I did a lot of research on this about a year ago. Hornady Critical Defense easily came out on top. - JMHO, as always YMMV
Penetration was impressive (often 2x Federal 13200) with minimal shot deformation. Because it is 8 pellets instead of the typical 9, the recoil is not as punishing as you might expect. I found them very controllable with an easy return of sights on target.
Pro-Tip: Hornady's Zombie Defense 12 load is identical in every way except for the packaging/labeling. Sometimes you can find one or the other a little cheaper.
ETA-
1600fps!
ETA#2- Don't confuse punishing recoil with "power" (rate of energy transfer) and don't equate more pellets with being more effective. Eight 00 pellets travelling at 1600fps is far more effective on soft tissue than 18 of the same pellets travelling at 1120fps or 15 pellets travelling at 1220fps. My assertion is based on observed results on deer (many deer with various loads) and what you can calculate using the energy formula.