Best Hand Winches to Buy in 2022

Last Updated on July 13, 2022

You may find it hard to lift heavy objects unless you are equipped with some superhuman power and strength.

When dealing with heavy loads, you may require the appropriate tool to foster you in pulling them without you exerting a lot of effort.

You need to obtain a good hand winch that provides not only the basic features such as the rope, pulley, and handle but also many more. Anyway, a typical hand winch is one that has a hook found at the end of the rope where the load can be attached.

All you have to do is to spin the handle to lift the load without much force. Just like other tools, you need to opt for a model that can meet your needs and preferences.

In this guide, we will find out 5 best hand winch that you can see in the market today. Although it provides a common function, each of which offers additional useful features. The following are some of the top ones.

If you’re in hurry, then you can pick one from the quick comparison table below.

Best Hand Winch Comparison Table

Top 5 Best Hand Winches Review

1. Fulton FW32000101 F2 Two-Speed Trailer Winch

This hand winch is enclosed with heavy-duty water-proof materials that can prevent moisture and debris from damaging the mechanism and strap, making it an ideal choice for most boat trailers. This is perhaps one of the best reasonably priced hand winch available in the market.

Boasting a capacity of about 3,200 pounds, this trailer winch can carry various heavy objects even with just one hand. It is made of a system that can allow you to switch speeds from high to low. The frame is designed with corrosion-resistant aluminum so that you can use it for a longer period. Its handle is made of aluminum too.

It consists of a dual gear drum, so it will be easier for you to operate it. This is also for the purpose of smooth operation. Much more, the hand is versatile

Enough to cater to 4 positions so you can adjust it up to 9 inches. Also, the winch strap ensures durability as well as functionality that is 20 feet long.

You can also mount this trailer winch anywhere, so you have wider flexibility when it comes to its usage. Anyway, it has a strap guide, so you really don’t have to worry about how it is used. This hand winch aims to provide you with a powerful and sleek performance as well as a high-tech and clean look that can complement any trailer.

The Fulton F2 trailer winch has been rigorously certified to have a durable and strong construction that can be employed even in the harshest working environments. Its maintenance-free design ensures precision so you don’t have to replace or purchase additional parts.

Pros

• Frame and handle are made of aluminum
• Dual gear drum ensures a smoother operation
• Allows one-hand operation
• The handle offers variable heights up to 9 inches
• Can cater up to 3200 pounds

Cons

• Tricky installation

2. Camco 50000 Winch

This marine winch is mainly constructed to foster the loading of your boat in the trailer, but it has actually more to offer!

Using this can accurately, safely, and smoothly load your boat in place. It is made with durable and heavy-duty zinc plated steel to ensure long-lasting use. Not to mention, it is corrosion resistant, so you no longer need to make replacements frequently.

The strap is made of 2 inches polyester making it an excellent choice for various weather conditions. This also features UV resistance, so it will not be at risk of discoloration and fading, and it’s long too — about 20 feet.

Weighing only 8 pounds means that you can carry this anywhere you may go with comfort and convenience. This can also be stored easily, given its size. Well, anyway, the heavy-duty construction makes it reliable and efficient enough to suit loads within the standard.

Although its loading capacity is only 2000 pounds, this is useful for average-sized boats. This makes it weigh less compared to others that add to the weight of the load. Since it is manual, it requires less energy usage. Although you need to exert some force, it is not that hard compared to when you don’t have hand winches.

Pros

• Ultra-weigh about 8 pounds
• Capacity is 2000 pounds
• Made of heavy-duty construction
• Ensures reliability and efficiency
• Zinc plated thus corrosion resistant

Cons

• Does not have a smooth surface
• Manual winch

 

3. Reese Towpower 74337 600 Pound – Most Affordable Hand Winch

With a pulling capacity of 600 pounds, this reese towpower hand winch is the least expensive way to carry sufficient loads from small to average-sized boats.

It is plated with zinc, thereby resisting corrosion. A resilient finish makes it withstand different exposures to chemicals, oil, and saltwater. It comes with a comfort grip so you can obtain a positive hold even while you are cranking. Much more, it is maintenance-free, so you don’t have to worry about replacements.

The shaft bushings are impregnated with oil so that you will experience lesser friction, thereby giving you added comfort when using the tool itself. Being made of high carbon steel gears make it last longer as well as resist wear and tear. These materials are shock resistant and extremely strong too.

