Fans are designed based on application. That means what you are going to do with your car. Race it 1/4 mile a ta a time ? Don't need much of a fan.
Real life driving...idling sometimes, around town sometimes, hi-way some times. You need an all around setup. Low speeds under 45, Clutch/thermal type. Just like the factory designed ( for good reasons). Over 45 mph, fan does little to nothing, more air is forced thru the radiator because of vehicles speed.
Plastic/flex type fans, did any manufacturer ever install them on passenger cars ?? They are always blamed for putting the cheapest thing they can get to save money. What do you think.
Anything man made can fail but the scales tilt way to factory set up. For every story about I know somebody ( always someone elses) who had a clutch fan fail you can multiply times 1000 how many times a flex fan failed or someone got hurt while under the hood revving hid engine and a piece/blade came off.
Electric fans make the most sense now a days but were originally used because a transverse mounted engine has a problem mounting a fan on the side of the engine. and doing any good.