drywall fixes: premixed compound or powder mix?

I'm about to tackle some drywall patching around the house—nothing huge, just a few holes and dents from moving furniture (oops). Anyway, I was at the hardware store yesterday and saw two options: the premixed joint compound in a bucket and the powdered stuff you mix yourself. The premixed seems super convenient, but it's pricier per ounce. The powder is cheaper, but I'm wondering if it's worth the hassle of mixing it myself, you know?

I've done small patches before with the premixed stuff, and it worked fine, but now I'm thinking about cost-effectiveness since I have a bit more to do this time. Is there really a noticeable difference in quality or ease of use between these two? Curious what you guys prefer and why...