Quality
Something to consider first is the cost. There is a wide range of prices from our Asian beading needles to our most expensive Tulip beading needles, and that tends to give you a guide to the quality.
Typically, the cheaper the needle you buy the lower the quality of metal and finish and the less time it will last. You will find you are replacing your needle a few times through a project and during that time it will get bent and sometimes the hole of the needle will collapse and start damaging your thread.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with using a cheap needle, but it does have its limitations.
Our most expensive needle is a Tulip needle, which tends to be most beaders favourite needle of choice. This needle is highly polished and has a gold-plated eye hole for smooth beading and reduced thread snags. You can expect these needles, if you look after them, to last many projects.