Well there are lots of breakout/dev boards these days that do make it possible, but for something like adding an indicator LED I'd rather reach for an ol' 1/4W resistor than those ridiculously tiny SMD specks. But in general modules like the CD4051 mux, SS49E hall sensor, 74AHCT125 level shifter, etc. Cheap and super reliable stuff.
I admit I'm really crap at accurate soldering so it might be more of a me issue, but I doubt I'm entirely alone in this.
I can see what you mean. For many, it looks scary in the beginning (using tweezers etc.), but it comes quickly with practice.
It is easier than it looks IMO, though I did get some tips from our techs which likely accellerated my learning (e.g. compared to learning on your own).
With smaller (and thus lighter) parts, the surface tension helps pull the parts into place etc., so you get help on “pad-alignment”.
Hot air soldering gets more difficult though, as you risk blowing parts offboard :D
I don’t know the parts, but my experience is that everything SMD is cheaper than THT. Almost always. The hall effect sensor can likely be found cheaper in Sot23?
The only reason I ever saw for using THT parts, was the (typically) much higher power ratings.
At my previous job, a typical board with e.g. 6 layers and 500 components would have perhaps 5-10 THT parts and the rest in SMD (0805 and 0603 mostly).
YMMV and for hobbyists it doesn’t make a big difference.
SMD-soldering skills can be handy though. E.g. I’ve repaired a few of my friends’ TVs with broken backlights for pennies.
I admit I'm really crap at accurate soldering so it might be more of a me issue, but I doubt I'm entirely alone in this.