An electric winch is a tool you’ll never use until the day comes when you’re in trouble and badly need one. Unfortunately, there’s no winch on your vehicle or anywhere in the vicinity. So, preparing yourself, just in case, isn’t a terrible idea. What’s the best electric winch for your needs? The answer depends on what you’re going to use it for and what are your power requirements.
An electric winch is a motorized piece of equipment for pulling, repositioning loads, and lifting. Typically you’ll see them mounted on a vehicle. Either in the front or rear. The electric winch uses the vehicle’s electrical system for power.
Electric winches have several uses, such as vehicle recovery, trucks, sport utility vehicles, Jeeps, ATVs trailers, boats and industrial services, shop cranes, light towers, ventilation systems, etc.
Purchasing an electric winch might be an excellent idea. But deciding which one suits your needs can be a time-consuming exercise, which is why we have researched the best electric winches for you. We have analyzed a vast selection, and our buying guide offers the best choice depending on your requirements and budget.
Best Electric Winch
The WARN 26502 M8000 has been a popular choice in use and trusted by off-road enthusiasts for more than twenty years.
The M8000 is primarily a vehicle-recovery winch and features a 4.8-hp motor and a pulling power of 8000lbs. The winch has a 100 feet of 5/16-inch steel cable, 3-stage planetary gearing with a ratio of 216:1.
Most rigging experts agree the winch’s power should be double the weight of the vehicle recovery. If you’re trying to winch a vehicle weighing up to 4000-4500lbs from snow, mud, or a ditch, the M8000 will do an excellent job. If you’re winching a rolling load, then it would move that very easily.
Safety features include an automatic brake and remote controller with twelve feet of cord, creating a safe environment for the user. The handheld controller has an ergonomic, comfortable rubber hand grip with excellent sealing offering protection against the elements.
The Warn M8000 winch is manufactured in Oregon, US, and is available with a limited warranty.
Key Features
- 4.8hp motor with pulling power of 8000lbs.
- 100-foot of 5/16-inch steel cable.
- The remote control unit has 12-foot of cable.
- The remote controller is well-sealed against harsh environments.
- Warn M8000 has a twenty-year track record.
- Limited warranty.
Why We Like It:
Warn winches have an excellent reputation for manufacturing quality winches, and the M8000 does not disappoint.
The Superwinch 1140230 is the perfect winch for UTVs (utility terrain vehicles) and ATVs (all-terrain vehicles).
The winch has a 1.4hp motor providing 4000lbs of pulling power and featuring an automatic load-holding brake, 3-stage planetary gear with a 166:1 ratio. The 50-foot synthetic rope winch will fit any ATV or UTV Vehicle. Standard with the LT4000 is a remote control unit with a 15-foot cable.
Even though its primary use is for UTV and ATV vehicles, it would still do a great job of pulling a boat onto the trailer or something similar. Bear in mind the winch is for pulling and not hoisting. The winch does not possess the braking requirements for suspending weights in the air.
For convenience, the LT4000 has a standard bolt pattern allowing it to fit most mounting kits. The mounting kit supplied with the winch is only a generic version, so for specific vehicles, you’ll need to purchase the exact one you need.
Key Features
- 50-foot synthetic rope x 3/16-inch diameter.
- 3-Stage Planetary Drive.
- Roller fairlead.
- 15-foot handheld remote.
- Handlebar rocker switch.
- 1.4hp motor capable of pulling 4000lbs.
Why We Like It:
The Superwinch 1140230 features a correctly and well-sealed motor to ensure no dirt or debris can get inside.
The Champion Power Equipment 14560 is the perfect winch for use with your ATV, UTV, trailer, boat, or even snowmobile. A powerful 1.6-horsepower (12-volt) DC motor line-pull rating of 4500lbs and a gear ratio of 180:1. Enough power to extricate yourself from the most challenging problem. The gear system is three-stage planetary with a full load line speed of 4.60 feet per second and a no-load line speed of 12.80 feet per second. The rope is galvanized steel and is thirty-eight feet long.
Winches such as the Champion should not be submerged; they are water-resistant but not fully water-proof. You should also cover when not in use.
Be careful not to overtax electric winches; use for up to 10 minutes in one continual use, and then cool down for 5-15 minutes. If you run them continuously for too long, you can either burn out the motor or run your battery flat.
You can operate the Champion 14560 from anywhere within a 50-foot radius, thanks to the wireless remote hand controller. There is also a power cut-off to preserve battery life when the controller is not in use.
Key Features
- Full-load line speed of 4.60 feet per second.
- Galvanized 38-foot steel rope.
- 50-foot radius wireless remote hand controller.
- 1.6hp motor with a pulling power up 4500lbs.
- A gear ratio of 180:1.
- 2-year limited warranty.
Why We Like It:
We like the Champion 14560 because of the 50-foot operating radius, thanks to a wireless remote controller.
