Best Smittybilt Winch Review – XRC & X20

Smittybilt winches have consistently earned praise for their durability and efficient winching operations, being worked through heavy-loads for hours on end regularly. This article will cover the best Smittybilt winch reviews based on the capacity, budget, and features.

Smittybilt is a well-known name in the off-roading industry, owing to their passion and enthusiasm for off-roading adventures. Having started with a small machine shop, the founders of Smittybilt seek to incorporate and reflect the 4WD lifestyle in all their products geared towards the off-roading aftermarket industry.

Smittybilt Winch Types

Smittybilt winches are plenty to consider, given the extent of features available depending on the off-road experience and performance. The winches come in X20 and XRC series. Both the X20 and XRC series are available in the base models as well as COMP models.

Best Smittybilt Winch Reviews

There are multiple factors to consider when purchasing a winch, the foremost being your budget and specific winching needs.

Through our Smittybilt winch reviews, browse, compare the various features of varied models, and sift through the customers’ umpteen verdict. But the most efficient way to choose your required winch would be to gather the few top rated winches in your list and compare their differences and performances of the features, and then decide if you are willing to pay the price for the given facilities.

Smittybilt 10,000 Lbs – X20 COMP Winch 

Model: X20 COMP – 98510 | Rated Line Pull: 10,000 lbs (4535kgs) | Control: Wireless Remote | Winch Line: Synthetic Rope | Fairlead: Hawse | Brake: Automatic Out-Of-Drum

Dynamic Braking: The dynamic braking system with inductive and automatic outer brakes keeps the motor from overheating during heavy-duty operations for lasting performance.

Wireless Remote: The integrated option for wireless control offers convenience at your fingertips for a broader and better visual operation.

IP68 Waterproof Rating: Ability to withstand dirt, sand, and dust. Water-resistant up to a maximum depth of 1.5m underwater for up to 30 minutes.

Hawse Fairlead: The winch comes with a Competition Aluminum Hawse Fairlead complete with a forged hook for a secure grip during the winching. The gear system furnishes powerful pulling operations with consistency and relative quietness.

The amphibious nature of the motor keeps it protected from the excess of wet and dry conditions. With a UV resistant matte black finish, the purchase includes the Smittybilt x20 COMP Synthetic rope winch, a Hawse fairlead with a forged hook, the wireless remote, a rope sleeve, and all power cables necessary to wire up the winch to the battery and the solenoid box.

Pros

• The product comes with the manufacturer’s backing with a Lifetime warranty.
• The installation and wireless functions are straightforward.
• The build quality is excellent.
• It provides more than enough power for hauling operations.
• It is a worthy buy for the affordable price.

Cons

• It requires modifications to fit specific vehicle bumpers.
• The weight of the winch may be a bit heavy.
• The solenoid requires some attention when mounting according to space on the vehicle.

Customer Verdict

Smittybilt 12,000 Lbs – X20 COMP Winch

Model: X20 COMP – 98512 | Rated Line Pull: 12,000 lbs (5,454kgs) | Control: Wireless Remote | Winch Line: Synthetic Rope | Fairlead: Hawse | Brake: Automatic Out-Of-Drum

High Winch Capacity: The Smittybilt 12,000 lb capacity winch is similar in functioning and features to the Smittybilt 10,000 lb capacity winch, differing only in the maximum winching weight or the winch capacity. The increased weight compatibility is a satisfactory fit for trucks and trailers when carrying out multiple pulls in a single winching session.

Heat Enduring: The fact that the Smittybilt Winch 12,000 lb does not overheat even during continuous winching operations and provides consistent pulling power is the highlight of the winch’s durability. Add to the feature-rich repertoire that it is one of the most affordable and powerful winches in its class in the market.

Pros

• It has a powerful delivery of winching at 12,000 lb capacity.
• The Limited Lifetime Warranty adds to the peace of mind when purchasing the product.
• The waterproofing feature is an added incentive.
• The general outlook of the winch with its multiple features is a worthy investment at reasonable costs.

Cons

• The wireless feature has limited coverage in some devices.
• Two-mounting options for the solenoid with its two-screw design can be improved.

