If you go off-roading often for any purpose, then owning a 12V winch would perhaps be an excellent investment for you. It ensures safety and gives you great security for your vehicle against the dirt, incline, etc. which is much needed. You can never be completely safe when you’re off-roading, and it's always better to be prepared for any situation than being stuck.
However, there is so much information surrounding winches that is important to research and be aware of. Plus, the great number of products available on the market makes it hard to decide which the perfect option for one is. Thus, we have a detailed post, which includes all there is to know about 12V winches along with some of the best products on the market.
Let’s take a look at them.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for 12V Winch
- OUR TOP PICK: Bravex Electric 12V 3500lb/1591kg
- RUNNER-UP: Warn 89305 ZEON 8-S
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: RUGCEL WINCH Waterproof IP68
Comparison Chart of the Best 12V Winches
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
What Are The Best Uses For a 12V Winch?
Here are some of the most common uses of 12V winches:
Automobiles
When being used for automobiles, winches serve the purpose of pulling out vehicles stuck to other cars or if a vehicle itself is stuck in an incline while off-roading. They can also serve the purpose of pulling equipment or trailers behind automobiles.
Boats
12V winches are also used in boats where they serve the purpose of lifting heavy cargo, industrial vessels, or heavy anchor and loading it on the deck.
For Rescues
Often, winches are employed to lift people and bring them into accessible locations during emergency situations from inaccessible places after a possible natural disaster.
How Do I Choose a 12V Winch?
You might wonder how to actually select the perfect winch for you out of all the available options on the market. Well, there are certain factors you can look into that would ensure you get your hands on a product that is perfect according to your vehicle. Let’s take a look at them:
Pull Rating
As the name implies, the pull rating of your winch is its capacity to handle the weight being put on it. The greater the pull rating, the greater the weight it can manage. It’s better to opt for a higher pull rating.
Motor
There are two types of motors in electric winches, namely permanent and series bound. Cheaper models usually have permanent, and they work fine; however, if you plan on using your product in cold weather or for heavy-duty lifting, then it's better to opt for a series bound motor.
Mounting Options
There are three mounting options available, namely, bumper mount, multi-mount, and winch bumper. The simplest among the three is bumper mount. A multi-mount is more complex, and winch bumper is more kind of an aesthetic preference as it looks a lot like your vehicle.
Review of the Best 12V Winches
Here's a list of some of the best 12V winches there are on the market that needs to be brought to attention. All of these products have durability, reliability, and quality construction in common, which makes them exceptional products that are worthy of investment.
Best Overall:
Bravex Electric 12V 3500lb/1591kg
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are incredibly happy with this product. It is one of the best-selling products by the manufacturers and for a good reason. It performs smoothly and efficiently plus is well-built to be durable and withstand harsh weather. All the features it offers, in conjunction with its reliability, make it a great unit.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stood out to us for having an incredible design. Not only does it have a solid construction, but it also provides a smooth performance. The unit has efficient performance due to the fast speed line and the overall metal gearing, which makes it heavy-duty and durable. Furthermore, the design is waterproof as well.
Who Will Use This Most
This would be great for those looking for a winch for a small vehicle. Its power output isn’t the best, but it certainly is enough for a small or ATV vehicle. The product, overall, is well equipped to deal with the changing weather as it is water-proof and anti-sediment.
Bottom Line
Overall, it is a great product. Its star feature is its design. It is sophisticated and so well-executed that it’s hard to find such a product. The performance is also smooth and efficient, making it a worthy investment. Make sure to confirm your mounting plate fits prior to investment.
Runner-up:
Warn 89305 ZEON 8-S
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers were incredibly satisfied with purchasing this unit. They seem to enjoy its performance and commend the manufacturers for solid design construction. This unit is a consumer favorite due to its solid construction and smooth performance. It can be used for larger vehicles as well and provides a good amount of power while operating.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us for having incredible looks and being of great quality. This unit is highly reliable and durable due to the high-quality construction. Overall, it is appealing, as well. It has a symmetrical design that is monochromatic, allowing it to function wonderfully while looking gorgeous on your vehicle.
Who Will Use This Most
This would be great for heavy-duty trucks that require a greater weight range in a winch as it allows 8000lbs to be lifted with great ease. This unit is highly reliable and works without any hiccups; thus, it would be perfect for those who frequently go off-roading. It might be slightly expensive but proves to be a long-term investment.
Bottom Line
All in all, this is a great unit. Not only does it function smoothly, but it also features a design that is sturdy and well-built. Its construction and performance together make it a great purchase. It is a consumer favorite and a worthy investment, given all the features it holds.