XPV 12V electric winch has more than sufficient pulling power for any UTV or ATV vehicle.
Bigtur has a dual remote controller and includes a wired controller and two wireless controllers with a range of 15-meters, more than enough to be clear of any hazards when operating the winch. The controller provides an excellent feel for close control.
The wireless remotes work exceptionally well.
The steel cable is 39 feet and just under a quarter-inch diameter. The 1.0hp motor and 3-stage planetary gear train allow for plenty of safe pulling power.
Protecting your winch cables and ropes from wear and friction damage is a four-way roller. Remember to adhere to safety protocols when using an electric winch:
- Wear leather gloves at all times when holding the winch rope. Never attempt to hang onto steel rope with your bare hands because any damage to the rope, no matter how small, can severely injure your hands.
- Keep all passers-by or idles watcher well clear of the winch and its rope. You will be responsible if there’s an accident.
- Never step or stand over a winch rope when in operation.
Key Features
- A steel cable of 39 feet and just under ¼-inch diameter.
- 1.0hp motor capable of pulling 3500lbs.
- 3-stage planetary gear train.
- Gear reduction ratio 153:1.
- DC 12V motor.
- One wired hand controller.
- Two wireless controllers with a range of 15 meters.
- One-year limited warranty.
Why We Like It:
The Bigtur has a dual hand controller; one is wired, and two controllers are wireless with a range of 15-meters.
The Openroad S series is a powerful electric winch with a pulling capacity of up to 4500lbs and is suitable for all kinds of ATV and UTV vehicles. It will also pull boats up ramps or onto trailers as long as they are within the correct weight limit.
It doesn’t matter what off-road conditions you might meet. The Openroad winch will be there to get you out of trouble, pulling you out of ditches, vehicles stuck in the mud, moving obstacles such as fallen trees; the Openroad electric winch will work correctly every time.
The electric winch runs on a 12V DC 3hp motor. The motor is a copper wire permanent magnet motor. When the motor starts, the electrical current increases only gradually, thereby extending the motor’s life.
The winch has a precise 3-stage planetary gear train with a gear speed ratio of 166:1, enabling the winch to create strong traction and a smooth operation. In no-load, the winch’s line speed is 19.8-feet per minute, and at full load (4500lbs), the line speed is 3-feet per minute. The cable is 49-feet and is steel.
The winch’s hand controllers are one hard-wired and two wireless. Perfect if the conditions dictate a more cautious approach, you can choose wireless control up to a range of 10 meters.
Key Features
- Forty-nine-foot steel cable.
- 12V DC 3hp motor capable of pulling power of 4500lbs.
- 3-stage planetary gear train.
- Gear-speed ratio of 166:1.
- No-load line speed of 19.8 feet per minute.
- Full load line speed of 3.0 feet per minute.
- One hard-wired controller and two wireless controllers.
Why We Like It:
The Openroad is equipped with a copper wire permanent magnet motor, which increases the electrical current in increments rather than going to immediate full power.
The STIMULATER electric winch incorporates a planetary gear system and free-spooling clutch with a handlebar-mounted remote control to enable precise and steady winch control. For safety concerns and to allow the stopping power you need, the winch drum has dynamic braking.
The winch’s power comes from a 12V DC permanent magnet 1.34hp motor with a gear reduction ratio of 153:1. A no-load line speed of 9.5 feet per minute and a full load line speed of 2.3 feet per minute.
The winch’s cable is 43 feet and 3/16-inch diameter of drop forged, galvanized steel and a galvanized steel clevis grab hook. Included in the kit are the hookup wires to connect to the battery of your vehicle.
The manufacturers offer a 100% 12-month replacement warranty and a full 30-day refund. The winch is approved to IP68 standard, meaning it will withstand dust, sand, and dirt, and is waterproof for up to thirty minutes in a depth of 1.5 meters underwater.
Key Features
- Forty-three-foot galvanized steel cable and clevis grab hook.
- Waterproof to IP68.
- 12V DC permanent magnet 1.34hp motor.
- A gear reduction ratio of 153:1.
- Planetary gear system and free-spooling clutch.
- Dynamic braking on the wheel drum.
Why We Like It:
The U-Max electric winch is waterproof and has been tested to IP68 standards.
The Zeak electric winch is all-metal heavy-duty construction, with a powder-coated finish to inhibit rust and corrosion. The galvanized steel rope is a 50-feet long and 5/16-inch diameter.
The motor of the Zeak is built for performance and high-end power featuring a 12V DC 1.6hp permanent magnet motor creating a 5500lbs pulling power.
The motor has a 3-stage planetary gear train and a stable load-holding dynamic braking system that prevents the steel rope from slipping even if the power fails. The remote hand controller has a 50-foot wire cable allowing more than enough distance between the user and the winch.
