pfSense vs OPNsense: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
If you’re building a serious home network, at some point you’ll run into this question: Should I use pfSense or OPNsense? Both are powerful, free (or mostly free), and capable of running …
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Building a Multi-Gig Home Network in 2026 (Without Wasting Money)
I have been interested in multi-gig networking for a while. It is starting to feel like the next obvious upgrade. You see 2.5GbE ports on routers, switches, NAS devices, and even desktops. …
How To Decide On Your Top 3 Streaming Services
It has been a while since I’ve written about streaming services and cord cutting on HomeTechHacker. Recently, though, I found myself taking another hard look at the streaming services my family actually …
Is 2.5GbE Worth It for a Home Network in 2026?
If you’ve been researching home networking upgrades lately, you’ve probably seen 2.5GbE everywhere. Routers, switches, NAS devices, mini PCs, and desktops are increasingly shipping with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports. What used to …
Saving Money with Automation: 10 Ways Smart Home Tech Pays for Itself
I’ve become increasingly convinced that most people don’t have a spending problem as much as they have a systems problem. Costs rise gradually, subscriptions renew unnoticed, and utilities fluctuate with the seasons …
How to Choose the Right UPS for a Smart Home
Outages are a nuisance for all homes, but they are especially problematic for smart homes. Your router, modem, smart home hub, cameras, and network switches are small devices that sip electricity. But …
Home Energy Automation Projects to Start Before Summer
As temperatures climb, your home shifts from heating mode to cooling mode. Energy usage patterns change, devices run longer, and power bills creep up. Spring is the right time to tune your …