Best for the Money:
RUGCEL WINCH Waterproof IP68
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers really appreciate this product for multiple reasons. Firstly, it is highly reliable and provides great value for money; thus, it is accessible and feasible for many people. The design is well-thought-through and functional. Overall, the performance of the product is smooth, and therefore it is a user-favorite product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us for being an incredible product available in such an amazing price range. Electrical winches are increasingly expensive products, and in this marketplace, finding a product this good at such an incredible price is a rare occurrence. Furthermore, the completely waterproof construction makes it incredible under different weather conditions.
Who Will Use This Most
This product is specially designed to work for a range of vehicles, which includes ATV, UTV, car, boat, trucks, jeeps, etc. However, the weight load capacity it features might be a limiting factor if you plan on using for really heavy-duty trucks or larger vehicles. Thus, it’s important to consider the weight capacity.
Bottom Line
It would suffice to say that this unit is an excellent investment. You could not get a better-quality product in this price range from a reputable brand with good customer service on the market. Construction, performance, and how well-thought-through the design is makes it an incredible product to buy.
Best Portable 12V Winch:
Bravex Electric Winch
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers really admire the working of this unit. It is applauded for its functionality and compact design, which allows it to be portable. The consumers like its quality as it doesn’t feel cheap in any way, even though it is lightweight. Furthermore, the brand is reputable and trusted by many.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It stands out to us for having a great portable design that is still powerful enough to lift a car, trailer, etc. Overall, it is packed with features that make it of great quality and allow it to work smoothly without hiccups. Great attention has been paid to the detail of this product, which shows in the end result.
Who Will Use This Most
It works for a multitude of vehicles, including cars, trailers, boats, and trucks. However, it has a pull capacity of 2000 pounds. Thus, it is important to make sure the vehicle or object you intend on using it on is compatible with the unit’s pull capacity, or else you will end up damaging the winch.
Bottom Line
All in all, this unit is an excellent product. The overall performance is smooth. The design is the star feature of this product. In a world of heavy, hard to displace winches, this one is truly a blessing. Its portable design, smooth performance, and reliability make it a great investment.
Honorable Mention:
X-BULL 12V
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are happy with their units. The performance really amazes them, and they deem it as one of the best winches they’ve ever used. The product is a consumer favorite and rightfully so due to its incredible performance. The design is another much-talked-about feature among consumers as it is truly incredible.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There aren’t many products on the market which offer such a high load capacity. This unit is a beastly machine that works without showing major signs of tear. The overall smooth performance and up-to-date design are what make it stand out from many other products on the market.
Who Will Use This Most
This would be great to use by heavy vehicle owners. The high pull capacity it features is incredible for heavy-duty work. The design is durable and constructed with great quality products, aiding in the purpose. Plus, it doesn’t operate with great noise or pose any other hiccups in performance.
Bottom Line
Overall, it is a great product. It's one of the best 12V winches on the market and therefore deserves an honorable mention on our list. The product itself is great, functions smoothly, is made from great quality materials, and is reliable. It is manufactured by a well-known brand and is a consumer favorite.
Pros and Cons of 12V Winches
If you’re still unsure about investing in this product, perhaps seeing the pros and cons can help you decide if it’s worth your investment. Let’s take a look at them:
Pros
Below are the main pros:
Safety and Security
If you go off-road often, you would know that it wouldn’t be the most bizarre thing if you ever got stuck in a ditch, mud, or inclination. In that scenario, it's always better to be prepared than not. A winch will help your vehicle out with ease without harming it.
Versatile
There are many shapes, sizes, and types available to suit your vehicle. Don't fret about not finding the right one as there surely is one compatible with your ride.
Ease of Use
Now, these units come in many mounting styles with detailed instructions and instructional videos, which make them easy to install. You won’t struggle with operating or installing it.
Cons
Here are the main cons:
Expensive
They can be an expensive investment. The greater the pulling capacity and weight capacity your unit has, the more it will cost. At times, it can even round up to more than a thousand dollars. However, it is a worthy purchase.
Hard to Choose
Variety is a blessing and a curse. The more options you have to choose from, the more difficult the decision becomes. You have to choose between different mounting styles and winch styles, depending upon your preference, which can be hard if you’re just starting out and don’t have any idea of which one would be the most suitable.
Conclusion
An important realization people should have by now is that when it comes to winches, it is all relative. You can’t expect one product to work for everyone. The winch that works for you will be decided by the type of vehicle you own, and it might not work for some others. It’s better to research the product well before investing in it, so you don’t make a mistake and end up buying a product that is not going to work for you.