Varifocals are definitely better, there is less need to lower your head, to look over the reading addition part of bi-focals.
With all compound lenses it is necessary to move the head more, but it's easier with varifocals. It soon becomes second nature, and to some extent I blame opticians, they need to fully inform people on what changes their new glasses will make. In other words, you need to be taught to 'drive' them.