I don't have a lot of experience with different brands, my current handlebar bag is the Topeak Tourguide DX which I think is a great bag and the price was right, my previous handlebar bag was a Cannondale which wasn't as good as the Topeak. I do own Ortlieb rear panniers and think they're great, but I went with the Topeak instead of the Ortlieb or other brands because the price was less, and I've never had any water get inside of course I do use the rain cover but I also sprayed the bag with silicone water resistant spray.