I started picking up bot lane and I was wondering which is better? My primary choice is Ashe but secondary would like to be varus. I prefer playing utility adc unless someone has another rec like xayah over varus?

On hit varus imo.

From my understanding it's because of more consistent damage right?

Yup. And he shreds everyone, esp if you go lethal tempo.

poke varus is more fun

Lethality, crit, on hit. All depends on team comps, who you're versing and play style.

I'm not in a high enough elo to where team comp will make a huge difference. More focused on mechanics which is why I enjoy Ashe, she's not that mobile but the cc helps me since I come from a support background

On hit.

depends on elo i think

you can hard stop lane in silver but doesnt matter as your team will eventually feed and cant close out... just play for 1v9 mode always... on-hit varus is still fking massive

on hit unless they dont have tanks, then lethality is prob best