What is the best KVM?
What is a KVM?
If you’re running a home lab, juggling a work laptop alongside a personal gaming rig, or managing multiple systems off to the side, you’ve probably stared at the chaotic mess of keyboards and mice on your desk and wondered if there was a better way to handle it all or needed to remotely access your computers. A KVM—which stands for Keyboard, Video, and Mouse—is a hardware device designed to solve exactly that problem. It’s essentially a magic box that lets you control multiple computers using just one single monitor, keyboard, and mouse setup. You remotely or locally connect, and your peripherals instantly swap from your work environment to your personal desktop without you having to unplug or reroute a single cable.
What are the different types?
Well you have networkless, Server rack based, multi hdmi switches, desktop pass through and more.
Some will do 4K@60fps and some will only go to 1080p@30fps. But what do you really need?
Unless your streaming a gaming setup for near perfect 1ms latency you don’t essentially need more than 1080p. Heck for terminals you don’t need more than 720p!
⇄ Swipe for more data
| Model & Vendor | Price | CPU / OS | RAM / Storage | Resolution & Network | Display & Hardware Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARK KVM ARK |
$99 USD | Rockchip RV1106G3 (Cortex A7 1.2GHz) Linux 5.10 Buildroot |
256MB DDR3 32GB eMMC |
1080p@60fps 10/100 Mbps RJ45 PoE Support (802.3af) |
1.83-inch IPS Capacitive Touch Display HDMI Capture (RK628H), RJ12 ATX Control |
| Comet PoE GL.iNet |
$115 USD | ARM Cortex Quad-Core Linux Embedded |
1GB DDR3 32GB eMMC |
4K @ 30 FPS PoE / Type-C PD (5V/2A) |
Compact Enclosure 102 x 70 x 22 mm / 140g |
| Comet Pro 5G GL.iNet |
$299 USD | ARM Cortex Quad-Core Linux Embedded |
1GB DDR3L 64GB eMMC |
4K @ 30 FPS Type-C PD (5V/3A) |
Integrated Cellular Options 128 x 93 x 33 mm / 285g |
| Comet X GL.iNet |
$279 USD | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 Linux 6.1 |
1GB DDR3L 64GB eMMC |
4K @ 30 FPS 1 Gbps RJ45 (PoE 802.3af/at) |
3.69-inch TFT Touchscreen 4x HDMI In, 1x Out, 7x USB Type-A, Rack Mount Included |
| PiKVM V4 Plus PiKVM |
$337 USD | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A72 PiKVM OS (Arch Linux ARM) |
2GB LPDDR4 32GB MicroSD / eMMC Slot |
Up to 1920×1200 @ 60 Hz 1 Gbps Ethernet with PoE |
Premium Industrial Enclosure 4G LTE Option, Dedicated ATX Control, Internal USB Hub |
Glinet has a range of KVM options and is quickly becoming the market dominator in shear selection! Checkout my KVM playlist to see all the amazing options available…
WATCH KL Tech VideosA fantastic budget option that requires no apps nor accounts is the Ark KVM. A small form factor KVM which takes power from the USB and/or Ethernet POE port.
If your looking for a server rack form factor in both 10 and 19 inch sizes you will find no better than the Comet X from Glinet! This device can be powered via POE, has 4 HDMI and channel switches, a touch screen and looks slick in the rack!
If you need an independent failover proof setup the Comet Pro has built in 5G cellular backup or primary connection options with additional failover methods.
Maybe your after a networkless option that you can carry around with you and plug into a tablet! Then the KVM Go is a fantastic option for engineers and sys admins!
and if you’re looking for an all-rounder then you can’t go wrong with the original Comet from GLI net. Great for little budgets while maintaining high-end features.
And if you’re looking for a playlist of a few of these videos I have you covered here!
So what is the best KVM according to KL Tech Videos?
It’s a 50/50 tie with my favourite networkless device the KVM go. Onus to the fact I can plug it into any device at any time and access it immediately locally without a network… and Glinets Server Rack Comet X! Because you can connect this up to four different devices and power it by POE.
Still can’t decide which KVM is for you?
Take a look at the range of GLinet Comet’s! Use my decision tree to help you figure out what you need!
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