The ideal winch control setup includes a combination of two controls: 1) interior and corded or 2) interior and wireless. Here's an overview of the three types of winch controls for off road use.
Interior Winch Rocker
18 Volt Combo Kit
A handlebar rocker switch or in-cab switch lets you control the winch and give the stuck vehicle some gas at the same time. This is especially helpful if you are trying to winch out by yourself. One of the added benefits of an interior winch control if you have a closed cab is that you can stay warm and dry as you operate your winch.
Interior winch controls are convenient, but they have their downside as well. From behind the wheel, you can't watch the cable as it stacks on the drum. You won't be able to see if the cable is piling up on one side or if it's rubbing on something.
Another downside is safety. Sitting in line with the cable as you winch leaves you vulnerable. A snapped steel cable can cause serious injury and even smash through your windshield. Don't assume your vehicle will protect you if your cable breaks.
Low-impact pulls place less strain on your cable, making it safer to control the winch from inside your vehicle. However, no matter which control you use to operate your winch, keep your eye on the cable the entire time so that if it snaps, you can get out of the way as quickly as possible.
Corded Winch Remote Control
A corded winch remote gives you greater flexibility in where you stand as you operate your winch. Most corded winch controls are 12 feet in length, so you can winch from a distance but still keep an eye on the entire winching process, including your cable as it stacks on the drum. If you see the cable start to stack up on one side, you can stop the winching process and respool the cable correctly before it causes any damage. The downside of a corded winch remote? You're restricted by the length of the cord.
Wireless Winch Remote Control
A wireless winch remote allows you to stand even further away from the cable for safety but still keep an eye on the cable stacking and the winching process. Wireless also means you don't have to deal with a cord getting in your way. Most wireless winch controls are compact and fit on your keychain, so you don't have to worry about losing it. Wireless remotes depend on batteries, so bring extra batteries along when you're out on the trail.