Asking somebodies opinion on a specific brand will vary within that brand since they all make different levels of products, and most hold up well if used for their intended purpose. Most techs don't look at a specific brand name, we look at them as a manufacturer. So Cub Cadet, Troybilt, Bolens, Remington, Craftsman, Yard Machine, Yard Man are all MTD, to each their own. Husqvarna is Husqvarna, Poulan, Poulan Pro, Dixon, Jonsered, Red Max, McCulloch, Peerless transaxle. Take your pick within that line up.
From this years repairs, I wouldn't suggest JD, Kubota, or anything with a Kawasaki engine because that is what I worked on the most this year. Next year that list could include Country Clipper, and anything with a Chinese engine.
Throw in the, just because the product has a specific manufacturers name on it doesn't mean that they made it, or even service, warranty, or support it. Poulan Pro battery products, Snapper battery products warrantied and serviced by Greenworks dealers. Snapper products sold at Walmart manufactured by MTD warrantied and serviced by Briggs mass merchant support dealers not standard Snapper dealers. Brute edgers, and tillers warrantied and serviced by Ardisam/Earthquake dealers., are all farmed out products