I've only used the Panaracer Gravel Kinds up to this point so I don't have an idea how good or bad they are since I have not tried other tires.. But I've been running them with tubes. I got some new wheels and figured I'd try to go tubeless. I've yet to get the bead fully set. I've tried the soapy water trick and using airshot. Using handsanitizer gel with airshot got me almost all the way there except for one section. My old wheels the bead would pop into place fairly easily. Not with these wheels and tire combination.
My new bike is coming with Maxxis Ramblers so I'll see how those go.