Katie's Workshop
Katie
Tested in My Workshop

My Recommended Kit

Every item here has been through my workshop. If it doesn’t perform, it doesn’t make the list.

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⭐

Katie's Picks

5 curated picks

✨ New Addition
USB Cable Tester

USB Cable Tester

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

Phomemo P12 Pro Label Maker

Phomemo P12 Pro Label Maker

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

πŸ”¨ Used in 2 builds
πŸ† Katie's Top Pick
Bambu Lab P2S
Best Overall

Bambu Lab P2S

β€œThe printer I reach for most. Multi-colour, fast, reliable. Powers 90% of my YouTube builds.”

πŸ’¬ Proprietary ecosystem β€” not for the open-source purist.

πŸ”¨ Used in 4 builds
πŸ”¬ Lab Standard
Digital Vernier Calliper, Rechargeable

Digital Vernier Calliper, Rechargeable

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

πŸ”¨ Used in 3 builds
🧱

3D Printing

6 curated picks

Quick Comparison β€” 3D Printing

ProductBest ForKatie's Take
Bambu Lab P2SπŸ† Katie's Top Pick
All-round daily printingβ€œMy daily driver β€” 90% of my builds”
Bambu Lab A1
First-time buyersβ€œPerfect first printer”
Bambu Lab H2 Range
Large format projectsβ€œWhen size matters”
Sovol SV08
Open-source enthusiastsβ€œGreat if you like to tinker”
πŸ† Katie's Top Pick
Bambu Lab P2S
Best OverallπŸ”¨ Used in 4 builds

Bambu Lab P2S

β€œThe printer I reach for most. Multi-colour, fast, reliable. Powers 90% of my YouTube builds.”

πŸ’¬ Proprietary ecosystem β€” not for the open-source purist.

Bambu Lab H2 Range
For Serious Makers

Bambu Lab H2 Range

β€œWhen I need to print big, this is where I go. Massive build volume with Bambu reliability.”

πŸ’¬ Expensive and takes serious desk space.

Sovol SV08
For Serious Makers

Sovol SV08

β€œThe best option for makers who want full control. Klipper-based, fast, and fully open.”

πŸ’¬ Requires tinkering β€” not a plug-and-play experience.

Bambu 3D Effect Sheet

Bambu 3D Effect Sheet

β€œTransfer stunning holographic effects to your prints. Makes great gifts and display pieces.”

πŸ’š Best Value
Elegoo PLA Filament
Smart Budget Pick

Elegoo PLA Filament

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

πŸ”¨ Used in 3 builds
πŸ’š Best Value
Bambu Lab A1
Smart Budget Pick

Bambu Lab A1

β€œIf you're buying your first printer, start here. Easy setup, great results, Bambu ecosystem.”

πŸ’¬ Smaller community than Prusa or Voron β€” less open-source support.

⚑

Laser & CNC

7 curated picks

Quick Comparison β€” Laser & CNC

ProductBest ForKatie's Take
xTool F2 UltraπŸ† Katie's Top Pick
Metal + wood engravingβ€œDual-laser powerhouse”
xTool F2 Ultra UV
Plastic + glass markingβ€œNothing else comes close for plastics”
xTool M1 Ultra
Cricut upgradersβ€œLaser + blade in one machine”
xTool P2
Thick material cuttingβ€œCOβ‚‚ workshop workhorse”
Shapeoko 5 ProπŸ† Katie's Top Pick
CNC woodworkingβ€œRock-solid CNC”
πŸ† Katie's Top Pick
xTool F2 Ultra
Best Overall

xTool F2 Ultra

β€œ60W MOPA + 40W diode in one machine. My daily driver for metal and wood engraving.”

πŸ”¨ Most Used
xTool F2 Ultra UV
For Serious Makers

xTool F2 Ultra UV

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

xTool Safety AP2

xTool Safety AP2

β€œNon-negotiable safety equipment. Handles all fume types and keeps the workspace breathable.”

AImake

AImake

β€œGenerate laser-ready artwork from text prompts. Surprisingly good for engraving patterns.”

xTool M1 Ultra
Smart Budget Pick

xTool M1 Ultra

β€œPerfect upgrade from a Cricut. Does laser engraving AND blade cutting in one machine.”

