Best Rated Winches and Winch Plates for Jeep Wrangler – Top 11 Reviews

If you are into the off-roading experience and own a Jeep Wrangler, you probably have a winch and winch plate with you handy at all times in order to deal with any accidents. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a pothole or ditch with no help unless there is a winch to help you out. This compact piece of machinery does what most large jeeps simply cannot do on their own. Even if you do not use it often (thankfully!), a winch for your jeep is definitely something you shouldn’t be driving without.

Reviews of the Best Winches for Jeep Wrangler

Reviews of the Best Winch Plates for Jeep Wrangler

**Below, you’ll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.

 

How Do Winches and Winch Plates for Jeep Work?

A winch is a mechanical device which is used for pulling in, letting out or adjusting the tension of a rope or cable attached to a vehicle or machine.

Winches are generally of two types, electric and hydraulic. The main difference between the two types is the duty cycle.

The electric one is powered by an electrical system which does not have a power supply for using continuously but can provide at least five minutes of nonstop pulling power even with a dead engine. The hydraulic one is powered by a steering pump and works as long as the engine is running.

In the electric motors that are used for winches, there are two types, permanent magnet motors and series-wound motors. The former use strong magnets for the stator and are equipped with an armature with copper coils that are used for the rotor. The series-wound motors use coils in place of the permanent magnets and are, thus, more reliable.

Things to Consider When Buying Winches and Winch Plates for Jeep

Winches are extremely useful if you are stuck somewhere. If you have a fully-functioning winch at hand, there is no need to get any outside help and you will be good to go in no time. You have to, however, make sure your winch works effectively and is good enough to take you out from where you are stuck. Thus, you must make sure your winch is used for the kind of vehicle you are driving.

There are various factors which you must consider before buying a winch for your vehicle. Apart from the very obvious factors, such as which vehicle it is for and what brand should you get, there are other factors which should influence the decision you make.

You do not invest in a winch and winch plates often, so when you do, you must make an informed choice by keeping the following considerations in mind.

Line Pull Rating

This is probably the most important factor to consider when you are choosing a winch for your Jeep Wrangler. This rating refers to a combination of the line’s tensile strength and the mechanical capacity of the winch, which is based on the first layer of the cable of the winch. In order to get the right pull rating for your jeep, you would need to multiply its GVW (gross vehicle weight) by 1.5.

Line Length

This is yet another factor that you must consider when deciding to buy a winch. The more line you have on your drum, the farther you will be able to reach. Once you have chosen the pull rating of the winch, you would need to get a long rope in order to acquire the maximum pull.

A long line, however, can get snarled up and kinked, so you would need to be careful about that. That is why many people prefer to go for a shorter line and have at least a 50-foot line extension, especially if using a winch rope that is not made of wire but synthetic. You can have around 100 feet of line on the drum along with a 50-foot extension.

Line Speed

When the vehicle is being recovered, most people find slow lines quite irritating. When it is unloaded, most winches are quite fast, but when they are under load, they become slow. Most of the winches have a pull speed of around 2-5 meters per minute when they are under load, which is usually not the same as when it is unloaded. What you need to do is determine what your level of patience is when it comes to unspooling and decide on a line speed accordingly. However, winches that are faster would require more electric power.

Your Budget

Your budget is obviously one of the most important considerations you must keep in mind when deciding on which winch to purchase. The best winch is the one that you can easily afford. A winch with a synthetic rope may be stronger, safer and more flexible, but it is also usually more expensive than the winch with a steel cable. Most types of winches will get your job done, provided that they are in good condition and well maintained.

Electrical or Hydraulic

Another consideration is which type of winch is the right one for your Jeep Wrangler, hydraulic or electric. Electric ones are generally more common, inexpensive and widely available. They are also easier to install as compared to the hydraulic ones and often have more features than their counterparts.

 

Top 5 Best Winches for Jeep Wranglers

Keeping all of the above factors in mind, we have reviewed the best-selling and most popular winches for the Jeep Wrangler that will help you choose the best one for your Jeep.

