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Best Battery for Winching

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Quick Answer: Best Battery for Winching

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XS Power D3400 XS Series 12V 3,300 Amp AGM High Output Battery with M6 Terminal Bolt
  • 12 Volt Battery With Ca: 1000, Ah: 65
  • Absorbed Glass Mat (Electrolyte Is Suspended In Fiberglass)
  • Spill Proof, Sealed, Valve Regulated And Vibration Resistant
  • Ultra Low Internal Resistance, Mount In Almost Any Position


If you are using a winch, then you must need a special battery for the task. The best battery for winching would be powerful enough to supply the required power to the winch all the time. 

That is why a traditional battery is not recommended for demanding tasks like winching. 

Now, in this post, we will be reviewing some of the best batteries for a winch. Besides, we will also talk about how to choose a winch battery by keeping all the vital buying factors in mind in the buying guide section later.

What size battery do I need to run a winch?

You will need enough Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) in the battery to power both your engine and winch. The battery must have the reserve capacity to supply enough power to the winch. A 12-volt battery rated up to 650 CCA will typically be enough for a 12,000 lb. vehicle which is the general standard for winches.

Best Battery for Winching – Reviews

Review of Odyssey PC680 Battery

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Odyssey is one of the most popular names in the automotive battery industry. They have been offering top-quality batteries for a long time. 

Now, this is a sealed lead-acid 12-volt battery from Odyssey. It weighs about 13.45 lbs. and the dimension of the battery is 7.15 (L) x 3 (W) x 6.65 (H) inches.

It uses AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) technology, which ensures it will supply the appropriate amount of power to your winch motor to rescue the vehicle without a hitch. 

According to Odyssey, it has a 70% longer cycle life compared to traditional deep cycle batteries

The battery has 18 Amps and 170 CCA. It takes only 4 to 6 hours to get a full charge. As per the manufacturer, it has a service life between 3 to 10 years. 

Plus, you are getting 2 years limited full replacement warranty. As usual, it features a non-spillable, temperature tolerant, and vibration-resistant design.

What Previous Buyers Said?

Most of the previews buyers are happy about the performance and long-lasting service of the battery. A lot of them stated that if you maintain it properly, it can easily serve you for up to 10 years.

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Can be mounted in multiple ways
  • vibration/shock-resistant
  • Non-spillable design
  • Fast recharge
  • AGM battery technology

Cons:

  • Not compatible with all types of vehicles

Review of Optima Batteries OPT8014-045

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This Optima battery is the ‘Yellow Top’ one from their ‘Optima Batteries’ collection. It is a 12-volt battery with 750 CCA and 55 Amp-hour. It has a reserve capacity of 120 minutes. 

This one is integrated with GM post and dual SAE terminals. It features a Polypropylene-made case, which is weather-resistant, vibration-resistant, and will last a long time.

The net dimension of the battery is 10 x 6.88 x 7.8 inches and weighs about 43.5 lbs. As with any Optima batteries, this one also comes with SpiralCell technology. 

As usual, these Optima batteries can be mounted in any position. They are spill-proof, fast recharging capable, and have up to 3x longer lifetime.

What Previous Buyers Said?

The majority of the buyers were satisfied with these Optima batteries. They have said the battery is the best for winching. 

Also, this Optima battery can support vehicles with various electronic accessories.

Pros:

  • Powerful and fast charging
  • Non-spillable design
  • Dual-purpose battery
  • Rugged build quality

Cons:

  • Pricey
  • No handle at the top

Review of XS Power D3400 XS Series 12V AGM High Output Winch Battery – Best Battery For Winching

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If you are looking for a ruggedly built, power horse of a battery, then this could be the best option for you out there. This battery from XS Power has everything you need in a winch battery. 

This lead acid battery uses AGM technology. This 12 Volt battery comes with 1000 CCA (Cold Cranking Amp) and 65 Ah.

