The lower on an AR hold the trigger bits together, keeps the magazine in place below the upper, holds the receiver extension (buffer tube) in place, and gives you a place to put your hand.

The strength requirements are minimal, as is its impact on accuracy. There's an argument to be made that forged may be stronger, but billet allows more variations and tweaking to the design by the manufacturer.

In my opinion, buy a lower that suits your budget and has whatever features you want. Don't sweat over what manufacturing technique was used.

I bought 3 Andersons here locally for $60 + tax in July.  That was for the closed trigger guard model,  the open was $5 cheaper.   After busting one of the ears off one a few years ago trying to install that damn roll pin,  I was happy to get the closed one.    Honestly, I don't know why it took the AR market so long to start offering that as an option.   

More money just means more money in this case. If you want a lower that's just a little different or fancier looking, it's probably going to be billet.

If you want a lower that will work reliably and not break, just about any of them will be fine.

Get what makes you happy, but there's basically no qualitative difference to be discerned just on the basis of forged vs billet.

https://www.classicfirearms.com/anderson-ar-lower-ar15-a3-lwfor-um-closed

Current best price I know of.

Joe Bob is the best price I know of when they have them in stock.

http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/AR_15_Lower_Receivers_s/3021.htm

Then again, a $5 difference is minimal compared to everything else that you will end up buying.

In my opinion there are differences but not really where you'd think. Strength wise...JesseL is right. Structural strength isn't a big need. The difference comes in the fit. I've dealt with Aero lowers that wouldn't accept Pmags. Not a big deal if you aren't a pmag guy. I think the best advice has also been said. Get the best one you can afford.

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Yea, but what determines what is best?

Best comes down to a few things. What you can afford is the easy part. Then there's researching the company to see what their tolerances are. MILSPEC is good enough but isn't the best standard. I used SI Defense matched sets because they used the same standards as their aviation wing. So where most are accurate to 0.001" SI was more like 0.0001"...as an example. The more accurate they are to the exact measurements on the blueprints the more reliable the function. Same goes for upper lower fit. Not worrying about it will produce an accurate rifle. Having an exact fit will allow for less movement under recoil and giving you a little extra boost in accuracy.

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