Comprehensive Apollo Automation Review from Make It Work Tech
We're excited to share that Make It Work Tech, a leading Home Assistant and smart home YouTube channel, has published an in-depth review of Apollo Automation's complete product lineup. This comprehensive video showcases our Works With Home Assistant certified sensors, Made For ESPHome devices, and our commitment to privacy-first, locally-controlled smart home technology.
Watch the full review:
What Makes Apollo Automation Different?
Works With Home Assistant Certification
Apollo Automation was the first company to bring ESPHome-based devices into the Works With Home Assistant certification program. This prestigious certification means:
- Seamless Home Assistant integration out of the box
- Local API support for complete privacy
- Reliable performance meeting strict quality standards
- Active community support and regular updates
- No cloud dependencies or subscriptions required
Every Apollo sensor featured in the Make It Work Tech review carries official Works With Home Assistant certification, ensuring the best possible experience for Home Assistant users.
Made For ESPHome Program
All Apollo sensors are certified under the Made For ESPHome program, guaranteeing:
- Open-source ESPHome firmware
- Full customization capabilities
- Over-the-air (OTA) updates
- Complete transparency in code and hardware
- Community-driven development
Open Home Foundation Commercial Partnership
In December 2025, Apollo Automation became the Open Home Foundation's second commercial partner (alongside Nabu Casa). As a commercial partner, we:
- Build the first official ESPHome-branded hardware
- Contribute a majority of profits from ESPHome products to the foundation
- Support the continued development of open-source smart home technology
- Ensure Home Assistant and ESPHome remain free, private, and locally-controlled forever
This partnership represents our commitment to the ecosystem that made Apollo Automation possible.
Products Featured in Make It Work Tech Review
AIR-1 Air Quality Monitor
The AIR-1 is Apollo's most comprehensive environmental monitoring solution, featured prominently in the Make It Work Tech review.
Key features:
- Sensirion SEN55 sensor - PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, VOC Index, NOx Index, temperature, humidity
- Optional SCD40 CO2 sensor - Accurate CO2 tracking with barometric pressure calibration
- Optional MiCS-4514 gas sensor - Detects CO, methane, ammonia, ethanol, hydrogen
- RGB LED pixels - Visual status notifications
- Bluetooth tracking - Local presence detection
- Compact design - 61 × 61 × 30 mm for discreet placement
Works With Home Assistant certified and perfect for:
- Woodworking shops and maker spaces
- Bedroom air quality for better sleep
- Kitchen and cooking monitoring
- Indoor pollution management
- Smart home HVAC automations
Price: Starting at $79.99 Shop AIR-1 →
MSR-2 Compact Presence Sensor
The MSR-2 is Apollo's smallest mmWave presence sensor, highlighted in the review for its incredible static presence detection.
Key features:
- HLK-LD2410B mmWave radar - 6m range with excellent still-motion detection
- LTR-390UV sensor - Ambient lux and UV index
- DPS310 sensor - Pressure and temperature monitoring
- Optional SCD-40 - Add CO2 and humidity sensing
- RGB NeoPixel LED and buzzer - Visual and audio feedback
- Bluetooth tracking - Phone or beacon detection
Works With Home Assistant certified and ideal for:
- Room occupancy automation
- Lighting control based on presence
- HVAC efficiency improvements
- Security monitoring
- Multi-zone presence detection
Price: Check current pricing Shop MSR-2 →
MTR-1 Multi-Target Radar Sensor
The MTR-1 brings multi-target tracking to Home Assistant, as demonstrated in the Make It Work Tech review.
Key features:
- HLK-LD2450 radar - Track up to 3 targets simultaneously
- Multi-zone detection - Configure up to 3 zones for precise spatial awareness
- Environmental sensors - LUX/UV, temperature, barometric pressure
- Optional SCD-40 - CO2 and humidity monitoring
- Compact design - 49 × 32 × 15 mm
- Visual feedback - RGB NeoPixel LED and piezo buzzer
Works With Home Assistant certified and perfect for:
- Zone-based home automation
- Kitchen vs living room presence detection
- Security applications
- Multi-person tracking
- Smart lighting scenes
Price: Check current pricing Shop MTR-1 →
R PRO-1 PoE Professional Sensor
The R PRO-1 represents Apollo's professional-grade solution, featured for its clean PoE installation.
Key features:
- True 802.3af PoE - Single cable for power and data
- Dual mmWave modules - LD2450 for motion + optional LD2412 for static presence
- Environmental monitoring - LTR-390 for lux/UV, optional SCD40 for CO2
- Professional installation - Gang box and ceiling mount compatible
- RGB LEDs and buzzer - Status indicators and alerts
- Made For ESPHome certified - Open-source firmware
Works With Home Assistant certified and ideal for:
- Professional smart home installations
- Commercial building automation
- Clean ceiling or wall mounting
- Long-range presence detection (up to 9m)
- PoE network infrastructure
Price: Check current pricing Shop R PRO-1 →
TEMP-1 Temperature Sensor
The TEMP-1 versatile temperature monitoring solution is showcased for its multiple probe options.
