this post was submitted on 21 Mar 2026
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Looking for ZigBee or 433MHz soil sensors!

Hello to #HomeAssistant gardeners! I'm unsure what's good right now as far as those go. Smaller sensors are better, not as small as coin cell, and especially if I can get illuminance as a sensor.

Just unsure what to pick. Reviews are mixed on so many options it feels like. Some complain ThirdReality's are too huge, some complain of disconnects.

Right now I've a generic larger ZigBee one and a tiny BLE MiFlora, and open to others.

@homeassistant

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[–] whaleross@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I got some from Ali Express. They seem ok for the price. Dirt moisture and air temp and humidity. Dual AAA though so kind of large.

[–] Cyber@feddit.uk 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Have a look on yoochoob for "the guy with the Swiss accent" (I forgot his real account name) - he did an interesting article on soil sensors.

I bought a zigbee sensor off Ali Express and it's fine, but it's waaay to.big for a small pot plant, but fine for a large one... so "big" vs "small" is kinda relative to the plant you're monitoring.

[–] syaochan@feddit.it 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] Cyber@feddit.uk 1 points 1 week ago

Thst's the guy!

Thanks.

[–] Myphatself@mstdn.social 2 points 1 week ago

@KayOhtie @homeassistant I saw a few custom ones on Tindie that looked nice and affordable. Havent made the purchase just yet.

[–] Geologist@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 week ago

I use the ecowitt wh51, and they work pretty well. I have the 433mhz ones, but I’m using the ecowitt gateway, and not a rtl usb adapter.

They’re not that small though, but they run off a single AA battery, and the battery life is pretty good. Integrates well with home assistant.

[–] GreatAlbatross@feddit.uk 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I have the ecowitt wh51, directly with rtl_433.
It's the 866 version.
I had to set rtl_433 to also monitor 866, but other than that, it's been very solid for...Blimey, years now.