For me (a random guy on the Internet), Wheel of Time is one of those series where those who are getting into fantasy need to at least try as its kind of a foundational series for me. There are definitely some issues with the series and it won't be for everyone but overall I think its a worthwhile time investment. There is probably a preferred reading guide out there that would help you to skip some of the more problem issues in the middle-middle late books that would probably help your reading experience.
I want to read it eventually, but I just keep rereading Malazan instead. It replaced ASOIAF as that one fantasy series I'll always compare everything else to. Please read Malazan.
I have stanned it in other threads and will continue to stan in here, please read Malazan. If you fall in love with it like I did you can also dip into Esslemont's books (I don't think he's as good of a writer as Erikson but I found his books entertaining still) which will give you more of the world. They are not essential in any way to the main series but they do show you what else is going on at the same time. Malazan is truly an epic fantasy story, so many interesting characters and locations and events
Also highly recommended seconds from what I have seen mentioned already:
Mistborn & Stormlight Archive - For me Sanderson's books are just highly entertaining, they are a summer blockbuster movie. Yes his characters might not be as deep as you find elsewhere but I don't mind that too much but I think he does book climaxes just about better than anyone else I read.
First Law & associated standalone books - These are more gritty in the way of ASOIAF, all of the characters are interesting but most really aren't that super likable. I think his one offs following the trilogy are a bit better but its all good reading.
Dresden Files - These are often my palette cleaners, just good fun books to get lost in. He has apparently had some issues with the newest book and its been awhile but a lot is already out there and its just good dumb fun.
I'm neutral on Mark Lawrence's books. I really enjoy his writing and he builds interesting worlds I just really don't give a damn about any of his characters and makes it really hard to get into the books that way. Also neutral on the Gentleman Bastards books. The first one is great (and can act as a standalone) but the next two are just ok and who knows when the rest will come out.
I can't really recommend Farseer and Lightbringer. For Farseer I loved the first book and I thought the rest of the series fell off a cliff after that (I felt a similar thing with Liveship and bailed early). Lightbringer has a decent first book, really good second and third books, and a really bad fourth book that put me off the series.