1.  Smittybilt 97495 XRC Winch – 9500 lbs Load Capacity

 

 

The most attractive feature of this winch is the fact that it boasts an unbelievable strength of 9,500 pounds, which is more than enough to pull out your Jeep Wrangler or even truck from the muck. The motor is extremely solid with a horsepower of around 6.6, which means this winch is the ideal choice for jeep owners and for the Jeep Wrangler in particular.

This winch is also quite popular with customers as most of them have praised it for being powerful and able to pull heavy trucks and jeeps from ditches. Many customers, however, have commented on the price is quite high.

Key Features

• Waterproof

This is a must-have feature in a winch. This Smittybilt winch has an amphibious motor, which is needed to get your jeep out of a pothole which is generally filled with water. It has an IP67 waterproof rating.

• Corded Remote

This winch is equipped with a corded remote that allows the user to operate the winch without having to tread in the water.

• Easy Installation

Installing this winch is quite easy and simple. It comes with a startup kit which includes everything, including wiring. The operation of the winch is also quite straightforward.

 

2.  Smittybilt 98510 X2O Waterproof Synthetic Rope Winch – 10000 lb Load Capacity

 

 

This is yet another great winch from Smittybilt, which is a well-known and reputable company for winches. This is a great winch for a Jeep Wrangler due to its high performance and trouble-free operation.

The best part about this winch is that it can be mounted on two different locations, so you can choose the one that is more suited to your needs. It also comes with a remote which can be wired or even used wirelessly. Most of the people who have used this winch have praised its quick and easy installation as it simply needs to be put on the vehicle with the cables already installed.

Key Features

• Wireless Operation

It includes a wireless remote which the user can operate as wired or wireless. It has a 12-foot lead and works easily under two different configurations, allowing the user to pull the jeep from a safe distance. Moreover, it provides a high horsepower of 6.6 along with a three-stage planetary gear train that is very fast and is able to pull out a Jeep Wrangler in no time.

• Quick and Strong

With a fast speed and a line pull of 10,000 pounds, this winch offers a remarkable performance every time. It features a 218:1 gear ratio that is matched by a sliding ring gear clutch along with an out-of-drum braking system which is automatic.

• Additional Features

This Smittybilt X20 winch has a hawse fairlead, which is able to reduce the wear and tear that takes place on a synthetic rope and keeps it from binding. Moreover, it is equipped with a cable that can easily pull up to 98.5′ and has a waterproof rating of IP68.

 

3.  Warn 95950 ZEON 12-S Winch

 

 

Warn is one of the most popular names in the off-roading industry. It has been in business for more than fifty years with exceptional performance and quality. This winch features an 80′ Spydura Pro synthetic rope with a 12,000 lbs. capacity, which is perfect for big vehicles like a Jeep Wrangler.

Customers generally praised the winch’s ability to move heavy vehicles and its long warranty of seven years. This winch is ideal for big jobs and tough rescues.

Key Features

• Strong and Fast

It has a high-speed motor with strong gears and a heat-treated ring hear that is able to deliver fast line speed and high efficiency. Moreover, it has a convertible control pack which can be attached to the winch or mounted, which supports different mounting options and looks.

• Wireless Remote

The wireless remote provides complete control. The remote is advanced and sophisticated and provides information about the battery charge. It is accompanied by a USB charging cable and a charger adapter.

• Waterproof

The winch is waterproof with IP68 rating, which is the highest rating for SUVs.

• Stylish Design

It has a unique style with a symmetrical design that gives this winch a capable and strong look.

 

4.  LEDKINGDOMUS Rock Crawler Front Bumper for 87-06 Jeep Wrangler with Winch Plate

 

 

This is just a one-piece welded design that is able to provide your Jeep Wrangler with the ultimate strength for all your off-roading adventures. The best part about this bumper and winch plate is that it can easily fit the models of Jeep Wrangler from 1997 all the way to 2006, so you do not have to upgrade your winch plate and bumper when you upgrade your car.

