The Best Winches: Get Your Vehicle Unstuck

Because of the boom in off-roading recently, there are a host of great winches available. But which is right for you and your application? Let's talk about that.

Here at The Drive, the avid off-roader has kindred spirits as we're routinely out on the trails and getting muddy or climbing up rock faces. As such, we've used our fair share of winches in our time. That's not to say we couldn't learn more, so in order to put together this buying guide, we used our inherent knowledge, as well as scoured opinions on forums and retail sites for others' opinions on the products within.

We also consulted who OEMs used for accessory parts, as those would need to pass longevity tests that most suppliers don't usually run. In the end, we've come up with top products here.

The Rugged Ridge Trekker Winch is a mega-hauler, featuring a 6.5 HP series wound motor clocking a 10,000-pound pull capacity, a nice choice for many popular off-road platforms. Complementing 10,000 pounds is a heavy-duty 3-stage planetary drive gear delivering serious power in colder weather, unlike lighter-duty permanent magnet motors.

We love the fact the Rugged Ridge Trekker Winch comes with the choice of traditional steel cable or synthetic line. Both offer their own unique advantages. Traditional steel cables are better suited for rough, abrasive terrain albeit with less flexibility and strength than costlier synthetic ropes. It also includes a wired remote for safe operation.

Kudos to the Rugged Ridge Trekker Winch's limited five-year warranty, which is one of the longest offered on our list. It is only trumped by WARN's limited lifetime warranty.

And when you're looking at pricing, Its sub-$700 price isn't going to break the bank.

The Champion Power Equipment 3,000-lb. Winch Kit is a lighter-duty affair. With a 3,000-pound capacity, it's better suited for ATVs, boats, trailers, and other smaller vehicles rather than full-sized trucks. Features include a 1.3hp, 12v DC motor with a 3-stage planetary gear system and a 171:1 gear reduction ratio.

Three drawbacks of the Champion Winch Kit are the lack of a waterproof rating, a paltry 2-year limited warranty (one of the shortest we've seen), and wired controls, which may present a safety concern if not used correctly or from an unsafe distance. Consider this a solid budget option—but only for beginners and light-duty vehicles.

The Smittybilt XRC 9.5K Waterproof Winch Gen2 is an all-around workhorse, featuring a 9,500-pound working capacity, 6.6hp Wound Motor, and a three-stage planetary gear, an excellent choice for midsize pickup trucks like the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma.  It also comes with an IP67 waterproof rating, making it great for use on muddy terrain. A 12-foot range remote control also allows for precise winch maneuvering.

Note that the Smittybilt XRC 9.5K Waterproof Winch Gen2’s limited 3-year warranty on electrical components is middling. It falls square in the mid-range for warranty length and coverage. For heavy-duty work and vehicle recovery, you'll probably want to look for a sturdier winch—and a sturdier warranty.

Costing less than $400, it's easily a value proposition.

Now we're talkin'. If you’re driving a truly heavy vehicle, you’re going to need serious power to help get you out of sticky situations. With a 16,500-pound line pull capacity, this pick from Warn is ideal for hardcore outdoor enthusiasts or professionals who need to push through rugged terrain without any issues. 

You get a 12-volt motor with a 4.6 horsepower rating. More importantly, the motor features extreme-duty sealing so that you can work in not only wet conditions but in the dust and grime without worrying about your motor. Plus, the three-stage planetary gearbox and 90-foot wire rope give you plenty of control for even the toughest situations. 

One thing to note is that this winch has to be mounted using a compatible bumper or even a mounting plate for it to be installed properly. While this shouldn’t be an issue for shoppers looking for a winch of this capacity, unsuspecting shoppers may be surprised or frustrated to find that this pick is not a complete kit, as the plate must be purchased separately.

The WARN XC9000i performs well in almost all areas, starting with a 9,000-pound pull capacity, three-stage planetary gear system, 12-foot lead remote control, and a generous 12 feet of wire rope. It does an excellent job of keeping cool with its low amp draw, making it safer to use.

Kudos for the WARN XC9000i’s limited lifetime warranty, which trumps all of our recommended picks on this list.

The “right winch” is going to vary depending on your needs and your comfort level with installing a winch onto your vehicle. But given that reality, we liked the Rugged Ridge Trekker Winch as our Best Overall selection. Along with a relatively reasonable price point, it featured a 12,500-pound pull line capacity which should be more than enough power for most people’s needs. 

Meanwhile, UTV owners will like the Champion Power Equipment 3,000-lb Winch Kit. Along with being a complete solution with everything you need to install it on your off-road vehicle, the 3,000-pound pull line rating is more than sufficient, and the wallet-friendly price makes it accessible to a wider range of consumers. 

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers!