When searching for a winch for your UTV, it’s crucial to invest in a reliable option. The following affordable choices are dependable. They come with strong endorsements from my team and experienced field reviewers.
WARN® VRX 45-S Winch with Synthetic Rope 4500 lb.
Best for: The WARN® VRX 45-S Winch, with its strong 4500 lb capacity and Spydura Synthetic Rope, is built for tough jobs. It’s known for being sturdy and reliable. Ideal for rough landscapes and big tasks, this winch is versatile and comes with many features. It has a control switch on the dashboard and a wired remote. It’s a great choice for people who love off-roading and professionals who need dependable gear.
1,033 ratings | 439 answered questions
Highlight: The Warn VRX 45 winch, known for its robust build and quality accessories, offers reliable performance, especially with its easy-turn dial for cable adjustments,
Helpful review: “I had some issues installing this winch but they were due to the vehicle, not the winch.
I installed this Warn VRX 45 winch on a 2023 Kawasaki Mule Trans 4010. It fit behind the front bumper with room to spare. The winch is nicely finished and seems to be very well built. The supplied accessories and hardware are all top quality. The wires were more than long enough to be routed in a way that kept them from being seen and/or damaged. The installation instructions were clear and easy to read and understand.
I didn’t mount the dash-mounted rocker switch but I did install the wired remote plug in the dash. It’s really tight under the Mule dash and contorting myself to get under there was a real issue. But I was finally able to find the ignition wire for a proper electrical connection.
Once everything was installed I checked the function on the winch and remote. Worked just like it should. I like the easy turn dial on the winch that allows the cable to be pulled out to length. Another simple turn and you’re ready to winch. The remote wire is long enough to easily control the winch from the front of the vehicle and remain a safe distance a way in case of cable failure.
If I had a complaint it would be that this winch isn’t going to win any speed contests. Winching under load is slow. Really slow. But, I knew that going in and it’s about what I expected so I’m not gonna mark it down for that. Aside from that this winch performs quite well. It easily pulled the Mule out of a stream bed on my property that’s very steep and about 40′ long. It never reached it’s duty cycle shutoff while doing that. Hardly a torture test but it is a real life test that’s probably representative of the type of use this winch will generally see.
I’m very happy with this Warn winch.”
Carl S
Valuable Insight: “Pretty straight forward to install on my Maverick X3. Had to get a little creative with some placement of the solenoid and wire management, but it’s definitely a quality winch.”
Andrew M
Reassuring review: “why save a few bucks to have a cheap winch? get Warn. a winch is there to get you out of stuck. it seems that quality and reliability are vital to achieving that goal. i suppose if you are buying a winch for show then get a cheapo. but if you want a winch for go, get a Warn.”
bight
Trending review: “Warn makes a quality product, so there was no hesitation in the purchase. I bought the Pre Runner bumper so figment was not an issue. You don’t need the special wiring harness as the kit has everything needed to install it properly. Mounting the contactor takes a little thought as I mounted mine on the firewall. The remote connection fits perfectly in the glovebox slot, would I recommend it to others Yes! Great bang for the buck and a winch you know will work when needed.”
BRYANT S
Specifications of WARN® VRX 45-S Winch with Synthetic Rope 4500 lb.
| Specification | 4,500 lbs |
| All Metal Construction | ✓ |
| Steel or Synthetic Rope | Synthetic |
| Waterproof Sealing | ✓ |
| Best Used For | Hardest Working UTVs |
| Zinc-Plated Hook | ✓ |
| Handlebar-Mounted Rocker Switch | – |
| Dash-Mounted Control Switch | ✓ |
| Corded Remote Control | ✓ |
| Hawse or Roller Fairlead | Hawse |
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SuperATV 4500 lb Winch
Best for: The SuperATV 4500 lb Black Ops Winch is great. It’s small and strong, with a 4,500-pound pulling capacity. This makes it perfect for off-road fans. It also comes with a 50′ synthetic rope that’s tough and easy to use, even in tough terrain. Users like it because it has two ways to control it: a water-resistant wireless remote and a wired dash rocker switch. These options give you choices for different situations.
