Choosing the best electric winch is a bit difficult and confusing to do especially if you are looking for one that would be within your budget. We highly understand this. Hence, if you have already decided which capacity weight that you would wish to get, it could be a bit challenging to know which one would be more cost effective for you. In this article, we shall provide you a list of the best winch for your money. Moreover, the winches in this article are considered as highly cost effective.
For us to be able to determine for winches to be cost effective, we have considered the following factors:
- weight load capacity and application
- well-accepted by other off-roaders
- Offers smooth winching experience without causing troubles
- Durable
Best Winch for Money
Rugcel 2000 lbs
This winch is perfect for UTVs and ATVs. It could be used for light duty work. Aside from being able to use this for UTVs and ATVs, the Rugcel 2000 lbs could also be used for cars, boats, trailers, modified vehicles, etc. It has the ability to tow objects up to 2000lbs.
Pros:
- Compact in size
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
- Easy to grip
- Long wire
- Pull and turn free spooling clutch knob
- Ample length of galvanized aircraft cable
- Quiet and has a low amp motor
- Hook is blue-white zinc plated
- Durable
- Environment-friendly
- Inexpensive
- Detailed instruction manual
Cons:
- handlebar rocker switch could be improved.
Champion 3000 lbs
This brand is highly popular and is considered as reliable by many. They are known for manufacturing high-end type of winches and what is more amazing about them is they offer their high-end products at a reasonable and affordable price. The Champion 3000 lbs electric winch could be used for different towing activities such as logs, jeeps, cars, trucks and the like. As long as the gross weight is up to 2000 lbs, you will not have any problems.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Comes with wired remove 10′ buttons
- 3-stage planetary gear train
- Dynamic braking
- Free spooling clutch
- Comes with easy to understand manual
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- the size of the remote is not comfortable for handlebar mounting
Bravex 3500 lbs
This winch is a great option and alternative for expensive winches. It is perfect to be used for towing UTV/WTVs, cars, logs, jeeps, trailers and the like. It comes with a pulling capacity of 3500 which means, the maximum gross weight would be 2333 lbs. This winch is also very powerful, versatile option and very durable.
Pros:
- Comes with functioning wireless remote
- Comes with faster line speed
- Installation is easy
- High quality steel winch cable
- Comes with free spooling clutch, differential planetary gear system and automatic in-drum brake
- Compact
- Competitive price
Cons:
- a bit noisy
AC-DK 4500 lbs
Though this brand is not as popular as other brands, this winch is highly recommended. It has a weight capacity of 4500 lbs which makes it suitable for all sorts of towing activities. With its weight capacity of 4500 lbs., this means that you could use this winch with objects weighing up to maximum of 3000 lbs. This winch also comes with synthetic rope.
Pros:
- Comes with different accessories such as gloves, rope stopper, etc.
- Useful handlebar mount switch
- Comes with a wireless remote
- Lightweight
- Compact
- Does not overheat
- Easy to install
- Steel winch cable version and synthetic rope version
- 3 stage planetary gear system, free spooling clutch, automatic load holding brake
- Long rope
- Affordable
ZEAK 5500 lbs
This winch comes with a weight capacity of 5500 lbs which means you could use this winch with anything that has a maximum weight of 3666 lbs. Hence, if you are planning to use this one for heavy UTVs/ATVs, jeep, car, plow, trailers, trucks and other utilities, then, this winch is perfect for you. It is affordable as well.
Pros:
- Affordable
- IP67 rated
- Comes with high-quality steel winch cable
- Comes with pull and turn free spooling clutch, 3-stage planetary gear system and dynamic brake for smooth winching experience
- Comes with nut and bolt including mounting plate
Cons:
- would be better if the winch is compact.
Viper 8500 lbs
This winch has an 8500 lbs capacity winch which is perfect for towing objects with a maximum weight of 5666 lbs. Its remote could work within 50′ range which is perfect for controlling your winch even when you are not close to your winch. It has features such as free spooling clutch, automatic load-holding brake, 3-stage planetary gear system. This winch has the ability to tow trucks, cars, jeeps, boats, trailers and logs. It also provides an option of steel cable or synthetic rope.
Pros:
- Includes features such as weather sealed solenoid with circuit breaker protection
- Comes with two remote controls
- Waterproof
- Easy to install
- 94′ heavy duty steel cable or 85′ synthetic rope
- Affordable
Cons:
- it would be handy if this winch comes with a cover and mounting plate
Smittybilt 97495 XRC 9500 lbs
This winch is considered as very powerful and is widely used by many. It comes with a weight capacity of 9500 lbs. This means, you will be able to use this winch with any object that comes with a maximum weight of 6333 lbs. It is durable and is priced reasonably. This winch is perfect to be used for jeeps, trucks and 4 x 4 vehicles.
