Flex sockets I like to have the best I can get. They work better, wear better, and are warrantied. I have full sets of 1/4" drive flex in Proto. Like them, as well as the 1/4" Snap-on I have as well. Pretty much the rest of them I have Snap-on. Some Proto, but they aren't quite as good for angle. I've owned New Britain, Proto, SK, Mac, Craftsman, Williams, Duro/Indestro, Snap-on, Gear Wrench and cheap ones. The Snap-on, though expensive, are worth it for the better utility and warranty, and have slowly taken over my box by attrition of the others. I've had to warranty a few. The SK were good, but clumsy in some sizes. They've varied over the years in design. The Craftsman wore loose soon, and the later chinese craftsman I had a full metric set of were very poor, sold them back off fast and just stepped up and bought new Proto and Snap-on to replace them. The Proto have worn the best, and stayed tight over the years. The Snap-on wore loose faster, but work through a greater angle. Snap-on replaces them when they get floppy under warranty. The gearwrench and cheap ones didn't work well and were noticeably deficient in quality. I gave up on them fast.
To me, flex sockets are a problem solver. I need the best, because they're used in less than optimum conditions. If you are just using them for more everyday use, gearwrench, chinese made, or others will do and will be handy. But, they won't work in that 1% situation where the extra angle, tight construction and good broaching make the Proto and Snap-on shine. But, you pay a stiff price for that small increment of extra usability. Chrome all the way for me. I've got next to no use out of impact ones; although I have Proto and Duro/Indestro for use with 1/2" impact.
I've come down to pretty much only Snap-on in 1/4" ratchets. Like the T72 in several variants and even my old 1942 Midget. Other drives, I also like Cornwell, Proto, SK and particularly the fine tooth Indestro. But, 1/4" no others work as well as S.O. I use 1/4" drive a lot, so really appreciate the higher strength and better quality of the S.O. I do have quite a few ratchets, have about 25 or so in my main box that I use regularly, scattered over 3 drive sizes. Different configurations, bent, straight, flex, short, long, extra long, stubby. I like the long handle T72 flex best in 1/4" long handle.