Best Jeep Winch In [year]

Winch machine is an important part of any off-road Jeep. And if you are an owner of such a vehicle and need quality winch machines, we have compiled a list of seven best jeep winch and a small buyer’s guide. And if you want to know which is best among all seven, our answer is Smittybilt 9500 lb 97495 XRC GEN2. It is easy to install with the help of an expert and fits into most models of jeep wranglers.

Best Jeep Winch

1. Smittybilt 9500 lb 97495 XRC GEN2 

The Smittybilt is one of the most popular brands and many of its products are the best sellers. Among all the jeep winches it has great sales numbers. Many of the experts and jeep enthusiasts have great things to say about it. It has a rating of 9500 lbs for a single line. Much like any qualities winch, it is completely waterproof. It can be installed on any SUV and if you are particularly looking for the jeep, at supports that too.

While we were researching for Smittybilt winches reviews first thing we did, is test it’s pinching ability. Using this unit fever able to pull a load of 9500 lbs successfully. In order to control the winching, it uses a remote control to manage the power from 6.6 HP motor. Even in wet and muddy conditions, the winch works perfectly. As far as installation is concerned everything needed for the installation is included in the package. However, you will have to hire an expert in order to install it perfectly.

For a winching machine, the durability of the overall unit as well as the cable is the most important factor. It must be able to withstand entities like mud, water, dust etc. And it should not wear or tear easily. The Steel cable used in this unit is of good quality and can last years. The complete unit is colored in black to give sporty look it.

 Bottom Line

If you have to ask which is the best bench for cheap our answer would be Smittybilt 9500 lb 97495 XRC GEN2. It has everything needed for a good bench and it comes at a budget-friendly cost.

2. Smittybilt (98510) X2O Waterproof Synthetic Rope 

Another top quality winch from Smittybilt is X2O with synthetic rope. It looks like an improved version of the 97495 XRC GEN2. Event load capacity is improved by 500 lbs making it a 10,000 lbs winch machine. Even the Rope is improved as it uses a synthetic material compared to the metal used by the XRC Gen2.

When we were installing the unit we realize that it needs a specific bumper that can hold the 57 lbs winch machine. And for most of the Jeep Wranglers, you will have to replace the stock bumper to accommodate this type of winch machine. As far as the load-carrying capacity of the unit is concerned it easily manages any kind of load in any condition. The best thing about this bench machine is the wireless remote control. This allows the user to be more flexible and get the best view to operate to the winch.

The design of the hook is really good and cable requires only one hand while free spooling. While handling the cable in free spool it works smoothly. You don't have to put too much effort. We also tested the unit in freezing and wet conditions. We were able to successfully use the unit even after it was exposed to snow for almost 24 hours. The housing of the winch uses UV resistant finish to make sure that unit last 4 years and withstand a different kind of rough conditions.

Bottom Line

When you are out there in an emergency you want the tools to work perfectly and smoothly. If you have to consider jeep Winch  that is most reliable among all then you must go with Smittybilt (98510) X2O Waterproof Rope Winch. However, you will have to pay Mor compared to XRC gen 2.

3. WARN 96810 VR 10 

If you come from a circuit of outlanders, you might have heard about the Warn. It is currently the fastest-growing brand that provides accessories for various off-road vehicles. While researching for this article we Jeep enthusiasts who had a lot of positive things to say about the WARN 96810 VR 10 Winch. It is 10000 pound winch which is perfect for half-ton trucks, jeep and SUVs. If you have installed the right bumper it is suitable for almost all Jeep models.

For installation, you would require a suitable front bumper. We have to admit it is not the lightest venture that we tested. In order to secure the range, you will have some custom work. And as far winching capability is concerned it will be able to carry out almost all kinds of vehicle emergency rescue missions. There is also a variation of rope for the same model. With VR10 it is the usual cable but with VR 10s you get a synthetic rope.

During installation, we observed that winch is easy to set up and control. It uses Waterproof Albright contractor control. It is considered to be reliable and durable. The good thing about it is that it is designed in a way that maintains a low profile. For this particular we attend model cable is made of steel and the rest of the body is made of cast iron. It does not have a UV resistant finish  but the unit does use a powder coating.

Bottom Line

The Warn jeep winch is among few winch machines that come with 7 years of warranty on electrical systems. This ensures that you have the most reliable machine for emergencies.

4. X BULL 12V Waterproof Synthetic Rope 

The X Bull winch is one of the heavyweights among the jeep wrangler winches. It has a pulling capacity of more than 13000 lbs. It comes with a powerful motor that can be controlled by wired/wireless remote. Dyneema Synthetic cable is another major highlight of this unit. The package includes all the required accessories needed for the installation of the winch. We have tested it with most of the front bumpers for different jeep wranglers and it can be installed on almost all.

