Just thought I would throw this out there. My favorites, not in any special order. I like them all for different techniques.
Daiwa Steez
2020 Daiwa Elite
2020 Daiwa SV
Daiwa Tatula 150
Daiwa Tatula CT
Shimano Curado DC
Shimano Curado E series
Shimano Chronarch (white one)
Shimano SLX
Lews Super Duty regular and wide spool
Lews BB1 Pro.
13 Fishing (white one)

I am pretty happy with my Daiwa Tatula Elites. I loved the original Daiwa Zillions but would choose the Elites over them.

I agree, they are super smooth and have a very comfortable profile.

Love my Curado E's...wish I had bought more of them.

Concept C
Concept A
Concept TX
Concept KP
Concept Z
H20 Xpress Mettle

Shimano Chronarch (the pearl color) favorite and best ever to me, was stupid and sold all them years ago.

Shimano set the bar really high with that reel. I still have a couple of them and 3 of the next-Gen gold Super Frees.

Old school Curados and Citicas and new
Old school BB1-NGH (talk about a country mile casting winner)
Quantum 1310mg and Pro 1310
I do enjoy the 13fishing reels

Lews.

As far as brand new reels are concerned:

Baitcasters
- Shimano SLX
- Lews Speed Spool LFS
- Daiwa Tatula CT

Spinning
- Shimano Sahara FI
- Shimano Nasci
- Daiwa Revros LT
- Daiwa Regal LT
- Pflueger President
- Pflueger President XT

All those above I think are the best bang for the buck currently available. All offer an almost high end look and feel for a more entry level price.

If money is not an issue, the Stradic CI4+ and Stradic FL are probably some of the best spinning reels ever created. They are so insanely smooth and high quality. I like the $200 Daiwa Tatula models and the new Chronarch MGL as well as the SLX DC and Curado DC.

agree, had a couple and still have my greenies.

Been partial to Shimano's for a long time. Got some Abu MGX's. Sweet when they work, high maintenance! Been fishing Lews lately, Shimano #1, Lews #2.

I got some quantum smoke and vapor on sale this year. Seems to be good so far. I also got a bass pro qualifier 2 last year on sale for $49. Excellent reel on sale for under 50 bucks

The best reels ever made are the older Steez 103’s. Bullet proof, and light. Exactly what is needed for 8-10 hour days on the water. A great reel for the money is the Team Lews Pro reels. Light and behave decently. I have a bunch of the Shimano Curados, Chronarchs, and Curado DCs. They are above average, but feel “disconnected” when fishing then. Also the drags mysteriously loosen? But, this thread was about my favorite.
Steez 103. The best ever made.

For all my flipping / pitching I use Bantam MGL's, all metal frame can withstand a lot of abuse. The rest of my lineup is Tatula SV TW's and Concept A's and Z's.