Is solid wood really always better than engineered wood (MDF, particle board, plywood, etc.)?

Depending on where you look, people either hype solid wood like it’s the only “real” furniture, or they say modern engineered wood is more stable and way less likely to warp.

Solid wood: definitely looks and feels premium, but it’s pricey and I’ve heard it can crack or warp if your humidity isn’t ideal.

Engineered wood: more affordable, more design options, generally more dimensionally stable — but then there are concerns about glue, durability, and overall quality.

How do you all decide? Is solid wood actually a must-have, or is engineered wood perfectly fine for most use cases?

Would love to hear any horror stories, success stories, or just what you personally look for when buying furniture.