Smart bulbs - linked to presence sensors in the hallway and bathroom - very good when you can't use your hands and to switch off lights automatically when no-one around. If you have Hue, you can actually install a special type of thingy in the switch so that you can use smart bulbs even when the switch is in the off position (Philips Hue Smart Wall Switch Module Twin Pack. Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Homekit, Black
https://amzn.eu/d/iWJVTVL - I've read it may not fully fit in British sockets, but worth exploring). I can just switch off my smart light from bed. Also, being able to reduce the intensity of the light - especially in the middle of the night when you get up or still work at the PC - and its temperature (cold in the morning, warm in the evening and at night), as well as to imitate presence for security purposes when you're away, which is what people use them for, too - is a godsend.
Smart contact sensors - I have bought them but not installed them yet - will be using them to check that I've shut the door properly as I'm often in a hurry and to switch on the light when I'm back in the evening.
Smart socket switch - with Christmas decorations or even lights being on at certain times, it's a great device. Also, using a smart bulb to imitate a flickering star for a Christmas decoration is great fun.
Chromecast stick with remote control - turned our old TV into a smart TV. Thanks to it, I can access TV channels from abroad, too, and enabled us to watch select programmes when we have the time. Amazing for those that have busy lives.
Chromecast audio - no longer made but an excellent device to turn an old hifi into a smart device.
Smartphone - use it for everything, including the management of my medical condition. Landline calls can be answered on my smartphone, too, not to mention other useful apps like monitoring aurora or check what plane is flying above, or buy things, or have all your loyalty cards in one place. Also use it for traffic to work and any road closures, so use Google maps daily for that. For bus and tram times. For plane departure notifications. When travelling abroad at night by public transport, I use Google maps to tell me how far away I'm from my destination so not to miss the stop. As Google translate to either scan and translate notifications, labels on products (I don't speak French but it was useful to do that in France where labels had no English translation), but also to communicate with locals using text to speech. Also, when in new places, to navigate around.
Rpi - using it for a variety of purposes, and I wouldn't be able to live without it, I don't think. What a great invention.
Washing machine - it's useful to switch it off from the comfort of your sofa when its finished the wash or dry cycle. Also, very helpful to know when to run a tub clean. Also, being able to use custom programmes that can be downloaded is very helpful. Also very useful in situations when you're on different tariffs and forget to switch yours on/off at those times.
Smart temperature gauge - my freezer is in the outhouse so a smart temperature gauge is good to monitor its temperature via the smartphone and be told when it's out of range. It's now happened twice that the door wasn't shut properly and I got a notification before the food was completely ruined.
Leak detector - our boiler is in the outhouse, too, so it's good to be able to be notified of any leaks.
Smart CCTV - being able to monitor outside and to check on pets. I do know of a person that used indoor CCTV to check on their elderly, but I also used it to check on whether we had mice in the attic by placing it right in front of the bait (we didn't) but also to monitor activity in a bird box. If you pay a subscription, indoor CCTV can be used to detect fires (both sound and visual detection) but also the sound of shattered glass, not to mention packages/deliveries at your door etc. You can set up a routine for your battery operated camera to sound an alarm, so good if you want to put off cats or foxes from fouling in your garden.
Smart fire detector - ability to switch it off from the app, especially if you don't have a long pole nearby, or to be notified when the battery runs out which is helpful when you go away on holiday and don't want to annoy neighbours for a considerable period of time
Doorbell - easy to answer calls, especially when there's a delivery and you can't immediately go to the door. Very useful during the pandemic when I was at work (i.e. in calls), or even when you lock yourself out without the phone on you. Smart chimes let you hear the doorbell in different rooms.
Roomba - elderly people especially enjoy having a roomba to hoover. My elderly neighbours use it daily as hovering is now a considerable effort for them.
Tile - my mother uses one to locate her keys as she always misplaced them. So, it gives a sound notification where they are.
Sports band - my mother uses it to count steps which motivates her to do some exercise. She then enjoys looking at the stats on her phone and especially is then proud of the distance travelled, steps taken etc.
You seem to think that smart devices are about giving them commands or shouting at them. I think smart devices (sensors especially) are here to do the mundane and repetitive work for you. I don't actually talk to any of my devices, even my Chromecast, because I see no point; I've tried to configure mine in a way that improves my life to make it easier for me.
All in all, all that can make your life easier and enjoyable.
