LN.pub + Shock wallet are great. But unfortunately for a total noob will not be so easy to start. I think it require some level of knowledge about how a LN node works.

For a simple LN user, using Shock wallet as a client from an "uncle Jim" node, is great and easy and you can even manage multiple accounts in the same UI. Same as using Alby Go but without multi-accounts.

I was thinking to test between, Alby Hub (LND), Phoenixd and Lightning.Pub + Shockwallet, 
just started testing Pub and looks very promissing but most of the node running is abstracted.

a40ecaacec

I wrote several guides about nodes, LN and stuff like that.
I suggest to read them first: https://darth-coin.github.io/nodes/nodes.html
Especially these 2:
- https://darthcoin.substack.com/p/managing-lightning-node-liquidity
- https://darthcoin.substack.com/p/lightning-routing-fees-experiment

DarthCoin

bitcoin_beginners

Getting Started with Alby Hub

You are right, the 1% fee is a small price to pay compared to the hassle. Running a routing node and a phoenixd node in parallel is a great idea, also to get some exp. Thanks for sharing your insight.