[blakescakes]

I can't say that more expensive is always better. The assumption would be that the more expensive ones have premium ingredients.

Wilton runs $4/lb before a coupon and it's one of the worst.

I pay about $2.50/lb for Satin Ice in a 20lb. bucket and it's much better than Wilton.

I've used Cal-Java's Sweet Inspirations (chocolate base, so compares to Choco-pan) and Fond-X (Cal-Java's basic fondant). They're both good, but pricier or less readily available than Satin Ice. They taste good and work well (if a bit soft at times--and then I mix them with Wilton or Satin Ice).

There's no one, tried & true answer. Basically you need to try different brands until you find one that meets most of your pertinent criteria:
Cost, taste, , color, variety, workability, availability, etc. Probably no one will meet them all, but one will do it for you.

Rae