Are automated cat toys worth it, or do cats lose interest quickly?

Across r/CatAdvice and r/cats threads, the honest consensus is mixed: motion-activated and irregular-pattern toys (like the Potaroma 3-in-1 and hide-and-seek models) tend to hold attention longer than predictable laser circles, but almost every automated toy gets called out for breaking within months by at least some owners. A simple wand toy plus one passive toy is the combination most heavy posters recommend.