I’ve purchased wool balls before from big box retailers and can say the quality was just not there. These are quality! Very durable - I have a family of 5 at home and we wash at least 2 loads a day just to keep up. These guys have been around more than a few times (haha) - and look and work just as great as if it was day 1. Aside from that, it’s so fun to see cute characters when doing such a not fun chore let alone the practicality of quicker dry times, less static and fewer wrinkles. I love them!