You really have 3 options - extension tubes, macro lens, or close-up lens.
Canon's 250D (2 diopters) or 500D (1 diopter) close-up lenses are a consideration if you have a lens with a compatible filter size. They give more magnification on telephotos than extension tubes, less on wide angle. It just looks like a very larger filter and you don't have to unmount the lens which can be nice in the field. Tolusina's link to the calculators also includes a closeup lens calculator along with the pros/cons at the bottom of the page.
A 250D on the 55-250 I use with a M gives 1.04x magnification with a working distance of 9-10 inches, while the 500D gives 0.66x magnification with a working distance of 18-20 inches. Using this rig can make you appreciate the 180mm macro. Canon's lens manuals often include the magnifications/working distances with both extension tubes and close-up lenses.
As you noticed, working distance can be a big issue - it depends on the lens. Adding 25mm and 12mm extension tubes to the 40 pancake on my 6D for 1.15x magnification gives about 2 inches of working distance in front of the lens. Additional extension will narrow that further. Adding both extensions to my 35L for 1.24x magnification left about 0.125 inches of working distance - I had to remove the filter to test it out. Further extension to increase magnification is not possible. This is one of the reasons for the suggestions of a macro lens like the 100mm - larger working distance can be a real benefit.
Canon's 250D (2 diopters) or 500D (1 diopter) close-up lenses are a consideration if you have a lens with a compatible filter size. They give more magnification on telephotos than extension tubes, less on wide angle. It just looks like a very larger filter and you don't have to unmount the lens which can be nice in the field. Tolusina's link to the calculators also includes a closeup lens calculator along with the pros/cons at the bottom of the page.
A 250D on the 55-250 I use with a M gives 1.04x magnification with a working distance of 9-10 inches, while the 500D gives 0.66x magnification with a working distance of 18-20 inches. Using this rig can make you appreciate the 180mm macro. Canon's lens manuals often include the magnifications/working distances with both extension tubes and close-up lenses.
As you noticed, working distance can be a big issue - it depends on the lens. Adding 25mm and 12mm extension tubes to the 40 pancake on my 6D for 1.15x magnification gives about 2 inches of working distance in front of the lens. Additional extension will narrow that further. Adding both extensions to my 35L for 1.24x magnification left about 0.125 inches of working distance - I had to remove the filter to test it out. Further extension to increase magnification is not possible. This is one of the reasons for the suggestions of a macro lens like the 100mm - larger working distance can be a real benefit.
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