Secure All Your Most Important Gear With The Best Ratchet Straps

When transporting cargo on the road, it’s crucial to secure it, or your gear might come loose and you could lose valuable items or worse. Ratcheting straps are designed to hold items securely until you loosen the ratcheting mechanism. We researched dozens of different types of straps and then chose six for hands-on testing. Among them, the U.S. Cargo Control Ratchet Strap took first place in our lineup for its smooth ratcheting action, strong holding power, and ease of use. 

We also found other top performers. These handy straps wrap, hook, or clip to your vehicle’s roof or truck bed and tighten with a ratcheting mechanism, allowing you to apply enough force to hold all your tools in place for the long haul. Ahead, learn what to look for when shopping for a ratchet strap and find out how these models earned a spot in our ranking of the best ratchet straps for most users.

1. BEST OVERALL: U.S. Cargo Control Ratchet Strap With Double J Hooks
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Everest Heavy-Duty Tie Down Ratchet Strap
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3. BEST SELF-RETRACTING: Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps
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4. BEST FOR LARGE ITEMS: Vevor Ratchet Tie-Down Straps
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5. BEST SCRATCH-FREE: PowerTye Carabiner Soft-Tye Ratchet Tie-Downs
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6. MOST VERSATILE: Kodiak Vehicle Axle Tie-Down Kit
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Ratchet Straps Comparison

Our Top Picks

Here are our top-tested picks for ratchet straps. Each one varies in size and mechanism, but you’re likley to find one that is right for your needs. 

Best Overall

U.S. Cargo Control Ratchet Strap With Double J Hooks

See It

What We Like

• Exceptionally strong and durable
• Minimal slippage in stress test
• User-friendly design
• Secure end fittings for rails

What We Don’t Like

• Length may be too short on some loads

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Specs 

• 
  Working Load Limit (WLL)

  
  3,333 pounds

• 
  Breaking Strength

  
  10,000 pounds

• 
  Dimensions

  
  2 inches by 12 feet

Our Ratings

The Cargo Control ratchet strap excelled in every test we put it through. Its durable 2-inch width was proven incredibly strong for securing all types of cargo. We tested a pack of four straps for securing medium-size loads on our flatbed trailer. The double J-hooks fit the trailer rails, and the 12-foot length meant we didn’t have a lot of excess strap to deal with.

Threading the strap through the mandrel was straightforward, and the handle on the ratcheting mechanism was large enough to get a good grip when tightening the strap. In our 3-hour stress test, where we tightened the strap as tight as we possibly could and then made a mark with an indelible marker on the strap next to the ratcheting mechanism, we found less than 1/16 of an inch of movement after 3 hours. The strap was still incredibly tight. We were impressed. 

We would recommend these Cargo Control straps for a variety of all-purpose securing, and thanks to their double J hooks, they’re especially well-suited to flatbeds and trailers. 

What our tester said: “The Cargo Control straps demonstrated excellent holding power, and the ratcheting mechanism was both easy to tighten and to remove. All in all, very high-quality straps.”—Glenda Taylor, Product Tester and Writer. 

Get the Cargo Control ratchet straps on Amazon or Cargo Control (single pack). 

Best Bang for the Buck

Everest Heavy-Duty Tie Down Ratchet Strap

See It

What We Like

• Affordable, commercial-grade strap
• High break strength
• Extra-long 27-foot strap
• Reinforced stitching
• Long enough to strap a car down

What We Don’t Like

• May be too long for small loads

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Specs 

• 
  Working Load Limit (WLL)

  
  3,333 pounds

• 
  Breaking Strength

  
  10,000 pounds

• 
  Dimensions

  
  2 inches by 27 feet

Our Ratings

You don’t have to spend a lot to get a durable ratchet strap. The Everest Premium Ratchet Tie Down is a commercial-grade product, with an extra-long strap and a 10,000-pound breaking capacity—the same as our best overall pick. And best of all, it comes at a budget-friendly price.

This ratchet tie-down’s 27-foot strap can secure large tool boxes, logs, and other big items. Its length makes it ideal for anchoring cars on flatbed trailers. The large, double J-hook latches easily and attaches onto truck-bed cargo eyelets and trailer rails. The strap is reinforced with extra stitching. It doesn’t have a rubber coating on the aluminum-oxide ratcheting, but it’s still weather- and corrosion-resistant.

A strap this long might be overkill for securing small loads, but it’s just right for larger items. It excelled in our stress test, moving less than 1/16 inch after 3 hours.

Get the Everest ratchet strap at Amazon or The Home Depot. 

Best Self-Retracting

Rhino USA Retractable Ratchet Straps

See It

What We Like

• Retractable ratchet tie-down straps
• Compact and lightweight
• Good ratchet straps for travel
• Includes two soft loops and a bag

What We Don’t Like

• Relatively small ratchet handle

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Specs 

• 
  Working Load Limit (WLL)

  
  1,011 pounds

• 
  Breaking Strength

  
  3,033 pounds

• 
  Dimensions

  
  2 inches by 10 feet

Our Ratings

The self-retracting mechanism on this Rhino tie-down makes it easy to handle the excess strap. After we had unhooked and released the strap, the retracting mechanism automatically wound it up in the ratchet housing, very much like a seatbelt reel. 