Installation was easy as the package includes all the screws and attachments needed to fix the winch on the bumper. We tested it with the different bumpers that are popular among the jeep enthusiasts. It works with most of them. The only thing, that we didn't like is its big profile. It is not easy to hide. It will always stick out on your bumper. Apart from installation, you will love the way the control remote can be used. It can be used as both wired and wireless remote. The wireless range is around 50 meters. And the remote cable is 12 feet only.

As far as the durability of the ropes is concerned, Dyneema Synthetic rope is highly durable. It is easy to deploy and even hook is simple to use. We successfully used the rope to pull heavy SUVs and even a mini-van with a single line set up. However, we have found that rope loses color after a few months of use.  As far as using the winch in wet and muddy conditions is concerned, it can withstand any type of outdoor conditions. We saw it work perfectly in freezing conditions.

Bottom Line

You are looking for a jeep wrangler winch that has a higher capacity compared to most of the winches for jeep, you must go for X-BULL 12V Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch. However, for such a simple which you may have to pay a little extra compared to other winch machines for the jeep.

5. ORCISH IP67 Waterproof 12V Steel Cable Electric 

The Orcish is another winch with a capacity of 13000 lbs. pulling power.  You can say it is almost similar to X-bull winch but the only difference is the rope. It uses heavy-duty steel cable which is a little heavier compared to synthetic rope. As a winch machine package, it is much diverse compared to others as it includes two wireless remotes, 1 wired remote, pair of gloves, 500A winch solenoid contractor, control box and a hook. You can use this winch with any kind of custom or stock frond bumpers of Jeep wranglers.

The installation will require professional help. However, if you have some experience installing winch machines on front bumpers, you can do it on your own using the manual included in the package. After installation, you can say that the unit is low profile but it does not stick out so much as many winch machines do. Operating the winch is easy. You can either go with wireless remote or wired remote. Both are effective. Wireless remotes have the 50-meter range and if the battery is low, it is not as effective as the wired remote. So make sure you use the full battery when using the winch for jeep wrangler.

We loved the fact that even if drop the unit in water, it will work. It is perfect for those users who like to take their jeep on wet and muddy roads. Free spooling of rope can be controlled with the clutch which makes it easy while setting up the winch. The motor is highly effective and even with maximum load, offers optimum power.

Bottom Line

If you like going on roads that are wet or muddy something like ORCISH IP67 Waterproof 12V Steel Cable Electric Jeep Truck Winch could be a great option. And it is an attractive package as it comes with several remotes but you will have to compromise with a steel rope.

6. RUGCEL WINCH Waterproof IP68 Electric with Hawse Fairlead

The Rugcel is one of the most well designed electric winches. It has everything that you need in a quality winch. The black UV resistant matte finish which goes with almost all kinds of bumpers and vehicles. And the capacity of the winch is 12000 lbs much higher than an average winch machine for the jeep. We tested it with most of the jeep wrangler models, and it goes with all. However, you will need a quality bumper to house the winch.

The good thing is the mounting bracket is included in the package which allows you to install it on any kind of front bumper. We would advise you to hire an expert to install the winch if you want to make sure it is installed perfectly.  It uses 6.6 HP series wound motor to generate power. Using this unit was able to easily pull some of the heaviest of the loads including SUVs, and Jeeps. And in order to control the power, you can use wireless remote control which has a range of 50 meters.

As far as the roper is concerned it is a synthetic rope that is much better compared to steel braided cable. The clutch-type is free spooling which is the best way to manage the rope. And the fairlead is made of aluminum which is durable and can withstand wet conditions. And it is a weatherproof unit which works in all kinds of conditions. Even the circuit breaker is weatherproof.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a quality jeep winch that has a higher pull capacity and is well protected against weather, you must go with RUGCEL WINCH Waterproof IP68 Electric Winch. Among all the winches it is the best 12000 lb winch.

7. Rough Country 9500 LB PRO Series Electric 

If you do not require high capacity but something can do the basic winching jobs for you, then the Rough Country 9,500 LB PRO Series Electric Winch could be a perfect option. It has a capacity of 9500 lbs which uses a 5.5 HP series wound motor. We cannot say it has the most powerful motor but it suitable enough for any kind of winching job. We tested with many front bumpers and winch machines carriers suitable for various Jeep models, it fits into all. Even it works as jeep jk winch.

For installation, you will require expert help. This will ensure that everything is in place and well integrated for safe operation. It has wired remote control that allows you to manage 85 ft rope. The remote has simple control within and out switch. It has 12 ft cable which is standard for any winch machine. If you use it with winch carriers you can make it low profile and the only fairlead is visible.

