Are you planning on owning a server? Well, servers have proved to be quite essential for gamers, graphic designers, video editors, and IT experts as well.
Having a good server allows you to game and work without having to worry about lags, downtimes, and performance.
Once you plan to have your server(s) in place, you must invest in the best cheap server rack.
A good server rack will help you organize your space, ensure maintenance ease, improve security, and give you room to grow.
Now that you’ll only need a cheap server rack for home use, we’ve curated a list of six racks that should cut it for you.
Strong and sturdy with a lot of space.
A heavy-duty rack to hold your servers.
A solid cheap server rack for your home.
Strong and sturdy with a lot of space.
A heavy-duty rack to hold your servers.
A solid cheap server rack for your home.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 18:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cheap Server Rack For Home Equipment Buying Guide
Before you rush to get that rack, you’ll need to know the appropriate size for your equipment. The size is typically measured in Rack Units, and one rack unit amounts to 1.75 inches in height.
As you might have noticed in the products reviewed above, some are labeled 6U, others 15U, etc. these numbers represent the size.
Therefore, if you have 6 2U servers, you can get a 12U rack to accommodate your servers. However, you’ll need a bigger rack, preferably 14U or 15U, for your patch panel, UPS back-up battery, and future expansion.
Additional considerations include:
Purpose Of The Server Rack
Why do you need a server rack? Are you trying to save space or provide better ventilation?
If you’re interested in space-saving, you might want to get a rack that allows you to stack up several racks. The racks also need to be heavy-duty and have the capacity to support heavy loads.
If you want security, you’ll need an enclosed frame rack instead of an open frame rack. If you want better ventilation, get an open frame rack.
There are tons of reasons you would want a rack; ensure that what you get can serve the intended purpose.
Size And Type Of The Server Rack
Size was discussed earlier; thus, this section will focus more on the type. Server racks are categorized into open frame vs. enclosed frame rack and 2-post vs. 4-post rack.
An open frame rack has an open design that allows you to make adjustments conveniently. It also allows for better airflow; however, it’s not the most secure.
Enclosed frame racks offer better security as they limit access to the equipment.
Another consideration is whether you want a 2-post rack or 4-post rack. The former is best suited for small server rooms or when you need to mount light equipment.
Having 4-post racks means that you have four vertical beams to mount heavy equipment.
Can It Be Cooled Properly?
Cooling is needed for optimal performance, and it prevents downtime and equipment damage due to overheating.
As mentioned earlier, open frame racks allow better airflow to your equipment. However, it’s open design means that you’ll have problems directing airflow to specific areas.
If you choose an enclosed frame rack, check whether it has solid or mesh doors. Solid doors will restrict airflow, while mesh doors will allow airflow. Also, keep in mind that today’s server rooms need additional cooling other than HVAC systems.
This is why you’ll need a rack with space-efficient features such as built-in channels for better airflow and cable management.
Also, consider getting rack accessories such as enclosure blowers, fans, etc.
Installation Options And Locations
Do you intend to mount your rack on the wall or prefer to get a floor-standing network rack?
The latter is better suited for companies or businesses, while wall mount racks are designed for small businesses and individuals.
Having a dedicated room for servers is always the preferred option for better noise management.
However, if you don’t have sufficient resources for this, you’ll need to choose a location that facilitates air conditions and dampens the noise.
Budget
It’s easy to spend more than you need on server racks, especially if you’re accounting for future growth.
Although this seems like a smart idea, you might want to settle for your immediate needs and account for short-term growth.
Also, if you don’t need all the fancy features available in the premium racks, you get the budget-friendly brands and upgrade later if the need arises.
Electronic equipment needs maintenance and lots of troubleshooting. To reduce the hassle, try to get your components from the same manufacturer.
This makes it easier to rectify any issues as the solutions are under a single roof.
Another costly aspect is cooling, and while air conditioning is good, it’s not enough.
The server equipment you add to your rack will generate heat; thus, you’ll need to account for cooling costs. Air conditioning is cheap but not sufficient.
The cooling fans in the servers might not cut it if you’re running multiple equipment. Your only alternative is to invest in dedicated cooling and regular cleaning to improve operational efficiency.
Cheap Server Racks For Home Reviewed & Rated
➕ Pros
- Big space
- Well-made
- Can be adjusted and moved
➖ Cons
- Pricey not particularly cheap
Dimension: 80 x 12 x 6 inches
Sometimes, it is good to go with a large open frame server rack, especially if you have plenty of network equipment. In this case, the NavePoint 42U 4-Post IT Network Relay Rack should be your go-to option.
One feature that stands out about this server rack is its versatility. Its length allows you to fit different sized servers and switches while still leaving more than enough room to grow.
Unlike most cheap server racks, NavePoint lets you adjust the rack depth in 1.5″ increments. The minimum rack depth is 17 inches, while the max depth is 32.5 inches.
As you would expect, the NavePoint Open Frame Server rack features a sturdy construction. It is made of heavy-duty Cold Rolled Steel to ensure that it’s durable and delivers top-notch utility.
What’s more, it has a total weight capacity of 881 pounds.
Although this rack is tall, you will find it easy to install 19-inch rack equipment thanks to the numbered mounting positions.
Assembling the NavePoint rack is straightforward even though it comes flat-packed. You should be able to set it up within an hour or two.
The other key feature that we like about NavePoint Rack is the castor wheels.