Key features:
- AHT20-F sensor - Ambient temperature and humidity
- Multiple probe support - DS18B20 waterproof or NTC food-safe probes
- USB-C or battery powered - TEMP-1 (USB-C) or TEMP-1B (battery)
- RGB LED and buzzer - Temperature alerts and notifications
- Compact design - 48 × 30 × 14 mm (non-battery)
- Magnetic mount option - Secure attachment to metal surfaces
Works With Home Assistant certified and perfect for:
- Smart cooking and grilling
- Refrigerator and freezer monitoring
- Aquarium and fish tank temperature
- HVAC vent monitoring
- Food safety applications
Price: Check current pricing Shop TEMP-1 →
PLT-1 Plant Sensor
The PLT-1 smart plant monitoring solution is featured for indoor plant care automation.
Key features:
- Capacitive soil moisture sensor - Long-lasting, accurate readings
- AHT20-F sensor - Air temperature and humidity
- LTR390 sensor - Ambient lux and UV index
- Optional DS18B20 probe - Soil temperature monitoring
- RGB LED and buzzer - Low moisture alerts
- USB-C or battery powered - PLT-1 or PLT-1B options
Works With Home Assistant certified and ideal for:
- Smart plant care automation
- Indoor gardening
- Integration with Open Plant Book
- Grow light automation
- Low moisture notifications
Price: Check current pricing Shop PLT-1 →
PUMP-1 Fluid Pump Controller
The PUMP-1 smart pump controller is demonstrated for automated plant watering.
Key features:
- Food-safe construction - Safe for potable liquids
- 900 ml/min flow rate - Pumps up to 14 ft vertically, 33 ft horizontally
- Dual ultrasonic sensors - Detects empty source or full target container
- RGB LED and buzzer - Status alerts and warnings
- ESP32-C6 powered - Wi-Fi connectivity
- ESPHome compatible - Full Home Assistant integration
Works With Home Assistant certified and perfect for:
- Automated plant watering
- Aquarium water changes
- Pet bowl top-offs
- Robot mop tank filling
- Drain management
Price: Check current pricing Shop PUMP-1 →
BTN-1 Macro Deck
The BTN-1 modular control interface is showcased for smart home physical controls.
Key features:
- Four hot-swappable switches - Cherry MX compatible mechanical switches
- LED status indicators - In-front lighting for each button
- Modular expansion - Add displays, NFC readers, rotary dials, sensors
- USB-C or battery powered - Flexible power options
- Wi-Fi connectivity - Seamless Home Assistant integration
- Home Assistant blueprint - Easy setup for single, double, triple clicks, and holds
Works With Home Assistant certified and ideal for:
- Smart home control panels
- Stream deck commands
- Media controls
- Macro programming
- Custom IoT projects
Price: Starting at $34.99 Shop BTN-1 →
M-1 LED Matrix
The M-1 programmable display is featured for visual notifications and art.
Key features:
- 4096-pixel HUB75 display - 2mm pitch for vibrant visuals
- Built-in controller - WLED-MM firmware pre-installed
- USB-C powered - 5V, 3A operation
- Expandable - Connect up to four panels
- Compact design - 6.3″ × 6.3″ display
- Multiple mounting options - Stand included
Works With Home Assistant certified and perfect for:
- Smart home notifications
- Real-time data displays
- Ambient lighting
- Custom animations
- Gaming displays
Price: Starting at $64.99 Shop M-1 →
H-2 Holiday Ornament (Charitable Edition)
The H-2 charitable smart ornament is mentioned for its 100% profit donation.
Key features:
- Programmable RGB LEDs - Custom animations and colors
- Wi-Fi connectivity - Home Assistant integration
- Works With Home Assistant certified - Official certification
- Made For ESPHome - Open-source firmware
- 100% profits to charity - CASA of Lexington and Open Home Foundation
- Kentucky-made - Designed and assembled in Versailles, KY
Through H-2 sales, Apollo donated $2,700 to CASA of Lexington and $1,500 to Open Home Foundation.
