardware upon shipment

What Recent Buyers Report

A lot of recent buyers were happy with the winch, in general. Most of them were able to install this on their small-sized trucks while some others were using it on their ATVs. One user even said he had put it to good use pulling trailers from one place to the next. Of course, he added that it was also perfect for when he had to pull out his fellow ATV users from ditches and deep mud holes. So far, he is far from disappointed.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This winch is interesting, to say the least. First and foremost, it has a weight limit of about 4,500 pounds. So it will be able to haul a heck of a lot with little to no effort. So you can tow vehicles, lift heavy crates, and even pull vehicles out of really sticky situations. This winch is built solid and is easy to use whenever duty calls. Whether you are off-road or on the road, this winch is not afraid to get down and dirty, especially when it’s built to work hard without sucking up a lot of energy. That ain’t too shabby for those looking to save energy rather than use a lot of it.

Who Will Use This Most

If you are looking for the ultimate ATV/UTV winch, then you’re really going to love having this bad boy attached to it. But just because it’s used for such vehicles, doesn’t mean it’s useless for other vehicles like small trucks. It can handle all the towing and lifting that you can think of using smaller vehicles. Don’t think for a moment that your vehicle can’t do anything because of its size.

Bottom Line

The Superwinch Terra 35 is no joke. It’s a winch that is built to last and built to serve all your off-road and on-road towing, lifting, and even pulling purposes. This will certainly hold up a pretty good amount of weight no matter how far you have to travel. So if you are in need of a winch that can handle heavy, but smaller loads this could be the go-to option for you.

Best for the Money:
 Superwinch 1595200 Tiger Shark

PROS

  • Affordable for most budgets 
  • Fits in most vehicles perfectly
  • Excellent quality and construction 
  • Great for towing small vehicles and trailers
  • Installation is a breeze. All your mounting hardware is included

CONS

  • Water corrosion may occur
  • Motor may fail after a couple of years
  • Some were not happy with the fact that it’s made in China

What Recent Buyers Report

Most new buyers were pretty impressed with the winch quality. On top of that, they were satisfied with how well the motor ran while hooking up their intended load. The winch was easy to deploy at a steady speed and every task didn’t seem like it would take forever, according to one user.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This winch is perhaps one of the more affordable on the market. But you get a lot more than what you pay for. For starters, you get to work with a 9,500-pound weight limit. That will make towing any road vehicles and even off-road vehicles a cinch. The hook itself is at the perfect size and made hitching to them a breeze. This winch is compatible with many truck beds and trailers, thus making it easy to install.

Who Will Use This Most

This would be a great starter winch for those who have never used one before. It will also come in handy for those who drive smaller trucks and ATVs. It will fit perfectly for most truck beds. However, you should make the appropriate measurements so no other additional fitting is needed.

Bottom Line

If you are searching for a high-quality winch that will be reliable, easy to install, and affordable for most budgets, then the Tiger Sharp Winch from Superwinch will definitely make all of your lifting and towing needs easy. Cheap and flimsy? Nope. In fact, it’s a steal of a deal.

Best ATV and UTV Winch:
 Superwinch 1135220 Terra 35,000-lb

PROS

  • Easy to install 
  • Works with a lot of ATV and UTVs
  • Hooks up quite nicely to most loads
  • Perfect for towing and rescue situations
  • Can handle a lot of environmental elements without getting easily damaged

CONS

  • Some say it works intermittently 
  • Rope may not always roll up straight
  • A few say the rope should be a little stronger

What Recent Buyers Report

New buyers were owners of ATV and UTVs looking for a winch that would be easy to install and super useful. This winch fit the bill nicely with these new users. One user said the motor ran quite nicely and the rope was able to deploy at a steady speed. Hooking up to trailers and other ATVs was quick and easy, he added.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Not every winch on the market is for trucks. In fact, a lot of ATVs and UTVs have the ability and the horsepower to pull things with ease. If you have a four-wheeler or an off-road cab, then you’ve got plenty of power and pull for this bad boy. It doesn’t take long to install and it will be good to go the same day you install it. So if you want a winch that is ready to go, right out of the box, then you’re probably going to use this winch to your advantage. And since it’s made from synthetic rope, it makes every towing and pulling task easier than pie. Just because it’s synthetic, doesn’t mean the quality is bad.