Key Features

• Sturdy

This bumper and winch plate design is quite strong and sturdy with the winch having a capacity of 12,000 lbs. Since it is made of cold rolled steel sheet and tubing, it can withstand almost anything.

• Long Lasting

This product is made with high-quality materials and design with a pre-coating and a textured black powder coating which provides resistance against corrosion.

 

5.  OFFROAD BOAR Synthetic Rope Waterproof Winch

 

 

This winch is equipped with great features and comes with the tools needed to install it easily. It is a great choice for those who live in cold locations as it is durable and functional enough to last through the cold weather. Moreover, it is equipped with all the features you could need such as a waterproof design with an IP67 rating. Most of the customers who have used this winch are quite satisfied with its performance and how it is able to pull heavy vehicles, especially a Jeep Wrangler.

Key Features

• Efficient Motor

This winch has quite an efficient and powerful series-wound motor and has one of the highest quality hooks with a four-way roller fairlead.

• Automatic Brakes

It is equipped with an automatic braking system, thus ensuring your protection at all times.

• Wireless Remote

This winch has a wireless remote along with a hand controller which provides ease of navigation.

 

Top 5 Best Winch Plates for Jeep Wranglers

 

1.  EAG 07-18 Jeep Wrangler Winch

 

 

The best part about the EAG 07-18 Jeep Wrangler Winch is that it provides heavy-duty construction, which makes it highly durable and long lasting. This front bumper has tolerances from 5/32″ thick mild steel sheet and about 2″ x 0.120″ tubing of steel which provides superior durability and extra strength.

The bumper which is equipped with a winch is also quite good looking and has a high-quality textured powder coat, which provides protection from corrosion. It is a great option for your Jeep Wrangler. Most users have praised this bumper in their reviews for being easy to install and being strong and sturdy.

Key Features

• Ideal for Off-Roading

This bumper comes with 9,500-lbs. D-rings on the mounts and has a sturdy tube over the rider. It also includes washers and black isolators. The winch plate on the front bumper is capable of supporting about 12,000 pounds of a winch, which can be useful if you ever need it.

• Easy Installation

The process of installation is quite simple. The packaging includes all hardware items which are necessary and comes with instructions that are easy to follow.

• Improved Field of Vision of Fog Lights

The bumpers reposition the factory fog lights to increase their field of vision.

 

2.  EAG Jeep Wrangler JK Full-Width Front Bumper with Fog Lights Hole & Winch Plate

 

 

This is yet another great design of a front bumper from EAG, which is one of the most renowned companies when it comes to off-roading. It includes everything that you may require if you decide to go off-roading in your Jeep Wrangler. It has a front bumper that includes a built-in winch plate and pre-machined attachment points for easy installation of OEM size fog lights.

Most of the customers who are using this product have commented on its great performance, but many others have been disappointed with the durability of this bumper and winch as they claim it starts rusting soon.

Key Features

• Great Packaging

The product is well-packed when it is shipped. There are good padding and extra foam on the sharp parts and edges as well as on the package which ensures there is no damage.

• Value for Money

This front bumper with the winch plate provides value for money since it is quite affordable as compared to other brands. Plus, it provides two benefits in one, that is, protection against collision by having a strong front bumper and providing a winch to pull you out if the need arises.

• Performance

This product is a high-performing bumper and winch and has the ability to pull out a Jeep Wrangler from any ditch or hole quite easily as it can bear a load of up to 12,000 lbs.

 

3.  Restyling Factory Front Bumper with Winch Plate for Jeep Wrangler JK

 

 

This is yet another great design of a front bumper that is equipped with a winch plate along with space for fog lights. Restyling Factory is a known brand name and offers quite useful products for any off-roading trips for your Jeep Wrangler. This design offers maximum tire clearance and will fulfil all your needs.

Key Features

• Easy Installation

The process of installing the front bumper is quite easy as it includes everything you require in the package along with instructions which are quite easy to follow.

• Strong and Durable

It uses powder-coated steel to make the bars and plates, which makes the product sturdy and long-lasting. It also has a convenient bolt-on design.