The ratcheting mechanism works just like any other, although we found it to be a bit small, and we had no problem tightening or loosening the strap. We tested the 10-foot strap and found it very easy to use. It had a little more movement in our 3-hour stress test than some other straps—just under ¼ inches—but not enough to lose a load. It still held securely.

We suggest this ratchet strap for those who need to secure small all-purpose loads and don’t want to deal with excess straps whipping in the breeze. It comes with two soft loop straps for protecting chrome or other delicate surfaces and a handy storage bag you can toss in your home tool kit. 

Get the Rhino ratchet strap at Amazon.

Best for Large Items

Vevor Ratchet Tie-Down Straps

See It

What We Like

• Padded ratchet handle
• Heavy-duty ratchet straps
• Double J-hooks
• Corrosion-resistant hardware

What We Don’t Like

• May be too long for small loads

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Specs 

• 
  Working Load Limit (WLL)

  
  3,330 pounds

• 
  Breaking Strength

  
  10,000 pounds

• 
  Dimensions

  
  2 inches by 27 feet

Our Ratings

One of the first things we noticed about the Vevor ratchet straps was the padded handle, which helps reduce hand discomfort when fully tightening the ratcheting mechanism. We appreciated the thought Vevor put into this ergonomic design.

Like several of the other 2-inch straps we tested, the Vevor straps moved less than 1/16 of an inch in our 3-hour stress test. Their double J-hooks made it easy to handle bulky items such as logs, appliances, and toolboxes. The 27-foot length is plenty long enough to reach around large equipment or automobiles, and the straps have a 3,333-pound working load limit. 

The ratcheting mechanisms are galvanized steel to help resist rust and corrosion, and we found their movement smooth and secure. This set includes four separate straps, with other sizes and numbers available. We also liked that Vevor included a storage bag to help keep the straps organized when not in use. 

Get the Vevor Ratchet Straps at Amazon or Vevor. 

Best Scratch-Free

PowerTye Carabiner Soft-Tye Ratchet Tie-Downs

See It

What We Like

• Soft loops protect surfaces
• Carabiner clips for easy anchoring
• Good, small ratchet straps

What We Don’t Like

• Slightly more movement under stress

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Specs 

• 
  Working Load Limit (WLL)

  
  1,000 pounds

• 
  Breaking Strength

  
  3,000 pounds

• 
  Dimensions

  
  1.5 inches by 6.5 feet

Our Ratings 

The next time you need to secure a load but can’t risk scratching it by using metal end hooks, consider PowerTye’s soft loop ratchet straps. We tested them out for holding power and securing our motorcycle in the back of a flatbed trailer without scratching it. The soft ties hooked snugly around the chrome handlebars and didn’t leave any scuffs. The other ends came with carabiner clips that are easy to snap onto eye-bolts.

The set of straps we tested was only 6.5 feet long, but 10-foot lengths are available too. This is a perfect size for securing ATVs, golf carts, and other small vehicles. The ratcheting assembly was easy to tighten and loosen, and it featured non-slip grips.

The PowerTye straps didn’t fare quite as well as the other straps we tested in our 3-hour stress test, but they still performed well for a 1.5-inch strap. We recorded movement of just under ½ of an inch. That’s not bad, but not quite as good as the others. 

What our writer said: “I love how these straps protect and secure valuable loads without scratching them. The soft loops didn’t leave even a tiny scuff on our chrome handlebars.”—Glenda Taylor, Product Tester and Writer

Get the PowerTye ratchet straps at Amazon or PowerTye.

Most Versatile

Kodiak Vehicle Axle Tie-Down Kit

See It

What We Like

• Includes 3-foot axle straps
• Padded ratchet handles
• Carabiner end hooks
• Vehicle tie-down straps

What We Don’t Like

• Axle strap may be overkill for casual use

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Specs 

• 
  Working Load Limit (WLL)

  
  3,333 pounds

• 
  Breaking Strength

  
  10,000 pounds

• 
  Dimensions

  
  2 inches by 9.5 feet, 3-foot axle straps

Our Ratings

The Kodiak ratchet straps are every bit as strong under stress as the other 2-inch straps we tested, but they also come with included 3-foot axle straps, which users can attach to the axles of cars or other vehicles as ratchet straps for car-towing use. While this feature is often used in the automobile transport industry, it might be just the thing if you ever need to haul a car, truck, or ATV.

We found the Kodiak straps easy to use—the ratcheting mechanisms come with padded handles, and the ends have carabiner hooks for easy attaching to eye-bolts or the metal loops of the axle straps. The main straps are 9.5 feet long, which we determined were good straps for truck and flatbed use. 

These straps performed well in our 3-hour stress test, and like similar-size straps, we found less than 1/16-inch movement—the straps were still very snug and secure. These straps are well-made with reinforced stitching for security. The only downside—a very minor one—is that we found the ratcheting mechanism on one strap caught a couple of times when we were tightening and loosening it. But we didn’t have the same issue with the remaining straps, so we put it down to a fluke. 

