Winching is a heavy-duty task. They pull so much current from the car’s battery they can easily drain and kill your battery in a single winching escapade. That is why it’s always wise to winch with your trucks engine revving.
You can make things better by buying the best battery for winching. The chances of a mainstream alternator providing all the steady current your winch needs are low hence the system has to draw some from the battery.
A strong battery that can handle the extra punishment will give you peace of mind when out in the trail or going about your daily activities. Here are the best batteries for a winch this year.
Best Battery for Winching
| Name | Cranking Amps | Ah/Reserve Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optima Batteries 8003-151 RedTop Battery | 800 Amps | 100 minutes | |
| Odyssey Battery 48-720 Battery | 723 Amps | 109 minutes | |
| XS Power D6500 XS Series High Output Battery | 1070 Amps | 75 Ah/135 minutes | |
| Optima 8040-218 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery | 620 Amps | 48 Ah/98 minutes | |
| ACDelco 48AGM Automotive Battery | 760 Amps | 70 Ah/120 minutes |
Optima Batteries 8003-151 RedTop Battery
The Optima 8003-151 is popular for its great reserve capacity and massive cranking power. We even featured its cousin in our roundup of best car batteries for cold weather.
What makes it so versatile is its high crank Amp rating and the 100-minute reserve capacity. It can drive high current steadily for a while before it dies on you meaning that you will survive some minutes of normal winching without your Ford F150 battery voltage drops below the recommended reading.
Pros
- Great cranking power that is great for running winches and also cranking your car
- Good reserve capacity of 100 minutes
- Will serve you well in any weather condition
- Spill-resistant
- Vibration resistant
Cons
- None at the price point
Odyssey Battery 48-720 Battery
Odyssey designed this battery with high power consumption electronics in mind. It targets people who leave electronics in the car running for a while after switching down the car or trucks with a winch.
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It gets its staying power from the 723 Amps cranking power and 109 reserve capacity. Odyssey is a respectable battery manufacturer and you can rest assured that this battery will live up to its specifications no matter how hard you push it.
Pros
- A compact spill-proof technology
- 723 Amps cranking power
- 109 minutes of reserve capacity
Cons
- You must confirm that it fits your truck before buying
XS Power D6500 XS Series High Output Battery
This 12v battery with an amazing 1070 cranking capability and 75 Ah reserve is among the best on paper in this list so far. It gets its high figures thanks to the absorbent glass mat design that suspends the electrolyte in fiberglass making it spill-proof and also pushing internal resistance very low.
This battery will work in any weather or conditions imaginable and will guarantee you that your electronics and truck will run as long as you run the winch under the right conditions.
Pros
- An impressive 1070 Amp cranking power
- Spill-proof design
- Weather-resistant
- 75 Ah reserve capacity
Cons
- Non-conventional terminals
Optima 8040-218 YellowTop Dual Purpose Battery
Optima has another entry on our list of the best batteries for winching. This 8040-218 YellowTop is specially made to store and supply high amounts of power making it the perfect battery for running a winch on your Jeep, Landcruiser or Ford truck.
Even though the 620 Amps cold cranking and 98 minutes reserve capacity might not seem so impressive, the battery is design to withstand vibrations and the cold making it ideal for the rough use off-roading trucks most likely subject batteries to.
Pro
- 48 Ah rating for 98 minutes reserve
- Robust design that is vibration and weather resistant
- No-spill technology
- Very durable even under heavy use
Cons
- The Amp rating isn’t as impressive as competitors
ACDelco 48AGM Automotive Battery
The ACDelco 48AGM uses the high-density negative paste to increase battery life. This coupled with the Calcium Lead positive grid works to improve conductivity and lower internal resistance hence allowing the battery to push more current on-demand without wasting it.
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It gives you a decent cold cranking amperage rating of 760 Amps and a reserve capacity of 120 minutes thanks to the 70 Ah capacity.
Pros
- A good 70 Ah capacity that gives you 120 minutes reserve capacity
- Low internal resistance improves efficiency
- Tough resilient design
- Affordable
Cons
- Not a good spill-proof design and the electrolyte will shake or even spill when doing extreme off-roading or driving fast on bumpy roads
While a good winching battery will give you some padding when using your truck for winching, remember that you must always have your truck running at high revs before engaging the winch. You can check out our post on how long a winch will run on a battery. The math isn’t on your side and it is wise not to start the winch on a car that is turned off.