Explainer
What the ESPHome Starter Kit actually is
A snap-apart ESP32-C6 board and four modules, sold as ESPHome’s first official product. Firmware you already knew; hardware with the project’s name on it.
In the panel
The kit arrives as one breakaway panel. Snap off the C6 board and the modules you want. Connect with the included FPC ribbon cables (a spare is in the box). USB-C power; optional LiPo is documented by Apollo, not required to start.
- Motion — PIR (MH-SR602 on Apollo’s bill of materials).
- Temperature and humidity — AHT20F.
- Button — automation trigger.
- Notification — ten addressable RGB LEDs and a piezo behind the ESPHome logo, plus a stand.
The C6 (ESP32-C6-MINI-1) has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, and Thread on the chip. Two 14-pin FPC ports. Two modules at a time is the intended multisensor setup.
How you configure it
ESPHome Device Builder on the desktop. Visual editor; YAML remains. No soldering class. Works standalone or attached to Home Assistant. Local: no cloud account for the device to run.
Who makes it, who gets paid
Designed and produced by Apollo Automation, the Open Home Foundation’s second commercial partner, after a preview at State of the Open Home 2026 in April. ESPHome says the majority of profit from every kit goes to the Foundation. Apollo’s own product page lists $40 USD direct; that is their store, not this paper’s rate card.
Primary sources: ESPHome blog, 12 Aug 2026; Apollo’s kit page for the module list and $40 figure.