When you’re working outdoors, an ATV can be a great boon. They’re small, yet tough, and can help move and hoist things that are much too heavy to carry. A great tool to make that job even easier is an ATV winch, which hooks on to things and pulls them in. However, choosing an ATV winch can be difficult sometimes due to the wide array of models. Thus, we decided to write this buyer’s guide on the best ATV winch.
It’s an invaluable thing to have, especially if you get into a tough situation with no recourse. For example, if you get stuck in the mud, you can use a winch to drag yourself out; without the winch, you’d likely be stuck there for a while. As for most useful things, there’s a large ATV winch market online. Because of that, it can sometimes be difficult to find the best winch for you.
An ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) may need a winch for several reasons:
- Extraction of the ATV from a difficult terrain or mud
- Pulling heavy loads or equipment
- Recovery of stuck vehicles or objects
- Assisting in various off-road tasks such as logging or construction.
To help you out, we’ve made this list of the best ATV winches on the market today. Like all of our lists, we’ve divided the winches into 3 different budget categories, in order to help you find the one that fits your budget.
[table id=35 /]In addition, each winch comes with a list of specs that’ll make it easier to distinguish each winch. Here’s a breakdown of each spec to help you out even more:
Line Pull: One of the most important specs, considering it’s what determines what you can pull out, including the ATV itself. Expect to see the better line pulls on the higher-end winches. However, some of the budget winches are surprisingly tough, so keep your eyes peeled.
Material of the Rope: You really don’t want your rope to snap when you’re using your winch. To prevent that, you should know what type of rope will fit best with what you’re expecting to haul. There are only two types of rope: synthetic and steel. Steel is tougher, but if it snaps, it can also be fatal. That’s why you should never exceed the suggested weight limit when using steel cable. Synthetic is less tough, but cheap to replace if it snaps, as well as far less deadly.
Motor: This is part of what determines the overall line pull. Better motors are usually found on higher end models. In addition, higher-end models will come with extra motor features that the budget ones most likely won’t have.
Budget (under $150)
In this range, expect to see synthetic ropes and motors without any extra features. There are some surprisingly some of the best ATV winches in this range, especially when you factor in price. If you’re looking to get a winch at a steal of a price, this is a great range to look in.
1. Keeper Corporation KT2000 Trakker Winch
- 2,000 lb. Pulling Capacity – Handles light-duty projects on the farm, trails, or at home, perfect for ATVs, small trailers, and equipment.
- Durable 50' Galvanized Wire Rope – Includes 5/32" steel cable with a hook and safety latch for reliable, long-lasting performance.
- Easy-to-Use Handheld Controller – Features in/out power control for the permanent magnet motor, ensuring smooth operation with minimal effort.
- Convenient Free-Spool Clutch – Quickly release the wire rope using the pull/turn free-spool clutch knob, making rope deployment simple and efficient.
- Permanent ATV & Trailer Mounting – Designed for secure, long-term installation with a pre-installed tensioner plate and wiring harness for quick 12V battery connection.
- Line Pull: 2000 lbs
- Material of Rope: 50′ galvanized wire rope
- Motor: 1 hp, 12V DC electric motor
This is a barebones winch, but it’s offered at an unbeatable price. It comes with a 1 HP motor and a 50 foot long wire rope, both of which are good enough to give the winch 2000 pounds of pulling power.
It comes equipped with a great braking system that allows you to find the perfect wire length for your task and hold it steady. It also comes with a circuit breaker in case the voltage suddenly changes, or if the whole thing short circuits. It’s also remote-controlled, allowing you stay at a safe distance when operating the winch.
This isn’t the best ATV winch for heavy duty jobs; it’s lacking in safety features and the 2000 pound limit isn’t good enough for many tough winching tasks. However, if you’re not planning on needing a super-strong winch, this one is good enough for most jobs. And most importantly, it’s offered at an absolutely unbeatable price.
