If you want reliable and stable than install one of the stable Sparky editions.
I'm using SparkyLinux 5.14 (Nibiru) LXQt and it's stable and solid as a rock.
The default kernel is the best choice although I'm only a Linux user and not a Linux guru.
Until you try you won't know so create a bootable USB media and give the Sparky distro of choice a test drive.
Once you've created a bootable USB media restart the computer and boot from the USB and then run it as a Live USB without installing it.