If you have a domain name and host service they should probably be able to get you a POP mail account on the cheap as part of the package if not already included. E.g. godaddy etc but there are others.
I have a “free” service now, via my Verizon account which went to a “free” AOL account. I want out of that and my criteria is NOT that it be free but that I can still interact with the providers Email system using the Thunderbird Email client application using the POP mode.
Do NOT go with Godaddy if you want email service.
They turned their email system over to Microshaft, (Microsoft) and now charge for every email account.
Used to be included with their hosting packages, no longer. Huge ripoff, and HORRIBLE customer service, ever since they turned the company over to India.
I use hostgator.com with my own domain. $107.40 annually for web space and e-mail.
Note, the cheap version of these services understandably put you on a shared server. I anyone else on that server misbehaves it sometimes reflects poorly on your IP range and e-mail address as well. I have a client who has a dedicated server (probably a VM, but same difference) and they pay $203 per year from Hostgator.