Having commercial-grade gears means that you can count on them to perform work through the years. Much more, cranking is made easy with its ergonomic design. You can lift and move objects without much effort. Lastly, it is an affordable hand crank winch, and it will certainly fit your budget.

Pros

• Gears are made of high carbon steel ensuring durability
• Comes with a comfort grip handle
• The finish is made of zinc
• Corrosion-resistant
• Maintenance-free

Cons

• Small load capacity
  One-way ratchet

 

4. Aceshin Heavy Duty Hand Winch

If you want a handy hand winch that can provide different functionality while ensuring quality, this cable gear winch may be a perfect idea!

This hand winch is designed with heavy-duty, high-quality steel making it strong enough to deal with heavy loads. It comes with a zinc-plated finish that adds up to its strength and durability. The handle is made of an anti-slip technology, so you will have a tighter grip as well as to avoid fatigue and promote productivity.

Although this hand winch can only carry up to 600 pounds, this can still lift heavy objects and load or personal trailer watercraft, boats, and even lawn equipment. Not to mention, this can be employed for moving any ATV, pickup truck, and more! It also has a forward and reverses ratcheting so you can work in both directions.

Since it is designed with flexibility, you are allowed to make adjustments. The hook is made to be sturdy, so you won’t worry about using it with loads within the standard. Given its body size, this hand crank winch can easily be carried everywhere as well as store anywhere. Having a 26.2 feet long cable makes it enough for regular use.

Pros

• Made of durable construction and finish
• Comes with an anti-slip handle for convenience and productivity
• With forward and reverse ratcheting
• Allows for adjustment with its flexible designed
• Equipped with a safety pawl
• It has a portable size for easy carrying and storing

Cons

• Capacity is only 600 pounds

 

5. Powhill Polyester Strap 2 Gear Hand Winch

If you are looking for a hand winch that is fully functional at a lesser cost, this stainless steel crank gear winch is a perfect idea for your ATV and boat trailer!

Just like the first item, this hand winch can carry up to 3200 pounds making it an ideal choice for heavy objects. The strap is made of polyester making it extremely resistant to various elements, especially water and wind. Moreover, its color makes it even more attractive, aside from its functionality.

Its body is made of heavy-duty steel so that you will be assured of durability and longevity. The towing winch is plated with zinc too. This means that this tool is eco-friendly due to its compositions. Not to mention, the overall quality of zinc make it last and stand the test of time.

Strap length is approximately 10 meters, with a width of 2 inches. The gear ratio also offers flexibility, either 8:1 or 4:1. Furthermore, the mooring hook is made with a safety pawl to ensure stability. Aside from ATVs and boats, this hand winch is also ideal to use in trailers, pickup trucks, and many more mobile applications.

Pros

• Made of a polyester webbed strap
• Strap length up to 10 meters
• The hook ensures stability being equipped with a safety pawl
• Capacity up to 3200 pounds
• Can resist bad weather

Cons

• Manually operated

 

Best Hand Winch Buying Guide

Unless you are blessed with some extraordinary power and strength, you may find it difficult to lift heavy loads. When coping with heavy loads, without exerting a huge amount of effort, you may need the necessary instrument to enable you to pull them.

That necessary instrument can be a good hand winch that not only offers the basic features like that of the rope or pulley but many more as well. Anyway, a traditional hand winch comes with a hook located at the end of the rope where the load can be connected.

All you have to do is rotate the handle, which won’t require much force, to lift the load. You need to look for the best hand winch model that can suit your needs and desires, just like other instruments.

Now, if you decided to get a hand winch to make your life easier, then you will need a detailed idea about hand winch. That’s where this article comes in.

I will provide a buying guide for Hand winches and point out all the key features to look out for before purchasing.

I hope at the end of this read, you will have a basic understanding of the best hand winch. Let’s begin.

The most important thing is that the hand winch should make your life simpler and easier than before, not the other way around. Below are some features that will do the trick for you if they are present in your hand winch.

1# Build Material

You don’t want to spend your money on something that is not going to last. You want something that you can use for year after year. That’s why you need a hand winch that is made of heavy-duty steel for durability and sturdiness. But the steel body has its negative side too.

