I try to read the reviews and find ones that seem more personal and skip stuff that seems generic. I either buy cheap stuff with the expectation that it will only work for a limited time (like a single project) or I look for a brand with a good reputation and warranty. If you buy from somewhere other than Amazon, you can find stuff that is cheaper. Currently, some places like Ebay have quicker shipping times than Amazon.Smaller sites may be less prone to manipulation from review mills.