The 6 Best Winch Batteries of 2024
Running out of power is the worst! Not only do you need a capable winch but a second battery can be a lifesaver. A good battery for winching should be able to run for at least an hour without cutting out, and it should be able to withstand heavy use.
We only recommend using batteries specifically made for winches. On this page, we’ve reviewed the best choices on the market this year. Let’s get into it!
Our Top List
# | Preview | Product | Our Rating | Link |
1 |  | XS Power D3400 XS Series AGM High Output Battery | ||
2 |  | Odyssey 34/78-PC1500DT Automotive & LTV Battery | ||
3 |  | Odyssey Battery 48-720 Battery for Winching | ||
4 |  | ACDelco 48AGM BCI Group 48 12V Winch Battery | ||
5 |  | Optima Batteries 8042-218 D75/25 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery | ||
6 |  | Delphi BU9094R MaxStart AGM Premium Automotive Battery |
1. XS Power D3400 XS Series AGM High Output Battery
The D3400 puts out an impressive amount of raw power. It has an M6 terminal bolt that allows you to mount it quickly before you take off on your next adventure. It uses the highest density chemistry available in the AGM BCI battery group, and this makes it a great pick for helping power audio systems in vehicles. It lives up to the high output name because it offers an impressive 1,150 high-performance cranking amps, and there is an absorbent glass mat with an AGM design that comes with a sealed lead-acid battery.
All of these features combine to give you a battery that has a very high vibration tolerance, and this makes it capable of lasting much longer with repeated use. The battery is spill-proof, and this allows you more freedom when you mount it without having to worry about electrolyte spillage or acid leaks. The M6 terminal bolt is included in the original purchase, and this allows you to mount the whole kit right away. It doesn’t come with battery posts, though, so you have to buy them by yourself if you don’t have them already.
Key Features:
- Battery Cell Composition: Lead Acid
- Lifespan: 5 to 8 years
- Voltage: 12 volts
Pros
- 1,150 amps
- Absorbent glass mat included
- Rugged design
- Spill-proof
- Easy to mount
Cons
- Doesn’t come with battery posts
2. Odyssey 34/78-PC1500DT Automotive & LTV Battery
When you use this battery, you’ll get twice the power output than you would from a regular conventional battery, and it comes with a unique construction and design that is built to last. You get pure virgin lead plates that give it better performance, and it comes designed to have more plates inside that gives you greater electrical output with more power storage. It’ll last up to 70% longer than other deep cycle batteries, and it will keep 80% depth of charge through up to 400 cycles.
The battery can last between 3 and 10 years from the date of purchase, and it offers a spill-proof design that lets you mount and unmount this unit without worrying about accidents or spills. You get four A34D-PC1500T batteries in easy order, and this is more than enough to power two standard car batteries at one time without straining the main unit. It fits well in a six-inch case, and it can manage to jump-start older trucks and cars, and it’s a great investment since it’s designed to last a long time.
Key Features:
- Battery Cell Composition: Lead acid
- Lifespan: 3 to 10 years
- Voltage: 12 volts
Pros
- Can power two car batteries at once
- Lasts 70% longer than deep cycle batteries
- 3 to 10-year lifespan
- Longer warranty
- Easy to contact customer service
Cons
- Price point
3. Odyssey Battery 48-720 Battery for Winching
This battery uses 99.9% lead plates that help give it better life, faster charging, and improved efficiency each time you use it, and the thin plates offer a performance level that you can compare to alloy based batteries. You get more plates inside the battery due to the thin design, and the spill-proof design makes it much more convenient to install in virtually any configuration because it won’t leak. You can fit it into tighter spaces without a problem, and it has a reserve capacity of 130 minutes.
You can deep cycle this battery up to 800 times and get an 80% depth of charge, and there is a built-in handle that makes it very easy and convenient to use. It can fully charge much faster than other batteries, from 0 to 100 in four to six hours, and you’ll get an impressive 723 cold-cranking amps with this product that is good enough to get your vehicle running in a single try. It can give you 63-amps consecutively for over an hour, and it can handle extreme temperature swings that include dropping to as low as 40-below zero.
