
USB Cable Tester
βTiny device that tells you exactly what your USB cables can do. Saved me hours of debugging.β


Every item here has been through my workshop. If it doesnβt perform, it doesnβt make the list.
5 curated picks

βTiny device that tells you exactly what your USB cables can do. Saved me hours of debugging.β

βMy most-used workshop tool after my callipers. Everything in my studio is labelled with this.β

βThe printer I reach for most. Multi-colour, fast, reliable. Powers 90% of my YouTube builds.β
π¬ Proprietary ecosystem β not for the open-source purist.

βBeautiful e-ink display that changes art without using any power. A genuine conversation starter.β

βI grab these multiple times a day. USB-C rechargeable, accurate, and built to last.β
6 curated picks
| Product | Best For | Katie's Take |
|---|---|---|
Bambu Lab P2Sπ Katie's Top Pick | All-round daily printing | βMy daily driver β 90% of my buildsβ |
Bambu Lab A1 | First-time buyers | βPerfect first printerβ |
Bambu Lab H2 Range | Large format projects | βWhen size mattersβ |
Sovol SV08 | Open-source enthusiasts | βGreat if you like to tinkerβ |

βThe printer I reach for most. Multi-colour, fast, reliable. Powers 90% of my YouTube builds.β
π¬ Proprietary ecosystem β not for the open-source purist.

βWhen I need to print big, this is where I go. Massive build volume with Bambu reliability.β
π¬ Expensive and takes serious desk space.

βThe best option for makers who want full control. Klipper-based, fast, and fully open.β
π¬ Requires tinkering β not a plug-and-play experience.

βTransfer stunning holographic effects to your prints. Makes great gifts and display pieces.β

βMy go-to filament. Consistent quality, great colours, and the price is hard to beat.β

βIf you're buying your first printer, start here. Easy setup, great results, Bambu ecosystem.β
π¬ Smaller community than Prusa or Voron β less open-source support.
7 curated picks
| Product | Best For | Katie's Take |
|---|---|---|
xTool F2 Ultraπ Katie's Top Pick | Metal + wood engraving | βDual-laser powerhouseβ |
xTool F2 Ultra UV | Plastic + glass marking | βNothing else comes close for plasticsβ |
xTool M1 Ultra | Cricut upgraders | βLaser + blade in one machineβ |
xTool P2 | Thick material cutting | βCOβ workshop workhorseβ |
Shapeoko 5 Proπ Katie's Top Pick | CNC woodworking | βRock-solid CNCβ |

β60W MOPA + 40W diode in one machine. My daily driver for metal and wood engraving.β

βUV laser changes the game for marking plastics and glass. Nothing else comes close for these materials.β

βNon-negotiable safety equipment. Handles all fume types and keeps the workspace breathable.β

βGenerate laser-ready artwork from text prompts. Surprisingly good for engraving patterns.β

βPerfect upgrade from a Cricut. Does laser engraving AND blade cutting in one machine.β
π¬ Lower power than the F2 β not for thick material cutting.

βSerious COβ cutting power in an enclosed, ventilated package. Great for wood and acrylic.β

βReliable, powerful, and well-supported. The CNC I trust for woodworking and aluminium milling.β
5 curated picks

βMy most-used workshop tool after my callipers. Everything in my studio is labelled with this.β

βDTF printing from your desktop. The quality is genuinely impressive for a home machine.β

βPrint directly onto 3D surfaces with raised texture effects. Opens up wild creative possibilities.β

βNo ink, no cartridges. Great for quick reference prints, checklists, and labels on the go.β

βWaterproof labels that survive garages, gardens, and bathrooms. Built for damp environments.β
7 curated picks

βPortable power that pays for itself. Solar-chargeable and perfect for workshop or outdoor builds.β

βRobot vac handles the daily dust. Stick vac handles the workshop messes. Smart combo.β

βSelf-cleaning mop and vacuum in one. Handles my workshop floor after messy builds.β

βGreat first robot vacuum. Small enough to get under furniture, smart enough to map rooms.β

βTop-tier cleaning with auto water refill and drainage. Set-and-forget floor maintenance.β

βMy post-build reward. Beautifully crafted Welsh gin from a small independent distillery.β

βCinema-quality 4K projection with Dolby Vision. Turns any wall into a home theatre.β
6 curated picks

βTiny device that tells you exactly what your USB cables can do. Saved me hours of debugging.β

βI grab these multiple times a day. USB-C rechargeable, accurate, and built to last.β

βEssential for soldering inspection and close-up photography of prints. Use it almost daily.β

βRuns my Home Assistant and server duties. Tiny, silent, and surprisingly powerful.β

βPortable power that pays for itself. Solar-chargeable and perfect for workshop or outdoor builds.β

βMy filming desk. Rock-solid at every height, quiet motor, and memory presets.β
π¬ Wobbles slightly at maximum height if you push hard.
3 curated picks

βSoil moisture, temperature, light, and conductivity β all feeding into Home Assistant.β

βFully automated raised-bed gardening. Plants, waters, and monitors everything itself.β
π¬ Serious investment β this is for committed garden automation enthusiasts.

βFreed up hours every week. RTK GPS navigation means no boundary wire needed.β
π¬ Expensive upfront β but the time savings are real.
4 curated picks

βPoint it at the sky and watch nebulae appear on your phone. Genuinely magical.β

βThe big sibling. More aperture, better stacking, deeper sky objects. For serious stargazers.β

βEssential for soldering inspection and close-up photography of prints. Use it almost daily.β

βQuick water quality checks wherever you go. Ideal for campers, hikers, and the curious.β
13 curated picks
| Product | Best For | Katie's Take |
|---|---|---|
Home Assistantπ Katie's Top Pick | Hub for everything | βThe brain of my entire homeβ |
Reolink Elite Floodlightπ Katie's Top Pick | Outdoor security | βBrilliant night vision, no subscriptionβ |
Everything Presence Liteπ¬ Lab Standard | Room presence detection | βTrue presence, not just motionβ |
Third Reality Smart Blindπ Best Value | Affordable automation | βCheapest path to smart blindsβ |

βThe brain of my entire home. Local control, no cloud dependency, infinite flexibility.β

βBeautiful e-ink display that changes art without using any power. A genuine conversation starter.β

βBrilliant night vision, bright floodlight, and local storage. No subscription needed.β

βPoE means no battery worries. Clear video, two-way audio, and Home Assistant compatible.β

βCleans workshop air while doubling as furniture. Smart home integration is seamless.β

βKeyless entry with built-in camera. See who's at the door and unlock remotely.β

βPan-tilt-zoom with 4K clarity. Covers a huge area and integrates perfectly with Home Assistant.β

βDual lenses give a 180Β° view with no blind spots. One camera covers what two normally would.β

βMonitors COβ, VOCs, temperature, and humidity. Crucial for workshop air quality awareness.β

βThe cheapest path to automated blinds. Zigbee-based, integrates with Home Assistant beautifully.β

βWire-free PTZ camera with solar panel. Full pan-tilt-zoom without any cables to run.β

βCredit-card thin tracker that fits in your wallet. Find-my-phone, NFC tap, and more.β

βClips onto any curtain rail and automates your curtains. Simple setup, great app integration.β
π¬ Requires a SwitchBot Hub for full remote functionality.
Curated bundles based on my actual workshop setup.
Everything you need to go from zero to printing. This is exactly what I'd buy today.
The cameras and locks I run at home β local storage, no subscriptions.

Watch real builds, real results β every product tested on camera.
Watch on YouTube