That is a really good price. I use essential for all my piecing and for quilting my charity tops (I tend to use Isacord to do my own quilts, as I like really tight quilting and need a thinner thread).
My machine loves the essential and I haven't found it any more linty than every other cotton. I did have a knot in it once, but I've found a knot in Aurifil too, so they happen...