Depends what you want, what you like, what you need and what you’re willing to do.
Duncan ProZ, set to modified shape, spacered out properly and an A-sized CBC CenterTrac is darn sweet. Should run you almost $25 depending where you get your stuff. Spacer kit is $5 if you need it, bearing prices can vary and the yoyo itself can range from $8-12.
Classic, with upgrades, keeps it under $20. 1A, 3A , 5A… good stuff.
Whip and ONE I feel are too light, but still good stuff. If you want cheap(yet still quality), the Stackless Grind Machine is really decent.
Adegle PSG and PSG Gem. I prefer the PSG Gem. 1A, 3A, 5A and arounf $13.
Adegle Asteroid. Over-sized 1A beast. Loads of fun.
Can’t forget the Speedaholic. $13.50 can’t be beat. Another 1A/3A/5A all-arounder, but seems to excel at 1A to me.
The $17 or so YYJ Surve is a bit heavy for some, yet still really good.
Lyn Fury, if you like smaller. Needs siliconing and a clean bearing, perhaps shims.
YYJ XLR8 is not bad either. This has been growing on me. YYJ is presenting this as a “metal yoyo with plastic rims” as opposed to their plastic yoyos with metal rims. I call it a plastic yoyo with a metal core. Still good stuff.
YYJ Chaser and Legacy II are real good ones as well. The Chaser is heavy but plays fast and light. Odd, amazing and stable as heck in a shape that I wouldn’t have expected to deliver what it does.
YYYF DieNasty. Yes, I like this one. I feel the glow is just a gimmick, but I also have a regular DieNasty. Yes, 1A, 5A.
The YYR Diffusion has mixed reviews. I do enjoy it, but I enjoy others better. It should be selling for around $30 these days.
Each has a distinct personality and performance characteristics.
I could recommend others, but they aren’t sold here at YYE(some not ever, some not yet)
Also, you have to determine:
Does it have to be 100% plastic except for key component areas(bearing seat, axle, bearing, possible spacer system, SPR-type system)
Do weight rings, even if hidden, disqualify it for you? This would include the Legacy II and Chaser.
Would weight rings, such as the blatant rings in a Trigger, ProtoStar and Northstar be an issue? They are still considered plastics.
I never disregard a yoyo based on material(s). Metal, plastic, metals, plastics, metal(s) and plastic(s), even wood. It’s all good if it’s done right and it agrees with me. I can have just as much enjoyment with an upgraded Classic as I can with something far more expensive.