Best KVM Switches for Homelab in 2026

Q: Can PiKVM manage multiple servers?

Yes, with an HDMI switch + USB switch between PiKVM and the servers. PiKVM supports controlling these switches via GPIO or web UI. One PiKVM can manage 4-8 machines this way.

Q: What about KVM over IP solutions like Raritan or Avocent?

Enterprise KVM-over-IP solutions (Raritan, Avocent, ATEN KN series) cost $1,000+ and are designed for data centers. PiKVM provides 90% of the functionality for 5% of the cost.

Quick Recommendation

Most homelabbers don’t need a KVM switch at all — use SSH for Linux servers and IPMI/iDRAC for remote management. But if you have multiple machines that need keyboard/video/mouse access, get a TESmart 4-port HDMI KVM (~~$60) for a desk setup or a PiKVM (~~$100 DIY) for remote IP-based access.

Do You Actually Need a KVM?

Before spending money, consider whether you need one:

You DON’T need a KVM if:

All your servers run Linux and you manage them via SSH
Your servers have IPMI/iDRAC/iLO (see IPMI Guide)
You use Proxmox, ESXi, or Unraid with web-based consoles
You only have one server

You DO need a KVM if:

You have multiple machines on a desk and want one keyboard/mouse/monitor
You need BIOS-level access on machines without IPMI
You’re troubleshooting boot issues where SSH isn’t available
You dual-boot or run Windows alongside Linux servers

KVM Switch Types

Hardware KVM (Traditional)

A physical box with multiple inputs and one output. Press a button or hotkey to switch between machines.

Pros: Zero latency, no software, works at BIOS level Cons: Limited by cable length, need physical access

IP KVM (Network-Based)

Captures video output and keyboard/mouse input over the network. Access any machine from any browser.

Pros: Remote access from anywhere, works at BIOS level, no physical presence needed Cons: Slight latency, more expensive, requires network

Software KVM (Barrier/Synergy)

Software that shares one keyboard/mouse across multiple machines on the same network.

Pros: Free, no extra hardware Cons: Requires OS running on all machines, doesn’t work at BIOS level, shares only keyboard/mouse (not video)

Best Hardware KVM Switches

TESmart 4-Port HDMI KVM — Best Overall

Spec	Value
Ports	4x HDMI + 4x USB 2.0
Resolution	4K@30Hz or 1080p@60Hz
Switching	Front buttons + hotkey + IR remote
USB hub	2x USB 2.0 (shared)
Audio	3.5mm audio output
Price	~$60

Why it’s the best: Reliable, reasonably priced, supports 4 machines. Hotkey switching (Ctrl+Ctrl+1/2/3/4) is fast. Front-panel buttons have LED indicators showing which port is active. The IR remote is a nice bonus for across-the-room switching.

Cons: 4K is limited to 30Hz — fine for server management but noticeable for desktop use. USB 2.0 only, no USB 3.0 passthrough.

TESmart 2-Port HDMI KVM — Best Budget

Spec	Value
Ports	2x HDMI + 2x USB 2.0
Resolution	4K@60Hz
Switching	Button + hotkey
Price	~$35

If you only have 2 machines, this is all you need. The 2-port version supports 4K@60Hz, which the 4-port doesn’t.

CKLau 4-Port DisplayPort KVM — Best for DisplayPort

Spec	Value
Ports	4x DisplayPort + 4x USB 2.0
Resolution	4K@60Hz
Switching	Buttons + hotkey
Price	~$80

If your machines use DisplayPort instead of HDMI. Supports 4K@60Hz on all 4 ports.

ATEN CS1924M — Best Premium

Spec	Value
Ports	4x DisplayPort + 4x USB 3.0
Resolution	4K@60Hz
Switching	Pushbutton + hotkey + OSD
USB hub	2x USB 3.0 (shared)
Audio	Stereo audio + mic
EDID	Built-in EDID emulation
Price	~$300

Enterprise-grade with USB 3.0, EDID emulation (prevents resolution issues when switching), and an OSD (On-Screen Display). Overkill for most homelabs, but excellent if you need reliability and high-resolution display support.

Best IP KVM Solutions

PiKVM — Best DIY IP KVM

Spec	Value
Hardware	Raspberry Pi 4 + CSI capture + USB OTG
Resolution	Up to 1080p@30fps capture
Input	HDMI capture via CSI-2 or USB
USB	Keyboard, mouse, mass storage emulation
Network	Ethernet (wired)
Features	Virtual media (ISO mount), ATX control, OCR, macros
Price	~$100-150 (DIY) / ~$250 (pre-built V4)

PiKVM is the gold standard for self-hosted IP KVM. It captures HDMI output from a machine and emulates keyboard/mouse via USB, all accessible through a web browser. It works at BIOS level — you can enter BIOS setup, boot from USB, install an OS remotely.

