Choose workloads
Select the services and platforms you plan to host. You can combine virtualization, storage, containers, media, networking, AI and more.
Workload-based HomeLab hardware sizing
Build the HomeLab you need — without buying hardware you don't.
Tell SizeMyHomeLab what you want to run. We estimate the CPU, memory, storage, networking and acceleration you actually need, then match the result to suitable hardware classes and available products.
- Workload-first sizing
- Explainable recommendations
- No automatic upsell to bigger hardware
How it works
Start with your HomeLab — not a product catalogue.
Hardware recommendations only make sense when they are connected to the workloads you plan to run. SizeMyHomeLab starts there.
Refine the scenario
Add the details that materially affect sizing, such as VM count, media transcoding, Kubernetes nodes, storage resilience or AI model size.
Calculate resources
The tool combines workload demand with host overhead, concurrency and headroom to create a practical infrastructure target.
Match hardware
Suitable hardware classes and products are compared against the calculated requirement before price is considered.
What can be sized?
One HomeLab often runs many different workloads.
SizeMyHomeLab is designed around combinations rather than isolated product recommendations.
Proxmox VE
VMware
Hyper-V
TrueNAS
Unraid
Docker
Kubernetes
Home Assistant
Plex / Jellyfin
Immich
Nextcloud
OPNsense / pfSense
Monitoring
Game servers
Local AI / LLM
Our recommendation principle
Spend as little as necessary — and know why.
A more expensive system is not automatically a better recommendation. SizeMyHomeLab checks whether hardware meets the calculated requirement first, then considers cost, efficiency, upgradeability and your buying preference.
Retailer availability and future affiliate relationships do not change the underlying sizing requirement.
Interactive sizing tool
Tell us what you want to run.
Choose workloads across categories. SizeMyHomeLab only asks for extra information when it materially changes the recommendation.
01 Choose
Step 1
What do you want in your HomeLab?
Pick across categories. You do not need to select something from every category.
02 Refine
Step 2
Tell us a little more
Start with the essentials. Advanced and workload-specific settings are available when you want more control.
We'll show the recommendation first. Technical reasoning remains available underneath.
FAQ
Common HomeLab sizing questions
How accurate is the sizing?
It is a planning estimate based on the workloads and options you select. Exact requirements still depend on real usage, VM allocation, codecs, storage layout, model size and future growth.
Do I need server hardware?
Often, no. Many HomeLabs fit comfortably on modern mini PCs or small form factor systems. Server or workstation hardware only makes sense when the workload requires its expansion, memory, storage or compute capacity.
Can SizeMyHomeLab recommend a mini PC?
Yes. If the calculated workload fits a compact system, a mini PC may be the best recommendation — especially when low power, noise and footprint matter.
Why not just recommend the fastest hardware?
Because unused performance is still cost, power and complexity. The goal is enough capacity with sensible headroom, not maximum specifications.
Does price change the hardware requirement?
No. The workload determines the requirement first. Price and market availability are considered only after compatible hardware has been identified.
Are retailer links affiliate links?
Not currently. Product links in the MVP are direct retailer references. Future affiliate integrations should not influence the sizing result.