It weighs about 48 lbs. and you can mount it any way you want to. This is a sealed and valve-regulated battery

That means it is spill-proof, vibration-resistant, and has ultra-low internal resistance. All of these features translate to stable high performance with a longer lifespan without any maintenance.

What Previous Buyers Said?

As per customers, this is one of the best batteries out there for winching. Maximum users are admiring the power and performance of the XS Power battery. One customer described that he had a large truck and he thinks that this is the best battery for 12,000 pound winch.

Pros:

  • Multiple position mount possible
  • Vibration-proof, spill-proof, low internal resistance and valve regulated
  • Comes with AGM battery technology
  • Very powerful high output battery

Cons:

  • Nothing major to mention

Review of Exide Edge FP-AGML4/94R Flat Plate AGM Sealed Automotive Battery

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This lead-acid battery from Exide comes full of useful features. For instance, it is integrated with AGM technology. Plus, it also features ‘SureLife Graphite’ technology. 

Both of these technologies help the battery to outperform other conventional batteries while doing demanding tasks for a longer period of time.

It weighs about 53.3 lbs. and the size of the battery is 12.4 x 6.89 x 7.48 inches. This is a 12-volt battery with 800 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps). 

It has a reserve capacity of 140 minutes at 25A. Overall, it could be a good choice for your truck winch.

What Previous Buyers Said?

A few users stated that they have faced issues with the warranty policy with Exide. However, the battery itself is a premium performer

Many users claimed that it can be a good battery for winching.

Pros:

  • Comes with carrying handle
  • Great design with the good build quality
  • AGM construction
  • Spill-proof and vibration-resistant

Cons:

  • A bit heavy

Review of NORTHSTAR Pure Lead Automotive Group 48 Battery

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The next battery on our list is from NorthStar. This is a 12-volt battery with 1450 A pulse cranking amps. At 0°F, the CCA will drop down to 775 A. And the CA/MCA at 32°F would be 880 A. 

It has a reserve capacity of 135 minutes. In addition, this battery has a capacity of 69 Ah at a 20-hour rate, whereas at a 10-hour rate the capacity goes down to 62 Ah.

The size of the battery is 10.9 x 6.9 x 7.4 inches and it weighs about 48 lbs. Aside from that, it uses AGM technology. 

The battery can be installed on its side. Plus, it has a faster recharging capability and it can cycle more than 400 times to 80% depth of discharge.

What Previous Buyers Said?

This is another fan-favourite battery. The former buyers hailed the performance and the quality of the battery. They mentioned it works with different Warn winches as well.

Pros:

  • Spill-proof low, internal resistance, and vibration-resistant
  • Comes with AGM technology
  • Sturdy build quality
  • Comes with a carrying handle
  • Mountable in multiple positions

Cons:

  • Nothing major to consider

Review of ACDelco 48AGM Professional AGM Automotive BCI Group 48 Battery

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This ACDelco 12 volt lead-acid battery comes with a very reasonable price tag. The dimension of the battery is 11.9 x 7.5 x 7.6 inches and it weighs about 45.5 lbs. They have used high-density negative paste to lengthen the battery life. 

Also, the calcium-lead positive grid and the Silver-Calcium cell type increase the cycle life and allow ultra-low internal resistance.

This battery has a reserve capacity of 120 minutes, 760 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps), and 70 Ah. Interestingly, it also sports the same AGM technology. So, it is totally spill-proof and vibration-resistant. 

Overall, this could be one of the best batteries for winches without breaking the bank.

What Previous Buyers Said?

The past buyers of this battery stated that it is a solid performer. They have also liked the reasonable price of the battery. 

Some of them also mentioned that it is made in Germany, which is one of the best indications of quality.

Pros:

  • Value for money
  • Comes with dual carrying handle
  • Rugged build quality
  • Vibration-resistant, low internal resistance, and spill-proof

Cons:

  • Nothing critical to mention

Buying Guide – Best Battery for Winching

Factors to Consider before Purchasing a Winch Battery

Compatibility of A Winch Battery

Most winches will come with a recommended battery rating. Make sure you are getting a compatible battery for your winches and vehicles.

