Back on topic
I have one of many different brands, and some are MUCH more reliable than others in my experience. Why so many different brands, you ask? Mostly price, but also a few were chosen for specific purpose.
Anyway, I've come to really like the Browning's now hard to find version of what has been rebranded as the BPS Carbonlite - the one with the dual brake system. The browning is heavier because the frame is metal vs. carbon, and as such the gears stay aligned better, but the shine of the reel is it's tun-ability of braking - yea I know you guys say just thumb it, but with gloves on I can't so I let the reel do it's job - this thing will fire a compact heavy lure or a sail/kite spinnerbait with ease with a minor tweak of the brakes, so it's a great multi-purpose reel in my fleet.
The other favorite is BPS Pro-Qualifier - there have been a few variations over the years, and even the JM gold series - these overall have been the absolute most durable and reliable and require the least amount of maintenance to maintain consistency.
A close second to the JM reels is the Diawa line, many bash Diawa but their Magforce system is excellent, it's rated good or better in slow, medium, and high speed control by many (see
https://japantackle.com/tackle_topics/brake_system.htm this article on brake systems, it's quite informative. I've got 5 or 6 different Diawas and they all are excellent - just don't quite have the flexibilty of the Brownings, but since I can't find the Brownings anymore, it's back to JM or Diawa.
My least favorite is Shimano - I've had 2 and both have similar issues - the static spool speed knob (some call it casting drag) will not stay set, it goes for 20-30 casts set perfect then all of a sudden it's all of at least a full turn off setting the next cast, and I'm not a fan of taking a reel side cover off to 'pop a centrifugal button' to adjust the brake, so until they change that no more for me.