Get the Kodiak Ratcheting Straps on Amazon. 

How We Tested the Best Ratchet Straps

We selected the six ratchet straps we tested based on the type of material, the design of the ratcheting mechanism, and consumer reviews. While we’re already familiar with the use of ratchet straps, we wanted to test a variety of sizes and intended uses.

In our hands-on tests, we secured several loads with the straps—from pipes on a flatbed to tying down extension ladders and even securing a motorcycle in a trailer for safe transportation. We also performed a stress test on each strap by wrapping it around a steel tank and then tightening the ratcheting mechanism as tightly as possible. Then, we made a mark on the strap where it met the ratcheting mechanism and left the strap in place for 3 hours before checking to see if the strap had stretched under the strain. 

For each test and assessment, we awarded points based on a rubric. The better a ratcheting strap performed, the higher the points. After testing, we averaged the points to determine our best overall pick and to categorize the others. 

What to Consider When Choosing a Ratchet Strap

Ratchet straps come in handy for securing all sorts of things, such as lashing a lawn tractor to a flatbed trailer or as moving straps for a just-purchased refrigerator upright in the bed of your pickup. The purpose will determine the type of strap you’ll need.

Working Load Limit and Breaking Strength

A ratchet strap’s working load limit (WLL) is the maximum amount of resisting force a strap can safely restrain. It’s typically about one-third of the strap’s breaking strength, which is the point at which the strap will almost certainly break. Manufacturers will often note both numbers on their product’s description. 

In general, the wider the strap, the higher the WLL, although the material the strap is made from is also a consideration. 

End Fittings

These metal anchors secure the ratchet strap to the item and they come in various types. 

• Flat hooks: feature broad surfaces for attaching to wide rails and offer high WLL
• Double-J-hooks: handy for slipping into tight spaces, but offer less load capacity
• S-hooks: good for light loads, but can pop off
• Snap hooks or Carbiners: feature a locking clip that helps secure the hook

Soft Loops or Shackles

Soft loops are designed to prevent scratches on the items being secured. After all, you don’t want to scratch up your new Harley by attaching metal anchors to the handlebars. Soft loops allow the user to secure the item safely without leaving marks. 

Shackles, which are steel anchors that slip through fabric straps, allow some twisting of the strap to keep it from breaking when securing items that could move or shift during transport. 

Strap Length and Width

Ratchet straps come in a range of sizes, but the most common width is about 2 inches. We tested straps as short as 6 feet long and as long as 27 feet. Wider straps are better for securing large or heavy loads, while narrower straps can be safely used on lighter loads, such as securing boxes when packing for a move. 

If you’re concerned about abrasion on the secured item, consider a wider strap to spread the strap pressure over a larger area.

Material

Ratchet hardware is typically made from heat-treated or zinc-plated carbon steel to reduce corrosion, although some hardware features stainless steel that holds up better in humid environments. High-tensile straps are almost always made from high-tenacity polyester, which has more stability than other woven textiles. Nylon straps are often cheaper, but they tend to stretch more than polyester, so they’re not suitable for heavy-duty use.

Additional Features

Ratchet straps don’t come with a lot of bells and whistles, but some have upgrades that can make them more comfortable to use or save time and labor. Ergonomic padded handles reduce hand soreness and fatigue when repeatedly tightening the straps on heavy loads, and retractable ratchets feature a self-winding spool that automatically gathers and stores excess strap material so you don’t need to tie it out of the way. 

Oversize release levers are not just handy to have; they can also be a safety factor when releasing the strap while wearing gloves, which tend to get caught in the ratchet mechanism.

It’s also a good idea to purchase straps that meet recoginized standards and bear WSTDA-T4 or ANSI/ASME B30.9 tags, which mean the straps have been tested for safe use in tie-downs. 

FAQs

Ratchet straps are simple tools for securing a variety of items, usually for transport. They work in a method similar to ratcheting wrenches, by leveraging a geared mechanism that allows for incremental tightening with minimal effort. If you’re new to using them, you might be interested in some common questions and answers. 

Q. How do you use a ratchet strap? 

Loop the ends of the straps through anchor points, then thread the strap through the ratcheting mechanism, and use the ratchet handle to add tension to the strap.

Q. What’s the lifespan of a ratchet strap?

With proper care (don’t leave them out in the weather) they can last several years, but replace them if they tear or fray.

Q. Can you pull a car with a ratchet strap?

Ratchet straps are NOT meant for towing cars and many have a warning label against attempting that. Use a tow strap or chain for that. 

Q. How tight should you tighten the ratchet strap?

Tighten it until it’s firm and the load is secure. Don’t overtighten to the point of crushing the cargo.

Q. How reliable are ratchet straps?

They’re very reliable when used correctly. Always check the WLL on the tag and don’t exceed it.

Q. How do you store ratchet straps?

Roll them up and either put a large rubber band around them or, alternatively, store them in a bag. Many come with storage bags. 

Meet the Tester

Glenda Taylor is a contractor, product tester, and writer focusing primarily on construction, DIY tools, and home appliances. 

Additional research provided by Tom Scalisi.

 

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