When I purchased my dispenser it came with one standard filter that says to last up to two months depending on how  much its used daily. I think that it is overall convenient and gets the job done. However, the amount of time that BRITA gives me in terms of its use is a very short period of time. If I had a different option that could last longer (which there is) I would most certainly buy the longer lasting filter than the standard. I would leave these as emergency filters in an event that I couldn't get or afford or if I had a life changing situation where I couldn't have the longer lasting filter