Top 10 winches

Winches are a mandatory attribute of vehicles when driving off-road, because they allow drivers to overcome difficult places with a specific landscape. Such conditions in Russia are mostly mud and snow-covered transitions, where there is a high probability, for example, to sit on the bottom.

Initially, the winch was a manual mechanisms in the form of blocks and drums, manually driven through a crank. A ratchet or a clutch protruded to the bottom prevented the cable from coming off in the opposite direction from twisting. Over time, the manual mechanical drive was replaced by an electric one, but the main point remained the same. Subsequently, the power grew, as did the need for winches on all types of road transport, ranging from ATVs to waggons and heavy tractors.

Needless to say, the winch market is currently largely oversaturated with both manufacturers and their products. Unfortunately, only 20-30% of them are trustworthy, and everything else simply prevents consumers from focusing on choosing a good product. Due to the current situation in the segment, expert.bigbadmole.com/en/en/ magazine conducted its own independent market research, and, under the supervision of staff experts, selected the rating of the best automobile winches in three thematic segments. Criteria for evaluating products in the rating are technical characteristics, in particular, efficiency and traction capabilities, as well as data obtained from users in the form of reviews and expert opinions.

Top car winch rating

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best cheap car winches up to 2.5 tons	1	DENZEL LB-2000 52021	20 277 ₽
	2	Superwinch W1500	32 999 ₽
	3	T-max ATWPRO-3500	14 990 ₽
The best automobile winches with carrying capacity up to 5 tons	1	COMEUP Speed ​​Vertical Blazer (12V)	345 500 ₽
	2	COMEUP Seal Gen2 9.5rsi 12V (EAC)	94 140 ₽
	3	DENZEL LB-4000 520505	30 750 ₽
	4	Runva 12V, 9500 lbs, 4350 kg	39 270 ₽
	5	T-MAX HEW-9500 X-Power 12V	35 000 ₽
The best hydraulic winch for car	1	SUPERWINCH H14W with 6350kg worm gear	150 000 ₽
	2	COMEUP Badger 18	98 200 ₽

Best cheap car winches up to 2.5 tons

DENZEL LB-2000 52021

Rating: 4.7

As part of a separate category of winches with a carrying capacity of up to 2.5 tons, DENZEL LB-2000 52021 leaves no chance to any of its closest competitors. The beauty of this model lies in the perfect balance of performance, which has a positive effect on the operation and durability of the composite mechanisms. The maximum effort that can be given to a 24-meter steel cable is 2260 kilograms, making it possible to pull decent SUVs and smaller vehicles from mud and deep snow.

The power consumption of the DENZEL LB-2000 52021 is 3200 watts, but under such extreme conditions of use it can be considered as the norm. The maximum lifting speed here is no different from the Superwinch W1500, but the gear ratio of the gearbox is much higher: 294: 1. The cable, as mentioned above, is made of steel, and the weight of the structure does not exceed 17.2 kilograms. Too much, but for the penetration of the dense routes it is not a big problem.On the contrary, the chances of a successful outcome of a winch with the help of a winch are several times higher relative to the same models with synthetic cables and, to the maximum, lightened structural elements. Such a device is much cheaper than the second nominee, but in fact manifests itself better in all aspects of operation.

Superwinch W1500

Rating: 4.6

“Case” winch Superwinch W1500 - an expensive, but effective solution to the problem with the equipment for going to the deaf off-road, suitable for light SUVs (crossovers), cars and ATVs. All mechanisms of this winch are packed in a massive plastic container to prevent dirt, sand, moisture from entering there, which in itself is a big plus. However, this also leads to the appearance of several scrupulous nuances: in particular, to a problem with a large mass, since even taking into account the lightweight cable (replacing the steel one with a synthetic one), the weight of the model is 19.5 kilograms.

The maximum capacity of the Superwinch W1500 is more than 200 units higher than the results of the T-max ATWPRO-3500, and is 1,814 kilograms. At the same time, the lifting speed at maximum tractive effort is limited to 1.6 meters per minute - not the best result, but guaranteed to protect the winch cable from premature rupture. From the position of quality to this model, there is no undermining: users note the correct operation of the mechanism during the entire life cycle. However, according to the “dry” numbers, it obviously loses to the leader of the rating, on the basis of which it occupies the second line.

