A complete Frigate NVR setup: mini PC + Coral TPU + cameras + storage in one guide.
Frigate is the open-source NVR that has taken over home lab security. This guide covers the complete hardware setup – the mini PC host, AI accelerator, IP cameras, and video storage – in one place.
Disclosure: affiliate links below. HomeNode earns commission on qualifying purchases through Amazon Associates at no additional cost to you. Prices change frequently; check the Amazon listings directly for current information.
The categories in this guide
- Mini PC host — Beelink, Minisforum, or refurb Optiplex for the Frigate host.
- AI accelerator — Google Coral USB TPU for fast local object detection.
- IP cameras (PoE) — Reolink or Amcrest 4K PoE cameras.
- Video storage drive — Surveillance-optimized HDD or SSD for 24/7 recording.
- PoE switch — Small PoE switch to power the cameras and connect to Frigate.
Fastest way to pick
- Best mini PC host: Beelink SER5 Pro. Ryzen 7 with 16GB RAM at sub-$400.
- Best AI accelerator: Google Coral USB Accelerator. Standard Frigate AI accelerator.
- Best PoE camera: Reolink RLC-810A 4K PoE. 4K, mainstream Frigate-compatible camera.
- Best surveillance storage: Seagate SkyHawk 4TB Surveillance. 24/7 write-rated surveillance HDD.
Mini PC host
The Frigate host needs enough CPU for the frontend and Docker, and USB 3.0 for the Coral TPU. A modest mini PC handles 4-8 cameras easily.
- Beelink SER5 Pro 5825U — Standard Frigate host.
- Minisforum UM790 Pro — More CPU headroom for 8+ cameras.
- Refurbished Dell Optiplex 7060 — Budget refurb Intel with USB 3.0.
AI accelerator (Google Coral TPU)
Coral USB TPU brings AI object detection latency down to milliseconds. Frigate can run without it (using CPU) but detection is slower.
- Google Coral USB Accelerator — Standard Frigate Coral accelerator.
IP cameras (PoE)
4K PoE cameras with H.265 support are the Frigate standard.
- Reolink RLC-810A 4K PoE Bullet — 4K bullet, mainstream Frigate camera.
- Reolink RLC-820A 4K PoE Dome — 4K dome variant.
- Amcrest 4K PoE Bullet IP8M — Amcrest alternative.
Surveillance storage
24/7 recording requires drives rated for continuous write. WD Purple and Seagate SkyHawk are the two main options.
- Seagate SkyHawk 4TB Surveillance — 24/7 rated 4TB surveillance HDD.
- WD Purple 4TB Surveillance — WD alternative for surveillance write.
- Seagate SkyHawk AI 12TB — Higher-capacity for longer retention.
PoE switch
A small PoE switch powers the cameras.
- TP-Link TL-SG108PE 8-Port PoE — 8-port managed PoE.
- Ubiquiti UniFi Switch Lite 8 PoE — UniFi ecosystem PoE switch.
Final note
All products listed are widely-supported and have active owner communities. Check Amazon for current pricing and reviews.
Related HomeNode guides
- Best NVR Software + Hardware 2026: Frigate, BlueIris, UniFi Protect, and All-in-One Kits
- Best Mini PC for Frigate NVR in 2026: Coral, OpenVINO, and Real Detection Latencies
- Best PoE Camera System for Home 2026: Reolink vs UniFi vs Amcrest (+ NVR / Frigate Storage Guide)
- Best PoE Camera for Summer Vacation Security 2026: Bullet, Dome, PTZ, and NVR Kit Picks
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Frequently asked questions
What is Frigate and why use it?
Frigate is an open-source NVR (Network Video Recorder) built for Home Assistant integration. It uses AI-based object detection to reduce false alerts and only records events that matter. Free, self-hosted, no cloud subscription.
Do I need a Google Coral TPU?
Strongly recommended for real-time AI detection on more than 2-3 cameras. Without a Coral, Frigate uses CPU which can struggle at 1080p/higher with multiple streams. Coral M.2 or USB adds affordable AI acceleration.
Which cameras work best with Frigate?
Any camera that outputs RTSP or ONVIF streams works. POE cameras with H.264/H.265 encoding, dual-stream (high-res + low-res sub-stream) support are ideal. Amcrest, Reolink, Dahua, and Hikvision are popular Frigate-compatible brands.
How much storage do I need?
For 4 cameras at 1080p 24/7 recording: expect ~1TB per month. Frigate can be configured to only save event clips (detected motion) which dramatically reduces storage. 4-6 TB drives typical for most home setups.
Do you earn commission on these links?
Yes, HomeNode may earn commission on qualifying purchases through Amazon Associates at no additional cost to you.