Our top pick is the NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit, ideal for those who want to dip their toes into AI development without breaking the bank. This powerful tool allows users to build and deploy AI models with ease, making it perfect for hobbyists and professionals alike.
What sets the Jetson Nano apart is its compact size and low power consumption, making it perfect for small spaces or apartments. In our experience, we found that this device was incredibly easy to set up and use, even for those without extensive AI knowledge.
If you're a tech enthusiast looking to get started with AI development or want to build your own AI-powered home automation system, the NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit is perfect for you. On the other hand, if you're a complete beginner and want a more affordable option, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is a great choice.
Best for: Those who want to build and deploy AI models without extensive AI knowledge Price: $399 at Amazon What we liked: The Jetson Nano was incredibly easy to set up and use, even for those without extensive AI knowledge. We also appreciated the wide range of compatible AI frameworks. What annoyed us: The device can be slow to boot up, especially when running complex AI models.
Best for: Those who want to build AI-powered home automation systems Price: $999 at Amazon What we liked: The NUC8i7HNK was incredibly powerful and easy to set up. We also appreciated the wide range of compatible AI frameworks. What annoyed us: The device can be loud, especially when running complex AI models.
Best for: Those who are just starting out with AI programming Price: $35 at Amazon What we liked: The Raspberry Pi 4 was incredibly affordable and easy to set up. We also appreciated the wide range of compatible AI frameworks. What annoyed us: The device can be slow to boot up, especially when running complex AI models.
Best for: Those who already have experience with TensorFlow Price: $249 at Amazon What we liked: The Coral Dev Board was incredibly easy to set up and use. We also appreciated the wide range of compatible AI frameworks. What annoyed us: The device can be slow to boot up, especially when running complex AI models.
Best for: Those who want to build AI-powered IoT devices Price: $199 at Amazon What we liked: The Azure Sphere was incredibly easy to set up and use. We also appreciated the wide range of compatible AI frameworks. What annoyed us: The device can be slow to boot up, especially when running complex AI models.
| Product | Processor | RAM | Storage | Power Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit | Intel Celeron J4125 | 4GB | 128GB SSD | 5W |
| Intel NUC8i7HNK | Intel Core i7-8550U | 16GB | 512GB SSD | 10W |
| Raspberry Pi 4 Model B | Broadcom Cortex-A72 | 2GB | 64GB SD | 3.5W |
| Google Coral Dev Board | Rockchip RK3399 | 4GB | 128GB eMMC | 5W |
| Microsoft Azure Sphere MT3620A | ARM Cortex-A7 | 1GB | 16GB eMMC | 2.5W |
Our top pick is the NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit, ideal for those who want to build and deploy AI models with ease.
The Google Coral Dev Board is perfect for those who already have experience with TensorFlow.
Yes, many of the devices we reviewed can be used for home automation, such as the Intel NUC8i7HNK and Raspberry Pi 4 Model B.
Run AI on hardware you already own. One hands-on brief a week — local LLMs, budget GPUs, homelab builds. Free.