1 is better in my opinion. Originator vs. imitator scenario. Not to say Home Alone 2 is bad. It’s actually a quite good sequel. But it’s one of those cases where it hits every same note of the original. Kevin’s alone again through a contrivance. Wet bandits are back. Angels with Even Filthier Souls is a huge plot device just as it’s hilarious predecessor was in Home Alone. Pigeon Lady is a (less effective) Old Man Marley. Etc etc.
To me it’s like The Hangover 2 which I really enjoy as well. It ups the ante from the first but it sticks extremely closely to all the elements of the first. So if you like the original, you’ll almost assuredly like the sequel but if you hated the original, there’s very little chance the second wins you over.
As someone who lives in New York, though, I find many of my friends prefer the sequel because of the NYC setting. Lol.