2. Superwinch 1130220 LT3000ATV 12 VDC
- 3,000 lbs. capacity
- Sealed 1.2 HP permanent magnet motor
- 1-Stage planetary gearing with 136:1 ratio
- Sealed solenoid, circuit breaker protected
- Cam-style clutch control knob
Line Pull: 3000 lbs
Material of Rope: 50′ galvanized wire rope
Motor: Sealed 1.2 HP permanent magnet
One of the best winch on the cheaper side, but this one is considerably more powerful than the last; for only 20 dollars more, it might make sense to invest in this one! This winch comes with a 1.2 HP motor and a 50 foot wire rope, giving this a recommended pull limit of 3000 pounds! It’s pretty amazing how much weight that is for a winch this cheap. The motor itself is a permanent magnet, meaning that it runs off electromagnetic power.
This winch also comes with plenty of great safety features, such as a braking system (mechanical and dynamic), sealed solenoid and circuit breaker protection, and a rubber remote switch that allows for safe operation of the winch from a good distance away. If you’re willing to invest a few dollars more into a higher-end, yet one of the best ATV winch at an affordable price, this could be the one for you!
Mid-Range ($150-$400)
In this range, expect to see a dramatic increase in the line pull threshold, as well as more safety features. The differences between winches in this range can be dramatic, since it spans $250. As such, you might have to do some digging in this range to find the best ATV winch for you.
3. Superwinch Terra 45
- High efficiency, low amp draw, sealed 1.6 hp permanent magnet motor featuring mechanical load holding and dynamic brake
- 55' of 1/4" synthetic rope, drum designed for use with synthetic rope and ergonomic cam action freespooling clutch
- All steel planetary gear twice as wide as those used by the competition and utilizing machined-in, oil pocket bronze bearings
- Circuit breaker protected and weather sealed solenoid contact.Anodized aluminum hawse, heavy duty latched hook with thimble and limited lifetime warranty
- Synthetic rope is remarkable stuff
- Line Pull: 4500 lbs
- Material of Rope: 55′ synthetic rope
- Motor: 12V DC, 1.6 hp weather-sealed permanent magnet motor
If you’re looking for a supertough winch, look no further. This winch has a staggering line pull of 4500 pounds, which will get you out of any tough situation, guaranteed! The rope is synthetic and pulls out to a full 55 feet, far enough for most jobs.
The motor is incredible, in part because of the 1.6 HP it’s able to produce. It’s powered by an electromagnetic motor that produces all the power inside the winch. It also comes with a 3-stage planetary gear train so you can easily adjust the speed of the winch.
Since it’s a mid-range winch, it has plenty of safety features, including a remote control, a state-of-the-art braking system, and a circuit breaker. In addition, all mechanical parts are protected under a lifetime warranty, ensuring your investment won’t ever go to waste!
High-End (above $400)
The cream of the winch crop are in this range. Expect to see the best of the best here, from rope material to lift pull. Still, all that comes at a (literal) cost; you should be ready to invest when looking to buy from this range.
WARN 75500 XT25 Extreme Terrain<
- 2500 pounds pulling capacity
- Includes 50 feet of 3/16 inch wire rope
- Three-stage planetary gear train for smooth, efficient operation
- Patented roller disc brake for outstanding control while winching
- Mini-rocker control switch with integrated socket
- Line Pull: 2500 lbs
- Material of Rope: 50′ wire rope
- Motor: 12V DC, 0.9 hp (0.7 kW)
This is one of the best ATV winch on the market. Any problem you run into, this bad boy will have no problem fixing it. That includes everything from snow plowing to lifting other ATV’s out of the mud! With 2500 pounds of lift pull, this winch can handle pretty much everything that’s thrown at it.
The motor is sealed, allowing for much more protection that you’d usually get on a winch, and making it really easy to use in terrible (or “extreme) weather conditions. It comes with a 3-stage planetary gear train that allows the speed of the winch to be controlled easily, which can also be controlled with a remote control that comes with the winch. The mechanical parts are under a lifetime warranty, while the rest is under a 3-year warranty.