The manufacturer recommends a 1.5 times line pull relative to the weight of your vehicle. The winch has a no-load line speed of 19 feet per minute and a full load line speed of 3.93 feet per second.
Key Features
- A galvanized steel cable 50-feet long and 5/16-inch diameter.
- All heavy-duty metal construction.
- Powder-coated finish.
- 3-stage planetary gear train.
- 1-year warranty on electrical components.
Why We Like It:
The Zeak electric winch has a 1.6hp permanent magnet motor pulling 5500lbs.
The Red Warn 885000 PullzAll is a powerful, versatile tool for pulling and lifting. The winch has a 120V AC power source and has a pulling capability of up to 1000lbs.
There is an onboard load limiter with a bright LED indicator and a variable speed trigger for power in and out. There are a 15-foot steel rope and industrial-grade front hook.
Change from forward to reverse motion for precise positioning, and you have the security of a brake when necessary.
If you’re a mechanic or need to remove your vehicle’s engine block, you can rely on the Pullzall to hoist it for you. Accompanying the winch is a sling made from high-grade nylon tested for lifting to 1000lbs.
Key Features
- Will both pull and hoist.
- 1000lbs pulling power.
- Includes a nylon winch sling.
- Forward and reverse motion motor.
- A variable speed trigger.
- On-board load limiter.
Why We Like It:
The Warn 885000 is a combined pulling and hoisting winch with a capability of 1000lbs.
The Tyrannosaurus electric winch has a pulling ability of 2000lbs with power coming from a 1.1hp permanent magnet 12V DC motor featuring a single-stage planetary gear train for consistent performance.
The single-stage planetary gear train provides a steady and robust full load line speed of 2.7 feet per minute and a no-load line speed of 13.3 feet per minute.
The safer, lighter, and more durable synthetic rope is 50 feet long, and a 3/16-inch diameter wraps around the drum with a free spooling clutch. You operate the winch manually.
The Tyrannosaurus is more suitable for an ATV or UTV and small boats than heavier off-road vehicles. The manufacturers offer a one-year limited warranty.
Key Features
- Pulling power of 2000lbs.
- Budget price.
- Single-stage planetary gear train.
- 50-foot synthetic rope.
- 1.1hp permanent magnet 12V DC motor.
Why We Like It:
The Tyrannosaurus offers a reasonable budget price electric winch with a pulling power of 2000lbs.
120V AC winches are ideally suited to indoor use where there is access to a power outlet. There are several operations compatible with the winch that necessitates pulling or hauling heavy objects. This winch does not hoist weights; there is no in-built braking system, and it would be dangerous to attempt hoisting.
Suppose you’re considering hauling a car or boat onto a trailer. In that case, you’ll find the handheld controller easy to use and responsive to stop and starting the winch and positioning the vehicle or boat correctly.
When pulling dead weight, the single line capacity is 2700lbs, adding a second line and increasing to 4000lbs. The remote handheld controller has a 10-foot cord. Each 3-minute run time of the motor requires a 10-minute cooldown period.
Key Features
- 120V AC electric winch.
- Pulling capacity of 2700-4000lbs.
- Remote handcontroller with a 10-foot cord.
- 7/32 inch diameter x 50 feet long aircraft cable and hook.
Why We Like It:
The Dutton-Lainson has a dead-weight pulling capacity of 2700lbs with a single line, which can increase to 4000lbs by utilizing an additional line.
What You Need To Consider Before Buying An Electric Winch
Cable Material
Of course, this is one of the most crucial elements of the electric winch. You’ll discover that cables are either synthetic or steel.
A steel cable is more heavy-duty and will have a higher load capacity. Synthetic cables are more durable and cheaper.
If you’re looking for a winch with serious pulling power, then choose a steel cable. But ensure it’s galvanized steel to help prevent rust and corrosion. Also, inspect the cable regularly, don’t take risks; it might wear and break at an inconvenient moment.
Capacity
The capacity will tell you what the maximum weight your winch will pull. Naturally, if it’s heavy-duty, you would expect its pulling power to be high, at least 3000-4000lbs. Some very heavy-duty winches will have capacities over 10000lbs. You should never attempt to pull anything heavier than the manufacturer’s recommended capacity level.
Remember to be on the safe side pull deadweight vehicles or objects at 50% of your winch’s stated pulling capacity. Also, don’t continually pull for more than 10 minutes; allow a cooling down period of up to 15 minutes if you don’t want to burn out your winch’s motor.
Conclusion
If you enjoy off-roading with your Jeep or truck or have an ATV or UTV, then finding yourself in a ditch or stuck in mud is no fun. Having an electric winch is your get out of jail free card.
In the above buying guide, we have listed winches we consider worthy of considering for use and budgets. So if you’re still pondering which to purchase, take another look through our best electric winch guide.
