While they're not an everyday sort of item you'd own, an electric winch is handy to have. For example, maybe you're an off-roader, and your Jeep is stuck in a muddy gully—wouldn't a winch be helpful to help you tow it out? The best electric winches tend to have a generous weight-bearing capacity, a sufficiently strong cord that can stand up to years of heavy tow-loads, and remote control. Our best overall electric winch is from Champion—it comes in several load capacities other than the 2,000-pound model we chose. That's enough to rescue your car from a ditch, and you won't have to break a sweat doing it. Also included are a ceiling-mounted electric winch and a car-mounted one capable of towing 13,000 pounds. So take a look below, measure the bumper of your ATV, and settle on the right winch for you.
Champion Power Equipment ATV/UTV electric winch kit
Staff pick
If you've never needed a winch before today, this 2,000-pound-capacity electric winch from Champion will likely do you just fine.
Pros:
- 12V DC motor
- Mounting channel included
- 49-foot aircraft cable
- Remote controlled
Cons:
- Remote control is wired to the winch
Champion's 2,000-pound electric winch is sold in several different pull ratings. Still, we think it's the perfect choice for first-time owners. It has a free-spooling clutch with dynamic braking, and Champion chose galvanized steel aircraft cable for a line that lasts. The one-horsepower DC motor can tow around 3.3 feet of line per minute at full load, which is on the slower side. This makes sense, though; the model only has a 2,000-pound limit. If you find that's not enough for what you need to haul, then keep on reading.
Smittybilt waterproof electric steel cable winch
Worth the price tag
Smittybilt's 6.6-horsepower electric winch is IP68 waterproof and pulls nearly any load you hook it to, thanks to the highest torque motor in the towing industry.
Pros:
- Wireless remote control
- Four-roller fairlead
- 6.6-horsepower motor
- All power cables included
Cons:
- Snatch block sold separately in a bundle deal
- High price, but worth it
- Weighs 99 pounds installed
For 50 years, Smittybilt has been a company well-known for its tow gear, and this whopper of an electric winch gets you the best bang for your buck. Wireless remote control? Check. Dynamic braking and stainless steel construction? Check, and check again. Smittybilt even offers this winch in a 17,000-pound tow weight, so it's clear they're a great brand to choose for the heaviest of loads. Yes, this winch is quite pricey, and you'll need an extra person to install it safely. Still, if you're looking to invest in a winch that will get regular use, and you know you'll tow loads of different weights, then this is the electric winch you need.
ZESUPER 12V electric winch
Includes the whole kit and kaboodle
For heavy-duty hauling, consider ZESUPER's brawny 13,000-pound load capacity electric winch.
Pros:
- 5.8 feet per minute at full load
- Auto-brake, 6.4-horsepower motor
- Works with boats, utility trailers, modified vehicles
- Waterproof IP67 and sand-proof
Cons:
- Still heavy, at 57 pounds
Surprisingly speedy at total load capacity, the performance of ZESUPER's vivid orange 6.4-horsepower electric winch is second only to that of Smittybilt's high-torque motor. You can attach this winch to modified vehicles and trailers; boats are also compatible. Due to this, ZESUPER designed this winch to be both IP67 waterproof and sand-proof so that using it with a boat is a lot less worrisome. It's on the high end of the scale if you're planning to install it alone; fifty-seven pounds can be tricky to support.
VIVOHOME 110V electric hoist winch
Best for warehouses, workshops, garages
If you need a winch in your woodworking or car repair shop, VIVOHOME's electric hoist winch is a wise choice.
Pros:
- Built to last
- Braided, anti-twist steel cable
- Can lift with one or two lines
- Emergency safety brake
Cons:
- 80 dollars more for wireless remote
- Ceiling mount only
- Only holds 440 pounds, and needs a double line to do it
VIVOHOME makes quite a broad range of products for your household needs, and this time they've tapped into the towing market. Their 110-volt ceiling winch is perfect for folks that work on cars in their garage or just need help lifting loads. There's an emergency safety break and it allows you to tow with one or two lines. I will say that one downside of this electric winch crane is that VIVOHOME nickel-and-dimes buyers that prefer a wireless remote. So be prepared to spend extra to eschew the corded remote.
SuperATV.com Black Ops electric winch
Best-looking one on the list
A family owned business, SuperATV caters to their fellow creek riders and offroaders with the Black Ops electric winch.
Pros:
- Weighs just 31 pounds
- Waterproof
- Comprehensive accessory pack
- Wireless remote
Cons:
- 6,000 pounds is the only capacity choice you're given
SuperATV's a family-owned company born out of the love of, you guessed it, ATVs. They understand the importance of packing an electric winch on offroading trips, and their BlackOps model is just the thing to bring. It's waterproof for all-weather use and the hardware you'll need for installation comes in the box. There are quite a few accessories included as well, such as a fairlead support bracket, synthetic rope, a wireless remote. Speaking of rope, the type that SuperATV chose has a tensile strength comparable to a steel cable, and it's significantly lighter in weight. This winch is the sveltest on the list, at just 31 pounds.
Bottom line
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No matter which winch you choose from the options above, you'll get your money's worth. Winches tend to be high-quality products due to their purpose. However, Champion's take on the product is our best overall electric winch. This 2,000-pound load capacity electric winch is easy to use, well-built, not too heavy to install by yourself, and the price is right. You can even size up if a 1-ton tow capacity just isn't cutting it.
For folks looking to invest in an electric winch, then I'd recommend Smittybilt's in terms of sheer power. Towing loads up to 10,000 pounds is a breeze for its high- torque, 6.6-horsepower motor, and even though you'll need an extra pair of hands to help install it on your truck's bumper, you can't beat its performance.
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