Beginners aren't likely to spend a lot for a recorder, but adults in particular are likely to make better progress on a good-quality recorder than on a poor instrument. It sometimes doesn't take long for enthusiastic beginners to outgrow their recorders. There are a number of factors to consider, and this is where I start to ramble. Less expensive recorders are often made of softer, less expensive wood - maple, pear, plum, and other fruitwoods. In between are a host of other woods - boxwood, kamba, olive, etc., etc.
Softer woods tend to produce a mellower tone that blends well in a consort.
But correct voicing is all-important in the way a recorder sounds and responds. It also results in more resistance and requires more consistent breath support for the player, unlike a recorder with a wide-open windway where the breath just flows. The movable foot enables a player to fit his or her pinky exactly. This is what many players consider first - how much I can afford. It's wise to set a realistic limit and abide by it.