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ProbeHarbor vs Temp Stick Wi‑Fi sensors
Temp Stick sells finished Wi‑Fi sensors: $149 for the standard model or about $199 for the PRO with a pipe clamp probe, with free text, email, and app alerts and no subscription. That is hard to beat if you want one sensor with zero setup. ProbeHarbor suits people who want several probes, a leak contact under the water heater, or readings inside Home Assistant: an ESP32 and probe cost about $25, email and chat alerts are free, and SMS is on Pro.
ProbeHarbor vs Temp Stick
| Capability | ProbeHarbor | Temp Stick |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | DIY: ESP32 / Pico / Arduino + DS18B20 or DHT22 | Finished battery or AC sensor |
| Up-front cost | About $25 in parts per probe | $149 standard; about $199 PRO with pipe clamp |
| Ongoing cost | Free plan; Member $4/mo; Pro $10/mo for SMS | None |
| Pipe-mounted probe | Yes (waterproof DS18B20 on the pipe) | Yes on PRO (pipe clamp) |
| Leak / flood contacts | Yes, alert automatically when wet | Not listed on the pipe-clamp model |
| Alert channels | Email, push, chat apps free; SMS, webhooks on Pro | SMS, email, app, all free |
| Sharing and data | Household invites, CSV (Member+), API (Pro) | Up to 10 alert contacts, CSV export, public API |
| Home Assistant | Official HACS integration + push from HA | Via their API |
| Forecast warnings | Forecast freeze (Member+), NWS alerts (Pro) | Not listed; threshold alerts |
When to choose which
Choose ProbeHarbor when
- You want probes in several spots (pipes, door side, crawlspace) without buying a $149+ sensor for each
- You want wet/dry leak contacts and freeze alerts on one account
- You already run Home Assistant, ESPHome, or MQTT and want readings to flow both ways
- You want forecast freeze warnings, a time-to-freeze estimate, or open-source software you can inspect
Choose Temp Stick when
- You want a finished sensor with no soldering, flashing, or setup beyond Wi‑Fi
- You need battery power where there is no outlet
- You want free SMS alerts with no subscription
- One or two sensors cover everything you need
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers for people comparing ProbeHarbor to Temp Stick.
Is Temp Stick easier to set up than ProbeHarbor?
Yes. A Temp Stick joins Wi‑Fi and works through its app. ProbeHarbor needs an ESP32 or similar board flashed with a pre-filled sketch, or an existing Home Assistant, ESPHome, or MQTT setup.
Which is cheaper?
For one sensor with SMS, Temp Stick: $149–209 once versus about $25 in parts plus $100/year for ProbeHarbor Pro. For several zones or email-only alerts, ProbeHarbor: three probes cost about $75 in parts and the Free plan includes email alerts, versus $447+ for three Temp Sticks.
Does Temp Stick charge a subscription?
No. Temp Stick says monitoring, data logging, and text, email, and app alerts are free for the life of the sensor.
Can ProbeHarbor watch an empty cabin like a Temp Stick?
Yes, if the cabin has Wi‑Fi and power for an ESP32. Put a waterproof probe on the coldest pipe, add a leak contact if you like, and choose email alerts (free) or SMS (Pro).
Sources
Temp Stick details come from their own pages, checked September 2026. Prices change; check before you buy.
Related answers
Next steps
Start free with live charts, email alerts, and a family live share link, or compare plans when you need SMS, CSV history, and expanded Pro share scopes.