Seems like some of you are promoting name brands as "great" without any specs? I don't care what name is on the box, or how good the marketing people are, gimme the specs! If they aren't listed freely, contact the mfr and ask for their efficiency ratings. Ask:
-give them a specific part number for you rig because they sometimes use different media for different applications
-efficiency using what test protocol? (mainly you want to know if it's ISO 5011 and coarse or fine dust... it's always coarse because the number is higher)
-Ask for filter area (which is the amount of media used before it's pleated). I have had mixed results getting that, but if you see lots of pleats, you know it's got a lot).
-if they won't tell you, move onto another brand!
Then you sit back and evaluate media vs efficiency. Some of the cheap filters I looked at years back had very efficient media per inch, but not much of it!
Then look at the general sealing quality and construction of it.
If it meets these criteria, buy one and test fit it. Fits good?
Run a WOT and get the new filter reading with a restriction gauge. If you have it, compare that with the reading from a new OEM filter. No restriction issues?
Run with it and don't mess with it for a good long while unless the restriction gauge indicates. I won't say never look at it, but don't obsessively R&R the filter. Every other oil change maybe (depending on you OCI... judgement... in my case they are 2-4 years on some of my rigs, so I might pull it at that point). In my experience, filters that face up are most likely to benefit from gently and carefully vacuuming off leaves and big stuff that collects. Use judgement. The main thing is not to injure the sealing mechanisms on removal. I like K&N filter grease for this, use it at first install and again if you need to pull it. I have used other stuff, but won't advocate it.