A $40 ESP32-C6 starter kit lets users build modular smart home sensors for motion, temperature and notifications without soldering.
Apollo Automation, an Open Home Foundation commercial partner, has introduced the ESPHome Starter Kit, a modular platform for building smart home sensors without soldering. The kit costs $40 and includes an ESP32-C6-based board along with four sensor modules.
At the centre of the kit is an ESP32-C6-MINI-1 wireless module with 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth low energy (BLE), Thread and Zigbee capabilities. Two 14-pin FPC connectors on the board allow the modules to be connected using the supplied cables. Configuration is handled through the ESPHome Device Builder desktop application, which provides a graphical interface so users can set up the device without manually editing YAML ain’t markup language (YAML) files. The package includes an MH-SR602 PIR motion sensor with a 0 to 3.5-metre range, an AHT20F temperature and humidity sensor rated for ±0.3°C temperature accuracy and ±2 per cent relative humidity accuracy, a notification module with ten RGB light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a piezo buzzer, and a push-button module. The main board accepts 5V power through USB-C and can also operate from a Lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) battery. A 3D-printed ESPHome Casita stand is included for desktop use.
Rather than assembling an ESP32 board with separate sensors and wiring, users can connect the supplied modules directly to the board and configure them through the Device Builder. Apollo Automation says YAML knowledge is not required for getting started. The modular connections also eliminate the need for soldering, making the hardware easier to assemble and experiment with.
The kit can work independently or be connected to Home Assistant. When Home Assistant is not being used, the device can be managed through its local web interface. Although the ESP32-C6 provides hardware support for Wi-Fi 6, Thread and Zigbee, Thread and Zigbee require suitable network infrastructure to operate. The kit does not include a Thread border router or Zigbee coordinator.
Apollo Automation describes its products as “designed, engineered and assembled in the USA, open-source, local, and made by community members for community members.” The company also promotes local operation without cloud services or subscriptions as a privacy advantage. These descriptions represent Apollo Automation’s own positioning and have not been independently assessed.
Apollo Automation became the Open Home Foundation’s second commercial partner in December 2025. The ESPHome Starter Kit combines plug-in sensor modules, solder-free hardware connections and graphical configuration into a single platform for building ESPHome-based smart home devices.
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