The brand isn't the most important thing.
If you only ever use the same thread, and the same quality of fabric, you don't have to change the size of your needle much.
If you sew heavier fabrics and find the thread is breaking a lot or shredding, go to a thicker needle, like a 14. Sometimes just by making a bigger hole, it gives the thread enough time to do it's job and not shred.
If you are using a heavier weight thread, you'll want something with a bigger eye, like a topstitch needle. That way the thread won't shred going through the eye. You'll also have to use a large eye for metallic or monofilament threads or they will break.
It may depend on how you sew as well. If you stitch on the slower side, you can probably get away with a thinner needle. But if you're like me, a "pedal to the metal" sewer, then a larger size is better.
It's basically trial and error. If you're having problems, and it isn't the thread, then it might be the needle.