Best Waterproof Jeep Winch [Comparison of Top 5 Winches]
Off-roading with your jeep can be an exciting and challenging experience. If you do this often enough, chances are that your vehicle will at some point get stuck between rocks, in the snow, mud, or other tight spots.
When this happens a winch can be your lifeline. And, if you regularly go off-roading through water or wet regions, a waterproof winch becomes an indispensable item. If you are looking to buy a waterproof winch, you are in the right place.
This post will review some of the best waterproof winches in the market so you can select one that best suits your requirements. Before we dive in, here are some vital factors you should keep in mind when shopping for one.
Top 5 Waterproof Jeep Winches
Buying Guide to Select the Best Waterproof Jeep Winch
1. Waterproof Rating
As mentioned earlier, if your off-roading escapades typically involve mud and water, a waterproof winch becomes essential. Several winch failures are directly connected to damage suffered while driving on trails and running into the mud, water, rocks, and other debris.
The winch solenoid and motor should be adequately protected against water ingress otherwise the electrical systems will get fried when being used underwater for extended periods.
One way to check whether a jeep winch is waterproof or not is by examining the international protection rating sometimes referred to as the ingress protection (IP) rating. This is a globally accepted measurement for liquid and dust resistance.
The IP code comprises four characters – the letters IP and two digits. The level of a winch’s resistance to either liquids or solids is determined by these digits. The initial digit is for solids while the second one is for liquids and the digits range from 1 to 8.
The best waterproof jeep winches typically come with an IP68 rating. Thus, any jeep winch with an IP68 rating indicates the greatest degree of protection against water intrusion.
2. Winch Line or rope
You have two choices concerning winch rope – steel cable or synthetic rope.
Steel cable:
This has long been the industry standard due to its durability and ease of maintenance. Steel cable will be the best choice if your adventures take you through rocky, sandy, and mud terrains. Nevertheless, steel cable will corrode, wear out, and may even snap without warning. Before you handle this cable, it is recommended you wear a hand glove.
Synthetic rope:
Synthetic rope has increased in popularity in recent times and for good reason. Synthetic rope is generally stronger compared to a steel cable and is a lot simpler to handle because it is flexible. It does not develop sharp burrs after a while, which can be risky. Unlike its steel counterpart, synthetic winch cable is not prone to rust and stores comparatively lesser kinetic energy when in use. Therefore, in the event of a break, it will not cause any severe damage to you or your vehicle.
Even though synthetic winch rope is dependable for the reasons given above, it has a few disadvantages the major one being that it can hold water.
When this happens, extra weight is added making the winch a little harder to use. You can get around this problem by opting for a jeep winch with waterproof synthetic rope.
3. Cable Length
The cable length is another critical factor you should consider when shopping for a winch. This is because no matter how powerful or waterproof your winch is, your vehicle will remain stuck if the winch cable is not long enough to get the job done.
Also, while a long rope provides more convenience when getting your vehicle to unstock in areas with fewer anchor spots, an extremely long rope can get jammed thereby complicating the recovery process.
4. Pulling Power
The pulling power (sometimes called rated line pull) of a winch is extremely vital in ascertaining the best winch that will address your needs.
All winches have a maximum load-bearing capacity, which must not be exceeded otherwise problems will arise. This measurement is always specified on the product’s manual, thus always make sure you get a winch that fits your jeep’s weight capability.
5. Motor Power
The winch motor plays an important role when you are trying to recover a stuck vehicle. It is responsible for your winch’s pulling power and even powers the rope or cable. If you have a very heavy jeep, it is obvious you will need a winch with a powerful motor.
When shopping for a waterproof winch, be sure to check the motor’s power rating – typically rated in horsepower. The greater the horsepower, the more power the motor can deliver.
Best Waterproof Jeep Winch [Top 5 Picks, Pros & Cons]
1. Warn 92815 Zeon Platinum 10-S
Longest Rope
Claiming the top place on this list is the Warn 92815 Zeon Platinum 10-S. The device is rated IP68, which means that it is waterproof for up to 1 meter underwater for at least thirty minutes.
So there will be no worries when you are performing recovery tasks in muddy, sandy, wet, or other tricky conditions.
