About XP Bargain
XP Bargain helps homelab builders and self-hosters choose power-efficient hardware — UPS battery backups, NAS storage, mini PCs, and networking gear — without wasting hours on research.
Who is behind XP Bargain
XP Bargain is run by Andriy Z., the site’s founder. He builds and runs his own homelab and writes every guide and comparison here.
Andriy’s background is in QA automation engineering and in Edge/IoT and cloud (AWS/Azure) systems — work that depends on hardware that stays online and runs efficiently. That is where his interest in low-power, always-on home servers started, and it shapes how XP Bargain tests and recommends gear: measured, practical, and focused on uptime and running cost rather than hype.
You can find Andriy on LinkedIn.
How we test and recommend
Recommendations are based on hands-on homelab use and real measurements, not spec sheets alone:
- Real power draw — devices are measured at the wall with an energy meter, so the watt and cost figures on this site reflect actual idle and load consumption.
- Real runtime — UPS and battery-backup picks are judged against the loads a homelab actually runs: NAS, mini PC, router, modem/ONT, and switch.
- Use-case first — picks are chosen by what you are protecting or running, not by the highest price.
- Sourced specs — capacity, waveform, and efficiency claims are checked against manufacturer documentation.
What we cover
- NAS and storage — Synology, QNAP, TrueNAS builds, and home-scale storage
- Mini PCs and home servers — Intel N100/N305 systems and other low-power compute
- UPS and power management — battery backup, pure sine wave units, and runtime sizing
- Networking gear — switches, routers, access points, and home network infrastructure
- Energy-efficient computing — power measurement, optimization, and running-cost analysis
Our values
- Transparency — we clearly disclose affiliate relationships and only recommend gear we would use ourselves
- Measured, not hyped — claims are backed by real power and runtime numbers
- Value — we favor reliable, efficient hardware over the most expensive option
Affiliate disclosure
XP Bargain earns a commission from some links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend hardware we would run in our own homelab. See our full affiliate disclosure.
Contact
Email team@xpbargain.com for suggestions, corrections, or partnership inquiries.
Follow XP Bargain
Follow XP Bargain for homelab hardware deals, UPS picks, NAS storage, mini PCs, networking gear, and power-efficient server tools.
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FAQ
Who writes XP Bargain?
XP Bargain is written by its founder, Andriy Z., who builds and runs his own homelab. His background is in QA automation engineering and Edge/IoT and cloud systems.
What is XP Bargain?
XP Bargain is an independent advice and deals site for homelab and power-management hardware.
How do you make money?
We earn a commission from some affiliate links on product recommendations, at no extra cost to you.
Are the recommendations unbiased?
Yes. Picks are chosen by use case and measured value for homelab users, not by the highest commission or price.
How can I contact XP Bargain?
Email us at team@xpbargain.com for suggestions, corrections, or partnership inquiries.