Why Make It Work Tech Chose Apollo Automation
Privacy-First Smart Home Technology
As highlighted in the review, every Apollo device features:
100% local control - No cloud services required for any functionality
No subscriptions - Buy once, own forever with no recurring fees
No data collection - Your smart home data stays in YOUR home
Open-source firmware - Complete transparency and customization
ESPHome foundation - Community-driven development and support
Kentucky Manufacturing Excellence
Make It Work Tech emphasizes Apollo's commitment to American manufacturing:
- Designed in Kentucky - All engineering happens in Versailles, KY
- Assembled in Kentucky - Final assembly at our facility
- Quality controlled in Kentucky - Testing and QC processes
- Shipped from Kentucky - Direct fulfillment from our warehouse
- Supported from Kentucky - Customer service and technical support
Apollo Automation creates high-tech manufacturing jobs in Central Appalachia, keeping University of Kentucky graduates in-state and proving American IoT manufacturing can thrive.
Community-Driven Development
The review highlights Apollo's commitment to community engagement:
- Monthly livestreams on YouTube and Discord
- Active Discord community for support and projects
- Open GitHub repositories for firmware and hardware designs
- Comprehensive wiki with documentation and guides
- Responsive support from the Apollo team
Home Assistant Integration Excellence
Seamless Setup Process
Make It Work Tech demonstrates how Apollo sensors integrate with Home Assistant:
- Power on the device - USB-C or battery powered
- Connect to Wi-Fi - Simple hotspot configuration
- Automatic discovery - Home Assistant finds the device instantly
- Configure entities - Customize sensors, automations, and dashboards
- Start automating - Build powerful smart home automations
ESPHome Customization
The review showcases ESPHome's power with Apollo devices:
Runtime configuration - Adjust settings without reflashing firmware
Custom automations - Create sophisticated logic and triggers
Sensor calibration - Fine-tune readings for your environment
LED and buzzer control - Customize visual and audio feedback
OTA updates - Update firmware wirelessly from Home Assistant
Blueprint Support
Apollo provides Home Assistant blueprints for quick setup:
- BTN-1 button actions (single, double, triple click, hold)
- MSR-2 and MTR-1 presence automations
- AIR-1 air quality alerts
- TEMP-1 temperature monitoring
- PLT-1 plant care notifications
Real-World Applications Demonstrated
Smart Home Automation
The Make It Work Tech review demonstrates Apollo sensors powering:
Presence-based lighting - Lights turn on when you enter, off when you leave
Air quality management - Trigger air purifiers when VOCs spike
Climate control - Adjust HVAC based on room occupancy and CO2 levels
Plant care automation - Water plants when soil moisture drops
Temperature monitoring - Track fridge temps, cooking temperatures, aquariums
Energy Efficiency
Apollo sensors enable significant energy savings:
- Only heat/cool occupied rooms
- Turn off lights in empty spaces
- Optimize ventilation based on actual air quality
- Reduce phantom power consumption
- Monitor and control pump operations
Security and Safety
Home automation for peace of mind:
- Presence detection for security monitoring
- Air quality alerts for dangerous conditions
- Temperature warnings for freezer/fridge failures
- Water level monitoring with PUMP-1
- Visual and audio alerts via LEDs and buzzers
Technical Specifications Comparison
Presence Sensor Comparison
| Feature | MSR-2 | MTR-1 | R PRO-1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radar Module | LD2410B | LD2450 | LD2450 + LD2412 |
| Multi-Target | No | Yes (3) | Yes (3) |
| Static Detection | Excellent | Limited | Excellent |
| Range | 6m | 6m | 9m |
| Power | USB-C | USB-C | PoE |
| Zones | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Size | Ultra-compact | Compact | Professional |
| Price | $$ | $$ | $$$ |
Environmental Sensor Comparison
| Feature | AIR-1 | MSR-2 | MTR-1 | R PRO-1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM Sensors | Yes (SEN55) | No | No | No |
| VOC/NOx | Yes | No | No | No |
| CO2 (optional) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Temperature | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Humidity | Yes | No | No | No |
| Lux | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UV Index | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pressure | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Pricing and Availability
All Apollo Automation products featured in the Make It Work Tech review are available now:
- AIR-1 Air Quality Monitor - Starting at $79.99
- MSR-2 Compact Presence Sensor - Check website for pricing
- MTR-1 Multi-Target Radar - Check website for pricing
- R PRO-1 PoE Professional Sensor - Check website for pricing
- TEMP-1 Temperature Sensor - Check website for pricing
- PLT-1 Plant Sensor - Check website for pricing
- PUMP-1 Fluid Pump - Check website for pricing
- BTN-1 Macro Deck - Starting at $34.99
- M-1 LED Matrix - Starting at $64.99
Free shipping on orders over a certain threshold, and international shipping available to most countries.
Affiliate Program for Content Creators
Make It Work Tech uses Apollo's affiliate program, which offers:
- 5% commission on all sales through your link
- 30-day cookie window for conversions
- Real-time tracking of clicks and sales
- Monthly payouts via PayPal or direct deposit
- Marketing materials and product images
Content creators interested in reviewing Apollo products can contact us at support@apolloautomation.com.
