The Stu-Tru $45 wheel is no better, maybe worse, than what you have. The linked on is 700c, but I’m sure they have a 26 inch.
A tandem wheel has to support the weight of two people. Generally 36 hole or 40 hole. The other wheel is the Cliffhanger that Oneder linked to. But I can’t say if the NoBS or the Ciffhanger is stronger, both are listed under Velocity’s tech docs under tandem. Cliffhanger is more expensive, but they are both over 600 grams.
Keep in mind, even at those prices you are going to get a lower end hub, but that shouldn’t be an issue.
John