Warn Industries is a well-known brand in the off-road and industrial markets, offering a range of high-quality winches and accessories. With over 70 years of experience, Warn has established itself as a trusted name in the industry, providing reliable solutions for all types of vehicles and applications. In this article, we will explore five of Warn’s most popular winches and their features.
Which is the best Warn Winch?
The Warn Zeon Platinum 10-S is considered the best among Warn winches due to its powerful 10,000 lb capacity, advanced wireless remote control, efficient cooling system, and durable construction with stainless steel hardware, making it a reliable and versatile winch for any off-road adventure.
Thorough multi-level testing is done by my team to ensure the highest product standards before I recommend anything. Learn more about our process here.
Scorecard: To curate a scorecard, I considered the pull capacity needed to handle the weight, rope quality and the power performance to know the best Warn winches. Only products that scored more than 7 were chosen.
Warn Company
Warn industries[1] have existed since 1948 and have worked immensely towards being the leader in their sector. Every product they manufacture requires intense engineering, designing, and testing procedures. The company has been into innovation and evolution for more than 70 years and is setting the standards for off-road accessories.
Products under Warn Brand
Warn builds winches, bumpers, mounting systems, rigging equipment, and 4WD hubs as prime off-roading essentials. Apart from that, they also manufacture hard electrical and hydraulic winches for commercial and industrial applications. They have categorized their products by application, making it easy for you to shortlist the products you need.
Whether you want to load your trailers, stretch the fences, hoist the engine or deal with construction projects, Warn has products to meet all these needs at nominal pricing. Therefore, every off-roader is aware of this brand and prefers its products above others. Let’s dig deeper into some popular Warn winches with high-selling records.
Best Warn Winches
#3 pick
Warn VR EVO 10-S
- Steel or synthetic rope
- Relocate control packs
- Gear ratio of 218:1
Below are the 5 best Warn winches that you can consider for rigging your vehicle and preparing it for the next off-roading adventure:
In the list of vehicle recovery gears by Warn, the Zeon Platinum 10-S is one of the best options you can consider. This model comes with 10,000 lbs of load-bearing capacity or pull rating and is equipped with 80 feet of synthetic rope. Apart from the standard Zeon model, this winch has a handheld remote that helps you control the winch’s clutch.
Free spooling, winching-in, and winching-out are easily controllable with this remote. This 10-S Platinum model by Warn is the game changer in the arena of winches. It is faster with and without a load than all the other winches in this price range.
The remote also displays the temperature of the motor for you to safely operate the machine without overusing it.
You get a USB charging cable and car charging adapter to keep the winch operating under any circumstances. The built quality is highly durable than the previous models of Warn Zeon Platinum series. IP68 waterproof rating makes its applications limitless in weather and situations of all kinds.
It operates with a 3-stage planetary gear train, which produces a ratio of 162:1. Moreover, it has an aluminum hawse fairlead for seamless operations. Warn Zeon Platinum 10-S uses a 12V DC series wound motor for optional functioning.
My opinion
Pull Capacity
Rope quality
Performance
In my opinion, which comes after rigorous testing, the Warn Zeon Platinum 10-S is one of the best winches out there. Its 10,000 lb capacity is impressive, and the wireless remote makes it easy to operate from a distance. The cooling system keeps it from overheating, and the stainless steel hardware ensures durability. It’s a reliable choice for off-road enthusiasts.
Product Timeline: The winch first launched on November 22, 2014 and there has not been any change since then.
PROS
- Available in different pull rating options
- Long-lasting build quality
- Faster winch-in and winch-out speed
- Light in weight with 75 lbs
CONS
- Bolts and faceplates are prone to minimal rust after a year of use
- No way to manually operate the winch in case remote fails
Warn Zeon range winches are one of the most advanced products in the market. It comes with a molded control box that fits the top of your winch’s body. The gearbox surrounds, and the motor has a great diameter, which allows it to function efficiently. You might have to check if this winch will fit appropriately onto your bullbar or not.
Warn Zeon 10-S doesn’t have a powder-coated or painted drum, which helps the rope attain a better grip. As a result, the chances of rope slipping when attached to a substantial load are reduced.
The Zeon 10-S comes with a roller fairlead, and this model has a pulling rate or load bearing capacity of 10,000 pounds.
The best thing is that Zeon 10-S comes with a convertible control pack. You can either attach it to the winch or mount it remotely to explore various mounting options. It has 100 feet of Spydura synthetic rope and has a remote switch to winch-in and winch-out. The operating efficiency comes from the 12V DC Series wound motor and gear ratio of 162:1. It has an automatic mechanical cone breaking for you to control the pull when the load is attached.
My opinion
Pull Capacity
Rope quality
Performance
I feel Warn Zeon 10-S is a high-quality winch that performs exceptionally well. Its 10,000 lb capacity makes it suitable for most off-road vehicles, and the durable construction ensures long-lasting use. The synthetic rope is also a great feature, making it lightweight and easy to handle. Overall, a reliable and efficient winch.
Product Timeline: The winch first launched on November 22, 2014 and there has not been any change since then.
PROS
- It is affordable for the quality it offers
- Optimal rated line pull capacity of 10,000 lbs
- Lightweight
- Available in different capacities
CONS
- Regular maintenance is needed to make the winch survive all seasons
- The ground wire is not heat shrunken
Warn VR EVO 10-S is another standard duty winch compatible with ½-ton pickup trucks, larger SUVs, and jeeps.
The powerful series wound motor triggers its impeccable power to meet the rated line pull capacity of 10,000 lbs.
