Real user experience on best Cellular - voice and data

[RKins]

I'm about to get a new cell phone (even though my beloved Lumia 950 is still an awesome phone, the OS support lapsed 2 years ago) and I surveyed the best new phones and their prices (ouch). I also read a ton of reviews on the phones and most 5G phones report really poor 5G reception and abysmal battery time. I realize the coverage of 5G is often exaggerated and the reviews are indicative as such.

That being said, I'm looking into refurbed older phones from backmarket.com - maybe 2019 or 2020 released phones that are not 5G capable and I'll give the networks time to mature. I live 2 miles from a freeway and that is where a lot of our towers are located and I still get crummy ATT service here. I found that my best tower is 25 miles away - I was using my directional antennas for my Mobley and discovered this. So this is not a question for internet connectivity, just plain ole cell phone.

So I am not looking for what phone is best, but what service is best on the road. Is there a way to collate all the cell reports posted so far?
I'm leaning toward Verizon as an everyday cell phone service but am open to any carrier.