Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
.....indeed depends on what you intend to do. The advice has no relevance to my work or that of any of my furniture building acquaintances.

What is "best" is revealed when the choices are equally available and without thinking a plane is reached for. In my case it is an old Bailey #5. I like its weight and balance and I use it where ever I can. I resort to a block plane where the #5 won't fit, or a #4 on the annoying occasions where the #5 bridges over some depression.

I don't see "collections" of planes in mixed power/hand tool shops making furniture . What seems to be out and available is a block plane and a #4 or #5, or occasionally 4-1/2 .