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| The Pill by Shelly (pictured) is now available in Europe. |
Tech enthusiasts and smart home tinkerers in Europe, take note. Shelly, the company known for its versatile and discreet IoT modules, has just released a compelling new product that promises to bridge the gap between basic sensors and a connected ecosystem. Meet The Pill by Shelly, a minuscule and affordable device designed to transform regular, "dumb" sensors and low-voltage peripherals into fully smart, network-connected devices.
At its core, The Pill is a compact connectivity hub. For a street price of just €9.98, it offers a surprisingly robust set of features packed into a white plastic casing smaller than a matchbox (26.0 x 19.95 x 8.5 mm). It’s powered by a simple 5V USB-C input, making setup as easy as plugging in a phone charger.
Plug, Play, and Monitor: From Greenhouses to Server Cabinets
The immediate appeal of The Pill lies in its plug-and-play simplicity with popular digital sensors. Home users can easily connect external DS18B20 digital temperature sensors or DHT22 humidity and temperature sensors with minimal configuration. This opens up a world of practical, budget-friendly automation possibilities.
Shelly suggests innovative use cases like monitoring water temperature from up to five different points in a swimming pool or hot tub, or keeping a precise log of conditions in a greenhouse, warehouse, or even a critical server cabinet. For anyone needing granular environmental data, The Pill provides an elegant solution.
But its functionality extends beyond simple monitoring. More advanced modes include analog sensor input, digital input/output, and support for a solid-state relay add-on. This means it can also interact with and control other devices, acting on the data it collects—think turning on a fan when humidity gets too high or activating a heater when temperatures drop.
Connectivity and Ecosystem Integration
True to modern smart home standards, The Pill supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Notably, it can function as a Bluetooth gateway for Shelly's BLU devices, such as the popular Shelly BLU Door/Window sensor (currently $15.99 on Amazon). This extends the range and integration of Shelly's Bluetooth ecosystem, bringing battery-powered sensors into the wider Wi-Fi network for remote access and automation.
Built on the Shelly Gen3 platform, it promises reliable performance within an operating temperature range of -20°C to 40°C and humidity levels of 30-70% RH. For a deeper dive into all its specifications and official capabilities, you can explore the product page on Shelly's official website.
Availability and First Impressions
Currently, The Pill by Shelly is available for purchase exclusively through the brand's European online store, with orders shipped from within the EU. Its release has already generated positive initial feedback from the DIY smart home community, with early reviews highlighting its value and potential. A closer look at its hands-on performance and setup can be found in this detailed first impression article.
For those looking to build out their system, compatible sensors and the Shelly BLU Door/Window sensor are readily available on platforms like Amazon.
As of now, Shelly has not announced a release date for the North American market, leaving US-based fans eagerly awaiting news of a stateside launch. In the meantime, European makers and homeowners have a powerful new tool to make their spaces smarter, one tiny "Pill" at a time.
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| The Pill by Shelly. |
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| The Pill by Shelly. |