Key Features:
- Battery Cell Composition: Lead acid
- Lifespan: 4 to 6 years
- Voltage: 12 volts
Pros
- Deep cycle up to 800 times
- Works in extreme temperatures
- Offers 723 cold-cranking amps
- Longer warranty
- Two to four-year warranty
Cons
- None we have yet found.
4. ACDelco 48AGM BCI Group 48 12V Winch Battery
The ACDelco battery offers a lot of the same technology that you get on higher priced batteries without breaking your bank, and there is no risk of having any spills due to the use of AGM because it traps the electrolytes inside a fiberglass coating. The lack of free-flowing acid in this battery also makes it have much lower maintenance, and this includes not having to top it off with water every few weeks or cleaning the terminal. This battery is very easy to handle, and it uses calcium lead alloy instead of pure lead that has excellent conductivity with a greater surface area.
This product comes with an excellent CCA rating of 760, and this means that this battery will start your vehicle reliably every time. It can handle extreme temperature swings down to 30 below zero, and this adds to the ruggedness of this battery. It features ABS plastic for the whole enclosure that helps protect it against strong vibrations and shocks, and you get a 36-month replacement warranty from the date of purchase to protect your investment.
Key Features:
- Battery Cell Composition: Lead acid
- Lifespan: Five years
- Voltage: 12 volts
Pros
- CCA rating of 760
- 36-month warranty for replacement
- Lower maintenance design
- Uses silver calcium in the battery composition
- Lower price point
Cons
- No handle to carry
5. Optima Batteries 8042-218 D75/25 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery
This battery uses the AGM design that boost’s how well your battery performs each time you take it out to use it, and it uses a spiral tube design where the lead plates get placed in a spiral layout to help improve the durability factor. The plates are 99.99% pure lead for excellent conductivity, fast charging, long-lasting battery life, slow self-discharge rate, and high cold cranking amps. The battery will survive environments that are more rugged and cause intense shocks or vibrations, and this makes it perfect for taking off-roading or on rough terrains.
The yellow top on this battery comes completely sealed to help make it maintenance-free, and there is no risk of electrolyte spillage due to the sealed design. You don’t have to clean the terminals or change the water in them, and it can produce 620 CCA that is enough to start your vehicle every time. It can produce enough power to charge a 12,000-pound winch, and it can easily handle load-hungry electronics like high beam lights or speaker systems. It has a reserve capacity of almost 100 minutes, and it can easily handle working in extreme temperatures without stalling out.
Key Features:
- Battery Cell Composition: Lead acid
- Lifespan:8 to 10 years
- Voltage: 12 volts
Pros
- 36-month replacement warranty
- 99.99% pure lead plates
- Completely sealed design
- Produces 620 CCA
- Can power up to a 12,000-pound winch
Cons
- Warranty is difficult to get honored
6. Delphi BU9094R MaxStart AGM Premium Automotive Battery
The final battery on the list is a great choice if you have light trucks or light transmission vehicles that you need to jump start frequently, and it’s an AGM battery that allows it to charge faster while having a very low discharge rate when you compare it to traditional batteries. The manufacturer put dual venting holes to clear out any toxic gasses that could build up with extended use, and the battery has 850 CCA that is one of the highest ratings on the list. You won’t have to worry about the battery not working when the temperature conditions swing from one extreme to the next as it’ll work as reliably as it would at room temperature.
The battery can easily handle several deep cycles because it’s an AGM battery, but the manufacturer doesn’t recommend doing it. The battery resists corrosion to make maintenance a thing of the past, and the sealed design doesn’t require any water additives to keep it cool. There is a three-year warranty that will cover any manufacturing defects that can make the battery dangerous to use or unstable, and the warranty also covers free replacement parts for three years from the date of purchase.
Key Features:
- Battery Cell Composition: Lead acid
- Lifespan:Six to eight years
- Voltage: 12 volts
Pros
- Three-year warranty
- 850 CCA rating
- Resists corrosion
- Low maintenance
- Lower price point
Cons
- Parts tend to break
Verdict & Review
XS Power D3400
Pros
- 1,150 amps
- Absorbent glass mat included
- Rugged design
- Spill-proof
- Easy to mount
Cons
- Doesn’t come with battery posts
Our pick for the best winch battery is the XS Power D3400 because it offers an impressive 1,550 high-performance cranking amps that can easily run your audio systems, and it has an extremely high vibration tolerance that ensures the power won’t cut out or skip if you take it over rough terrain. The battery also has a spill-proof design to it that ensures you don’t have to do much maintenance to keep it in top shape, and it has an M6 terminal bolt that is very durable.
