FWIW, I'm using 29x2.6 EXO+ 3C Assegai/DHR2 with a Cushcore in the back and after working out what pressures work for me (28/31), I want for nothing using that combo (I'm 95kg on an Orbea Wild).
Bear in mind I'm in Brisbane, Australia (sub-tropical) where I'm most riding in really dusty conditions. Locks of rock, roots and no thorns. "Loose over hardpack" as Maxxis like to say could not describe our trails better. Flats are a non issue for me, and I beat on these tires and rims pretty good!
I love Maxxis for MTB tires - super dependable, easy to seat, never any defects. When I see these quality complaints on forums it makes me think you get them from a very different factory for Europe. Only when I've strayed from Maxxis have I had issues with tires. Schwalbe/Michelin/Conti I've had issues with them all - using only a very small number of each. To be fair for Schwalbe my issues were mostly just a being pain to inflate, and floppy feeling sidewalls, they did roll fast though. Michelin and Conti I've had material defects with.
I used to standardize on Maxxis 2.5s. Since I got the Orbea though, and noting that it's noticeably longer travel than I used to ride, I do think the 2.6 is better. Suits the bike, it's a monster truck. I just throw this bike into piles of whatever and it sorts it out. Liking the 2.6 more could well be somewhat to do with the dust we have to deal with here though, and trying to get knobs to cut through it. It could well be because I'm a bit more portly than I'd like to be too.
I can fully imagine a 25 year old fit 72kg version of me racing on a 15kg Enduro bike liking the 2.5s more.
My 2c.