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Best 4WD Winches in Australia – What To Buy?

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
Bushranger® REVO Recovery Winch
Mean Mother Edge Winch
X-BULL Electric Wireless Winch
Best Value
Kings Domin8r Xtreme Winch

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

Bushranger® REVO Recovery Winch

Our Top Pick

Pros
  • Gearbox mounted braking system
  • 12,000 lb rated single line pull
  • Zero brake drag
  • Four-stage oversized gearbox
  • Multi-mount control box
  • Easy installation
  • Wireless hand controller
  • Fully-sealed and durable
  • Waterproof
  • Great warranty
Cons
  • More expensive
  • Lower gear reduction ratio

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)

Mean Mother Edge Winch

Decent Hand Winch

Pros
  • 12,000lb winch
  • Hand controller
  • Galvanised aircraft cable or synthetic rope
  • Fibreglass sheath protection
  • Waterproof casing
  • Very strong
  • Three variations with different cables
  • Upgradeable wireless control
  • 5 year warranty
Cons
  • The wireless hand control isn’t standard
  • Cable variations cost extra
  • Very heavy at 43kg - may require suspension upgrade

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

X-BULL Electric Wireless Winch

Great For Bigger Vehicles

Pros
  • 14,500lbs
  • Super-strong synthetic rope
  • Lightweight (27.5kg)
  • Control box
  • 6.0hp motor
  • Very strong
  • Ergonomic clutch
Cons
  • Too strong for many vehicles
  • Only 1 year warranty