Who Will Use This Most

If you own a nice-sized four-wheeler or an off-road cab that has a good amount of hauling power, then you’re going to use this most. This would be perfect if you intend on using it for towing vehicles, hauling a trailer full of stuff like firewood or if you want to pull out a buddy that got stuck in that inch-deep mudhole (again). It’s pretty tough, easy to use, and can be put together in a short time.

Bottom Line

The Superwinch Terra is the best winch you can find for the purpose of towing and pulling if you are using your ATV or UTV on a regular basis. This winch may not be for trucks, but it can still have a good amount of strength to get the job done compared to other winches you’ll find, on even large diesel trucks. Believe us when we say that this winch is not to be underestimated.

4. Smittybilt 97495 XRC Winch

PROS

  • Simple installation
  • The rope is super-durable
  • Solid and sturdy construction
  • Perfect for transporting boats, Jeeps, and other small vehicles
  • Does a good job hooking up to heavy loads like vehicles and trailers

CONS

  • May not be in perfect condition when shipped
  • Some have reported parts being missing upon arrival

What Recent Buyers Report

A lot of new buyers were looking for a winch that was solid in build and was able to lift or tow small vehicles and even boats. This winch did not disappoint new users in the slightest. They said the installation of this winch on their vehicles was easy and didn’t take as long as expected. When the motor was running, the cable deployment was nice and steady (not too fast or too slow). One user said he used this to tow his Jeep to his camp so he was able to do some off-road Jeeping that weekend. He said the winch cable does a great job holding up and keeping his Jeep steady on a 100-mile stretch of road.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This Smittybilt Winch is built to be super-sturdy and super-reliable for most heavy loads. In fact, it’s made from high-quality materials that won’t get destroyed by the environmental elements like precipitation and even saltwater. The rope extends out to about 94 feet, which is perfect for when you need to haul larger objects from a safe distance. You can use it on land or near sea to ensure that you are transporting your precious cargo from point A to point B safely.

Who Will Use This Most 

This will be put to good use by those who own large truck beds or trailers. It’s at the perfect size for it to fit with ease. Of course, a heavy-duty truck will always be compatible with heavy-duty winches like this. It will be perfect for those that intend to tow small vehicles or boats on a regular basis. If you want a winch that is built for consistent use and will not bend or break after short-term use, this might be right up your alley.

Bottom Line

The Smittybilt 9500-Pound Winch proves itself as the best overall for a few good reasons. It’s easy to install and will effortlessly handle so many towing and lifting needs. If you want something that will provide you with years or even decades of faithful and reliable service, this might be the winch you’ll need to have.

Best Winch for Truck:
Smittybilt 97510 X 2O Waterproof Winch

Smittybilt X2O - Waterproof Steel Cable Winch - 10,000 lb. Load Capacity

PROS

  • Works for most trucks
  • Handles even the worst weather with ease
  • Wireless remote works from a pretty good distance
  • Can tow Jeeps, small vehicles, and trailers with no problem
  • Motor runs pretty well and doesn’t slow down the spool or rope deployment

CONS

  • May be faulty right out of the box
  • The spool may be susceptible to rusting over time
  • A few have complained about the rope being too long in length

What Recent Buyers Report

Many new buyers were looking for a great winch for their trucks. They said this fits their truck beds quite nicely with no additional fitting needed. Installation was a breeze and was ready to use later the same day. One user said he utilized this winch for the purpose of towing old useless vehicles to the junkyard. He said that every time he used this winch, he had no trouble hooking it up each car he’s been hauling since getting it.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This winch is the best fit for most trucks ranging from small size to your mid-sized trucks. With a load capacity of 10,000 pounds, it’s capable of towing any vehicles and even larger trailers. It’s a winch fit for many trucks (and it’s perhaps one of the best for any heavy-duty truck on the road. So if you have a truck that is built tough, you can bet this winch will match that toughness with a highly durable rope and the ability to keep the load in place, whether across town or across the country.