Runner-Ups
- 【Easy to install】3000lb ATV winch body size: 11.5''*4''*4.2''; Fairlead Mounting Pattern: 4 1/2" (124mm); Mounting plate 2-Hole: 3"(76mm)/ 3.10"(78mm ). Standard body size and installation size...
- 【High quality motor】The newly upgraded 1 HP pure copper permanent magnet motor has excellent high temperature resistance and strong power, and can provide the rope with a pulling force of up to...
- 【Precision Gears】ATV winch with three-stage planetary gear system，the transmission ratio is 138:1, which not only provides greater torque for the winch, but also saves the size of the gearbox,...
- 【Efficient Control】The ATV winch kits includes a 50-foot wireless remote control and a 10-foot wired controller, and the winch’s receiver responds quickly, ensuring that the winch responds...
- 【Pro Safety Tips】The pulling force of a winch does not equal the load weight.Actual pulling capacity must consider additional friction from varying terrain and incline. All winch-rated marked max...
- 【Powerful Upgrade】3500 lb electric winch powered by a 1.3 kW (1.7 HP) permanent magnet DC 12V efficient motor, with a min cold start current of 10A. This full metal motor generates excellent...
- 【Simple to Install】Unlike complex relay wiring diagrams, we’ve pre-wired the relay and secured it in a control box to prevent loss and damage. Just connect one end of the yellow and blue wire to...
- 【Multi-Control Options】ATV/UTV winches offer remote and manual control. The easy-to-use wireless remote functions efficiently within a 50 ft range, and we include two remotes as backups....
- 【Application & Service】Orcish 3500lb winch features a black matte finish that reduces external damage and rust, significantly enhancing insulation and durability, and is primarily designed for...
- 3500 pounds pulling capacity
- Includes 50 feet of 3/16 inch wire rope
- Three-stage planetary gear train for smooth, efficient operation
- Patented roller disc brake for outstanding control while winching
- Mounting Plate not included
- Precise 3-stage planetary gear: True 3-Stage Planetary can decelerate (grow), reverse, and more. The combination of multiple planetary wheel systems can achieve a very large speed ratio, which enables...
- 12V DC 1.0kw/1.3hp Copper Wire Permanent Magnet Motor: Pure copper motor has the characteristics of high magnetic induction melting point, high temperature resistance, strong power, safety and high...
- Safety guarantee: XPV will offer efficient, timely and friendly customer service. In addition, we will provide return or replacement of accessories within one year.
- Not afraid of terrain and distance: high-precision mini digital wireless remote control, It will not be restricted by terrain and weather which is very easy to use. The design of the winch is suitable...
- IP66 can play a dust and waterproof effect, so you don't have to worry about getting it wet or dirty when it rains or when passing through mud. The sealed motor can help you smoothly resist any harsh...
- TYT new 2500 lb. ATV synthetic rope winch kit not only includes all the winch accessories you need, but also has standard mounting dimensions.Fairlead Mounting Pattern: 4 1/4" (108mm); Mounting Plate...
- EASY TO INSTALL AND USE: The minimum cold starting current of this winch is 10A. The winch accessories include a large yellow remote control handle, you only need to connect the power cord of the...
- STABLE PLANETARY GEAR SYSTEM:The 2500 lb. winch powered by a 0.9kw/1.2hp output permanent magnet DC 12V motor, provide more sufficient power and stable output, and reduce the problem of winch damage...
- DYNEEMA SYNTHETIC WINCH ROPE: Rope diameter length: 3/16" X 50', dyneema rope is a strong and light water-resistant material. It's the safest winching material as it does not suffer from potential...
- All TYT winches come with one year of quality service and lifetime technical support. Should you notice the machine showing a bit of character now and then, or the controller becoming unexpectedly...
Get Your Winch Today
In conclusion, a winch is an essential tool for an ATV as it provides versatility and usefulness in various off-road situations. It enables the ATV to extract itself from challenging terrains, pull heavy loads, recover stuck vehicles or objects, and assist in various tasks. Hence, having a winch can significantly enhance the capability of an ATV and make it a more reliable and useful vehicle in off-road environments.