Aside from its waterproofing features, the Zeon Platinum by Warn sports other important features that make it a great all-around winch.
Its pull capacity is a whopping 10,000 pounds and it has a 12 volts direct current series wound motor plus a 3-stage planetary gear train arrangement.
Furthermore, the 75 pounds winch is fitted with a 100ft spydura synthetic rope that is not only lightweight but super simple to use as well.
Another impressive feature of this winch is the advanced wireless remote that operates the winch as well as reads the motor temperature. It is also good to know that Warn backed up their product with a limited lifetime warranty along with a 1-year electrical warranty.
Specifications
- Wireless remote control
- IP 68 rating that makes the winch waterproof
- 10,000 pounds pull capacity
- 100ft spydura synthetic rope
- 12 volts DC series wound motor
- 3-stage planetary gear train
- Weight: 75 pounds
Benefits
- Excellent waterproof rating of 1P68
- Impressive wireless remote control
- Spydura synthetic rope works great
- Backed by limited lifetime warranty plus 1-year electrical warranty
Drawbacks
- Pricey
2. Smittybilt X20 COMP
Best Motor Power
This winch comes with some special features to ensure you can easily get yourself out of muddy tracks and ditches during your off-road adventures.
The weather-resistant design of this model makes it a superb option for more tasking jobs that necessitate the durability and dependability of a top-quality winch.
With its IP68 waterproof rating, the smittybilt X20 COMP can function safely in wet weather or underwater without encountering any performance issues.
The motor delivers a remarkable 6.6 HP that offers immense pulling power and fantastic efficiency. And, its 3-stage planetary gear arrangement allows for a quicker line-out during the winching process.
One of the attributes that make the X20 a special winch is its waterproof synthetic rope. Unlike your regular synthetic rope, the X20 rope will not hold water since it is waterproof. It is also not prone to rusting like its steel counterpart.
This rope is also compact, durable, lightweight, and is sure to last you a long time. Smittybilt constructed the winch with an appropriate 10,000 pounds load capacity, which is more than enough to recover medium-sized jeeps.
This model features a wireless remote control with which you can control your winch from a secure distance. The remote is magnetic meaning that you can attach it to any part of your jeep where you can retrieve it easily in case of an emergency.
The interesting part is the lifetime warranty that accompanies this product. With this, you can be certain the makers will service your winch in the event of mechanical issues.
Specifications
- Series wound motor type
- 98.5 ft cable length
- ¾ inches cable diameter
- Waterproof synthetic rope winch
- IP 68 rating that makes it waterproof
- Wireless remote control
- 10,000 pounds line pull capacity
- Weight: 67 pounds
- 6.6HP amphibious motor
Benefits
- Easy to setup
- A wireless remote control allows for operation at a secure distance
- It is waterproof
- The steel and synthetic ropes provided are long-lasting
- Excellent build quality
Drawbacks
- A few users report that the solenoid mounting is somewhat difficult
3. Off-Road Boar
Best Load Capacity
This Electric winch kit by Off-Road Boar is fitted with advanced features that enhance its overall effectiveness. To start with, its high-performance motor has a 6.0HP power rating.
With this level of stamina, this winch is adequately equipped to recover your stuck vehicle if it has an approximate weight of 13,000 pounds. If you own an SUV or truck, this is an ideal solution for you.
The winch employs an 85ft long and 3/8″ thick synthetic rope to ensure you always get top-notch performance. And, you can securely activate your device from a secure distance thanks to the included wireless remote control.
There is also a wired remote control that you can use to control the winch. The 3-stage planetary gear arrangement and solenoid of this model are all-weather sealed giving the winch a high degree of waterproof protection.
Its waterproof rating is IP67 meaning that the winch is adequately protected against sand, snow, dust, and rainwater.
If you are looking for a waterproof winch that offers a load capacity of 13000 pounds, this model from Off-Road boar should top your list of options.
