If you’ve ever gone off-roading, you’ll know that things can go badly wrong.
There are so many videos on the Internet of people totalling their vehicles because they underestimated the terrain. That’s why it’s important to be prepared for every eventuality. One of the most crucial accessories to buy is a good 4WD winch.
In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best winches on the market today. These products are available at different price points so there is something for every budget.
Let’s get started!
| Bushranger® REVO Recovery Winch | Mean Mother Edge Winch | X-BULL Electric Wireless Winch | Kings Domin8r Xtreme Winch |
---|---|---|---|---|
Our pick | Best Value | |||
Synthetic | Steel | Synthetic | Synthetic | |
12,000 lbs (5,443 kg) | 12,000 lbs (5,443 kg) | 14,500 lbs (6,577 kg) | 12,000 lbs (5,443 kg) | |
6.2 hp (4.6 kW) | 4.8 hp (3.6 kW) | 6.4 hp (4.7 kW) | 7.2 hp (5.2 kW) | |
Wired or wireless | Hand control with 5 metre power cord | Wired or wireless | Wired or wireless | |
171:1 | 295.75:1 | 265:1 | 218:1 | |
62 x 16.5 x 21.6 cm | 57 x 16.8 x 17.5 cm | 53 x 16 x 21.8 cm | 52.5 x 16 x 19 cm | |
12V | 12V | 12V | 12V | |
35 kg | 43 kg | 27 kg | 27 kg | |
Limited Lifetime / 7 years | 5 years | 1 year | 2 years |
Best 4WD Winches Australia
Bushranger® REVO 12,000lb Vehicle Recovery Winch | Synthetic
Our Top Pick
The Bushranger REVO is a brilliant 4X4 winch. Its list of features almost feels endless.
Firstly, it has a rated single line pull of 12,000 lbs. This is a common weight limit for most high-end winches and is more than enough for most utes. The gearbox mounted braking system ensures smooth movement with less friction or brake drag.
This also ensures that the winch has a longer life because there are fewer heat buildups.
Meanwhile, the motor and gearbox are both fully-sealed. Bushranger ensures that they are safe from water and external debris. This makes for a durable winch, capable of resisting even the toughest obstacles.
Furthermore, the Bushranger is easy to install and use. The brand supplies a wireless controller that makes life simple. The engine is strong at 6.2hp.
However, one area where it falls short of some competitors is the gear reduction ratio of 171:1. This is noticeably lower than some rivals. Bushranger prioritises speed over power when it comes to winching vehicles in distress.
Finally, Bushranger offers excellent warranties. This includes a limited lifetime warranty for mechanical issues. There’s also a seven-year warranty for electrical problems.
All in all, it’s a good option, although it’s certainly not the cheapest option out there.
Mean Mother Edge 12000lb Winch (Wire Cable)
Decent Hand Winch
The Mean Mother Edge 12,000lb winch is a decent option for bargain hunters.
It’s available at a cheaper rate than the Bushranger. However, it should be noted that’s because it comes in three variations. The customised version with wireless control and synthetic rope costs almost the same as the REVO.
Mean Mother claims that it has a 295.75:1 gear reduction ratio. This means that it’s extremely powerful but slow.
Yes, the wireless control is an optional upgrade. The baseline model relies on the hand control and has a strong galvanised aircraft cable. Another version allows owners to insert their cable, so it’s important to identify the type you want.
This may be confusing for some prospective buyers. Nonetheless, it’s still a decent winch with waterproof casing and fibreglass sheath protection.
One issue is that it’s very heavy at 43kg. In contrast, the Bushranger weighs just 35kg and is the second-heaviest winch in this guide. If your suspension doesn’t have much spare capacity, you may need to upgrade it to accommodate this winch, which will add a lot to the cost of installing this unit.
Mean Mother offers a 5 year warranty on these winches. They supply a warranty registration card with the product.
X-BULL Electric Winch 14500LBS Synthetic Rope Wireless Winch
Great For Bigger Vehicles