For me definitely wooden and unpainted, with proper large beads I can fit my fingers on easily. I don't like plastic or metallic beads, and I dislike it when grabbing at the beads without looking means I accidentally grab two at once and lose my place.

The ones we have at home all look somewhat like this, except the crosses on our ones have a much nicer shape.

No Masonic insignia:

In this one, the Masons remove Our Lady altogether:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Masonic-Holy-Land-Knight-Olive-Wood-Rosary-Cross-Pilgrim-Medieval-Ancient-Symbol-/231987476212

In others, they like to place their emblem covertly (very small) over Our Lady’s head, or have subtle snakes worked into the design:

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/satanic-fake-rosaries-are-bringing-evil-spirits-into-catholic-homes-says-exorcist/113101.htm

Ps: Regarding Masonic Miraculous Medals:

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/satanic-fake-rosaries-are-bringing-evil-spirits-into-catholic-homes-says-exorcist/113101.htm

I use the Benedictine rosary, for extra spiritual firepower one might say, and for my monastic based spirituality. There is a special blessing for it of course.

Since having children my only real criteria is durability. Needs to be able to withstand a tug of war.
Gr

Durability, I agree, is paramount.
I am now making rosaries using the strongest cord available, without being metallic, nonetheless, it's tensile strength and durability rivals steel.
I like oval beads made of magnetite, a naturally occurring mineral, for the Aves, and WAY oversized Pater Noster beads. The effect is astounding, and the Paters keep me AWAKE! HAHAHA
So far I've used very old Pater beads, like 2 or 3 hundred years old. A variety of crucifixes is nice, but the high grade St Benedict crucifix with real wood inlays and real nails is just right, however, it does raise the cost by $25.

Great the Paters woke you up, Neil! I was almost at the point of praying for the repose of your soul!

For me definitely wooden and unpainted, with proper large beads I can fit my fingers on easily. I don't like plastic or metallic beads, and I dislike it when grabbing at the beads without looking means I accidentally grab two at once and lose my place.

The ones we have at home all look somewhat like this, except the crosses on our ones have a much nicer shape.

The wood in these rosaries from Jerusalem is olive tree wood.
It is quite durable, develops a lovely patina over time, feels good to the touch and is harder than oak, more like hickory or maple wood. 
The knots used above in the illustration between Aves and Paters are of longstanding tradition. 
It's quite soothing to have an obvious change when going from the 10th bead of a decade to the Pater bead.
Then you don't have to stop and think about which prayer you're on, but you go to the prayer quite effortlessly, and you can direct your energy toward the meaning of the prayer, instead of  toward the accounting of how many times it's been repeated.