How to Choose an IoT Temperature Sensor
Compare IoT hardware for South African projects.
Which temperature sensor should I choose?
Compare 82 temperature and temperature-and-humidity products. Decide which measurements you need, then compare connectivity, specification and price.
Choose the measurement and sensor arrangement
Temperature only or temperature and humidity?
Choose a temperature-only product when temperature is the required measurement. Choose a temperature-and-humidity product only when both measurements are needed. The product grouping does not establish the sensor arrangement, so check the exact SKU.
Integrated or external sensing?
S31B variants state an on-device SHT31 probe. S31 variants state an external 3-metre SHT31 probe. D20 and D20S variants state DS18B20 temperature sensors, and D20S product details state a 2-metre buried-type sensor arrangement.
Use these distinctions to shortlist models, then confirm the full product details rather than inferring environmental suitability.
Connectivity and deployment checks
The temperature groups contain models with LoRaWAN and LTE CAT 1 where shown. Confirm the exact SKU's stated connectivity and whether the deployment site can support it. For LoRaWAN, confirm a suitable network and regional configuration.
Decision table
| Requirement | Examples to investigate | What to confirm next |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature only | D20 or D20S variants | Stated DS18B20 arrangement, connectivity and exact SKU |
| Temperature and humidity | S31 or S31B variants | Whether the stated SHT31 probe is external or on-device |
| External probe placement | S31 or D20S variants | Stated probe length or arrangement and project requirements |
| On-device sensing | S31B variants | Stated on-device probe, connectivity and deployment requirements |
Common questions
Do I need temperature only, or temperature and humidity?
Start with the measurements the project must record. Temperature-only and temperature-and-humidity products are separate groups, so choose the group that explicitly matches the requirement.
Is an integrated sensor sufficient?
S31B variants state an on-device SHT31 probe. If the measurement needs a stated external or buried-type arrangement, compare S31 or D20S details instead and confirm the exact model.
Which connectivity should I choose?
Choose only the connectivity shown for the exact SKU. The relevant product groups contain LoRaWAN and LTE CAT 1 variants, so confirm the site can support the selected path.
What should I confirm before requesting a quote?
Provide the required measurements, sensor arrangement, deployment details, connectivity and any exact SKU already shortlisted.
What should I compare?
- Choose between temperature-only and temperature-and-humidity product groups.
- Check the product specification for probe, range or accuracy details when present.
- Compare the available connectivity options.
- Contact us if you need help confirming an operating requirement.
How do the options differ?
Temperature-only and temperature-and-humidity products answer different measurement questions. D20 and D20S variants state DS18B20 temperature sensors, while S31 variants state an external 3-metre SHT31 probe and S31B variants state an on-device SHT31 probe. Connectivity varies by exact SKU, including LoRaWAN and LTE CAT 1 variants where shown.
A practical decision path
- Decide whether the project needs temperature only or both temperature and humidity.
- Decide whether the measurement needs an on-device sensor, an external probe, or the stated D20S buried-type arrangement.
- Shortlist only models whose exact details state the required sensor arrangement and connectivity.
- Confirm the installation environment, power and any operating requirement from the exact product details before requesting a quote.
Compare products
View up to 16 products for this guide.
| Compare | Dishsense | S31B-LE | LPT01 | D20S-LB | D20S-LB2 | D20S-LS | D20S-KS-GE | D20S-KS-1T | D20S-KN-GE | D20S-KN-1T | D20-LB | D20-LB2 | D20-LS | D20-KS-GE | D20-KS-1T | D20-KN-GE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Temperature Sensor | Temperature & Humidity Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor | Temperature Sensor |
| Connectivity | LoRaWAN | LoRaWAN | LoRaWAN | LoRaWAN | LoRaWAN | LoRaWAN | LTE CAT 1 | LTE CAT 1 | LTE CAT 1 | LTE CAT 1 | LoRaWAN | LoRaWAN | LoRaWAN | LTE CAT 1 | LTE CAT 1 | LTE CAT 1 |
| Power | 2400 mAh battery | 8000 mAh Li-SOCl2 battery | Not stated | 8500 mAh battery | 19000 mAh battery | a solar panel and 3000 mAh Li-ion battery | a solar panel and 3000 mAh Li-ion battery | a solar panel and 3000 mAh Li-ion battery | 1000 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery | 1000 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery | 8500 mAh battery | 19000 mAh battery | a solar panel and 3000 mAh Li-ion battery | a solar panel and 3000 mAh Li-ion battery | a solar panel and 3000 mAh Li-ion battery | 1000 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery |
| Sensor or probe arrangement | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor | the stated DS18B20 sensor |
| Measurement range | temperature: 20 to 93 °C | temperature: 0 to 60 °C; humidity: 0 to 99.9 %RH | temperature: -50 to 260 °C | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Price | R 1 360,10 | R 1 688,40 | R 1 149,05 | R 1 472,66 | R 1 636,81 | R 1 641,50 | R 1 911,18 | R 2 551,36 | R 1 770,48 | R 2 410,66 | R 1 385,66 | R 1 549,81 | R 1 556,14 | R 1 826,76 | R 2 464,60 | R 1 686,06 |
What should I do next?
Move from this decision guide to the most relevant application, family, comparison or enquiry path.