Hello Doug Waters,
Google is your friend. You can find many reviews and statistics for various anti-x products(Anti-x for anti-spyware, anti-virus, anti-adware, etc). I have not used all of the available products however I find a combination of software is good. You will likely find everyone here has a different setup and no one setup is 'the best'.
I have previously run Avira and AVG but have now settled with Avast(all free versions) as it has the least invasive purchase reminders and I think it's cute that it tells you when it's udpated.
I back this up with Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. I am using Outpost firewall.
Some software suites include multiple anti-x programs as well extra features such as e-mail scanners. Personally I think detection is the most important element as if you don't know you are infected you won't do anything to remove it.
I hope this will help you find the best secuirty software for you and your system.