The cost of the brand name Q-tips Cotton Swabs is just not worth it. You get approximately the same number of sticks without cotton ends as the generic brand. And I honestly don't find these to be any softer than generic. But please, oh please, do not use these to clean your ears. It is so bad for you. All it does is shove the wax in deeper. You're better off with mineral oil and a cotton swab for when your ears are really bad. Otherwise just using a thin towel after your shower is enough to clean your ears and keep them healthy. Q-tips are better for removing nail polish, using them for makeup, etc. But I would never pay full price for Q-tips unless they're cheaper than the generic brand.

I have used the Q-tip brand for ever!! Growing up and with my children. They claim that the swab has "more soft cotton and the tip* than any other swab". * indicated it is from "the end of the sick to the top of the swab". That may be true BUT... they are no longer soft. I thought that I had purchased a bad package..