Pros:
- Three points for mounting solenoid
- Comes with wired remote
- IP67 rated which makes this winch waterproof
- Easy to install
- Heavy duty and very durable
- 94′ high quality steel winch cable
- Uses 94′ high-quality steel winch cable
- Easy to use sliding ring gear free spooling clutch
- 3-stage planetary gear train and automatic in-drum brake
- Stylish model
Cons:
- Does not have wireless remote control
Tungsten 12000 lbs
This winch is considered as one of the best winches and a great option. It is very powerful and has a weight capacity of 12000 lbs which means you will be able to use this for medium to heavy duty jobs such as pulling big trucks, cars, jeeps and 4×4 vehicles.
Pros:
- IP67 rated
- Comes with wireless remote and corded remote
- Free spooling
- High quality 73′ synthetic rope
- lightweight
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Length of rope would be better if it is longer.
X-Bull 13000 lbs
This winch is another powerful option. It comes with 13000 lbs weight load capacity which provides the ability to be used on heavy-duty jobs. It is made of high quality materials and even though that is the case, it is priced reasonably and at low cost. This winch is perfect for heavy trucks, jeeps, cars and heavy objects and trailers.
Pros:
- IP67 rated
- Comes with wired and wireless remote
- Weather-sealed control box
- Powerful motor
- Overload protector installed
- Comes with dust cover
- Great value for money
Cons:
- A bit noisy
Smittybilt X20 17500 lbs
This winch provides great value for your money. It is very powerful and comes with weight loading capacity of 17500 lbs. It has the ability to pull heavy jeeps, trucks and 4×4 vehicles. It is very durable and comes with warranty policy. This winch comes with 3 capacity options – 10,000 lbs, 12,000 lbs and 15,500 lbs.
Pros:
- IP68
- Remote control is impressive
- Compact
- Powerful motor
- Remote plug cover
- Comes with wire isolator
- 500amp covered solenoid box
- 98.5′ stainless steel cable
- Priced reasonably
Cons:
- Weighs heavier compared to others
Winch Buying Guide
Types of Winches
There are three different types of winches – electrical, hydraulic and manual hand winch.
The electric winch is the most common type of winch. It is widely used as well. It is easy to install and is mostly cheaper than hydraulic winches. Hydraulic winches on the other hand have the capacity and ability to pull larger weight objects. It does not overheat and they are a bit expensive and challenging to install. Hand winch is a type of winch that would need manual labor.
Types of Ropes
Steel Winch cables are very durable and resistant to the sun. It is easy to maintain but to ensure that you are safe, it is recommended that you use gloves to avoid any injuries. Synthetic ropes on the other hand are very lightweight, easy to handle and it could float on water. It is safer to use as well. Though that is the case, it is more expensive compared to steel cables.
To summarize it, steel wire cables are cheaper, durable but less safer compared to synthetic ropes. Synthetic ropes on the other hand are stronger, safer, lightweight but much more pricey.
Pulling Power
When using a winch, there are several different types which are for pulling a jeep but cannot be used for pulling ATVs. The reason behind this is due to the pulling capacity of your winch. Keep in mind that the higher the pulling capacity is the better performance it is. Also, you will have to note that the pulling capacity of your winch is your vehicle’s gross weight multiplied by 1.5.
Motor Type
There are two types of motors used by winches and they are permanent magnet and series wound motors. If you do not get stuck often, then, we recommend that you go for a permanent magnet motor. If you get stuck in extreme terrains, then, it is suggested that you go for the series wound motor.
Line Speed
This would mean how fast your winch could retrieve the rope which measures how fast you could recover your car, boat, jeep, truck, etc.
Remote Control
This is not only for convenience but also a safety feature which allows you to control your winch at a distance.
Waterproof
This one makes it easier to use even when it rains. It could protect your winch from being damaged due to water.
Winch Brands
We understand how challenging it could get when choosing the best winch that would best suit your needs. There are a lot of brands which makes it confusing. Though that is the case, here are some of the most reliable and trusted winch brands – Warn, Smittybilt, X Bull, Badland, Superwinch, Ramsey and Mile Maker.
Warranty
Winches usually provides 1 year warrant. This could make it very convenient as it could be difficult to find spare parts for winches.
Conclusion
We hope that through this review, we were able to provide you useful information which you could use in making the right decision in choosing the best winch that would best suit your needs and preference.