πŸ’¬ Lower power than the F2 β€” not for thick material cutting.

πŸ”¨ Most Used
xTool P2
For Serious Makers

xTool P2

β€œSerious COβ‚‚ cutting power in an enclosed, ventilated package. Great for wood and acrylic.”

πŸ† Katie's Top Pick
Shapeoko 5 Pro CNC Router
For Serious Makers

Shapeoko 5 Pro CNC Router

β€œReliable, powerful, and well-supported. The CNC I trust for woodworking and aluminium milling.”

🏷️

Printers & Labels

5 curated picks

Phomemo P12 Pro Label Maker
πŸ”¨ Used in 2 builds

Phomemo P12 Pro Label Maker

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

✨ New Addition
xTool Apparel Printer

xTool Apparel Printer

β€œDTF printing from your desktop. The quality is genuinely impressive for a home machine.”

eufyMake E1 3D Texture UV Printer

eufyMake E1 3D Texture UV Printer

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

Phomemo M832 Thermal Portable Printer
Smart Budget Pick

Phomemo M832 Thermal Portable Printer

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

Phomemo M221 Label Maker

Phomemo M221 Label Maker

β€œWaterproof labels that survive garages, gardens, and bathrooms. Built for damp environments.”

🏠

Home

7 curated picks

✨ New Addition
AFERIY P310

AFERIY P310

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

Switchbot K10+ Pro Combo

Switchbot K10+ Pro Combo

β€œRobot vac handles the daily dust. Stick vac handles the workshop messes. Smart combo.”

Narwal S20 Pro Vacuum Mop

Narwal S20 Pro Vacuum Mop

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

Switchbot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro
Smart Budget Pick

Switchbot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro

β€œGreat first robot vacuum. Small enough to get under furniture, smart enough to map rooms.”

πŸ”¨ Most Used
Switchbot S10 Floor Cleaning Robot
For Serious Makers

Switchbot S10 Floor Cleaning Robot

β€œTop-tier cleaning with auto water refill and drainage. Set-and-forget floor maintenance.”

Snowdonia Spirit Co. Gin

Snowdonia Spirit Co. Gin

β€œMy post-build reward. Beautifully crafted Welsh gin from a small independent distillery.”

XGIMI Horizon S Max Projector

XGIMI Horizon S Max Projector

β€œCinema-quality 4K projection with Dolby Vision. Turns any wall into a home theatre.”

πŸ”§

Workshop

6 curated picks

✨ New Addition
USB Cable Tester

USB Cable Tester

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

πŸ”¬ Lab Standard
Digital Vernier Calliper, Rechargeable

Digital Vernier Calliper, Rechargeable

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

πŸ”¨ Used in 3 builds
πŸ”¬ Lab Standard
Andonstar Digital Microscope

Andonstar Digital Microscope

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

πŸ”¨ Used in 2 builds
Beelink ME Mini PC

Beelink ME Mini PC

β€œRuns my Home Assistant and server duties. Tiny, silent, and surprisingly powerful.”

✨ New Addition
AFERIY P310

AFERIY P310

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

πŸ”¬ Lab Standard
Flexispot E7 Pro Standing Desk

Flexispot E7 Pro Standing Desk

β€œMy filming desk. Rock-solid at every height, quiet motor, and memory presets.”

πŸ’¬ Wobbles slightly at maximum height if you push hard.

πŸ”¨ Used in 1 build
🌱

Garden Tech

3 curated picks

PLT-1 Ultimate Plant Sensor For Home Assistant

PLT-1 Ultimate Plant Sensor For Home Assistant

β€œSoil moisture, temperature, light, and conductivity β€” all feeding into Home Assistant.”

FarmBot Genesis
For Serious Makers

FarmBot Genesis

β€œFully automated raised-bed gardening. Plants, waters, and monitors everything itself.”

πŸ’¬ Serious investment β€” this is for committed garden automation enthusiasts.

