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Step 1
Look for circular bamboo needles that have a strong, flexible cord. Look for a cord that isn't too stiff, or it won't relax and uncurl when you knit with it.
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Step 2
Look at both points on your circular needles and make sure they are milled (shaped) the same way, and have the same thickness and point. The points should all be the same shape and sharpness, and they should be slightly rounded so they won't split your yarn.
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Step 3
Know that your circular needles should be imprinted with the size, so you'll never have to guess the size of your needles once you take them out of the package. The imprinting should be embedded in the needle, (like laser printing) so it won't wear off after you use the needles for a while.
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Step 4
Consider that a pair of needles should also be of uniform thickness throughout the length of the needle to where they join the cord. If they are mismatched, they could really throw off the gauge and ultimate size of your finished garment.
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Step 5
Look at how the cord joins the needle. Make sure there are no sharp edges and the join is smooth and firm. A bad join can cause your yarn to catch, which is a real pain when you're knitting. A tapered join with no edges is best, and so is a strong join, so your needle doesn't break or pull apart if you're knitting a heavier garment.
