How do you test email flows in automated tests without a real email inbox?

We have several user flows triggered by emails: registration confirmation, password reset, order confirmation. I need to test the full flow including clicking the link in the email. Options I've explored: 1. **Mailhog** — fake SMTP server with a web UI and API. Works but adds infrastructure to CI. 2. **Mailosaur** — real email inboxes via API, designed for testing. ~$20/month. 3. **Intercept the email sending at the service level** — mock the email service and extract the token/link from the mock call. Fast but doesn't test the actual email template. 4. **Check the DB for the generated token directly** — bypasses the email entirely. What do you use and what are the tradeoffs you've lived with?