Recommendation for soil moisture monitor? Zigbee or wifi. Looking for cheap option that isn’t junk.

[upbeat wharf]

As message says. I see a green zigbee option but they’re $25 each. Any better prices for options?
Thanks

[glass jetty]

Either is kinda junk

[chrome axle]

Try Effecta zFlora. Not ideal, however - it works and matches the price.

[jaunty shadow]

Hi, in your opinion what’s the problem with products that are currently available in the market? I was thinking about manufacturing zigbee soil moisture sensors with higher accuracy , better quality and range, but that would cost more than $25, maybe around $50. Is your problem quality or mostly cost?

[jaunty narwhal]

I bought one on amazon lately branded THIRDREALITY. It's zigbee and it takes a whole AA battery, so it should last a while. Hasn't caused problems yet, and it's cheaper than the Flower Care/Xiaomi bluetooth ones.

[deep tree]

maybe doeesn't fit the "cheap" request but Apollo make one that's worth looking at - https://apolloautomation.com/products/plt-1

[chrome axle]

Sorry for the unsolicited answer. I’m sharing this because I tested many sensors and even built my own. I was a pain. In the price range up to 30, not discontinued or in other way unaccessible production ready stable Zigbee devices are rare. By stable, I mean comfortable minimum: can run for months on battery, keep a mesh connection, avoid corrosion or any kind of death from easily expected factors in the pot for years, and provide consistent readings without frequent recalibration. In higher range... $50+ for a wrap around potentiometer per plant... even if it is really beating my $6 DIY model. Feels like it isn't that useful, even if it will do an ideal job.

[jaunty shadow]

Thank you very much for sharing your insight. It seems there is a gap between expensive sensors like Teros 12 and cheap ones, but there is no real demand for a product somewhere in between.