Customer Verdict

Smittybilt 9,500 Lbs – XRC Winch

Model: XRC – 97495 | Rated Line Pull: 9,500Lbs (4,309kgs) | Control: Handheld Remote Switch | Winch Line: Steel Cable | Fairlead: Roller | Brake: Automatic In-Drum

The main feature of the Smittybilt Winch 9,500  that sets it apart from the rest of the competition, lies in the fact that the winch furnishes waterproofing for a winch in its class, at nominal rates.

Many winches supply essential functions as the XRC Gen2 9,500 lb winch, with the steel cable and pulling power at higher prices. Still, not many furnish a feature like an IP 67 waterproof rating with the slightly more vital pulling capacity that this winch does.

The winch comes with multiple options for mounting the Solenoid, but some people prefer to mount the Solenoid remotely, where they may have the need to extend the wires accordingly. The winch does not come with a wireless remote, but facilities can install a wireless remote if needed.

The Smittybilt XRC Gen2 has decent features all in all. It caters to off-roading adventures that do not involve many heavy-loaded winches pulls, simply ensuring that you remain on track with its reliable hauling strength.

Pros

• It is easy to install and built to last longer when used appropriately
• The high standards are reflected in the Lifetime Warranty offered by the manufacturer
• It offers a convenient IP 67 rated waterproof rating, making it a cut above the rest of the competition
• The winch’s low price is highly appreciatable given the availability of all basic features, including a 6.6 HP motor, the prime of the industry-grade torque.

Cons

• After-sales customer service is lacking
• The controller snaps after a short period of use

Customer Verdict

Smittybilt 17,500 Lbs – X20 Winch

Model: X20 – 98517 | Rated Line Pull: 17,500 lbs (7,954kgs) | Control: Wireless Remote | Winch Line: Steel Cable | Fairlead: Roller | Brake: Automatic Out-Of-Drum

The handling, installation, and mounting of the winch is by far an easy task. The winch sits almost effortlessly on any Smittybilt front bumper without the need for any complex modification.

Massive Pulling Power: With almost ideal features packed within the Smittybilt 17.5K lb winch, the convenience of having such winching power at your disposal is a sheer delight.

Ring Gear Clutch: With the capacity to haul loads up to 17,500 lb, the winch features a robust and amphibious 6.6 HP motor that comes with the Ring Gear Clutch that encourages upgraded line speeds and pulls for a smooth rescue.

Wireless Remote: The wireless remote makes things more comfortable and convenient, allowing a better understanding of the rescue situation and aiding a better ability to control the line speed.

IP68 Waterproof Rating: The waterproofing is an added pleasure and much-welcome feature since going through deep or shallow water crossings is an inevitable part of deep off-roading treks.

However, the manufacturer’s support is the limited lifetime warranty concerning the electrical aspects and a lifetime warranty on the mechanical aspects.

Pros

• It provides a massive upgrade in pulling power with a gear ratio of 430:1.
• The IP 68 waterproof rating is a neat feature.
• The braided style Steel Cable is capable of undertaking extreme duress even after winching heavy loads for more extended periods.

Cons

• The range for the wireless remote does not function well for some devices.

Customer Verdict

Our Recommendation – Smittybilt 10,000 X20 COMP Winch

A load capacity of 10,000 Lbs for powerful winching, IP68 rating for efficient waterproofing, high durability with synthetic rope, wireless remote control, dynamic braking system, 5-year electrical warranty, and all at an affordable price is the key take away of Smittybilt XRC COMP 10,000 Lbs winch that has gained our recommendation.

The 10K lb winch of the XRC COMP series is the best in its class winch, a much-preferred option for customers looking for power and efficiency in an affordable price range.

• Buy On Walmart (Free 2-Day Delivery)
• Buy On Amazon

Being a budget product certainly marks its flaws, but the 10K Smittybilt winch offers premium features that most other winches do not guarantee.

A powerful motor, wireless control, broad ranges of load capacities, impressive gear ratio for its compact size, and lastly, the Lifetime Warranty on all things mechanical; a frank observation indicates that the Smittybilt X20 COMP 10K lb winch has fundamental attributes that speak for their mainstream worth.

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading through our Smittybilt winch review of the most productive winches, you will find choosing the apt winch for your needs is a little bit easier. It is never easy to decide on one thing, we know.

But make sure you weigh in all essential criteria and then focus on the exciting aspect of working with the winch in adventurous situations. Make the most of your off-roading travels in tandem with a reliable winch and conquer all those trails that once were a part of everyday musings!