I usually brew my tea in a mug, using a basket infuser. When I want to brew gong fu style, I usually use a Gaiwan. Yixing pots are good if you want to enjoy the tea, but they’re not as great if you want to get an accurate read or feel for what the tea itself tastes like, as they become “seasoned”. This can be a huge asset in terms of the whole experience; some of the best tea experiences I’ve had have been with tea brewed in an Yixing pot. However, as I am often trying to figure out what the tea itself is about, I prefer the neutral feature of the gaiwan. I also have a slightly heavier gaiwan which holds heat a little better than some (which, as you point out, can be either an asset or a downside, depending on what you’re brewing and what you want).