Well, I bit the bullet a bit back and bought an electronic load, primarily to test batteries and solar panels. After some debate, I decided to go inexpensive and more bare bones rather than more comprehensive since I wasn't going to do fancy dynamic testing of power supplies and the like. Read a bunch of reviews and settled on the Kunkin KP184 which had some good reviews, and was relatively inexpensive ($200) for the size (400W). It does not have a bunch of the features that better chinese units like the Rigols and Siglents have, and of course like lab-grade US brands. And notably does not have OEM software to run it remotely (but the hardware is set up for that, so there are ways around). It does have remote voltage sensing for 4-wires testing, which is critical IMO. And the measured values seem very good.
So far, it has worked very well. The main drawback I see is the user interface which is really bad, just 3 lines of LCD menu shortcuts on the display that are basically unreadable and incomprehensible without the manual. I knew that going in and I can live with it.
Now, as to usefulness, so far I am very glad I have one of those things. For example, I just bought 2 clone 18V batteries for my Makita tools, hoping for the best (against my better judgement). Well, I tested them on receipt and they proved dreadfully bad, so returned them right away. That alone saved me 1/4 of the cost of the unit. Another time, I had to decide what battery to return to Costco for core fee. I had several, so I was able to figure out the worst one and turned that one in and kept the good ones. Yet, again, bought some inexpensive 12V 100Ah LFP batteries and was able to confirm right away that they met the stated specs so I happily kept them. Another time, I wanted to check if a solar panel I have is losing its oomph. So I quickly did an IV curve for it, the load worked great for that too, and sure enough the panel is on its way out. Good to know. I have even tested 18650s with it.
So, a nice added tool to my arsenal, I think! YMMV.