304 ratings | 72 answered questions
Highlight: SuperATV 4500 lb Winch is strong and reliability in tough situations, with users highlighting its ease of installation and good design that complements vehicles.
Reassuring review: “Mounted up easily on the superatv winch plate. On my Kawasaki KRX the install was simple. Kawi engineers left an empty conduit that runs directly to the batter from the winch. The Amazon page says that this winch does not fit but that is incorrect information. It fits perfectly. Added a rocker switch on the dash but the remote is the best part. Used this winch to move trees out of trail this past weekend without any problem.”
Jason Burt
Helpful review: “Strong winch, I have pull my self out of a river being stuck all the way down to the frame,
J. Mota
Pulled two full size trucks stuck next to the same river bank one of them with a trailer and quads on top I was still able to get them unstuck(of course the were helping giving their trucks a bit or throttle)”
Informative Feedback: “Easy install. Have already used it to pull a buddy’s sxs up a nasty hill and relocate a deer blind. I was pleasantly surprised with performance.”
Amber Hankins
Trending review: “I used this for my rzr and it works really well! Its very smooth and quiet. There werent clear instructions so that could be better. It was a good fit and easy to install, but a little time consuming. It’s very clean looking. I added the dash toggle switch. Looks like factory equipment. It was great overall!”
Jasmine Thurston
SuperATV 4500 lb Winch Specifications:
| Specification | SuperATV 4500 lb Winch |
| HP | 1.3 |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 14.49″ x 4.60” x 4.37″ |
| Mounting Bolt Pattern | 3.0″ x 6.6″ |
| 100% Waterproof Winch | ✓ |
Check the latest price on Rocky Mountain ATVMC
Get the SuperATV 4500 lb Winch on Amazon
Superwinch 1140230 LT4000SR Winch
Best for: Off-road and adventure enthusiasts, the Superwinch 1140230 LT4000SR is a top choice. It has a strong 4,000-pound pulling capacity and a 1.4 HP motor, making it perfect for these activities. Installing it is a breeze thanks to its versatile bolt pattern. It has a durable, energy-efficient motor and a lightweight synthetic rope. Safety is a priority with features like circuit breaker protection and dynamic braking. Weighing only 22 pounds, it’s simple to set up and use. People love it for its reliability and versatility. It’s suitable for various tasks, including plowing and recovery.
378 ratings | 132 answered questions
Helpful review: “Excellent winch. I used it the first day it was installed on my 15′ AC Prowler 700 XT to pull a roof on a Clear Span building. Not a single problem, and the winch did not strain at all. Good installation instructions. It lined up perfectly with the mounting holes for the factory option Warn, for you Arctic Cat owners. Why you would spend 5x the cost of this for a different brand winch is beyond me. Awesome product!
Update: 1/26/17: Have been stuck many times, buried to the frame, and this thing has pulled me out no problem every time, including up very steep creek banks. I also have a plow that I raise and lower with this, and so far so good, no problems.”
Steve
Valuable Insight: “Just put this in my polaris ranger 800 and its a smooth running winch that works great with my plow. The mounting bracket could be a little bigger but I used an old bracket I had on my machine already. All in all I am happy with it.”
Amazon Customer
Reassuring review: “I had to drill the mounting holes for this winch on my 2013 teryx 4 front bumper. The wiring diagram was easy to follow and it probably took me 3-4 hours to install and zip tie all the wires. It worked perfectly and looks great. I can’t wait to use this in the many situations that arise. Great price and great product. Very glad I bought this. The motor is quite. The 12′ long hand held remote is very nice. Also the handle bar control is very awesome and mounted nicely inside the teryx.”
Kindle Customer
Trending Review: “I just installed this winch on my 2016 Kawasaki Terryx4. This is a great deal and it really works well. The installation took a little time as you must find a suitable location for some of the components. The winch looks good and works great. I also used the superwinch bracket. Great product, great price and great service. five stars”
L&P
Superwinch 1140230 LT4000SR Winch Specifications:
| Part Number | 1140230 |
| Voltage | 12VDC |
| Rated Pull pounds (kilograms) | 4000 (1814) |
| Motor HP | 1.4 |
| Gearing | 3-Stage Planetary |
| Mount Bolt Pattern | 3.0 inch x 4.87 inch (76mm x 124mm) |
| Breaker | Circuit Breaker Protected |
| Brake | Automatic, 100% Load Holding |
| Weight Installed pounds (kilograms) | 22 (10) |
| Rope Type, Length & Diameter | Synthetic Rope 50 feet x 3/16 inch (15.24m x 4.7mm) |
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Get the Superwinch 1140230 LT4000SR Winch here
WARN® Axon 55-S Winch with Synthetic Rope 5500 lb.