T-max ATWPRO-3500

Rating: 4.4

Profile winch for ATVs with engines of 500-1000 cubes, which can be installed on passenger cars without any problems. It has a 15-meter synthetic cable with a diameter of 5 millimeters made of Dyneema fiber material, which is almost seven times lighter than standard steel cables. What directly affects the overall weight of the structure: in the T-max ATWPRO-3500 such is 8 kilograms.

As for the winch effort, at peak limits it reaches 3000 lbs, or 1,590 kilograms, translated into units of measurement familiar to the domestic user. As a power unit in the model is installed a liter engine with a planetary gear, the gear ratio of which is 148: 1. In the original (when using the winch to the destination), the control panel is attached to the steering wheel of the ATV with a bracket, but when mounted on cars, it has to be lengthened and brought to the salon. However, as users note, automatic control does not realize itself here - when driving on hard off-road mechanisms are clogged with sand and dirt, as a result of which the automatic system refuses to turn the coil with a cable and actually stops functioning. In such a situation, it is necessary to “swan” manually, which even with regard to the use of the device for its intended purpose (for quadrotechnology) is very, very difficult.

The best automobile winches with carrying capacity up to 5 tons

COMEUP Speed ​​Vertical Blazer (12V)

Rating: 4.9

Extremely expensive professional-grade winch, the installation of which is advisable in the case of sports or expeditionary passes of the total off-road.It has two built-in motors of 7 horsepower each, in order to ensure maximum winding speed even at near-limit load values ​​of 50 meters per minute. The maximum traction that a rigid system can provide is 3,630 kilograms, which is ideal for SUVs.

The reworked COMEUP Blazer friction brake system allowed this element to be taken out, thus allowing the use of synthetic cables. That is why the model is equipped with a rope made of Dyneema fibers, 46 meters long and 11 millimeters thick. The remote control unit with a 5-meter cable is responsible for the remote operation of the winch, which can be pushed both into the cabin and manipulated by pulling the car out of it. Of the remaining features of the Blazer, 58 kilograms of weight can be distinguished, as well as the use of a three-stage gearbox with a gear ratio of 3.5: 1, thanks to which such impressive speed of the cable rewind is ensured.

COMEUP Seal Gen2 9.5rsi 12V (EAC)

Rating: 4.8

One of two representatives of COMEUP in this category, which is a simpler version of the winch for staffing off-road vehicles and cars for everyday use. It has a built-in 5-hp motor with high torque and a built-in overheating protection circuit. The maximum tractive effort of the second generation COMEUP Seal is 4.3 tons, while the winding speed decreases with the increase in the load threshold from 19 to 2.1 meters per minute.

Well, prior to COMEUP Blazer, this winch is not strong enough, however, in the case of it, manufacturers went to tricks like providing the best protection and durability. In the end, the plastic anti-shock case was made IP68, so that the model can work without any problems with full immersion in water to a depth of over 1 meter. The cable here is made of the same 12-strand Dyneema fibrous material (30.5 meters long and 10 millimeters in cross section), and to minimize its wear, two brakes were provided outside the drum. In the end, the dramatic differences in design and performance played a significant reduction in the price of Seal Gen2 9.5rsi relative to Blazer, but the younger model still inherited similarities in the form of optimum quality and reliability.

DENZEL LB-4000 520505

Rating: 4.7

High-quality development of the already mentioned in the winch rating for the car DENZEL LB-2000 52021, calculated on the perception of disproportionately large loads and in more severe operating conditions. With a load capacity of around 4550 kilograms, the built-in motor provides power to the mechanism at the level of 4400 watts. This is not the most effective use of the built-in engine in terms of efficiency, which, nevertheless, allowed us to solve the problem of the durability of using the model.

The cable DENZEL LB-4000 520505 is made of steel, and has a length of 28 meters with a cross section of 9.2 millimeters. It is quite enough for everyday use of the winch in a situation of going to off-road routes of average complexity. When equipping a car with this model, you should consider that its weight is 38 kilograms. Practically, this is treated by simple re-equipment of the drum with a synthetic cable, which entails additional expenses, taking into account the already rather big cost of the device. However, in monetary terms, purchasing a product from DENZEL is more profitable than buying a competitor from COMEUP.

