Your observations are pretty accurate. By hand, the NEAT pads are going to be more awkward to use than Siaair/Abralon because they're so much thinner. However, if you use a spinner, the NEAT pads are fairly easy to control and are just as effective as Siaair/Abralon.
If you want to continue with NEAT pads by hand, consider using a CAB to hold the pad. You'll get the leverage you need.
I used NEAT pads for a few years but have settled back to Siaair. I prefer the thicker foam backing for water retention on the spinner. But like a lot of things in bowling, it comes down to personal preference.