Best for: The WARN® Axon 55-S Winch is ideal for off-road enthusiasts and recovery professionals. It’s a standout choice with a 5,500 lb capacity. It comes with a Spydura synthetic rope, known for being safer and easier to handle than steel cables. It’s built to last with an all-metal construction. The winch includes advanced features. These include the Rockerbar Digital Control Switch and HUB Wireless Remote. It’s a great fit for heavy-duty UTVs and a wide range of pulling tasks.
189 ratings | 118 answered questions
Highlight: The WARN 101150 AXON 55-S is highly praised for its easy installation, integrated contactor for simplified wiring, and compact design.
Reassuring review: “Simple to install. The integrated contactor made wiring super easy. Bolted right on to the stock Highlifter bumper, no mounting plate needed. It’s already pulled me right out of two situations where I was buried to the belly pan without the power indicated going to yellow. Two thumbs up and highly recommended.”
Samuel Hall
Informative Review: “Great quality but warn has always been top of the line. Although I was disappointed to find when I went to install the winch there was no mounting hardware I had to go buy bolts to mount the winch.”
Travis Van Orden
Trending Review: “Awesome setup! Easy wiring and compact unit! I like the fact the solenoid is sealed in the unit so you don’t have to mount that separately.”
DANIEL R
Helpful Review: “Its Warn so I have full faith it’ll be a long lasting reliable winch. It arrived fast and at the time I bought it the price was well below what I found on Warn’s website. Lowest price I could find anywhere so A++ for that. Also in case any of you are looking at this for a Kawasaki KRX 1000 like I was, I DO NOT recommend trying to put it in the factory recommended location down in front of the differential.
I saw pictures of someone with it down there online, but I have no idea how they got it in there. This thing is a chunky boi and I could not get it even close to fitting. I ended up getting a HMF Defender series bumper with the winch mount and would highly recommend mounting it that way for any fellow KRX owners. Plus that lets you show this great looking winch off.”
Colby P
Get the Winch on Rocky Mountain ATVMC (Recommended)
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WARN® Axon 55-S Winch with Synthetic Rope 5500 lb. Specifications:
| Feature/Model | WARN 101150 AXON 55-S |
| Capacity | 5,500 lbs |
| All Metal Construction | ✓ |
| Steel or Synthetic Rope | Spydura Synthetic |
| Rope Size | 50′ x 1/4″ |
| Waterproof Sealing | ✓ |
| Best Used For | Biggest UTVs and Pulls |
| Rockerbar Digital Control Switch | ✓ |
| HUB Wireless Remote | ✓ |
| Handlebar Mount Adapter | – |
| Hawse or Roller Fairlead | Hawse |
KFI Products SE45-R2 New Stealth Winch
Best for: The KFI Products SE45-R2 New Stealth Winch stands out for its rugged build and quiet functionality. With a 4500 lb capacity and a powerful 1.7 hp motor, it’s both strong and efficient. Its dynamic and mechanical braking systems ensure safety. They provide smooth recoveries. The all-metal free spool clutch and responsive controls add to its design. Off-road enthusiasts and professionals prefer it because it’s easy to install and performs well. Plus, its sleek appearance adds to its appeal.
69 ratings | 19 answered questions
Other User Reviews for KFI Products SE45-R2 New Stealth Winch
Highlight: The KFI winch, particularly the stealth series with synthetic rope, stands out for its ease of installation, sleek all-black design, and high-quality components, including a non-metallic winch line.
