There’s always a number of factors that have to be taken into account with selecting an antenna. If performance was always the only goal, every CBer would have a solid fighting stick on the roof.
I generally want the longest antenna I can run, in the highest possible location centered on the roof. From there, it’s a series of compromises.
In addition to the things you commonly hear..
Some folks are very concerned with have an antenna that stays upright at highway speeds. I’ve never worried about that, and strongly prefer antennas with soft supple whips that will snake through trees on dirt roads without sustaining damage. The Wilson baseloads are a winner in that regard.
Another factor I always consider is how conspicuous an antenna is. I don’t want anything that attracts people....one, because I don’t want things stolen, and two, because I don’t want to talk to them.
And the last...is I want an antenna that isn’t overly stressful on a mount. Some are just to big, bulky and wind resistant to be considered practical.
I’m many ways these factors are as important as performance...a stolen or broken antenna has none.