Experience!!!! Experience!!! Experience!!!
The experienced gardener often likes to play, and experiment as they grow. I've done some outdoors, hydro, and soil.
I prefer to "play" and "experiment" with hydro because it is much simpler to be specific, and create controls for different nute regimes etc.
Soil is by far the simplest for anyone. Think about it a 4 year old can stick a seed in almost any soil and get some results. Anyone grown beans in the window??? I think soil is perfect for those like me now who have little time to dedicate, or with almost no $$$ to invest. (Hydro can get really expensive)
With that experience ANY good grower will be able to increase their yields and quality in a short period.
My vote::: got the time, $$$, and want to experiment lots = hydro or areo
little time, no $$$, simple, soil CAN BE the easiest,( plant and water, in
sizeable container, and just leave be)
For a little of both try an "areo basket" ( areo sponge, connected to airpump w/ airstone under soil