Helpful Review: “This is my second KFI winch and I love them both. Installed this on a 2017 RZR 900 S. Instructions are easy to follow and the install took about 2.5hrs, but could be shortened as we had to rotate the contacts because of the coolant lines (installing a heater at the same time) on the machine and we had to relocate some power cables too. Great looking winch. I’ve used my other SE45-R2 on my 2014 RZR XP 4 1000 several times without any issues.”
JMP2005
Trending Review: “Very nice unit. Glad I spent the extra for the stealth series and the synthetic rope. Fit perfectly on my 2022 Kawasaki Mule Pro-MX EPS LE using the KFI plow mount underneath. Very sharp look, all black.”
Amazon Customer
Reassuring review: “This is the best ones I have ever owned. It is well worth the money and the time to install it.”
Taco cat
Informative Feedback: “I like the non metalic winch line. Great hook and rubber bumper. Excellent quality worked perfectly !!”
Brew
KFI Products SE45-R2 New Stealth Winch Specifications:
| Rated Line Pull | 4500 lbs. |
| Motor | 12V DC, 1.7 hp Permanent Magnet |
| Gear Ratio | 166:1 |
| Brake | Dynamic and Mechanical |
| Clutch (free spooling) | All Metal Cam Activated Freespool |
| Drum Size | 2.0″ (D) x 3.19″ (L) |
| Synthetic Cable | 15/64″ (D) x 38′ (L) Smoke color |
| Fairlead | Multi-directional POM Roller |
| Control | Deluxe Dash Mounted Control Switch and a Heavy Duty Corded Remote Switch |
| Winch Dimensions | 14.6″ L x 4.55″ D x 4.82″ H |
| Mounting Bolt Pattern | 3.00″ x 4.875″ (4-Hole) |
| Recommended Battery | 12 Amp/hour minimum |
| Winch Weight | 33.65 lbs. (complete kit) |
Get the KFI Products SE45-R2 New Stealth Winch on Amazon
Overall Comparison of the Best UTV Winches
| Feature | WARN® VRX 45-S | SuperATV 4500 lb | Superwinch 1140230 LT4000SR | WARN® Axon 55-S | KFI Products SE45-R2 |
| Capacity | 4,500 lbs | 4,500 lbs | 4,000 lbs (1814 kg) | 5,500 lbs | 4,500 lbs |
| Rope Type | Synthetic | Synthetic | Synthetic | Spydura Synthetic | Synthetic |
| Waterproof Sealing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Control Features | Dash-Mounted Switch, Corded Remote | Wireless remote control | Free-spooling, ergonomic control clutch | Rocker bar Digital Control Switch, HUB Wireless Remote | Deluxe Dash Mounted Control Switch, Heavy Duty Corded Remote Switch |
| Mounting Bolt Pattern | 3.0” x 6.59” | 3.0″ x 6.6″ | 3.0 inch x 4.87 inch (76mm x 124mm) | 3.0” x 6.59” | 3.00″ x 4.875″ (4-Hole) |
| Winch Weight | 27 pounds | 30.2 pounds | 22 lbs (10 kg) | 29 pounds | 33.65 lbs (complete kit) |
| Additional Features | Zinc-Plated Hook | Wired dash rocker switch | Circuit Breaker Protection, Automatic Load Holding Brake | Handlebar Mount Adapter (absent) | Gear Ratio 166:1, Drum Size 2.0″ (D) x 3.19″ (L) |
Conclusion
To sum up, this article has thoroughly examined the best UTV winches out there. Choosing the right winch is key for better and safer off-road trips. We’ve talked about important things like how much the winch can pull, what the rope is made of, and how easy it is to use. These points help you pick the perfect winch for your needs. Whether you’re pulling heavy loads, going over tough ground, or just wanting a safe and fun off-road trip, a dependable UTV winch is super important.
We chose our top winches by looking at their toughness and efficiency and what users say about them. This ensures you get a winch that lasts and works well in rough conditions. A good UTV winch isn’t just an extra thing; it’s a must-have for your off-road kit. It keeps you from getting stuck and helps you face any challenge on the trail. When choosing a winch, consider where you’ll use it, what you’ll need to pull, and how it fits your UTV. Making the right choice means your off-road adventures will be exciting and safe. In off-roading, having the right gear is a big deal.