Recharge Time

Normally, the best winch batteries would have fast recharge capability. It is not a must-have feature. But this feature will definitely help you to save a lot of time.

Durability and Warranty of Winch Batteries

A winching battery is an expensive piece of equipment. So, you should go for one that is durable and has a longer life expectancy. Plus, it should come with a reliable warranty policy. 

Most reputed brands will offer a quality after-sale service. Thus, we recommend buying from a good brand even if the price is high.

Power Ratings (CCA, RC, Ah)

You will find various power ratings on a winch battery like RC, CCA, and Ah. For your information, CCA means ‘Cold Cranking Ampere’. 

It refers to the capability of the battery to start up an engine in cold temperatures.

Now, RC (Reserve Capacity) and Ah (Ampere Hour) are also vital when it comes to the quality and performance of the battery. In short, it is always best to go with a winching battery that has the highest CCA, RC, and Ah. 

Simply put, without going into the technicalities, the higher the better in the case of these power ratings if you want to end up with the best battery for winching.

Spill-proof, low-maintenance, and Mounting Pattern for Winch Batteries

Most modern winch batteries will be spillproof and vibration-resistant. Also, the best ones tend to be maintenance-free as well. 

So, even without any type of maintenance, your winch battery should last a long time. Plus, the best winch battery would support multiple mounting patterns.

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FAQs for finding the Best Battery for Winching

Why choose a winch battery instead of a conventional battery? 

You know winching is a very demanding task. Normal conventional batteries are not capable of supplying this huge amount of power to the winch consistently. As a result, you will need a special winch battery instead of a conventional one.

Does winches need 2 batteries? 

Not all the time. However, if you want to go easier on the batteries, then you can connect dual batteries. Also, if you need to do several long pulls, you should use two batteries as one battery might not last for a much longer period.

Will the winch drain your battery when it’s not in use? 

No! If the winch is not in use, then it should not drain the battery. Conversely, if you run the winch, then it will drain the battery very quickly.

What kind of battery to use for a winch?

Typically, most winches come with a recommended battery rating. That way you will be able to find the exact requirement. 

Plus, make sure you are going for a highly powerful battery. All of the batteries we have reviewed above are suitable to use with a winch.

Are All Winch Batteries The Same?

No! Most winch batteries vary in CCA, size, power, discharge/recharge time, and quality. 

How long will a winch run on a battery?

Remember, you should always keep your vehicle running at high revs prior to operating the winch. Otherwise, any winch might only be able to run for up to 2 minutes without the vehicle running.

Can you run a winch off a deep cycle battery?

Frankly, this type of batteries are not up to the task of handling winches. Because a winch for Jeep requires a high amount of power instantly and consistently. 

So, it is always better to avoid deep cycle batteries for winching. But if you have verified that your particular deep cycled battery can run a winch or it is from a reputed brand, then it is up to you to use that.

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Conclusion – Best Battery for Winching

All of the batteries reviews above are of top-quality. However, if you are not able to decide on one, you can go with the XS Power D3400 battery from XS Power. 

It has high output power, higher CCA, great build quality, and from a reputed brand like XS Power. Also, the price is not that high as well. 

Of course, first, you have to make sure it is compatible with your vehicle and winch.

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AUTHOR
Ferenc
Ferenc Elekes has been a devout Overlanding enthusiast for many years. During that time, Ferenc has explored 75 countries on six continents, with overland travel involved in 40 countries on three continents. From his trusty 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado with a roof-top tent, he’s blogged about experiences that can only be found in the remotest regions on Earth. Along the way, he's gained in-depth knowledge of the novel challenges overlanders encounter and practical ways to meet them. On his website, he shares informed opinions about everything from the best overland gear to how to get a vehicle unstuck. Ferenc has also written for Ih8mud, the Expedition Portal, the Overland Journal, and he is often invited as a guest to outdoors-related podcasts.
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