I grew these in 2019. Wasn't that impressed. They're just as slow as any other carrot, and you put it best--I'd rather have a bigger carrot in the end. The taste was fine.

I grew these in 2019 and didn't really care for them. Not as sweet, the main part was denser and drier than the common carrot. I did grow purple dragon and scarlet nantes and enjoyed those, especially the scarlet nantes as the color is throughout the vegetable, not just on the surface. Something fun to try!

I've always been a little put off by round carrots for the reasons you two have mentioned. I would much rather dedicate the same time and effort to a bigger, more productive carrot. I haven't grown the round carrots but I have tried them and they just taste like a carrot. Not one of my favorites, nor is it anything particularly bad; just another carrot that happens to be smaller than most.

I find round carrots hard to clean and peel. I prefer "regular" shaped carrots. They are much easier to use in the kitchen. The hype about how cute they are and how they do well in containers does not make me like them any better. If carrots are grown in containers there are other choices that work fine - just don't plant super long varieties.