I'm adding a winch this year. Budget is roughly $450 to $650, but can stretch for the right reasons. I've narrowed down to three options, but would like some opinions please.
I'm looking at the Smittybilt X2O 10K and the Smittybilt Gen 3 9.5K. If the argument is good enough, I'll consider the Warn VR EVO 10-S or any others that I might not know about.

 

I know it's a little higher than your budget, but I've had a Ramsey rep 9000 for 25 years or so that has been on 4 trucks and one Jeep, about to put it on my current Jeep, it's heavy, slow, and ugly, but works every time........so far

 

I've had a smitty for about 4 years...12,000 XRC... It has been strong and reliable. I did have pins crack- bend over on the control box socket... but they sent the replacement part for free... so they will stand behind the product!

 

I think there's more to a winch than a name. I've had cheap ones time and time again, and I actually still have one- but it works. The owner's manual for these winches note that you should be doing a cycle once a month to keep things from sticking...which is where my first winch failed. Solenoid stuck in the closed position and I couldn't get the clutch to disengage. I was able to cut power just in time before it tried to suck the hook through the fairlead. Second winch lived a long and prosperous life even after I sold it with a bumper. Current winch is still doing well but I try to ensure that I keep it fairly dry (no scuba diving with the jeep) and run it once a month or close to.

It comes down to you though. What are you comfortable running? Do you plan to add a snatch block to the system so you can decrease the load on the winch and make it have an easy life? Recall that your 10k lb winches pull that when all but the last handful of wraps are still on the drum.

 

Whatever you get, get a synthetic line.

 

I've had a Smitty X20 10k winch with synthetic for bout 5 years now. Been pretty happy with it. I'd love to have a Warn but for my use I've never been able to justify the expense. Definitely get a synthetic line.

 

I'm going out on a limb here but I've had my Engo e10000 with synthetic line for 8 years nad have been very happy with it.

 

I have a Smitty X2O 10K.
Had it for about three years and no issues.
I kinda like that Gen 3 9.5 though

 

Son and I each have Smitty Gen 3 9500. Work fine.

 

I will second the ENGO. The XR 10S has been on my wish list for a while but just picked it up off amazon for $425. It's regularly $476 on allensoffroad.com when you add it to your cart.

Warn was too $$ for my needs and I've never been a fan of Smittybuilt anything. I've seen lots of recommendations for the ENGO so decided to give it a try.