Warn is the best brand by far.
Of the Warns, the M8000 probably has the highest performance/cost ratio. It is as good as the other 8000-9000 lb types that are more expensive, but the relays are not sealed so they can corrode and fail. Put the relay box in the engine compartment, and you have a very good performing winch that is also very low profile and reliable.
The 8274-50 is the best performer. It is incredibly fast with no load to medium load. It holds 150 ft of line. It does not use a planetary gear so it has less friction and generates less heat. This is the winch you want at the top of the winch hill. If you're pulling 10 rigs up the hill, it's the only winch that won't overheat. It may shave an hour off the process too.
Issues with the 8274: (1) It is heavy. (2) The upright stance won't work in most afer market bumpers. (3) The speed is faster than you really want to drive up an obstacle. Things can get "herky-jerky" when using it to assist in rocky technical sections. (4) The deep spool doesn't work well with 150' of 5/16" synthetic rope. The rope buries itself down into the wraps which causes a lot of backwards wrapping. I needed to cut off 30' of rope to make it work. 3/8" or larger diameter rope might work better. (5) The external brake mechanism needs to be kept clean and greased. If the little lever gets broken or gummed-up, the winch has no brake. No planetary gears means no friction. Turn off the motor, and the line free wheels out.
