by Matt Konkle
Managing Editor
Power. Performance. Line Speed. Line type. Heat dissipation. Pull rating.
When it comes to deciding the best Jeep winch around, there is no shortage of categories to consider. Or questions.
Will it work and be reliable when I need it — without draining the battery?
Will it have enough strength for my needs?
Is synthetic rope the way to go, or stick with steel cable?
Will it hold up in the weather?
And what about line speed, motor and heat?
Well, with so many of these categories and questions, there really isn’t a good way to pare everything down into one single winch that will be perfect for everyone. Especially when different budget levels are included in the mix as well.
However, there are certain winches that are highly regarded in what we’ll call the value, performance, and premium level ranges. These are all highly capable recovery tools that have proven successful over several years of on- and off-road situations in all kinds of environments.
First, though, there are some factors to consider when choosing a new winch.
Pulling Capacity
Not all Jeep winches are created the same as their respective pulling capacity can vary between 8,000-12,000 pounds depending on the winch. Now, some say choose the most powerful winch you can afford, but a better (smarter) plan is to pick a winch with a capacity 1.5x heavier than your vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). For most standard Jeeps that do moderate off-roading, 8,000-10,000 lbs. is suitable. For heavier vehicles that sport a bunch of aftermarket modifications, and see quite a bit of trail time, consider a 12,000 lbs. to help with recovery situations.
Winch Type
Just like winches have different pull ratings, they are also offered in different power types — electric or hydraulic.
Electric winches are the most common design and are powered directly by the vehicle’s electrical system, specifically the battery. They are relatively easy to use, are less expensive and do not require the Jeep to be running as long as the battery has sufficient power. While these are generally solid for most recovery situations, prolonged use can generate a lot of heat and draw significant power from the battery.
Hydraulic winches connect to the Jeep’s power steering pump and generally provide faster line speed and continual power without affecting the Jeep’s battery. These style winches normally are ideal for those more into the competitive aspect of off-roading — such as Ultra4, King of the Hammers, etc., and who need that power for longer, more difficult recoveries.
Line Type
Synthetic rope is lighter, safer, and easier to handle than steel cable, but requires proper care. Checking the rope for tears and fraying is definitely advisable. On the other side, steel cable winches are usually more affordable but end up much heavier and are prone to rusting over time. Additionally, like synthetic rope, checking the line for fraying and/or degradation of the steel cable will absolutely prevent safety problems during a recovery.
Features
All winches on the market will have the same baseline set of features. Things like wired or wireless remotes, winch hook, hawse or roller fairleads, motors, gearing and certain waterproof ratings.
From there, you should look to match features to what is important to your needs. Specifically, this should include winch pull rating, line type (again with the synthetic or steel cable), motor horsepower, gearing speed, electric or hydraulic, as well as possible security features and lighting options for nighttime use.
Budget
Winch prices vary greatly, ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Set a realistic budget that matches your off-road desires, and then look to prioritize those above features important to you. While digesting those factors, it is important to understand how to tailor them to your own needs. Are you planning on spending a lot more time on the trail, or just a few weekends a year with friends. Or do you just want a recovery device on the front of your Jeep for peace of mind. Taking a hard look at those questions and coming up with realistic answers can really determine just what type of winch you should purchase.
Additionally, before installing any winch and/or performing a recovery, it is crucial to understand how the device works, how best to safely execute a recovery, as well as how to maintain the thing over time.
So, here are top Jeep winches we have found to be prime ‘best of’ products in their respecting price range.
Value Series
Tactik T10
A value series winch provides just the right amount of affordability mixed with capability — all for those enthusiasts who want the security of a front-end winch, but are not frequent off-roaders and thus do not want to break their bank account in the process.
Tactik’s T10 winch builds on its economical pricing by offering a solid 10,000 lb. pulling capacity and giving you a choice between steel cable or synthetic rope. Additionally, this winch includes a 5.5 hp series-wound motor and three-stage Planetary gearing to help with line speed and pulling power, as well as an IP68 weatherproof rating for added durability.
