JOY-IT soil moisture sensor kit for Raspberry Pi, pcDuino, micro:bit, Calliope, Banana Pi (sen-Moisture)

Monitor soil moisture levels in your garden or indoor plants with the JOY-IT sen-Moisture sensor kit. This resistive soil moisture sensor is compatible with popular single-board computers and microcontrollers such as Raspberry Pi, pcDuino, micro:bit, Calliope mini, and Banana Pi, making it a versatile choice for hobbyists and educators alike. The sensor provides both analog and digital outputs, allowing you to connect it to a wide range of projects from simple plant watering reminders to automated irrigation systems.

Key specifications

• Sensor type: Resistive soil moisture sensor
• Output: Analog (AO) and digital (DO)
• Operating voltage: 3.3V – 5V DC
• Comparator chip: LM393
• Interface: 4-pin (VCC, GND, DO, AO)
• Adjustable sensitivity via onboard potentiometer
• Indicator LEDs: Power and digital output
• Probe material: FR-4 with nickel plating
• Operating temperature: 0°C to 50°C
• Current consumption: approx. 35mA active

Why choose it

The sen-Moisture sensor offers a simple and reliable way to measure soil moisture. Its dual output modes give you flexibility: use the analog output for precise moisture level readings or the digital output with adjustable threshold for simple dry/wet detection. The onboard potentiometer lets you set the trigger point for the digital output, making it easy to integrate into automatic watering systems. The sensor's wide voltage range (3.3V–5V) ensures compatibility with most development boards.

Ideal use cases

• Automatic plant watering systems
• Soil moisture monitoring for gardens and greenhouses
• Educational projects with Raspberry Pi, micro:bit, or Calliope mini
• DIY smart home plant care
• Agricultural sensor prototypes

Good to know

The sensor uses a resistive measurement method: the probe's resistance changes with soil moisture content. The included LM393 comparator chip provides a clean digital signal. Note that the probe is not intended for continuous immersion in water; it is designed for periodic soil moisture checks. The kit includes one sensor module.