It is equipped with a 30stage planetary gear train system that produces a gear ratio of 218:1.
The VREVO 10-S supports free spooling and is equipped with spring-type braking. The controls of this winch have been refined since the last model and have few upgrades to suit the ease of use. The clutch handle of this winch comes with a built-in detent that locks into place, which ensures that it won’t pop out from the gear.
IP68 rating ensures that the gears and motor is safe when used in water, even with full submersion. The wireless controller allows you to use your EVO 10-S winch at a farther distance from the vehicle. The 90 feet synthetic rope is pre-spooled with this kit for you to directly bolt it onto your vehicle’s bumper.
It has a robust black hawse fair-lead that adds improved functionality and an appealing look to the truck or vehicle. If you upgrade to a higher load pulling capacity of this model, such as 12-S, you can equip this winch even with your heavier pickup trucks of 3/4 or 1- ton weight
My opinion
Pull Capacity
Rope quality
Performance
I am an off-roading junkie and I can tell you that the Warn VR EVO 10-S is an excellent winch for off-road enthusiasts. Its 10,000 lb capacity and efficient motor make it a reliable choice for any situation. The remote control is easy to use, and the durable construction ensures long-lasting performance. Overall, a solid winch that won’t disappoint.
Product Timeline: The winch first launched on August 22, 2021 and there has not been any change since then.
PROS
- Available in different rated line pulling capacities
- Option of steel or synthetic rope
- Control packs can be relocated for low-profile installations
- Warranty on both mechanical and electric parts
CONS
- Cables are short and makes the installation process complex
- No tensioner kit available for this model
Warn Axon 45 is one of the best winches for ATVs or UTVs, which might have a lower capacity than other options on the list, but is still a favorable option for most light-weight rigs. It comes with a 50 feet steel rope embedded with a combination of motor and contractor for emitting the best winching experience. This steel rope is interchangeable that means if in future you wish to install synthetic rope on your warn winch, you can do that.
It has a compact design, and the drum is also smaller. Hence, this is ideally designed for vehicles with less space to clamp onto a winch. This upgraded model has a new clutch design that has a hub lock on its side. With this hub lock, you can switch between geared and free-spool settings.
IP68 rating makes it a value-worthy product used in watery and muddy conditions. It has an all-metal construction, and the drums have black powder coatings to prevent them from corrosion. It has a roller fairlead and operates with a 3-stage planetary gear system. This model has a mechanical brake to hold the winch load while pulling out the vehicle.
My opinion
Pull Capacity
Rope quality
Performance
In my opinion, the Warn Axon 45 is a powerful and versatile winch that is perfect for heavy-duty applications. Its 4,500 lb capacity and synthetic rope make it lightweight yet capable of handling heavy loads. The remote control is easy to use, and the winch’s efficient cooling system ensures long-lasting performance. A great choice for any off-road enthusiast.
Product Timeline: The winch first launched on June 13, 2018 and there has not been any change since then.
PROS
- Supports corded remote control winching
- Uses a combination of motor and contractor, termed a motactor system
- Metal construction for durability
CONS
- No Wireless remote
- Not compatible with all types of off-roading vehicles
Warn VRX 45 is ideal for a strong pulling application if your vehicle’s weight is not more than 3000 lbs. The 3-stage planetary gear system gives it the potential for pulling higher loads of up to 4500 lbs. It also features a mechanical brake with higher efficiency in holding loads than a spring brake. You get to choose between two rope models, synthetic and steel.
This particular model features 50 feet of steel rope with a roller fairlead. Roller fairleads work the best with steel ropes, whereas hawse fairleads work proficiently with synthetic rope. Hence, this is what Warn has managed to offer with this winch product. It can be operated by engaging the dash switch or by using the corded remote.
The winch unit is completely sealed to keep it free from dust and water. It also has an IP68 waterproof rating[2], which is general for all the winches in the Warn VRX series. The entire unit is made up of metal, which highlights optimal build quality. This winch is ideal to be used for hardest working UTVs.
My opinion
Pull Capacity
Rope quality
Performance
I feel Warn VRX 45 is a solid winch that delivers reliable performance. Its 4,500 lb capacity is suitable for most off-road vehicles, and the winch’s construction is sturdy and durable. The remote control is easy to use, and the efficient motor ensures efficient and reliable operation. A great value for its price range.
Product Timeline: The winch first launched on November 22, 2020 and there has not been any change since then.
PROS
- Available in synthetic and steel rope options
- Different rated pull line capacity options
- Black powder coating to prevent corrosion and rust
- Controllable from the dash-mounted switch and corded remote
CONS
- Short wires for mounting contractor in the battery box
- No mount accessory for mourning the fairlead
Verdict
Overall, the Warn Zeon Platinum 10-S is the best Warn winch due to its impressive 10,000 lb capacity, advanced wireless remote control, efficient cooling system, and durable construction with stainless steel hardware. Its reliable and versatile performance makes it an ideal choice for any off-road adventure.
Summary
As you have reached the end, you are already aware of the best Warn winches they feature on their website and are also best sellers on Amazon. Consider the pros and cons of these products and finalize the one that seems compatible with your vehicle and suits your adventure plans. They may look expensive but are among the best in the market. Consider the specifications and your budget consideration before placing your order.
References
-
WARN Industries. (n.d.). https://www.warn.com/
-
Polycase. (n.d.-c). IP68 waterproof rating. TechTalk Blog. https://www.polycase.com/techtalk/ip-rated-enclosures/ip68-waterproof-rating.html