We tested in different conditions. In muddy and wet conditions, you won't face any issue with the machine. It is well protected but there is no weatherproof circuit breaker. We advise you to add a good quality circuit breaker if you want to go with this winch. It is available in different variations if you want more capacity. The only difference in these variants is the power of the motor.

Bottom Line

We would advise you to go with the machine if you want something that is best winch for the money and your pulling requirement  is less than 10000 lbs. However, there are few other models that have higher capacity from the same manufacturer.

Buyer’s Guide- What to Consider While Buying?

A jeep winch is mainly used for pulling out vehicles or obstacles from a tough spot. So, we can call it a pulling device comprises of a rope or cable and a motor. It is usually mounted on jeep’s front bumper and it is a must-have device for off-roaders. As it is somehow a technical device consisting of so many parts, you need to learn few things about it. This is where buying guide on the best winch for the jeep will help you. In order to buy you have to consider type of rope, capacity, and related factors for best winch. So, without wasting any time, let us study some important points you need to consider before buying a jeep winch.

1. Capacity

The first important factor is to consider the pull rating. Pull rating is a combination of the line's tensile strength on the drum and winch's mechanical capacity. Well, you need to remember that rated capacity is dependent on winch cable’s first layer. Almost there are a total of three to four layers in which layer has the most pull and less gear ratio. So, how do you calculate your required pull? Just take Gross Vehicle Weight (not curb weight) and multiply it by 1.5.

2. Type of rope

You need to choose from synthetic or steel rope. Well, both kind of ropes is tough with regards to tensile strength and diameter of materials. However, the most popular type is synthetic rope as it is lightweight and doesn’t get breaks or become projected. The rope generally floats where you can also tie a knot in case of an emergency. This is why splicing a 12 strands rope is much better and lot easier than using a wire rope. The steel rope is heavier among these two options but it is durable at the same time. Well, it is also called as wire rope which is much resistant to abrasion than synthetic rope. The rope is also inexpensive and heat resistant compared to synthetic rope. Thus, we can analyze that both these ropes are feature-rich in their own terms. So, you can decide to buy one of them depending upon your requirement.

3. Electric vs. Hydraulic winch

The serious difference between electric and hydraulic winches is the duty cycle. If you use an electric winch, it will almost offer full power pulling in five minutes along with a dead engine. On the other hand, you can winch all day with a hydraulic winch as long as its engine is running. So, if you do a lot of winching for different purposes, you can do that job well with a hydraulic winch. However electric winch are more suitable for vehicles.

5. Mounting system

Whatever mounting system you select, it should be able to handle winch’s pulling capacity. Furthermore, the weight of winch and that of the mount also becomes an issue. With too much weight, the front suspension of jeep can sag down lower. This is because some cases require a stiff front spring to manage that extra weight. How far your unit protrudes also causes an issue with approach angle. Some mounts may reduce the access to drum, thus making it hard to re-spool the cable. This will put stress on the rope or cable. It also increases the chances of hand injuries while re-spooling.

6. Draw rating

If you want to make the winch more powerful, do consider the force your winch unit can draw. This is because the weight a winch can draw matters a lot and the force rating of any winch should be like 9000 lbs. However, the force rating of 12000 or 13000 lbs will go more extreme and doesn't prove to be any help. The idea of using a changeless magnet engine draws less power and is usually less expensive. But, in other cases, it will not help to cope with temperature changes. If you are plan to utilize the winch on a snowy or vigorous climate, then an arrangement of wound engine will be the ideal option.

7. The Gear Train

Winches use three main types of apparatus trains. It includes spur gear winch, worm gear winch, and planetary gear winch. The spur gear winch offers you with a lot of spur gears where small gear is linked with the winch shaft while the large gear is placed upon the shaft. So these kinds of apparatuses are quick and work upon low erosion. And the worm gear winches are kind of outdated. They utilize a blend of goad gears and worm riggings for better limit for holding and braking potential. The planetary gear winches are popular among the jeep users. Most winch producers use the technology as it is small in size, relatively cheap, and lightweight. Planetary gear winches are also quickly and efficiently deal with even a lot of heap weight.

8. Line Length

After you have decided upon the material of line or rope, now there’s a factor to consider the line length also. At first, it is recommended to go for a longer conceivable line because it helps you get more separation from the pull. However, a long line can get easily tangled. But more length is also needed in some cases, especially when you consider using double line for pulling.

9. Model Of Jeep

Most of the manufacturers' design winch for almost all kinds of jeep models. However, we would still advice you to check which winch works better with which jeep model or winch carrier. For example, if you want jeep tj winch check with the seller which will be the best jeep winch for it. By the way, you can go with any of the seven winches that we have mentioned they go with all.

Final Thought

So, this is how the best winch for jeep is selected based upon the certain vital factors mentioned above.  While buying a winch, you should note the points present in our buying guide and select the one that most suits your needs while also meeting the quality specifications.