There is a great online tool called "B&H Photo" that lets you search for what's available with the features you want, compare costs and other factors.
For example,
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Tripod-Heads/ci/140/N/4075788769?filters=fct_head-type_1544%3Aball-heads lists all 378 ballheads they sell. Now you can narrow it further with various features, such as whether or not you want a quick release and, if you do, what type of quick release. For example you can show only ballheads with Arca-Swiss compatible QR platforms. You also can narrow it further with the general weight capacity and, if you want, the brands you'd like to see. You also can sort the list by most popular first or by price high to low or low to high, by buyer feedback, etc.
If it were me I might look for a ballhead with Arca-Swiss compatibility. I would also only want to see heads that are rated to support 30 to 60 lb. Those are basically the the medium duty to heavy duty heads.... not light or ultralight... but also not extra heavy duty (and, no doubt, hefty).
Doing this, I've still got 95 heads to choose among, ranging in price from $40 to almost $1000! What can I do to narrow it further?
Well, frankly I don't recognize most of the brand names of the cheapest ones and am not sure I'd trust them. If wanted I can set a price range that eliminates them. At the same time, the prices at the top end seem pretty ridiculous and some of those pricier heads have features I really don't want or need (such as a secondary panning axis). I set a max of $400, as well as only in-stock items and still had choice of 41 different ballheads.
Next I can fall back on my own experience, since over the years I've used others and have three ballheads now:
1. Kirk BH-1 is a top quality, high durability, no nonsense ballhead that's rated for 50 lb., weighs about 2 lb., provides two separate movements (necessary for some things I do with it, such as using a Wimberley Sidekick gimbal adapter with big lenses), has an Arca platform, has worked flawlessly for 20 years on my most regularly used tripod, but is relatively expensive. It costs $385 currently... a lot more than some, but not expensive as many others (including most RRS). This ballhead's quick release platform also uses a screw knob, rather than a quick release lever. This is my preference. I just don't trust the lever type.
2. Smith-Victor BH8 is a budget grade no nonsense ballhead that's rated for 50 lb. capacity, weighs about 2 lb. and is virtually identical to the Kirk head's design and specs, but cost under $100 and serves on a less frequently used "backup" tripod. The difference between this and the Kirk is in the quality. This made-in-China head arrived with a very stiff and gritty feeling panning axis. I removed the three screws holding it together, cleaned out the axle grease used to lube the ball bearings and replaced it with a high quality, thick oil (actually bicycle chain lube I had on hand)... and now it works great. Also, where the Kirk head uses 100% metal knobs that are knurled for good grip, the Smith-Victor had little rubber grips installed on the metal knobs. Those worked fine at first, but over time got torn, stretched, cracked and eventually fell off. Everything still works fine, but for more comfortable use I ended up wrapping the knobs with some strips of rubberized "grip tape" (as used on steps, etc. for non-slip effect). This head is no longer available, but there are any number of similar or even better quality heads at close to this price. For example I see Sunway FB-52, Sirui G20-X, Benro VX25 and Tiltall BH-10 all of which are quite similar with 44 to 55 lb. ratings and priced around $120-$130. For a little more money, but still reasonably affordable (under $200) there are various Leofoto, Oben, Feisol and Induro heads. For between $200 and $400 you can find a number of premium quality ballheads from some of the above, but also Gitzo, Kirk, Arca-Swiss, FLM and others. Then from $400 and up you find RRS, Acra-Tech, ProMedia Gear and others. Some of the priciest models are more specialized with added features... Others just seem to cost a lot because people will pay that for the brand name. To me a ballhead is a ballhead. It's supposed to be simple. And while I appreciate good quality, I also think some of the prices are ridiculous.
3. Manfrotto unknown model ballhead is small and comparatively lightweight with all movements controlled and locked with a single knob. it's undoubtedly not rated for particularly heavy gear (though I've used it with up to 10 lb. of camera and lens). I don't recall where I got it or what it cost. It's design and size was ideal for use on a monopod and that's where I use it, though I had to modify it for my purposes. It didn't have a quick release platform, but I was able to get a replacement Arca-compatible platform from Kirk that works fine, though at around $40 it was an added cost on a relatively cheap head. (I used to use Manfrotto/Bogen proprietary quick release systems... two different ones. They're not as versatile and nowhere near as universal as the Arca QR system, so I eventually switched over.)
I also can get some help from the reviews of other buyers on that website... as well as by doing a search for online reviews of particular models, once I've narrowed it down to a relative few for consideration.
If possible, once I've really narrowed it down, ideally I'd like to go check out the heads at an actual store to see if I have a preference.
People will often recommend what they've bought in a subconscious hope that you'll reinforce their purchasing decision by repeating it. But what experience do they have with other models and other brands? What research did they do? Do they use the product the same way you'll be using it? Sure, RRS and Leica may be "great"... but there are 21 different RRS ballheads. Which model are we talking about? With what features? It's similar with Leica... or most other brands for that matter.
Rather than give you a brand or even a specific model recommendation, I hope I've given you some ideas what to look for in a ballhead and how to research what's available. Your use and criteria for a ballhead might be different from mine and you can do similar searches at other retailer websites. The above is just intended as examples of my own thought process and how I'd use B&H's website. I hope this helps!