Best Mini Servers of 2026

Mike Davis Avatar
Mike Davis
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2026

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Welcome to our comprehensive buying guide on the Best Mini Servers. In this digital era, servers have become an essential part of businesses, educational institutions, and even homes. However, traditional servers are usually bulky and occupy a large space. That's where mini servers come into play. Compact, lightweight, and equally powerful, mini servers offer a more convenient and budget-friendly alternative to their larger counterparts, ensuring your online activities run smoothly without claiming a significant portion of your room or your budget.

Our goal is to help you navigate through the multitude of options available in the market and choose a mini server that best suits your needs. Whether you're a small business owner in need of a safe and reliable place to store data, a tech enthusiast wanting to host your own website, or a homeowner looking for a smart way to manage all your connected devices, you'll find our guide invaluable in your pursuit of the perfect mini server.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

zimaboard 2 Mini NAS Starter Kit Cover #TOP 1
zimaboard 2 Mini NAS Starter Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.8
zimaboard 2-Bay NAS Mini Server Cover #TOP 2
zimaboard 2-Bay NAS Mini Server
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Hewlett Packard ProLiant MicroServer Gen11 Cover #TOP 3
Hewlett Packard ProLiant MicroServer Gen11
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Mini Servers

zimaboard 2 Mini NAS Starter Kit

zimaboard 2 Mini NAS Starter Kit Cover
zimaboard 2 1664 2-Bay Mini NAS Starter Kit - Intel N150 16GB LPDDR5 for Home/Personal Private Cloud NAS & High-Speed Network Storage

The zimaboard 2 NAS Kit is a powerful x86 server board designed to handle multiple tasks smoothly. It features a fast quad-core CPU and 16GB of DDR5 RAM, giving you strong performance for activities like running a home cloud or creative projects. With PCIe 3.0 and dual SATA ports, you can easily expand your storage or add components like SSDs and network cards, making it flexible for future upgrades. Its dual 2.5GbE ports ensure your network stays fast and stable, even during heavy use, perfect for home servers or studios. Plus, it comes with ZimaOS preinstalled, offering a user-friendly and secure private cloud experience right out of the box.

What We Like
Powerful quad-core CPU
Expandable storage options
Dual 2.5GbE network ports
Preinstalled user-friendly OS
#TOP 2

zimaboard 2-Bay NAS Mini Server

zimaboard 2-Bay NAS Mini Server Cover
zimaboard 2-Bay NAS/DIY Storage Mini Server | Build Your Own Cloud with Intel N150 | for Plex, Nextcloud, Home Lab & Development | Expandable, Open-Source Ready

The zimaboard 2 Mini Server is powered by a fast quad-core Intel N150 CPU and comes with 16GB DDR5 RAM plus 64GB onboard storage, giving you strong multitasking ability for home labs or media setups. Its upgraded CPU and PCIe 3.0×4 slots let you connect extra drives or network cards, making it easy to expand your storage or improve performance. Dual 2.5GbE ports ensure stable, high-speed network connections, perfect for streaming or backups without slowdowns. Plus, it comes with ZimaOS preinstalled, providing a clean, ad-free cloud experience with many apps and secure data management, while also supporting other popular operating systems for versatile use.

What We Like
Powerful quad-core CPU
Expandable storage options
Dual 2.5GbE network ports
Preinstalled ZimaOS

Hewlett Packard ProLiant MicroServer Gen11

Microserver Gen11
Black
Hewlett Packard ProLiant MicroServer Gen11 Cover
Hewlett Packard Enterprise ProLiant MicroServer Gen11 Tower Server, Intel Xeon E-2434 Processor, 32GB Memory, 4TB HDD Storage, External 180W US Power Supply (HPE Smart Choice P74440-005)

The HP ProLiant MicroServer offers powerful performance for your business needs. Equipped with modern Intel Xeon E-2400 processors, it ensures efficient processing for various tasks. You can expand your memory up to 128 GB with its four DDR5 UDIMMs, allowing for seamless multitasking. The server also features two PCIe expansion slots supporting the latest PCIe 5.0 technology, providing you with faster data transfer rates. Additionally, the M.2 slot allows for quick operating system booting, enhancing your overall user experience and productivity.

