I've been doing it wrong all my life! Light wheels, light components, light frames. What was I thinking? LOL
I think in the realm of lets say equal weight 1500 grams wheels, an aero wheel is better. But if the aero wheels were pushing 1800 grams, I would still go for the lighter, non aero wheels. I have gone from 1800-2000 grams wheels to 1400-1500 gram wheels. I believe I can feel a snappier, lighter bike any time I need to get up and go.
But I consider any wheel that is 1200-1500 grams to be light wheels. If its aero also... bonus.
Usually I get my aero by wheel sucking LOL.