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The Kitronik Smart Greenhouse Kit turns a BBC micro:bit into a small plant-monitoring and automation project: code can read growing conditions and control outputs such as a water pump. The kit includes the greenhouse enclosure and control hardware, but not the micro:bit, power source, seeds or growing medium. Kitronik documents support for micro:bit V1 and V2.
What the kit does
The project is designed to help learners explore how environmental conditions relate to plant growth, then program responses to those conditions. Its Environmental Control Board combines sensors, connection points and outputs so a micro:bit can monitor and control parts of a small greenhouse. Kitronik’s product documentation describes the board and its supported uses.
Sensing and control hardware
- A BME280 sensor measures temperature, barometric pressure and humidity.
- Two 1A outputs can be used with devices such as a pump, fan or heater pad.
- A servo output, onboard piezo buzzer and ZIP LED indicators provide additional ways to make the project respond or communicate.
- Three further micro:bit pins are available through crocodile-clip connections.
- The board includes a real-time clock, useful for projects involving timed actions or data logging.
What is in the box, and what is separate?
The retailer listing gives this inventory; check the current listing for the contents offered in your region before ordering.
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| Included in the listed kit | Not included |
|---|---|
| Two molded greenhouse enclosure pieces; one Environmental Control Board; one water pump; one ZIP Stick; one Mini Prong moisture sensor; five crocodile leads; one ZIP extension cable; one screwdriver; one user guide booklet. | A BBC micro:bit, power source, seeds and soil or another suitable growing medium. |
The retailer says the board works with micro:bit V1 and V2. If you already own a micro:bit, check its version against the current documentation; otherwise, plan to obtain one separately. The product page also offers the Environmental Control Board separately, so compare that option with the full kit if you already have an enclosure and the other project parts. Kitronik product page · Retailer listing
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Power and growing supplies to prepare
The board can run from three AA batteries or from a compatible supply connected to its 2.1 mm DC jack. It regulates power for an inserted micro:bit, and Kitronik also describes a solar-cell input that can charge rechargeable batteries when they are installed. Confirm the board’s voltage limits and intended power arrangement in the current documentation before choosing a plug-in supply or adding a solar cell; do not assume that every adapter or battery setup is suitable.
For the growing part, provide seeds and soil or another appropriate growing medium. The retailer suggests cress, sprouting white mustard, and micro-herbs or micro-greens as fast-sprouting options. Cress is therefore a suitable example crop, but the product materials do not establish a guaranteed growing result.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How coding works
Kitronik provides a custom extension for Microsoft MakeCode. Its blocks cover ZIP LEDs, the clock, sensors, inputs and outputs, and data logging. Sensor blocks read pressure, temperature and humidity; general input/output blocks provide access to pins 0, 1 and 2. The extension and its documented blocks are available on the Kitronik Smart Greenhouse MakeCode extension page.
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Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Visual thermometer
- ZIP LED hue
- Auto-watering
- Growlight
- Timed watering
- Water-level sensing
- Data logging
These activities make it possible to start with a visible sensor reading or LED response, then move toward projects that combine sensing, timing and an output such as watering. The product materials describe the available features and tutorials; they do not provide measured educational outcomes or evidence that a particular crop will thrive.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
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Is it a good fit for your project?
- Good fit: You want a guided micro:bit project that connects coding with plant conditions, and you can supply the micro:bit, power and growing materials.
- Check before buying: You own some parts already and need to decide between the complete kit and the separately available control board. Compare the current contents and your existing supplies rather than assuming the kit has multiple variants.
- May not suit your needs: You want a ready-to-grow setup without sourcing a micro:bit or growing supplies, or you need a product with documented crop-yield or learning-effectiveness results.
Pre-build checklist
- Confirm that your micro:bit is V1 or V2 and that the current board documentation supports your setup.
- Gather three AA batteries or verify a compatible supply against the board’s documented voltage limits.
- Get seeds and a suitable growing medium; choose a crop such as cress if you want a fast-sprouting example.
- Check the current retailer listing for the exact enclosure, board, pump, sensor and accessory inventory.
- Open the MakeCode extension and choose a first activity, such as displaying a sensor reading or controlling a ZIP LED.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
