I've done some googling and scoured some forums but I still need some clarification. Of these two items, boots of levitation and winged boots, why is the former a very rare item and the latter an uncommon item? Why is BoL rarer than WB, other than more artificers would want to make WB therefore theres more of them around. Which of these would be better for a ranger, for example, and why?? Which is better for a wizard? A fighter?

I just dont get why Boots of Levi are 'better' than Wing Boots.

While some items have rarities that are wildly inconsistent here, it really boils down to what levitate does vs flight speed, and it being 100% at will versus timed.

Flight speed, by itself, while strong, isn't insurmountable.  Winged Boots, if I knock you "prone", you fall unless you have the means to hover, which the boots do not give.  This is a tricky topic in 5e, and I can't wait to see the thread when it relates to this item.  If I drop your speed to 0, you fall.

The big caveat to levitate as well is even if you dispel the effect, you just float to the ground.  The spell has ended, and the end condition was triggered.  So while you don't gain the ability to move around on a horizontal basis on activation, you can move vertical, and even when it ends by forceful means, you don't have a negative reprocussion other than you are floating to the ground.  Which you can just reactivate next turn and go right back up.

This is one of the item cases I do agree with, but it does require a very in depth crunchy review of all applicable rules to get to my stance on it.

That is by far the best answer I've seen in my search. Thank you!