Ok, so BEST, I’d say Daniel Defense. But this is like saying a Ferrari is “better” than a Toyota Camry. May be a true statement, but what do you really need? Daniel Defense or Bravo Company are like the Ferraris of firearms, when maybe you just need a Toyota or Honda.
A reasonably priced Smith & Wesson, or a SIG if you can get a good deal on one, may be what you need.
Most people don’t need a $4000 rifle. They need a $600 rifle and $3400 in classes.
Yes Daniel Defense definitely but Windham makes a sweet AR 15 for about $900.
Bingo! I was at a local gun shop recently, that has a gigantic bin full of plastic AR handguards out front (left over from AR owners swapping to free float forends). A young adult walked up while I was poking through the bin, and asked, "Why would anyone want those?"
The simple answer to his question: "They work fine, they're cheap, nearly indestructible, and easy to remove for cleaning." Not everyone needs a target rifle, or some tricked-out "video game" gun with 5 feet of rail and 5 pounds of gadgets attached. But that's what a lot of folks buy, because that's what the salesmen are pushing.
As always, the KISS Principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) is applicable. I would not recommend that anyone get an expensive, OR specialized, AR for their first purchase, unless they have a detailed plan in mind (a specific type of competition or hunting, for example). In many (most?) cases, a standard AR is probably capable of better accuracy than the person shooting it. Paying more for 'better than mil-spec' parts, or exotic aftermarket crap, can just be a waste of time and money.
Bottomline, you may not want to invest a lot in something that might end up spending the next 20 years in the back of the closet...
(Obviously, YMMV, FWIW, every gun owner has an opinion, etc., etc. ;^)