There is a lot of whimsy in deciding which flys best - but - bigger is easier to fly - always - as it provides more time (and space and the RN improvement from increased size makes it all more solid feeling.
If you really don't care for contests tho - just make your model as light as possible add all the power you can -then learn to fly it through the maneuvers at even speeds . Use the power only as needed to hold a speed.
A semi scale aerobatic design down to about 80" span is very good at any of the pattern or IMAC stuff -as long as it is setup correctly -and light.
I once watched a good flyer win pattern EXPERT with a .15 powered arf against other really top notch pattern flyrs (both were US team flyers in World competition)-because he understood how to keep the little bugger on line . That is an exception but don't get caught up in which design is best - there are a jillion good aerobatic designs which will do all the stuff extremely well - the trick is make a setup which is easily controlled and has plenty of reserve power .