There are several things that are core requirements for all smart home tech that I use. Every review will incorporate these requirements in product evaluation.
Be Dumb Enough
Everything must have a "dumb" method of usage. This means, for example: all smart lights have physical switches, all smart locks must have real keys, and all smart outlets must have physical on/off buttons.
Be Reliable
Devices should be reasonably reliable. For light switches, this means 100% reliability. For smart outlets, occasional responsiveness issues are OK, and for non-essential things like TVs, being responsive most of the time is good enough.
Be Cost Effective
Everyone has a budget, and different priorities for their spending. Ultimately, my goal is to answer the question: is the price tag right for my needs?