Some smart home gadgets pay for themselves. Others are just toys.

Some smart home gadgets earn back what they cost within a year or two, and others never will. That is the message of a Fast Company piece titled "5 smart home devices that save you money (and 3 that are a waste)." Its advice is to stop chasing a house that feels like a sci-fi movie and focus on return on investment.

What the story says

A handful of smart devices can pay for themselves through two things: lower utility bills and prevented disasters. A disaster here means costly damage to a home. Other gadgets are described as expensive novelties that will not return what you spend on them.

Who it affects

Anyone tempted by a smart plug, camera, speaker or any other connected device. It also touches homeowners and small business owners who want to trim monthly costs. The test is simple: judge each gadget by what it returns, not by how futuristic it feels.

What is not known

The full article was not available for this report. That means the specific five money-saving devices and the three to skip are not named here. The exact savings, prices and payback times for each product are also unknown. Only the one-to-two-year range comes from the material.

What to do

Before buying any smart gadget, ask two questions. How much will it save on a bill, or how much damage could it prevent? If the honest answer is nothing, skip it.

• Check whether it targets a bill you pay, such as utilities.
• Ask if it could stop a costly home disaster.
• Skip it if it only adds novelty.