Who Will Use This Most

If you own a truck that has plenty of space in the back, then this winch will have no problem fitting. It’s the perfect winch if you intend to tow or pull vehicles and large trailers on a regular basis. It can handle all the constant tasks while consistently staying tough and not giving in to the heavy weight (so long as it stays below the limit). Mechanics who tow vehicles or users that tote horse or livestock trailers will benefit from this winch the most.

Bottom Line

If you own a truck, then you probably are a good fit for the Smittybilt 2O Waterproof Winch. It’s definitely the go-to option for any truck owner that wants to haul heavier loads with the greatest of ease. Just simply install this on your truck bed and you have a winch that is ready and able to handle the heavy-duty tasks it was built for.

Best Mini-Winch and Best Portable Winch: 
WARN 910500 Drill Winch 500-lb Capacity

WARN 910500 Handheld Portable Drill Winch with 30 Foot Wire Rope: 1/4 Ton (500 lb) Pulling Capacity

PROS

  • Super-sturdy rope
  • Excellent in durability
  • Affordable for most budgets
  • Easy to install on small trailers
  • Perfect for yard work and landscaping projects

CONS

  • A few users say the rope could be a bit shorter
  • May not be able to pull snowmobiles or small vehicles

What Recent Buyers Report

As expected, a lot of people were satisfied with the winch. Overall, they were impressed with the overall durability. Most of them were using this winch for the purpose of doing landscaping work around the house. One user said he bought one to test out so he was able to get more for his landscaping business if he liked it. He loved how it was able to tow small trailers that were fully loaded with brush, tree stumps, and even heavy boulders.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This winch is not like most of the winches on this list. But there are those which are smaller in size for use in vehicles like ride-on lawnmowers and even ATVs. This contains 30 feet of rope made from high-quality materials that can handle all of your trailer toting needs while you are performing yard work, landscaping, or anything else. If you have a trailer you will be using, then you need a winch to hold it together along with your lawnmower or vehicle of choice. This is a great mini-winch that makes yard work a lot easier, especially when you are getting rid of the heavy stuff that is just too much to risk lifting with one or even a few people.

Who Will Use This Most

If you do landscaping as a business or have an upcoming project, this winch might be the best for you. You can attach it to a trailer and be able to haul out all the junk and debris without worrying about this snapping apart on you. Yes, it’s small, but it’s pretty strong for so many tasks. Who said your lawnmower was just for mowing lawns? You can use this to carry a trailer from one place to the next, all while making your yard look nice and spiffy.

Bottom Line

The WARN Drill Winch is small, but it can get a good amount of work done. It’s a winch that will be easy to attach to your lawnmower or small vehicle that will be used for getting some of the stuff you need out of the yard. Landscaping projects have never been this easier with an accessory that can do some heavy lifting.

Best Spare Tire Winch: 
Lippert 159056-Spare Tire Winch

Lippert 159056 RV Spare Tire Winch,Black

PROS

  • Affordably priced
  • Perfect for trucks and RVs
  • The cable is nice and strong
  • Attaches to tires quite nicely
  • Can easily lift and hoist spare tires

CONS

  • No mounting materials included
  • The connecting handle might be missing 

What Recent Buyers Report

Many new buyers say that this winch was a lifesaver. This winch was perfect for carrying spare tires, even when the disabled vehicle was miles away. One user even said he had to carry a tire over to a friend of his that was stranded on the highway about a couple of hours away from where he lived. Rather than call a tow truck in the middle of the night, he loaded up an extra tire on this winch and it held steady for the long ride over. Overall, the operation was smooth and easy and the hook could easily attach to most tires.

