Product review (4 stars): Very Good Replacement Wick Filter
These are not the same as the original Kenmore filter but they work just as well. They feel a bit less durable but once they are in place I leave them for the season.

The measure of how well they work is how much moisture my humidifier puts into the air. My console humidifier needs refilling twice a day (breakfast and dinner time it is 99% empty, same as before) .

I just checked, and the wicks are wet about 1/2 way up (I honestly never checked the Kenmore wicks). Regardless my humidifier is putting moisture into the air at EXACTLY THE SAME rate as the original Kenmore wicks.

Also, we have very hard water here, and have not noticed any reduced performance in 2 months of constant use.
I will replace these wick filters once a year at the beginning of December just like I did with the original ones.