#thinking cap

In first place is magnifying glass, followed closely by participation award (which is faster for Gourdy, Shelly, Soulvester, and Gigi)

Next is paint bucket and machine manual. Machine manual is faster than paint bucket for Astro, Bassie, Blot, Glisten, Shrimpo, Connie, Cosmo, Flyte, Scraps, and Yatta. Paint bucket is faster for everyone else. Overall they are similar enough to be used mostly interchangeably.

Third place is blue bandana. For some toons it adds to the time needed to complete machines so do not use blue bandana if you are playing Bobette, Cocoa, Finn, Brusha, Gigi, Toodles, Goob, Looey, Pebble, Shelly, Tisha, or Razzle n' Dazzle. (RND is only if you extract on odd floors) It's a good third option for everyone else.

special mentions are partially of my personal opinions from gameplay of large teams vs small teams vs solos