What We Like
Easy installation process
Straightforward configuration
Meets expectations
What We Don't Like
Missing included iLO kit
Product details mismatch

Dell PowerEdge R730xd Server

R730xd
Black/Silver
Dell PowerEdge R730xd Server Cover
Dell PowerEdge R730xd Server 24B SFF 2U, 2X Intel Xeon E5-2690 v4 2.6Ghz (28-cores Total), 128GB DDR4 RAM, 4X 1.2TB 10K SAS 2.5” 12Gb/s HDD, H730P 2GB RAID, NIC 10Gb + I350 1Gb (Renewed)

The Dell R730xd Server is a powerful 2U server with dual Intel Xeon processors, 128GB RAM, and high-capacity SAS HDDs. The Intel Xeon processors provide a total of 28 cores, ensuring smooth multitasking and high performance. With 128GB DDR4 RAM, you can run multiple applications simultaneously without slowdowns. The 1.2TB SAS HDDs offer fast data access speeds, ideal for storage-intensive tasks. The Dell H730P RAID controller ensures data protection and reliability for your critical files and applications.

What We Like
Clean and dust-free interior
Quiet operation at idle
Fast shipping and good packaging
Excellent value for price
Easy hardware upgrades
What We Don't Like
Limited GPU power by default
Can be loud under heavy load
#TOP 5

zimaboard ZimaBoard 2 1664 x86 Home Server

N150
ZimaBoard 2 1664
zimaboard ZimaBoard 2 1664 x86 Home Server Cover
ZimaBoard 2 1664 x86 Home Server, Quad-Core N150, 16GB DDR5, 64GB eMMC, PCIe 3.0×4 Expansion, Dual 2.5GbE & Dual SATA3.0, Low-Power 24/7 Fanless, All-in-One NAS/Router/Docker/Home Lab with ZimaOS

The zimaboard ZimaBoard 2 Server is a compact, powerful home server designed to run smoothly 24/7. With its quad-core x86 processor and 16GB DDR5 memory, it offers reliable performance for your personal or small business needs. You get a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot that lets you add high-speed upgrades like faster network cards or storage, giving you flexibility beyond typical small computers. It also features dual SATA ports and dual 2.5GbE Ethernet connections, so you can connect multiple hard drives and enjoy fast, stable networking. Plus, it comes with ZimaOS preinstalled, providing a user-friendly interface for managing files, backups, and private cloud services right at home.

What We Like
Solid performance and reliability
Fanless passive cooling
Fast data transfers
Flexible OS and server use
Compact, sturdy build
What We Don't Like
Minor software update issues
Limited support response
#TOP 6

Dell PowerEdge T140 Server

ASISVR76
Black
1) 32GB, 8TB HDD
Dell PowerEdge T140 Server Cover
Dell PowerEdge T140 Mini Tower Server with Intel Xeon 3.3GHz CPU, 32GB DDR4 RAM, 8TB HDD Storage, RAID (Renewed)

The Dell T140 Server is a certified refurbished mini tower server designed for small businesses, branch locations, and home offices. It features an Intel Xeon E-2124 Quad-Core 3.3GHz 8MB CPU with a max turbo up to 4.3GHz and 32GB DDR4 RAM for efficient multitasking. The server is equipped with 8TB (4 x 2TB) 7.2K 6Gb/s SATA HDDs and a PERC S140 6Gb/s RAID Controller for high-capacity storage and data protection. Additionally, it includes iDRAC9 Basic and an on-board dual-port 1Gb LOM for remote management and network connectivity, making it a reliable and convenient solution for various business needs.

What We Like
Certified Refurbished
High-capacity Storage
Remote Management
#TOP 7

Dell PowerEdge R640 Server

R640
Black
Dell PowerEdge R640 Server Cover
PowerEdge Dell R640 Server | 2X Gold 6154 3.0GHz = 36 Cores | 512GB RAM | 8X 960GB SSD (Renewed)

The Dell PowerEdge R640 is a powerful rack server designed to meet your demanding computing needs. It features dual Intel Xeon Gold 6154 processors, providing a total of 36 cores for optimal multitasking and performance. With 512GB of DDR4 memory, you can run multiple applications smoothly without lag. The server is equipped with a Dell PERC H730p Mini RAID Controller, enhancing data protection and management. Additionally, the inclusion of eight 960GB SSDs ensures fast data access and storage capabilities, making it perfect for high-performance tasks and data-intensive applications.

