You can’t nail down a “BEST” AR. Best price / performance trade off? Best long range performance gun? Best home defense? Best caliber AR? They aren’t all just 5.56 you know.
Colt has released the LE6920 Magpul edition available at Walmart for under a grand. It’s cool and it’s a COLT! But remember Colt now uses oversize pins. So parts are non-standard.
DPMS makes the Sporter and the Oracle. Both budget priced but pretty bare bones. You can add accessories to your taste and upgrade later.
Bushmaster has some good ones in the lower price range. But Windham Weaponry is probably a bit better (made in the old Bushmaster facility by previous Bushmaster employees).
Stag of course. Bravo Company and others if you have the money.
The best one of course is the one you have or can afford.
No matter what you pay it isn’t worth a toot if you don’t train and have ammo for it.
ArmaLite ranks extremely high in all of those categories, and remains my favorite for a factory rifle.
The best one of course is the one you have or can afford.
About six years ago, I purchased an upper receiver assembly and a lower receiver w/ parts kit (everything needed for a complete carbine w/ mid-length gas system) on sale at the ArmaLite web site for $505, which was definitely affordable! Prices have increased since then (to say the least). You can still build an AR for less than that, but you'll have to select your parts carefully, and assemble everything yourself...
;>)