Was the Fletcher class a good all-round destroyer, even if it was not best in every circumstance?
Short answerYes for the United States and similar strategic circumstances; other navies faced different industries, theaters, and force requirements and could rationally choose another balance.
NotesThe Fletcher was a strong destroyer, though it was not the automatic choice for every navy. Its range, balance, and mass production fit the United States and the Pacific especially well. A Royal Navy design had to compromise across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific, making somewhat lower speed and greater survivability attractive. This turns 'best destroyer' from a top-trumps judgment into a question about industry, geography, fleet size, and assigned missions.