Default POSTS page or custom blog page?

Previously I have set the blog page in SETTINGS > READING > Posts page
However, this limits the page in that its not easy to add other elements to the page , eg extra text/content before and after the post listing. I can do this by hooking in element blocks, but its not ideal.

So another way is to use a query loop (GB blocks) to list out the posts on a page, making it easier to add extra content to the page.

Is there a best practice for setting up the main post archive? (If I want to add extra content to the page)

What would you recommend?

Many thanks
Ben