Kind of like asking "whats the best car under $25k?" There are lots of very good choices and few bad ones.

I have a Ross Cimarron for 10 years and second one for 8 they function as well today has when new. I have three Orvis Battenkills for about a dozen years that they too still function great. The Battenkill Barstock has the same drag in a machined frame for about $20 more. The Orvis Battenkill Mid Arbor and the Ross CLA and Flywater are also great reels. Same for Teton, Teton Tioga, Redington CD, Pflueger Trion, Redington SV, Cortland Endurance, Scientific Anglers System 2L. An that Loomis Venture is pretty nice too. I'm partial to Ross, Orvis, and Teton myself due my personal experience reels from those companies.