Portable Winch - Electric & Battery Powered Hand Held Winches

Battery Powered Portable Electric Winches

From harvesting lumber to loading a lawn trailer, a compact portable winch can come in really handy for a lot of jobs.

What is a Portable Electric Winch?

A portable winch is a relatively small, sometimes handheld, device that uses either a cable or synthetic rope in conjunction with an electric motor to help you add some serious muscle to your pulling power. But unlike a vehicle-mounted winch, a portable electric winch can be used in areas with limited access or where space is tight, like a remote jobsite, deep in the woods—or even indoors.

Not only can a portable handheld electric winch save you some time, it allows you to deliver consistent, smooth pulling power to your load—which goes a long way to ensuring your cargo arrives safely. Better still, as an alternative to a trusty hand-operated “come-along” cable puller, an electric winch relies on battery power, so you won’t have to worry about back strain or hand fatigue either.

Popular Uses for a Handheld Portable Winch

Popular in construction and vehicle recovery, portable and handheld winches are often found at jobsites and in remote areas where there’s a demand for powerful pulling. You’ll see portable winches used for loading industrial machinery onto trailers, recovering off-road vehicles, and pulling heavy cable lines. Hunters and forestry services like portable electric winches too, as they can be an invaluable tool for harvesting animals or removing downed trees. Off-roaders often rely on portable winches as well, particularly for ATVs or any vehicle without the space to mount a permanent winch, because they can help you get un-stuck while crossing rugged terrain or fording swift water.

How to Select the Best Portable Winch for Your Needs

There are some key factors to consider when choosing the best portable winch for your situation, namely pulling power and battery life. The good news is that there are plenty of portable battery powered winch options available at Summit Racing, in a broad range of specs.

To begin with, research what kind of pulling power your loads demand. For example, pulling relatively lightweight lawn equipment with low rolling resistance onto a trailer will require a lower pull rating than, say, dragging a felled tree down a dirt path. You can use each winch’s pull rating to help narrow down your choices; we’ll include that vital spec in each winch’s attribute section on SummitRacing.com.

Secondly, do you need your portable winch to operate in long duty cycles between charges? Or are you just using your handheld winch for a few minutes a day? Assess what your usage demands will be, and then let battery life factor into your portable winch purchase options. Some portable electric winches rely on power from a typical handheld drill, which makes for quick battery changes in the field.

You may also discover that you need a portable winch with some form of remote-control capability. The good news is, remote-operated portable winches are readily available—and they can be downright essential for the recovery task at-hand.

Another thing to think about is weight. Remember, if you’ve got to lug your portable winch deep into the brush, then a smaller, lightweight handheld option might suit your needs best. Then, consider your environment too—will you need considerable water resistance? Does the winch need to be shielded against sand or moisture ingress? Will a high-visibility color help you find it in a dark field?

Winch cable type and length is a big facet of a winch as well. There are pros and cons of synthetic rope vs. steel cable, and they include things like weight, strength, and corrosion resistance.

All of these elements should play a part in choosing the best handheld winch for the job at hand. When you’ve narrowed down your options, use the search filters here at Summit Racing to navigate through the top winch brands and find a portable winch with the precise specs that meet your needs. After that, rely on Summit Racing for all the recovery straps, shackles, and winch accessories you’ll need to get pulling.