Is that like a perforated speaker grill material on the top?

I would use a VPN. Perhaps something like Tailscale or ZeroTier. And if your homelab is not behind CGNAT, you could just use OpenVPN.

Mullvad or iVPN would be my recommendation.

Size-wise how does it compare to the Slate AX and Beryl AX?

Only after you have printed your first turd can you consider yourself initiated into the 3D printer's guild.