πŸ”¨ Most Used
Mammotion Luba 2

Mammotion Luba 2

β€œFreed up hours every week. RTK GPS navigation means no boundary wire needed.”

πŸ’¬ Expensive upfront β€” but the time savings are real.

πŸ”¬

Science & Discovery

4 curated picks

πŸ’š Best Value
Seestar S30 – Smart Telescope
Smart Budget Pick

Seestar S30 – Smart Telescope

β€œPoint it at the sky and watch nebulae appear on your phone. Genuinely magical.”

Seestar S50 All-in-One Smart Telescope
For Serious Makers

Seestar S50 All-in-One Smart Telescope

β€œThe big sibling. More aperture, better stacking, deeper sky objects. For serious stargazers.”

πŸ”¬ Lab Standard
Andonstar Digital Microscope

Andonstar Digital Microscope

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

πŸ”¨ Used in 2 builds
Kactoily 6-in-1 Drinking Water Tester

Kactoily 6-in-1 Drinking Water Tester

β€œQuick water quality checks wherever you go. Ideal for campers, hikers, and the curious.”

πŸ”’

Smart Home & Security

13 curated picks

Quick Comparison β€” Smart Home & Security

ProductBest ForKatie's Take
Home AssistantπŸ† Katie's Top Pick
Hub for everythingβ€œThe brain of my entire home”
Reolink Elite FloodlightπŸ† Katie's Top Pick
Outdoor securityβ€œBrilliant night vision, no subscription”
Everything Presence LiteπŸ”¬ Lab Standard
Room presence detectionβ€œTrue presence, not just motion”
Third Reality Smart BlindπŸ’š Best Value
Affordable automationβ€œCheapest path to smart blinds”
πŸ† Katie's Top Pick
Home Assistant
Best OverallπŸ”¨ Used in 3 builds

Home Assistant

β€œThe brain of my entire home. Local control, no cloud dependency, infinite flexibility.”

πŸ† Katie's Top Pick
Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFi

Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFi

β€œBrilliant night vision, bright floodlight, and local storage. No subscription needed.”

Reolink Video Doorbell PoE

Reolink Video Doorbell PoE

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

Switchbot Air Purifier Table

Switchbot Air Purifier Table

β€œCleans workshop air while doubling as furniture. Smart home integration is seamless.”

SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo

SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo

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

Reolink RLC-823S2
For Serious Makers

Reolink RLC-823S2

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

Reolink Duo 3 PoE

Reolink Duo 3 PoE

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

Apollo AIR-1 Sensor

Apollo AIR-1 Sensor

β€œMonitors COβ‚‚, VOCs, temperature, and humidity. Crucial for workshop air quality awareness.”

πŸ’š Best Value
Third Reality Smart Blind Lite

Third Reality Smart Blind Lite

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

Reolink Altas PT Ultra

Reolink Altas PT Ultra

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

SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card

SwitchBot Wallet Finder Card

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

Switchbot Curtain 3

Switchbot Curtain 3

β€œClips onto any curtain rail and automates your curtains. Simple setup, great app integration.”

πŸ’¬ Requires a SwitchBot Hub for full remote functionality.

Starting From Scratch?

What I’d Buy If Starting Over

Curated bundles based on my actual workshop setup.

🧱

My 3D Printing Starter Kit

Everything you need to go from zero to printing. This is exactly what I'd buy today.

Bambu Lab A1

Bambu Lab A1

Elegoo PLA Filament

Elegoo PLA Filament

Digital Vernier Calliper, Rechargeable

Digital Vernier Calliper, Rechargeable

πŸ”’

My Home Security Setup

The cameras and locks I run at home β€” local storage, no subscriptions.

Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFi

Reolink Elite Floodlight WiFi

Reolink Video Doorbell PoE

Reolink Video Doorbell PoE

SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo

SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Combo

Home Assistant

Home Assistant

πŸ”§

My Workshop Essentials

The daily-driver gear that keeps my studio running smoothly.

Bambu Lab P2S

Bambu Lab P2S

xTool P2

xTool P2

xTool F2 Ultra UV

xTool F2 Ultra UV

Workshop

Want to See These in Action?

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

Watch on YouTube