You can always move this heavy rack with ease, especially when you want to access the rear cables. Overall, the best cheap server rack for home.
➕ Pros
- Large size
- Affordable
- Easy to set-up
➖ Cons
- Doesn’t hold a Dell server
Dimension: 26.25″ tall and 514.06 mm deep
The Echo gear rack is an open frame rack, which means that it offers unrestricted airflow for cooling your servers.
In case you need to work on your servers, you have easy access due to the lack of caging around your servers.
In addition to being an open frame rack, the echo gear 15U can support up to 600 pounds.
The skeleton is compatible with other echo gear skeletons; thus, you can stack them on top of each other. You can stack a 15U and 15U, a 15U and a 20U, or a 20U and a 20U.
It comes with two vented shelves, 4x levelling feet and 25x mounting screws. Since the rack comes with levelling feet, you can place it on a surface or mount it on a wall with 25 mounting screws.
The install process is a 3-step process that is detailed on echogear’s official website and manual.
In case you run into a problem when setting up or using your rack, you can always contact customer support. They are available 24/7.
➕ Pros
- Affordable
- Massive server rack
- Adjustable
- Solid construction
➖ Cons
- Assembly instructions not clear
Dimension: 25.39 x 14.76 x 6.1 inches
The StarTech.com 12U Open Frame Server Rack is another unit that might float your boat, especially if you are looking for something massive.
You can set up several routers, servers, and other network equipment on this rack.
StarTech has designed this cheap rack to be versatile. It has an adjustable mounting depth, meaning that you can customize the storage space to your liking.
You will get a minimum depth of 22 inches and a maximum depth of 40 inches.
In terms of user-friendliness, this open frame server rack does not disappoint. We are saying this because it has easy to read markings for the depth and rack units.
These markings should make it simple for you to fit your network equipment.
Moving on, this server rack comes with four casters, cable management hooks, and leveling feet. All these accessories are meant to facilitate a hassle-free setup.
In case you prefer to have your unit secured to the floor, StarTech 12U comes with a pre-drilled base for that purpose.
StarTech server racks are known to be durable, and this particular unit is not an exception. It is made from cold-rolled steel and can support up to 1200lbs.
➕ Pros
- Well-built
- Comes fully assembled
➖ Cons
- No rear vertical mounting rails
Dimension: 14.5 x 23.63 x 17.5 inches
The unit comes fully assembled and can support a load of 200 pounds. Your only tasks are to mount it on the wall and arrange your network switches since it comes fully assembled.
It has an enclosed frame that’s vented on all six sides. This allows for proper ventilation to keep your equipment cool.
The enclosed frame also provides protection from theft and tampering. You can mount it or get the SRCASTER rolling caster kit to make it mobile.
Overall, if you require a server rack with a lot of space. Then this is the best cheap server rack you can get.
➕ Pros
- Well-built server rack
- Great if you prefer a closed server rack
- Comes fully assembled
➖ Cons
- Not the best packaging
Dimension: 17.72 x 23.62 x 16.7 inches
If you feel that an open frame server rack is not for you, a server rack cabinet might cut it for you. A good rack cabinet, such as the V7 RMWC6U-1N 6U, should give you a sense of security as you can lock all your equipment in one place.
This rack cabinet enclosure comes with vented doors and sides to ensure that all your network equipment gets good airflow.
You can choose to go with a glass door for aesthetic purposes, but the vents won’t be as much.
Mounting your equipment on this server rack should be relatively easy as it has marked U positions and square holes to guide you.
Unlike most cheap server racks, you can mount the V7 RMWC6U-1N on the wall or place it under your office table. The good thing is that it comes with four casters that should help you move it around with ease.
Finally, this server rack cabinet comes fully assembled; all you have to do is deploy it to the place you want. One of the best cheap server racks for home.
➕ Pros
- Affordable
- Great when space is an issue
- Well-made
➖ Cons
- Small size
Dimension: 19.6 x 10.7 x 12 inches
The StartTech.com 6U server rack is the ideal solution for areas with limited space. It should be your go-to cheap server rack if you are just starting out and want something that you can mount on the wall.
This network equipment rack is compact enough to fit in an office closet. Isn’t that awesome?
As you would expect, this unit features a sturdy construction. It is made using cold-rolled steel, meaning that you can depend on it to keep your network equipment protected.
In case your server room is located in a harsh environment, this mounting bracket will hold up pretty well thanks to its sturdy steel construction.
If you are looking to mount slim 19-inch equipment or patch panels to the wall, then the StarTech.com 6U rack is the perfect solution.
This unit has enough depth to accommodate various network equipment and leaves enough room for cooling. The 14-inch depth makes it easy for you to manage the cables pretty well.
Mounting this rack server should be a breeze for everyone. We are saying this because it comes with pre-drilled holes that are positioned 16 inches apart.
The mounting holes allow you to anchor the unit without any hassles. Moreover, the package comes with screws, washers, and cage screws, meaning that you won’t have to source for mounting hardware.
You will also find a one-page instruction manual that is in the box. It should help you figure out how to mount and arrange your network equipment on this rack.
Finally, Startech.com provides a lifetime warranty on this wall mounting bracket. They also offer lifetime technical support on this unit.
Final Thoughts
Server racks are necessary for cable management, reducing clutter, improving networking devices’ health, providing security, etc.
A good server rack will improve server performance, provide room for growth, and make maintenance easy. If it means you have to spend extra to get a server rack that has the qualities you need, then do.
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