Specifications
- 13,000 pounds load capacity
- 6.0hp series wound motor
- Remote switch control
- Optional wireless remote switch
- 3-stage planetary gear train
- Product weight: 37 kilograms
- Automatic load-holding brake
- Synthetic winch rope
- 85″ by 3/8″ rope size
- IP67 waterproof rating
Benefits
- Has excellent waterproof protection
- Has both wireless and wired remote control
- Reasonably priced compared to its competitors
- Easy to install
- Weather-sealed solenoid to enhance longevity
Drawbacks
- A few users complain that the operation of the winch is somewhat slow
4. ORCISH 12V 13000 Ib Electric Truck Winch Kit
Best Price
If you are looking for an affordable winch that has enough power to perform hard recovery jobs, then this model from ORCISH may be your best bet. This winch delivers top-quality performance and the numerous 5-star reviews on Amazon reflect this.
If your jeep/truck weighs 13,000 pounds or less, this powerful ORCISH winch can recover it. Its waterproof rating is IP67 meaning that your winch will not get damaged if it is submerged in water or mud for up to half an hour.
If safety is a key priority for you, the winch is outfitted with a programmed load-holding brake mechanism to ensure utmost safety.
What’s more, the wireless remote control will let you operate the device at a secure distance. So, in the event of a serious mishap, which is highly unlikely, no harm will come your way.
The winch is also fitted with an 85ft steel cable that does an excellent job of resisting abrasion, fraying, and general weathering. Included in the package are a winch cover, a pair of hand gloves, an overload protector, and an easy-to-read user manual.
Specifications
- 88.8 pounds weight
- IP67 waterproofing rating
- A pair of hand gloves and 3 remote controls included in the package
- 13,000 pounds pulling power
- Steel cable
- Free spooling clutch for enhanced control
Benefits
- Easy to set up
- 2 wireless remote controls for utmost safety
- Overload protector fitting inside the unit to guard against short circuit on an overload
- Simple to operate
- 67 IP rating means it is waterproof
Drawbacks
- The quality of the steel cable could be better
5. Superwinch 1595200 Tiger Shark 9500 Winch
Value for Money
The most endearing attribute of this model from Superwinch is its weather-sealed 5.2 motor that helps prevent damage due to rain, dust, and snow.
The solenoid is also waterproof so you can pull your jeep out of muddy terrain or move around in inclement weather without bothering about your winch getting damaged.
Its rated line pull of 9,500 pounds is sufficient to recover your jeep from any tricky circumstance by yourself. Plus, the hard-wearing steel cable is perfect for rough terrains where severe abrasion can occur.
If you are seeking a versatile electric winch that offers ample load capacity plus reliable waterproofing, then you may want to check out the Superwinch 1595200 Tiger Shank 9500 winch.
Specifications
- 9,500 Ibs pulling power
- 12″ rubber sealed remote control
- Stainless steel roller fairleads plus hardware
- Sealed submersible solenoid
- Sturdy 3-stage planetary gearbox
- 9 pounds weight
- 20.83 by 9.23 by 6.3 inches product dimensions
- 5.2 HP engine
Benefits
- Lifetime mechanical warranty
- Waterproof solenoid and engine helps prevent damage caused by rain
- Synthetic string plus aluminum hawse fairlead
- Handheld remote for safe operation
- Sturdy winch
- Comes with everything required for a quick installation
Drawbacks
- A few users report that the winch heats up during operation
Comparison Of Above Listed Waterproof Jeep Winches
| Waterproof Rating | Pull capacity | Rope Type | Rope Length | Weight | |
| Warn 92815 Zeon Platinum 10-S | IP68 | 10,000 lbs | spydura synthetic rope | 100 ft | 75 pounds |
| Smittybilt X20 COMP | IP68 | 10,000 lbs | waterproof synthetic rope winch | 98.5 ft | 67 pounds |
| Off-Road Boar | IP67 | 13,000 lbs | synthetic winch rope | 85 ft | 81.56 pounds |
| ORCISH 12V 13000 Ib Electric Truck Winch Kit | IP67 | 13,000 lbs | steel cable | 85 ft | 88.8 pounds |
| Superwinch 1595200 Tiger Shark 9500 Winch | IP67 | 9,500 lbs | Steel cable | 95 ft | 90 pounds |
Final Comments:
These 5 waterproof winches are the best if you regularly do your off-roading in localities that require crossing streams or deep rivers or in wet regions.
Thus, if you have not been engaging in some off-road adventures due to a lack of a waterproof winch, we hope that you now have all the info you require to get a good one.
