Over the years I've used all kinds of sponges and brushes-- including Beauty Blender and Real Techniques. I think for many people the flat edge of the Real Techniques sponge provides more control. The Beauty Blender is a fine sponge too, but I prefer Real Techniques. There's a broad variance in price, and nothing glaring I can cite about quality. Let's face it, sponges of any price get nasty and require frequent discarding. If you use nothing other than this one sponge to apply foundation, you'll be lucky if it lasts three months. If you switch up your applicator (brushes, other sponges, fingers) you might stretch a sponge up to 6 months.