Why it Stands Out to Us

Spare tires won’t always fit in truck beds or trunks. But you can certainly hoist one up and leave it hanging until you get it to your destination. This spare tire winch is able to hold a good number of spare tires (including some heavier tires that you’d find on large trucks). Easy to attach to most trucks and trailers and simple to use, this winch will definitely be the go-to choice for mechanics or even regular truck owners.

Who Will Use This Most

This will be best used by mechanics since they are usually replacing tires for those in need. It can also be used by drivers who want to transport spare tires from point A to point B with ease, no matter how far they have to drive. It’s a winch that will hold up most tires and will certainly come in handy in those emergency situations.

Bottom Line

The Lippert RV Spare Tire Winch will certainly be the go-to winch when you need to get someone back on the road in the quickest time possible. You don’t have to store your spare tires in the trunk of the back of your vehicle any longer (especially if they weigh you down). This can hold a lot of weight and a lot of rubber, as well. Add this to your arsenal of tools and you will be ready to help out those with flat tires at a moment’s notice.

Best 12,000-lb Winch: 
Smittybilt 97412 XRC Winch

Smittybilt GEN 2 XRC Winch | 12,000 Pound Load Capacity

PROS

  • Easy to install on truck beds and trailers
  • Can tow regular-sized vehicles with ease
  • The rope is excellent in quality and super-sturdy
  • Superior waterproof abilities, can handle even the worst possible weather
  • Great for pulling down dead trees that need to be removed from the property

CONS

  • Hardware may be stripped on arrival
  • Hooking up to some loads may be a challenge at first
  • May come with some cracked parts. Inspect before use

What Recent Buyers Report

This winch was perfect for most users who were owners of mid or large-sized trucks. They said the winch was easy to fit onto most truck beds. Most of them used this for the purpose of towing smaller vehicles or towing trailers from one point to the next. One user even said he relied on this winch while moving from his old home to his new one located about 1,000 miles away. He said even on long haul road trips, the winch cable still held strong and showed no signs of giving in.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This winch is, by far, one of the strongest of the bunch. At 12,000 pounds, it can handle some of the heavier loads like regular-sized vehicles and even industrial trailers. If you are working construction and have a lot of heavy stuff to move around, you may want to use this winch with a good-sized trailer attached to make it easier for you. It’s made from ruggedly high-quality materials that can stand up to the worst weather that nature can dish up. It will be raining cats and dogs and the winch won’t face any longstanding damage (even after being exposed to it so many times). Simply put, it’s a winch that is going to last you a long time. If you want to buy what might be the last winch you need for a while, this is it.

Who Will Use This Most

This will be a great winch for those that are using it for personal use or while they are on the job. No matter what the application, it can work hard and make every towing or lifting project look easy. It’s super-tough and can handle getting down and dirty. If you love this winch for all these reasons, then it’s obvious that it might be the winning choice for you.

Bottom Line

If you want to do heavy lifting or hauling with a winch, the Smittybilt Winch will probably be the go-to choice for you. You’ll be able to install this with no problem on your truck bed or trailer and be ready and raring to go with whatever you need to remove that day and the days beyond that. It’s a super-tough winch that not even nature can stop from working.

What is a Winch Used For?

A winch can be useful in so many ways. If you invest in a winch, you’ll be able to attach this to your vehicle and perform tasks that might just be impossible with human strength (or even using multiple people). Here are some things a winch can be used for:

Towing Vehicles

Whether the vehicle is disabled or if you are towing an extra Jeep for the purpose of some good old-fashioned, off-road fun, most winches can be able to tow vehicles short or long distances. This, of course, will depend on the weight limit of the winch. 

Lifting Heavy Objects

If you are at a job site or are carrying objects from one place to the next that need to be kept off the ground, a winch might be useful to you. You can lift heavy pipes, crates, or any heavy materials and place them on a trailer so they are ready to go. When it comes to heavy lifting, sometimes a winch is better than manpower. 

