The Modular Product & System Database

A comprehensive resource for modular products and systems - helping consumers build adaptable, sustainable, and cost-effective product ecosystems with compatibility matrices, upgrade paths, and total cost of ownership analysis.

I Thought Custom Slipcovers Were a Waste of Money. My Spreadsheet Said Otherwise.
buying-guides

I Thought Custom Slipcovers Were a Waste of Money. My Spreadsheet Said Otherwise.

Custom slipcovers cost more upfront, but at $0.12 vs $0.08 per sit-hour, the winner depends on one thing most people don't calculate.

ATAlejandra ThorntonMarch 19, 20259 min read
I Beat Up Two Messenger Bags for 18 Months. Here's Which One Survived.
modular-bags-travel

I Beat Up Two Messenger Bags for 18 Months. Here's Which One Survived.

The $200 difference didn't matter. After 18 months of daily bike commuting, one bag's liner cracked while the other got its first pinhole. Here's the winner.

DNDavid NakamuraMarch 19, 20257 min read
We Spent $12K on German Cabinets. My Neighbor Spent $4K on IKEA. 3 Years Later...
modular-home-systems

We Spent $12K on German Cabinets. My Neighbor Spent $4K on IKEA. 3 Years Later...

After 3 years of daily use, the $8K gap came down to one component. Spoiler: the box material wasn't the problem. The hinges told the real story.

ATAlex ThorntonMarch 18, 20259 min read
I Got Tired of Guessing About Sofa Quality, So I Built Sensors to Find Out
buying-guides

I Got Tired of Guessing About Sofa Quality, So I Built Sensors to Find Out

After 50,000 sit cycles, one sofa's frame deflected 7x more than the other. The price difference? Almost nothing. Here's what our sensors found.

CMCarlos MendezMarch 18, 202510 min read
I Dragged Both Bags Through 47 Countries. Here's Which One I'd Buy Again.
modular-bags-travel

I Dragged Both Bags Through 47 Countries. Here's Which One I'd Buy Again.

After 47 countries, one bag's zippers stayed smooth while the other aged better. The real winner depends on how fast you need your camera out.

MFMaya FarahaniMarch 18, 20257 min read
Why I'm Still Telling Clients to Stick with Zigbee (Even Though I Wanted Matter to Win)
modular-home-systems

Why I'm Still Telling Clients to Stick with Zigbee (Even Though I Wanted Matter to Win)

I ran 47 Zigbee devices against a Matter setup for 6 months. Matter's promise is real, but it's not ready yet. Here's what actually held up.

MJMarcus JohnsonMarch 17, 20257 min read
The Standing Desk That Walked Across My Garage (And 2 That Didn't)
buying-guides

The Standing Desk That Walked Across My Garage (And 2 That Didn't)

One desk literally walked across my garage during testing. After 6 months of abuse, here's which brand actually held up (the winner surprised me).

MDMarco DelgadoMarch 17, 20257 min read
The €180 Import Fee Nobody Warned Me About When Buying Framework in Europe
modular-electronics

The €180 Import Fee Nobody Warned Me About When Buying Framework in Europe

The €180 customs bill changed everything. After buying both laptops, here's why the German option won for EU buyers, even with similar base prices.

ELEmma LindqvistMarch 17, 20257 min read
What 30 Days of BART Commutes Taught Me About the Aer City Pack vs Day Pack
modular-bags-travel

What 30 Days of BART Commutes Taught Me About the Aer City Pack vs Day Pack

The $50 price gap doesn't tell the whole story. After 30 days of alternating between both packs on BART, one clear winner emerged for crowded commutes.

MCMaya ChenMarch 16, 20259 min read
I Used a Digital Caliper on My Sofa Joints for 3 Years. Yes, Really.
modular-furniture

I Used a Digital Caliper on My Sofa Joints for 3 Years. Yes, Really.

36 months of caliper measurements on two nearly identical sofas. The $200 price gap didn't predict which one's falling apart now.

DSDaniela SerranoMarch 16, 20258 min read
What Stacking 70kg of Synth Modules Taught Me About Grid Furniture
modular-furniture

What Stacking 70kg of Synth Modules Taught Me About Grid Furniture

I stacked 70kg of synth modules on Grid furniture for 6 months. Here's where it flexed, what scored, and whether it's worth the price in Australia.

ATAlex ThorntonMarch 15, 20257 min read
My Partner Thinks I'm Crazy for Running Lab Tests on Our Couch
modular-furniture

My Partner Thinks I'm Crazy for Running Lab Tests on Our Couch

I used pressure mapping, thermal imaging, and 10,000 sit cycles to test our Joybird sectional. After 90 days, here's what the data actually shows.

MCMarcus ChenMarch 15, 20259 min read