I guess it depends on what you mean by "ideal use"; if you mean the most convenient for you, just leave range mode off and always connected on then forget about them. This is also probably the best setting for the car's "health" in the long term.
If you mean the most efficient energy-wise, range mode on and always connected off. This however will affect how long it takes to connect with a smart-phone app; and may affect the long-term health of your battery - especially on hot days.
Then again, you might want to strike a balance.
IMO, the biggest effect range mode has is with the battery heater. If you're taking short trips (like local errands) with a cold battery, you can easily use twice the energy. This is the case when range mode can save a lot of energy. Range mode reduces (or eliminates, still not sure) battery heating. But if you forget range mode on, the car may take much longer to charge if it's cold enough. Therefore you may find yourself switching range mode on and off a lot. From experience, that includes forgetting it in the wrong mode sometimes. For most people, it's just not worth the consideration it takes.
"Always connected" is pretty easy. Like
@Buddy was saying, turn it off if you're not driving it for an extended time. If you don't bother the car, it will retain range a bit longer.
If this sounds obsessive, then re-read my first sentence and skip the rest.