Steel can be a victim of corrosion and rust. That’s where a zinc or enamel coating comes to save the day. So, choose a hand winch that is made of steel but also has a coating of zinc or enamel.

2# Pulling Capacity

Never throw a load to your winch that the winch isn’t suited to handle. First, be sure about the maximum weight you might need to lift and choose a hand winch after that. That way you can avoid the horror of overweight problems. It can seriously damage your hand winch.

The ideal and recommended suggestion is, buy a winch that has 1.5 times higher pulling capacity than the gross weight of the load. For example, if you need to pull a 1000lbs load, then you will need a winch with 2500lbs load capacity.

That way, your hand winch will be safe and you will have a smooth winching experience.

3# Automatic Brake 

One of the highly recommended features. This automatic braking system will ensure that you always have the best control over the loading and unloading process. And as you know, a winch is all about loading and unloading. So, you don’t want any discomfort in that section.

That’s why it’s very important to choose one with this system installed.

4# Enclosed Gear System

An enclosed and covered gear system is the most common feature of almost every top-quality hand winches. This system works to increase the durability of the machine.

5# Gear Ratio

You need to have a clear idea about what kind of load you will be dealing with. If you do, then it will be easier to decide what type of gear ratio you will need. Generally, a higher gear ratio deals with heavier loads and a smaller gear ratio works best with lighter loads.

6# Comfortable Handle 

The hand winch doesn’t have any engine to power it, instead, it requires muscle power. For that reason, you will have to work with it by holding the handle with your hands. You will spend a lot of time with that handle, so it is important that the handle is comfortable to hold.

Grab the handle and make sure it feels good before buying. If the handle is too big or small, it might be a little irritating to operate. Also, the crank should turn easily.

7# Rope

Some of the hand winches are suited specifically with a rope type like braided cables or nylon straps. Some work perfectly with either of them. Some hand winches might not have rope included with it. In that case, you will have to find out which rope will work better with it and then purchase that rope separately.

Plus, pick a hand winch that has a wire anchoring plate so that the wire or rope doesn’t slip out.

8# Easy Installing Process

If you are not an expert on hand winches, then my suggestion is to get a hand winch that needs minimum effort and winch knowledge to assemble. That will save you time and money. Plus, get one that is easy to operate too. If you do that, there won’t be the need of having any special skills to operate that little piece of machinery.

9# Brands Ensures Quality

There are hundreds of hand winch brands available in the market and it’s easy to get all confused about which one to get. My suggestion is, go for a well-known brand that is popular. That will reduce the tension about quality because a top-rated brand always delivers the best.

10# Budget

Price is a huge factor in the case of shopping. There is always a chance that you will like a hand winch that will exceed your budget limit. If you want to avoid that, fix a budget first and check out only those hand winches that are within your budget.

If you check out the products randomly, the advanced features of some pricey winch will get your attention and blow up your budget plan. But if you don’t have any problem with spending a little extra than the budget, feel free to roam around the winch world. The money will buy you the best one, that is for sure.

Always remember,” The better the thing, the higher the price”.

And that’s it. That’s all the key things you need to look out for when buying a hand winch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a winch and a hoist?

A winch is versatile and flexible enough to lift, tow, and pull loads on a horizontal surface while a hoist is merely to lift loads, so the main difference of the two is their function.

How strong should my winch be?

It really depends upon your purpose. So, for instance, if you need hand winch for your vehicle, the rule is to use one that has a load capacity of at least 1.5 times the weight of your vehicle.

How much is a hand winch?

Depending on various factors such as brand, design, and construction, the price of the hand winches varies. Furthermore, manual  hand winches are affordable compared to electric hand winches.

How does hand winches work?

Hand crank winch works by a ratcheting level or crank that winds the cable onto the spool while it pulls a load. All you need to do is to spin the handle to lift the object without exerting too much effort.

Why will I need hand winches?

A hand crank winch can make your life easier. Using a small hand crank winch can make you lift and carry loads without exerting too much effort.

Verdict on the Best Hand Winch Review

There are many choices, you should figure out what you need then buy hand winch from the list that matches your need. If you want to work with ease, then you don’t have to doubt about getting one for yourself. After you have gone through the hand winch reviews, we hope that you already found the right hand winch for you!

You can also read my reviews of car hauler winches & high-quality truck winches if you ever plan to buy one.