• Useful Winch

Not only is it great looking and sturdy, but the winch is also very useful as the winch plate can bear a capacity of at least 12,000 pounds.

 

4.  Restyling Factory Full-Width Front Bumper with Winch Plate

 

 

Restyling Factory provides a high-quality and long-lasting support for off-roading expeditions with its reliable bumpers and winches. Its products make sure you have fun on your trip and don’t have to worry about getting stuck. This bumper with winch plate is ideal for Jeep Wranglers from 2007 to 2018. The best part about it is that it provides a full front width for maximum protection, so you can drive around in your jeep without any worries.

Key Features

• Sleek Design

The design and style of this bumper and winch plate are sophisticated with a textured black finish. Its style is a classic and will appeal to almost everyone.

• High Strength

It provides high strength and durability, and the winch can easily accommodate a weight of 12,000 lbs. easily.

• Additional Features

It also has space for fog lights and has D-ring mounts welded inside and outside the bumper. Plus, it comes with 4.75 T D-rings as well.

 

5.  Razer Auto Rock Crawler Front Bumper with Winch Plate for Jeep Wrangler JK

 

 

This is yet another great brand for a front bumper and a winch plate. Made with a sleek and stylish design, it makes your Jeep Wrangler looks tough and rugged while providing maximum protection. It is equipped with two light tabs on the pre-runner hoop which is for off-road lighting. Hence, it makes sure you have full visibility on all your adventures and do not get stuck anywhere.

Key Features

• Easy Installation

The process of installing this bumper is quite easy with no welding required and can be done without any professional help.

• Strong and Sturdy

The bumper provides maximum protection against any impact or accident since it is made of high-quality materials and steel coating.

• Useful

It has a winch plate which is built in and can bear 12,000 lbs. capacity. Thus, it can easily lift your Jeep Wrangler in case you ever need to. It also has space for easy installation of fog lights.

 

6.  EAG Jeep Wrangler TJ Front Bumper & Winch Plate

 

 

If you are looking for the ultimate strength and a sturdy design, this EAG 97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ Front Bumper & Winch Plate is the best choice for you. It is manufactured from 5/32 inches of cold rolled sheets of steel and has 2″ x 0.12″ tubing of steel. There are also D-rings which are welded inside the bumper as well as on its outside in order to provide better strength.

There is also a built-in winch plate which has a 12,000-lbs. winch capacity. The best part is that no welding or cutting is required for putting on the bumper on your Jeep Wrangler.

Key Features

• Sturdy and Durable

This front bumper with a winch is made up of high-quality materials and is the best choice for Jeep Wranglers. It is made to withstand anything that gets in its way.

• Classic Design

It has a great design along with providing high-quality performance. It has a classic design with a twist of modern features. The front bumpers are made for direct bolt-on upgrades using simple hand tools. Hence, there is no lengthy installation either.

• Protects Against Damage

The front bumper is able to serve two purposes. Not only does the winch on the bumper come in handy if there is ever a need for it, but the front bumper also provides the user protection against any impact or injury due to a collision.

 

Final Verdict

This buying guide for winches for a Jeep Wrangler is quite useful. Once you have gone over this, you can be ready to purchase a winch for your jeep before you head out on an adventure. The best one is always the one that offers easy installation and is easy to operate as well. It is no doubt a daunting task to shortlist the best one, and we hope we have helped you in this endeavour with our buying guide and reviews of some of the best winches.

We have also picked the top two models out of them all. The number one is the Smittybilt 97495 XRC Winch, which is ideal for Jeep Wranglers due to its reliability, durability and strength of pulling up to 9,500 lbs. of weight easily! The number one winch plate that we found worth buying is the EAG Jeep Wrangler Winch Plate, which is no doubt another amazing brand for winches. This one has everything that one needs from a winch plate coupled with a front bumper that kills two birds with one stone. Powerful, strong, durable, easy to use and install – this one has all the relevant features that is needed for a fully-functioning winch for a Jeep Wrangler.