Key features:

Virtual media — mount ISOs remotely, boot from virtual USB
ATX control — power on/off/reset the server via GPIO
Web UI — access from any browser, no client software
API — automation-friendly REST API
Multiple targets — use a HMDI/USB switch to manage multiple machines from one PiKVM

DIY build (~$100):

Raspberry Pi 4 (2GB+): ~$35
Geekworm TC358743 HDMI-CSI adapter: ~$30
USB-A to USB-C OTG cable: ~$5
MicroSD card: ~$10
Case + cables: ~$20

Pre-built PiKVM V4 (~$250): All-in-one unit, no assembly required. Includes proper HDMI capture, USB-C OTG, ATX control headers, and a metal case.

JetKVM — Best Budget IP KVM

Spec	Value
Chip	RISC-V RV1106G2
Resolution	1080p@60fps capture
Input	HDMI
USB	HID emulation
Network	100Mbps Ethernet
Features	Virtual media, built-in display, PoE (optional)
Price	~$70

A newer competitor to PiKVM with a lower price point. Built-in mini display shows connection status. The RISC-V chip is purpose-built for this use case. Lower latency than PiKVM in some benchmarks.

Cons: Smaller community than PiKVM. Firmware is open source but hardware is proprietary. 100Mbps Ethernet (not Gigabit).

IPMI / iDRAC / iLO — Built-In IP KVM

If your servers have IPMI, iDRAC, or iLO management ports, you already have an IP KVM built in. These provide:

Remote console (browser-based or Java/HTML5)
Virtual media mounting
Power management
Hardware health monitoring
Alert notifications

Used Dell OptiPlex and Lenovo ThinkCentre machines don’t have IPMI. Used Dell PowerEdge and HP ProLiant servers do. See our IPMI Guide for details.

Comparison Table

KVM	Type	Ports	Resolution	Price	Best For
TESmart 4-Port HDMI	Hardware	4	4K@30Hz	~$60	Most homelabs
TESmart 2-Port HDMI	Hardware	2	4K@60Hz	~$35	2-machine setups
CKLau 4-Port DP	Hardware	4	4K@60Hz	~$80	DisplayPort users
ATEN CS1924M	Hardware	4	4K@60Hz	~$300	Premium/enterprise
PiKVM V4	IP	1*	1080p@30fps	~$250	Remote management
PiKVM DIY	IP	1*	1080p@30fps	~$100	Budget remote mgmt
JetKVM	IP	1	1080p@60fps	~$70	Budget IP KVM

* PiKVM can manage multiple machines with an HDMI/USB switch

Software KVM Alternative: Barrier

If you just want to share a keyboard and mouse between machines (no video switching), Barrier (open-source fork of Synergy) is free:

# Install on all machines
sudo apt install barrier

Server machine: attach keyboard/mouse here
Client machines: receive keyboard/mouse from the server
Works across Linux, macOS, and Windows
Move the mouse to the edge of one screen to switch to another machine
Supports clipboard sharing between machines

Limitation: Requires the OS to be running. Doesn’t work for BIOS access, boot issues, or OS installation.

Choosing the Right KVM

Desk with 2-4 machines, local access

→ TESmart hardware KVM ($35-60). Simple, reliable, instant switching.

Headless servers in a closet/rack

→ PiKVM or JetKVM ($70-250). Access from anywhere on your network via browser. Mount ISOs remotely. Control power.

Enterprise servers (Dell PowerEdge, HP ProLiant)

→ Use built-in IPMI/iDRAC/iLO. No additional hardware needed. See IPMI Guide.

→ Barrier (free software). No hardware required.

Power Consumption

KVM Type	Power Draw
Hardware KVM (TESmart)	~3-5W
PiKVM (Raspberry Pi 4)	~5-7W
JetKVM	~2-3W
Software (Barrier)	0W (runs on existing machines)

Negligible in all cases.

FAQ

Can I use a KVM with a USB-C monitor?

Most KVM switches use HDMI or DisplayPort. For USB-C, you’ll need USB-C to HDMI/DP adapters on each machine, or look for a USB-C KVM switch (less common, more expensive).

Do KVM switches add input lag?

Hardware KVMs add imperceptible lag (<1ms). IP KVMs (PiKVM, JetKVM) add 50-150ms, which is fine for server management but noticeable for gaming or fast typing.

Can PiKVM manage multiple servers?