Is there such thing as a good lifter?

I'm assuming you're talking about hydraulic flat tappets...
Right now, good ones = old ones. New ones seem to be very dicey. Luckily, I have some "old stock" sets to get me by for now- However, I also have many good used sets that I am going to try this (which has been highly recommended to me by multiple sources):
Lifter Resurfacing – Egge Machine Company
Gives new life to your used lifters.

I've noticed an uptick in people tying to buy lifter refacing machines.