While its options are not as bright and shiny as other winch versions, the Tactik T10 does include a wired remote, hawse fairlead and an auto load-holding brake to assist with recovery situations on uneven terrain.
Performance Series
Res-Q Teton Series
Performance series winches are a step beyond the value line. They may not be as durable overall as premium winch types, especially for those who are really into off-roading and who may need to use their winch quite frequently, but these winches hit the perfect sweet spot between cost, dependability, options and performance.
And the Res-Q Teton series winch fits perfectly in this category.
Res-Q Teton winches offer pull ratings at 10,000 lbs. and 12,000 lbs., and both are available with synthetic rope. Each size features a 4.9 hp series wound motor with a die-cast aluminum housing specifically engineered to dissipate heat. It also includes a flat black powder-coated finish and stainless steel installation hardware to eliminate corrosion, while its IP68 weatherproof rating is excellent at repelling both water and dust.
Where this winch really shines, though, is its features — an industry-exclusive removable clutch handle to help deter theft, wireless remote control, aluminum hawse fairlead, as well as a dual color white/amber LED winch spool light strip to improve safety during low light recoveries.
Superwinch SX
Additional features on a winch are nice, but it certainly helps when those features add real functionality and create a safer winching environment.
And Superwinch’s SX series winches will do just that for you.
Not only do these winches offer steel cable or synthetic rope options in their 10,000 and 12,000 capacity versions, but each winch also includes a handy winch drum light to ensure safer recoveries in low light situations, an innovative, simple, lift and turn clutch handle for smoother operation, and a removable/relocatable control box so the winch installs easier in tighter locations.
Of course, these winches also include three-stage planetary gearing to assist with all types of recoveries, while the 10,000 lb. winch has a 5.5 hp motor and the 12,000 lb. includes a 6 hp motor to bump up line speed and power.
Each winch is IP68 rated for excellent water and dust proofing, and includes a 12-foot wired remote (steel version) or wireless remote (synthetic) for effortless operation.
Warn VR EVO
If you don’t already know, Warn has been synonymous with high-quality winches for decades. Just head to any Jeep event or weekend meet and greet, and you’ll see plenty of them around. Now, you may think that such a popular name is pretty pricy as well, but the company does offer a highly affordable, feature-packed winch that won’t wreck the budget.
The VR EVO series.
Warn offers these in 8,000 lb., 10,000 lb., and 12,000 lb. pull capacities, and each one can be found with a choice of steel or synthetic cable, while also including a roller fairlead on the steel cable version and a hawse fairlead for the synthetic.
Like all of its winches, the Warn VR series has the company's distinctive look, as well as a powerful series wound motor and three-stage planetary gearing for quicker line speed, low amp draw and needed heat reduction on those longer recoveries.
Additionally, this series also features a wired remote with a generous 11.5-foot cord that helps promote safety when the winch is active, and the whole thing has an IP68 weatherproof rating, ensuring it can stand up to all weather conditions throughout its lifespan.
Premium Series
Warn Zeon Platinum:
This superb lineup is often described as the ‘pinnacle’ of winching performance simply because of unmatched motor efficiency, rapid line speed, thermal overload protection and weatherproofing designed to resist the harshest of environments.
Warn offers these in 10,000 lb. and 12,000 lb. pulling capacities, with each available in steel cable or synthetic rope, so you can match strength to your needs. Additionally, Warn has placed an all-new series-wound high-speed motor in these versions, with stronger gears, and a heat-treated ring gear so that you get a 20 percent faster line speed than previous editions and superior temperature resistance.
This brand also features a wireless remote which not only controls winching in and out, clutch operation and freespool operation, but also offers operation of up to two other accessories. It even provides feedback on vehicle battery charge and motor temperature so you’ll have every piece of info you need when performing a recovery.
Finally, between an IP68 weatherproof rating and durable aluminum structure with flat-black powder-coat finish, these winches have maximum corrosion resistance in all weather conditions.
