These handles are extremely functional for carrying the water jugs when full, they are well made and easy to get on. They ARE a bit harder to get off... and when we put the jug into the dispenser, we need to take the handles off for the jug to sit properly onto the dispenser base. We decided that for OUR use, we don't really need the handles. (We load the empty jugs in the back of the car, use a shopping cart to take them in to Sprouts to use the water fill station, use the cart to take them to the car). The short distance I need to carry the jugs from the car to the kitchen is manageable without the handles, so we don't use them now. I would think if you are carrying them fair distances like from a spring, down a trail etc.. it would be much more useful. Us "city folk" can probably manage without.
I'd give 5 stars because they are high quality and perform beautifully.. but knocked 1 star since they are kind of a pain to get off and you can't really leave them on while using the water jug with the dispenser base.