What We Like
Excellent product condition
Fast shipping
Responsive customer service
Secure packaging
Straightforward setup
What We Don't Like
Minor power supply issues
Mixed drive sizes
#TOP 8

Dell PowerEdge R730xd Server

R730xd
Black/Silver
Dell PowerEdge R730xd Server Cover
Dell PowerEdge R730xd Server 2X E5-2690v4 2.60Ghz 28-Core 64GB RAM 24x Caddies (Renewed)

The Dell PowerEdge Server is designed to handle demanding workloads with ease. It features two powerful Intel Xeon E5-2690 v4 processors, offering a total of 28 cores to boost your server's processing speed and efficiency. With 64GB of DDR4 RAM, you get fast and reliable memory performance, allowing smooth multitasking and data handling. The server includes 24 slots for 2.5-inch drives, giving you plenty of storage options to expand your data capacity. Plus, the Dell H730P RAID controller provides secure data management and improved storage performance, making this server a solid choice for business or intensive computing tasks.

What We Like
Very clean interior
Excellent physical condition
Well-packaged for shipping
Responsive seller support
Good price
What We Don't Like
Missing drive caddies
Memory configuration mismatch

Lenovo ThinkSystem ST50 Tower Server

ST502
Black
2) 64GB, 12TB HDD
Lenovo ThinkSystem ST50 Tower Server Cover
Lenovo ThinkSystem ST50 Tower Server Including Intel Xeon 3.4GHz CPU, 64GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM, 12TB HDD Storage, JBOD RAID

The Lenovo ST50 Server is designed for small businesses and remote offices, offering reliable performance in a compact tower form. It features a powerful Intel Xeon E-2124G quad-core processor that runs at 3.4GHz and can boost up to 4.5GHz, giving you the speed needed for multitasking and demanding applications. With 64GB of fast DDR4 memory, you can run multiple programs smoothly without slowdown. The server also provides generous storage with three 4TB SATA hard drives, totaling 12TB, ideal for storing large amounts of data. This setup supports JBOD RAID, allowing you to manage your drives flexibly according to your needs.

What We Like
Powerful Intel Xeon CPU
Large 64GB DDR4 RAM
High 12TB Storage Capacity
Compact Mini Tower Design
#TOP 10

Supermicro Xeon D-1521 1U Rackmount Server

RS-SMX104C2N-FIO
Black
Supermicro Xeon D-1521 1U Rackmount Server Cover
Supermicro Xeon D-1521 Mini 1U Rackmount, Front I/O,10GbE, IPMI, RS-SMX104C2N-FIO

The Supermicro Xeon D-1521 offers a compact 1U rackmount design that helps you save valuable space in your server room. Powered by an Intel Xeon processor with 4 cores running at 2.7 GHz, it delivers strong performance for demanding tasks. With 10GbE networking, you get fast and reliable data transfer speeds, which is essential for handling large files or high traffic. The system also includes IPMI and RS-232 ports, allowing you to manage your server remotely with ease, saving you time and effort. This makes the Supermicro Xeon D-1521 a practical choice for efficient and flexible server management.

What We Like
Reliable hardware performance
Excellent technical support
Versatile server applications
Easy maintenance
Good value
What We Don't Like
VGA output compatibility
Best Mini Servers Feature Image

Choosing the Right Mini Server: A Comprehensive Buying Guide for Your Electronic Needs

Introduction to Mini Servers

A mini server, also known as a microserver, is a small, low-power server that is designed for use in environments where space and power are limited. Mini servers are a popular choice for small businesses, home offices, and even for use as personal servers. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the right mini server for your needs.

Consider Your Needs

Before you start shopping for a mini server, it's important to think about what you will be using it for. Will you be using it to host a website? Will you be using it to store and share files? Will you be using it to run applications or services? Understanding your needs will help you determine the type of mini server that is right for you.

Choose the Right Processor

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a mini server is the processor. The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the "brain" of the computer, and it determines how fast and powerful the server will be. If you plan on using your mini server for resource-intensive tasks, such as running a database or hosting a website, you will need a more powerful processor.

Select the Right Amount of RAM

RAM, or random access memory, is the short-term memory of a computer. It is used to store data that is being actively used by the processor. The more RAM a computer has, the more data it can store and the faster it can access that data. If you plan on running multiple applications or services on your mini server, you will need more RAM to ensure that it can handle the workload.

