Recommended products
Products chosen for useful home lab jobs.
This page is a focused list of products we recommend for specific home lab needs. Start with the job you need to solve, and buy only what fits it.
Compute
GMKtec G3S Mini PC
A compact, low-cost mini PC listing with an Intel N95 processor, 8 GB DDR4 memory, and a 256 GB SSD.
- Intel N95 processor
- 8 GB DDR4 memory
- 256 GB SSD
- Dual HDMI, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and wired Ethernet
Good fit: A low-power entry point for learning Linux, trying a few lightweight services, or running a simple utility server. The N95 and 8 GB of memory are modest; check memory and storage upgrade options, and do not expect it to handle a large VM cluster or demanding media transcoding.
View product on AmazonNetwork-attached storage
UGREEN NAS DXP2800
A compact, diskless NAS for shared files, backups, and home media. The listed configuration includes an Intel N100 processor, 8 GB DDR5 memory, 2.5 GbE networking, two M.2 NVMe slots, and HDMI.
- Two drive bays; hard drives are sold separately
- 2.5 GbE Ethernet
- Two M.2 NVMe slots
- Intel N100 and 8 GB DDR5 memory
Good fit: A good candidate for a home that wants a dedicated shared-storage appliance and a straightforward place to centralize files or backups. Check the current listing for exact model details and software support before purchase.
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Seagate IronWolf 8 TB NAS HDD
A 3.5-inch SATA hard drive designed for always-on NAS use. This listing is for one 8 TB drive; choose the number of drives and RAID layout based on capacity and redundancy needs.
- 8 TB capacity
- 3.5-inch SATA interface
- NAS-oriented IronWolf product line
- One drive is not a redundant array or a backup by itself
Good fit: Expanding a compatible multi-bay NAS for shared files, media, and local backups. Confirm the NAS compatibility list and current seller, warranty, and listing details.
View product on AmazonRacks and organization
GeeekPi DeskPi RackMate T1 8U Mini Rack
A compact 10-inch, 8U rack for small network, server, audio, and video equipment. The listing gives a depth of about 7.87 inches.
- 8U rack height
- 10-inch equipment format
- Listed depth: 7.87 inches
- Check device depth, mounting ears, and accessory compatibility before ordering
Good fit: Organizing compact homelab and networking gear on or under a desk when a full-size 19-inch rack would be excessive. Confirm every device and accessory fits the rack's 10-inch width and shallow depth.
View product on Amazon