Selfhosting reality happened sometimes, and when it does, the right hardware makes all the difference. This guide covers the 7 best home lab upgrades for 2026, from NAS devices and managed switches to mini PC servers and UPS units, all tested in real home lab conditions.
A washing machine that vibrated itself into unplugging is the perfect argument for smart appliance monitoring. This beginner guide walks you through setting up laundry alerts using Home Assistant, smart plugs, and vibration sensors — no coding required.
Building a PI64 retro gaming console on a Raspberry Pi 5 is one of the most rewarding home lab projects available today. This beginner guide walks you through every step from flashing Recalbox V10 to pairing Bluetooth controllers and fine-tuning emulation for systems like Sega Saturn and Nintendo 64. Whether you are just starting out or trying to finally get your build over the finish line, this guide gives you the roadmap to do it right.
A fully realized Pi64 retro gaming build running Recalbox V10 is one of the most rewarding home lab projects you can complete — but sourcing Bluetooth controllers that actually work is the hardest part. This guide covers the 7 best Bluetooth gamepads for a complete Pi64 setup, with real compatibility notes for Sega Saturn, PS1, arcade, and more.
Managing power in a home lab cluster used to mean a chaos of wall warts and mismatched adapters — until community builders tested USB-C, made variants, and published everything open-source. This beginner guide breaks down all seven USB-C PDU designs, walks you through setup step by step, and recommends the best products to get started today.
A viral r/homeautomation thread asking for a service where some dude shows up and maps your entire electrical system has resonated deeply with home lab builders tired of mystery switches and unlabeled breakers. We break down what that service would include, why electrical documentation is foundational for smart home deployments, and the five best DIY tools to build that map yourself.
If your wife is tired of your disorganized homelab, this ultimate guide shows you exactly how to transform cable chaos into a clean, high-performance rack build. We cover mini PC clusters, 80TB NAS architecture, 10GbE networking with Ubiquiti gear, and the top 5 products that make the biggest difference. Real specs, real community experience, and a clear upgrade path from beginner to advanced.
A maker in r/raspberry_pi built a polished family home calendar system on a Raspberry Pi 3, combining Google Calendar, live weather data, and kiosk mode into a wall-mounted display that rivals commercial smart screens. We break down the tech stack, community reaction, and the five best hardware options for building your own version.