Choose the Right Storage Capacity

Another important consideration when choosing a mini server is storage capacity. Mini servers typically come with either a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). HDDs are slower but have a higher storage capacity, while SSDs are faster but have a lower storage capacity. The type of storage you choose will depend on your needs. If you need a lot of storage space, an HDD may be a better option. If you need faster performance, an SSD may be a better option.

Consider the Operating System

The operating system (OS) is the software that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer. When choosing a mini server, you will need to choose an OS that is compatible with your needs. Some common OS options for mini servers include Linux, FreeBSD, and Windows Server.

Think About Expandability

Finally, it's important to think about whether you will need to expand your mini server in the future. Some mini servers come with expansion slots for adding additional memory or storage, while others do not. If you think you may need to expand your mini server in the future, it's a good idea to choose one that has expansion capabilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right mini server involves considering your needs, the processor, RAM, storage, operating system, and expandability. By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a mini server that is well-suited to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much is a mini server?

The cost of a mini server can vary depending on whether you are renting or purchasing. Renting a small business dedicated server can range from $100 to $200 per month, while setting up a cloud server can start at $5 per month. If you want to purchase a server for your office, it may cost between $1000 to $3000 for a small business.

2. Can I make a mini server?

Yes, it is possible to turn a Mini PC into a home server. The performance requirements will depend on the specific tasks you want to accomplish with your server. For a home media server, a Mini PC with an entry-level processor and a small amount of RAM should be sufficient.

3. Can I use a mini PC as a server?

Absolutely! Despite their small size, Mini PCs are powerful enough to handle server tasks effectively. They have low power consumption, making them ideal for always-on home servers. Mini PCs are also versatile and can run various server operating systems and software.

4. How do I set up a mini server?

To set up a mini server, you need to: 1. Select the server hardware, 2. Choose the server operating system, 3. Find a suitable server location, 4. Configure the server, and 5. Implement server security.

5. Can I turn my old PC into a server?

Yes, you can repurpose an old PC as a server as long as it has an internet connection and web server software installed. By installing web server software, you can make your computer accessible to others on the internet who want to host a website or use its resources.

Editor's Notes

During our mini server research, we found 24 mini server products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 2,944 customer reviews through our big data system to write the mini servers list. We found that most customers choose mini servers with an average price of $1,525.64.

The mini servers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of mini servers, including zimaboard, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Dell, PowerEdge, Lenovo. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 39 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Mike Davis Avatar

Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.

Mini Servers Comparison Table

#TOP1
#TOP2
#TOP3
#TOP4
#TOP5
#TOP6
#TOP7
#TOP8
#TOP9
#TOP10
Brand zimaboard zimaboard Hewlett Packard Enterprise Dell zimaboard Dell PowerEdge Dell Lenovo Supermicro
CPU Model Intel N150 Intel N150 Unknown Xeon - Intel Xeon MP Xeon - Intel Xeon Xeon
Memory Storage Capacity 64 GB 64 GB 4 TB 128 GB - 8 TB 512 GB - 12 TB 10 GB
CPU Speed 3600 MHz 3.6 GHz - 2.6 GHz - 3.3 GHz 3 GHz - 3.4 GHz 2.7 GHz
Graphics Card Description Integrated - Dedicated Dedicated - Dedicated Dedicated - Dedicated Dedicated
Personal computer design type - Barebone Computer Tower Computer Tower - Computer Tower Computer Tower - Computer Tower Mini PC
Operating System ZimaOS (Preinstalled), Linux (Customizable) ZimaOS (Preinstalled), Compatible with Linux, TrueNAS, Proxmox, Debian, Ubuntu Server, pfSense, OpenWrt, and Linux Containers Windows Server / Linux - - Windows Server Windows Server - - Windows Server
Ram Memory Installed Size 16 GB 16 GB 32 GB 2 GB - - 512 GB - 64 GB -
Model Name 2 Zimaboard 2-Bay - PowerEdge - - PowerEdge R640 - ST502 Xeon D-1521
Specific Uses For Product - - Business Personal - Business Business - Business Business
FTB Score
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ftb score rating icon 9.7
ftb score rating icon 9.5
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.3
ftb score rating icon 9.2
ftb score rating icon 9.1
ftb score rating icon 8.9
ftb score rating icon 8.8
ftb score rating icon 8.6
Where to Buy