Rescue Situations

Vehicles can be stuck in the mud or get caught deep in a snowbank during a snowstorm. No matter what emergency situation you find yourself in, you can use a winch to attach to the vehicle in question and easily pull them out of danger without causing any further damage. 

How to Use a Winch

Using a winch may be difficult if you have no idea what you are doing. Follow this brief guide and you will be able to use it each time the need is warranted. Here are the following instructions:

  1. Wear protective gloves before you begin operating a winch.
  2. If you have a wired remote control, make sure it is connected to the winch itself. If your remote control is wireless, make sure it is switched on so it can communicate with the winch itself. 
  3. Find an anchor that will hold your winch in place. Typically trees will be your best bet, but you can also get away with steel poles, as well. Be sure it is nice, thick, and sturdy.
  4. Put the lever in the “Disengage Position” so you can deploy the winch. Another name for the “Disengage” option is “free spool”. 
  5. Pull the winch all the way to the post or tree you are using as your anchor. Be sure that the anchor is closer to your vehicle. If the rope is unable to reach your intended load, you’re going to have to find another anchor to reset.
  6. To ensure that the tree or post will not be damaged, wrap a protector around it so you can anchor your winch safely. Be sure the two loops located on each end of the protector are out in front and of the same length.
  7.  Using the protector loops, attach the D-Shackle. Then hook the winch to the D-Shackle itself.
  8. Switch the lever to “Engaged” and then operate it using the remote. At this point, you’ll be able to pull a vehicle or trailer until you reach the desired length that can be used for towing or pulling.

Conclusion

The best winch is out there. It’s important that you find one that is perfect for your vehicle and for the applications you intend to use it for. Investing in a great winch might be one of the best things you’ve done. Find one you can afford and make sure it is in great shape to perform the intended duties. A winch can make the difference between easy and not-so-easy heavy lifting. 

People Also Ask

The following is a list of frequently asked questions that pertain to winches. Before making an informed decision, you should use this section as a guide so you can better understand how winches work. Here are some questions:

How Much Can a Winch Pull?

This will depend on the weight limit of the winch you have purchased. It is important to find a winch that will have the appropriate weight limit for all of your pulling and towing needs. Keep in mind your intents and purposes while figuring out which winch has the best weight limit for you. 

How is Winch Capacity Calculated?

Winch capacity is typically calculated as follows: Find the GVW (or gross vehicle weight) and multiply it by 1.5 for the low end and 2 for the high end. For example, if your vehicle weighs 4,500 pounds, your capacity for a winch will be nearly 6,750 pounds on the low end (making it 9,000 on the high end). 

How Do You Power a Winch on a Trailer?

Almost always, winches are designed to be wired into the electrical system of the vehicle they’re attached to. Some owners may install a secondary battery or other power system if they decide. But more than likely your winch will come with instructions on how to safely route the power cables to the battery in your engine compartment.

What Factors Reduce Efficiency in a Winch System?

Some factors may include the spool rusting or possibly corroding due to too much exposure to water. Other factors may include a failing engine that may be undergoing problems of its own - causing it to be down on power.

What is the Difference Between a Hoist and a Winch?

A winch is designed to pull or tow trailer or vehicle loads. Meanwhile, a hoist is designed to lift and keep loads hanging in the air while a vehicle is stationary or on the move. 

What is the Difference Between a Windlass and a Winch?

Winches can often be used to tow boats from the water onto the road (assuming it is attached to a trailer of some kind). Meanwhile, a windlass is used for the purpose of hooking up to an anchor for lowering or hoisting it.

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I used to work in construction and landscaping, so I've seen my fair share of ratchet straps, winches, and similar rigging gear. I started Winch Central because I've seen some nasty accidents due to crappy rigging or poor practice. I wanted to be able to recommend good equipment that's SAFE and also provide resources for how its used. I handle the research side of things here as well as product selection for gear reviews.