Runva 12V, 9500 lbs, 4350 kg

Rating: 4.7

The spectacular winch has a payload of 4350 kilograms, which is a direct competitor for leadership in the segment along with DENZEL LB-4000 520505 and COMEUP Seal Gen2 9.5rsi 12V. The drive of the drum in this model was a 6.1 horsepower engine, the current consumption in the minimum of which is 80 amps. It is proposed to control this engine using a remote wired remote control.

As a retarding mechanism in the design of the Runva, a planetary gearbox is provided, the gear ratio of which is 230: 1. Such a small twist pitch is caused, firstly, by the need to reduce the load on the motor, and secondly, by the risk of breaking the cable at higher speeds of rotation of the drum. The last argument sounds at least strange, since the cable is a 12-wire steel braid with a cross section of 9.2 millimeters. However, experts and users argue that the tensile strength of the bars leaves much to be desired. In general, Runva is an almost complete copy of DENZEL, with the exception of a more aesthetic appearance and weak technical characteristics.

T-MAX HEW-9500 X-Power 12V

Rating: 4.6

This winch for a car hit the rating is not by chance - by the will of user preferences, it is one of the leaders in sales in the domestic market segment. However, we cannot objectively award T-MAX HEW-9500 X-Power higher than the current. And the point here is as follows. Peak pulling force developed on a steel 8-mm cable can reach a value of 4310 kilograms, which, albeit slightly, but less than that of competitors. As a drive, an engine larger than that of the same Runva is used (power (again, in tenths - 6.6 horsepower).

But in terms of the gear ratio of a planetary gearbox with three gearing levels, everything is much better - 161: 1 allows you to increase the speed of the cable rewind.

The main advantages of the T-MAX HEW-9500 X-Power are the presence of a remote control on a 3.7 meter wire and a small nominal weight of 36 kilograms, which can be reduced by replacing the steel cable with a synthetic one. Exactly for the reason that this winch has nothing to oppose to competitors, but its popularity still has weight, a higher line would be a controversial decision.

The best hydraulic winch for car

SUPERWINCH H14W with 6350kg worm gear

Rating: 4.9

Let the winch for the SUPERWINCH H14W car a little fall short of the main competitor in terms of maximum tractive effort; from a purely technical point of view, it turns out to be much better. First of all, due to the use of a simpler worm pair as a reducer, which is amenable to repair is much better than a planetary mechanism. In essence, the gear ratio of such a gearbox is 48: 1, which ensures a quick winding of the cable onto the drive drum.

Secondly, the role of the engine is performed by a torque motor with a high level of structural reliability, the first failures of which begin on average after 4-5 years of intensive use. It provides a winding speed of about 3 meters of cable per minute, with a maximum pull force (14000 lbs or 6350 kilograms). The recommended geometrical parameters of the cable (mostly metal), prescribed by the manufacturers themselves, are 30 meters in length and 13 millimeters in cross section.The fact that the net weight of the winch is 51 kilograms is remarkable, but in terms of dimensions, it looks larger than its main competitor. As a result, SUPERWINCH H14W is the preferred object of equipping the car both in terms of reliability and ergonomic indicators.

COMEUP Badger 18

Rating: 4.8

Expensive, but very efficient hydraulic winch, which is, in essence, a cargo tow truck with a lifting capacity of up to 18,000 lbs (8,182 kilograms). It goes on sale without a cable, and in this condition weighs a good 72 kilograms. It has a two-stage planetary gearbox with a gear ratio of 19.4: 1, as well as a brake consisting of a balancing valve (which performs fluid bypass to balance the pressure on the membrane / piston) and a ratchet mechanism.

As the manufacturer notes, the winch COMEUP Badger 18 was created with full compliance with the accepted engineering directives under the designation SAE J706, CE 2006/42 / EC and EN 14492-1: 2006. In other words, all the characteristics of the hydraulic compressor in conjunction with the traction structural elements were pulled up to the standards standards. Thus, the working pressure in the system turned out to be 150 bar, and the flow rate was 60 liters per minute. Actually, it was the speed of this part of the winch that turned out to be responsible for the traction characteristics and efficiency of the winding of the winch cable. In general, COMEUP Badger 18 was greeted by users quite warmly, but the fact of the high price halved the circle of potential buyers.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.