The hardest part about this, is that tips keep changing, and I'm referring to within a single brand. On top of that, technology changes, wherein one brand makes them this way, while another swears by another method. It's difficult at best for someone else to recommend a tip to someone else, especially if they don't know that person and his style of play.
There are tips for those that prefer copious amounts of spin/english. Tips for those that like to "strike" the cue ball. Tips that work well this shaft or that. Tips that need constant maintenance versus very little maintenance over the life of the tip.
Pooldawg has a chart somewhere on their site where they tested many of the current tip brands out there for hardness, based on their own testing formula. It may not be the same type of test as the manufacturers themselves use, but it's consistent to give you a comparison of tip hardness. It's a bit dated, but not too far back. Perhaps that will help you.
Honestly, the best way to choose a tip is to try it out first. Some places, such as Ozone billiards have tables you can try out different cues/shafts/tips on before buying. Many cue makers also have this option in their shops, as do cue repairmen. You can always try out your friends' tips as well.
I suggest you do some research starting with determining if you want a softer tip vs a medium tip vs a hard tip while understanding the level of maintenance required for each. Then once you have it narrowed down to hardness level, pick further from there.
Lastly, no tip is as important as a good stroke.
Good luck!