I like the 3.00 pads for the main reason that I can order more, and therefore have more new pads on hand. I personally have not seen a major difference in performance, I have used the double sided, and the machine woven pads also, these hand woven pads do wear out faster than other pads, but I like to have new pads for customer perception, so it is good for me because I usually start setting darkened pads to the side before there time anyway when using the longer lasting pads. More of a personal preference, than probably any carpet cleaning reason, I like to use new pads, and these allow me to do that. By the way Brooks, I just did a LivingSocial ad and need more pads!!!!