if you don't have the capability for the hardware wallet you can use the hot wallets temporarily...
If you don't use a hardware wallet, it isn't a must that your next option should be a hot wallet, of course you can still use a software wallet in an airgapped device, this will be your own cold/offline storage and is very safe if you do everything perfectly.
While selecting a wallet, you should try using the decentralized wallets and exchanges as it is always safer to use them over the centralized ones.
I'm pretty sure you meant non-custodial wallets and decentralized exchanges; that's the appropriate terms.