An input + datalist still let you type whatever you want. What I want is a select with a finite list of options, but filterable so the user doesn't have to search manually. Specially necessary when you have lots of items and the sorting is not alphabetical.

The select also differentiates between the value and the presentation text. With an input you would have to use the text to find the value in your db or put the value in a hidden input in the front end.