Exit row in ET - and invariably with adjacent seat blocked, other than on the fullest flights - is still very much my preferred win-win option (ie offering best combination of value + reasonable comfort). Ok, no chit-chat with FA’s .... but plenty of time for that on longhauls.
With no business class size seats in CE, i mostly see it as a real waste of money (if already holding status) and would only use it when ticketed as part of a l/h or with Avios redemption.