R1: Which group is better written?
R2: Which group is the better villain group?
R3: Which group is more iconic?
R4: Which do you like more?
VS
R1: Which group is better written?
New York was peak shit but I can't judge a group based on one arc. After that, they kinda off. Akatsuki takes this one.
R2: Which group is the better villain group?
Phantom Troupe's motives for being villains are kinda weird when you think about it and when you are a random ass citizen who works 7/11 you probably don't know about their existence unless they attack your city/village. Akatsuki is everywhere throughout the story and cause mass damage to the entire world of Naruto.
I would say that Akatsuki takes this one although not by a huge margin. Phantom Troupe is a very good villain group too.
R3: Which group is more iconic?
No brainer, Akatsuki.
R4: Which do you like more?
I love HxH and it's one of the best-written shonen but I would lie to myself if I say that I didn't love Akatsuki for years when I was a Narutotard back in the day. So, yeah. Akatsuki.