Buying a paper towel holder is like buying a car. You want something that's functional, stylish, and fits you as an individual. So as there are a variety of things to consider when purchasing a car, there are a variety when looking at paper towel holders.The first is to consider your usage of paper towels. I believe functionality and utility come first. The Umbra has a weighted base with a felt like material on the bottom. The holder is heavy enough for one to rip off a paper towel with a quick swipe and will not slide around the counter top. If you're like me, you usually only have one hand available at a time in the kitchen. One is sauteing zucchini, while the other reaches for something to clean up the tomato sauce you spilled. The need for a paper towel can be urgent, so it is necessary that a paper towel holder be stable.The nice thing about this paper towel holder, at least to someone with my considerations, is that you do not have a little bar on the side that is supposed to keep the roll from unrolling. I have found that those little bars are usually in the way of being able to rip off the appropriate number of paper towels.Which leads to my next consideration, which is that you should ask yourself whether you only need one towel at a time, or whether you need varying amounts depending on the situation and need. The thing that scared me away from the "single towel" rip paper towel holders was that I use a different number of towels for messes, cleaning, and napkin use. Sometimes I need one, other times I need three or four. On a side note, I use the smaller width cut of paper towels, so the number I need can be fairly particular. But, I don't want to have to make three or four rips. I just want to pull out a few length's worth of towels and take them at once. This paper towel holder certainly allows for that.Another reason I chose this paper towel holder is that you don't have to unscrew the top to access the entire roll. I have small children, cats, and a dog. Sometimes, taking the whole roll for a clean up is more convenient, so that I have what I need on hand at the mess.Finally, the paper towel holder is aesthetically and intellectually pleasing. The finish is sleek, looks good, and doesn't shout out, "Look at me!" Instead, the brushed finish tucks itself into the space of the kitchen nicely and warmly. Then, the design, filled with so many considerations of paper towel usage and functionality, remains simple and elegant. It is much like cooking, where one takes a variety of things to produce a pleasing flavor that is all it's own.I highly recommend the Umbra, but only if you find goodness in the reasons I've presented.