Buying Guide
Since this can be an expensive investment, you want to carefully consider all of the important components that make up these batteries. The better you understand it, the bigger the chance is that you’ll pick out the best battery for your needs out of all of them on the market. The same goes for anything in your off-road vehicle, like air compressor to keep your tires up to speed.
Brand
You want to go with a reputable brand over one that has a minimal following because bigger brands tend to put much more care into their products and ensure that they use high-quality materials. Also, bigger and better brands tend to have better warranties and more responsive customer service representatives that you can get in touch with if you have any questions or concerns about the product.
Compatibility
Most winches you can buy will have a recommended battery rating on them, and you want to abide by it and find a battery that matches. Make sure that your battery has enough power to get the winch up and running without stressing the components because this can help your battery last longer. As a bonus, it can also ensure that you can tackle small and large projects without stalling.
Time to Recharge
The best winch battery you have will usually come with a quicker recharge capability on them to ensure that you’re never stuck with a half-dead battery before you need it. While this isn’t something that you absolutely have to have, it can save you a lot of time and frustration when you go to use it. Lead plates in the battery usually indicate that the battery will have a quicker recharge time.
Warranty and Durability
This battery can be a very expensive piece of equipment to add to your arsenal, so you shouldn’t be afraid to spend a little more upfront for a battery that has a longer life expectancy and high durability. It should also have a reliable warranty policy attached from the date of purchase that covers part replacement and manufacturer defects. Almost every reputable brand will offer after-sale service, so this is another reason to go with a reputable brand.
Power Rating
You’ll notice very quickly that these winch batteries have various power ratings on them, including Ah, RC, and CCA. CCA means cold-cranking ampere, and these power ratings refer to how reliable the winching battery will be to starting your engine up when the temperatures drop. Both RC and Ah are vital when it comes to understanding your battery’s performance and quality, so you want to pick out the product that has the higher Ah, RC, and CCA ratings. The higher this rating is, the better your battery will serve you.
Mounting Pattern, Spill-Proof, and Low-Maintenance Needs
Most modern batteries in this classification are rated as being spill-proof and resistant to vibrations, and they also have lower maintenance needs to keep them in top shape. So, even without having to do any type of maintenance, the battery should be able to last a long time. The battery should also be able to support different mounting patterns to make it easier and quicker to install.
Winch Battery FAQ
Since this is a more expensive purchase, it’s very common for people to have questions surrounding winch batteries. We want you to be able to make a decision with confidence, so we’ve rounded up all of the most frequently asked questions and answered them for you below.
1. How long can you safely run a winch battery?
As we’re sure you’re well aware, winching tends to take up a lot of power and drains the battery very quickly. This is because the battery powers the winch to pull the trucks’ full weight up in an upward direction. You should switch off the winch for a few minutes during longer projects to let the battery cool down.
2. Will the winch cause the battery to drain of power?
The winch shouldn’t drain the battery as it depends completely on the battery’s quality and operation. Having a tight cable in good condition can result in draining the battery relatively quickly, but the winch won’t drain the battery if you don’t have it in operating mode. If the battery does start to drain, it could indicate that the battery is at the end of its lifespan.
3. Why pick a winch battery instead of a traditional one?
A traditional battery isn’t one that many people would use with a winch because the winch will pull a lot of power. A traditional battery can’t output enough power to keep the winch running.
4. What makes the perfect winching battery?
You can use any battery that has a reputation for performance, longevity, and ease of maintenance for winching projects. We listed several reputable brands and batteries that are currently available on the market for you to compare above.
5. Do all winches need two batteries?
Ideally, you’ll connect dual batteries for your winch to help it draw more current and massive power levels. If you use two batteries, you can take on more time-consuming winching projects without them draining and you struggling.
6. How many average amperes does your winch pull?
At the start of winching, the ideal pull amount is right around 100 amps. It can go up to 150 amps if your load gets up to 2,000 to 2,500-pounds. Heavier projects will pull more amps.