Customer Reviews and Community Feedback
SmartHomeScene Reviews
Apollo products consistently rank among the top in their categories:
- AIR-1 Review: "Complete air quality monitoring for Home Assistant"
- MSR-1 Review: "Miniature multi-sensor for presence and CO2 monitoring"
- MSR-2 Review: "The smallest presence sensor ever made"
Reddit and Discord Community
Home Assistant users praise Apollo sensors for:
- Reliable local control without cloud dependencies
- Excellent ESPHome integration and customization
- Responsive customer support
- Quality hardware at competitive prices
- Active development and regular updates
Certifications and Standards
Works With Home Assistant
Apollo devices meet rigorous certification standards:
- ✅ Seamless Home Assistant integration
- ✅ Local API support
- ✅ Reliable performance
- ✅ Quality hardware and software
- ✅ Active community support
Made For ESPHome
All Apollo sensors are certified Made For ESPHome:
- ✅ Open-source firmware
- ✅ Full customization support
- ✅ ESPHome best practices
- ✅ Community-driven development
- ✅ Regular firmware updates
Safety and Compliance
Apollo products meet relevant safety standards:
- FCC compliance for wireless devices
- RoHS compliance for electronic components
- Food-safe materials where applicable
- Proper electrical safety standards
Open Source Commitment
GitHub Repositories
All Apollo firmware and hardware designs available at: github.com/ApolloAutomation
- Complete ESPHome configurations
- CAD files for 3D printing
- PCB designs and schematics
- Example automations and blueprints
- Community contributions welcome
Wiki Documentation
Comprehensive guides at wiki.apolloautomation.com:
- Setup and installation instructions
- Troubleshooting guides
- Advanced configuration examples
- Integration tutorials
- Community projects showcase
Discord Community
Active support community at dsc.gg/apolloautomation:
- Technical support from Apollo team
- Community help and advice
- Project sharing and inspiration
- Beta testing opportunities
- Direct feedback to developers
Future Product Development
Upcoming Releases
Apollo Automation continues developing new products:
- First official ESPHome-branded hardware as Open Home Foundation commercial partner
- Expanded protocol support including Thread, Zigbee, Z-Wave Long Range
- New sensor categories based on community feedback
- Enhanced versions of existing products
Community Input
Product development driven by user feedback:
- Monthly livestreams with Q&A
- Discord feature requests
- Beta testing programs
- Feedback squad participation
- Direct communication with founders
Why Choose Apollo Automation?
1. Privacy and Local Control
Unlike cloud-dependent competitors, Apollo devices:
- Work completely offline
- Never send data to external servers
- Require no accounts or subscriptions
- Give you complete ownership and control
2. Open Source Transparency
Full transparency in everything we build:
- Open-source firmware on GitHub
- Hardware designs available publicly
- Active community development
- No proprietary lock-in
3. Works With Home Assistant Certified
Official certification means:
- Guaranteed Home Assistant compatibility
- Meets strict quality standards
- Active support and updates
- Part of official ecosystem
4. Kentucky Manufacturing
Supporting American manufacturing:
- Creating high-tech jobs in Central Kentucky
- Complete in-house design and assembly
- Quality control at every step
- Supporting local economy
5. Community-Driven
Building with and for the community:
- Monthly livestreams
- Active Discord engagement
- Responsive customer support
- Regular firmware updates
Get Started with Apollo Automation
For Home Assistant Users
- Browse the complete product catalog
- Choose sensors that fit your automation needs
- Order directly from apolloautomation.com
- Follow simple setup instructions
- Join Discord community for support
For Content Creators
Interested in reviewing Apollo products?
- Apply for affiliate program (5% commission)
- Request review units for your channel
- Access marketing materials and product info
- Connect with Apollo team directly
Contact: support@apolloautomation.com
For Developers
Want to contribute to Apollo's open-source projects?
- Visit GitHub: github.com/ApolloAutomation
- Join Discord: dsc.gg/apolloautomation
- Read Wiki: wiki.apolloautomation.com
- Submit pull requests and improvements
Watch the Full Review
Don't miss Make It Work Tech's comprehensive review covering all Apollo Automation products, demonstrating real-world setups, and showing the power of Works With Home Assistant certified, Made For ESPHome devices.
Watch on YouTube: Make It Work Tech - Apollo Automation Complete Review
Apollo Automation designs, engineers, and manufactures privacy-first smart home sensors in Versailles, Kentucky. All products feature 100% local control with no cloud dependencies or subscriptions. As a Works With Home Assistant partner, Made For ESPHome member, and Open Home Foundation commercial partner, Apollo is committed to open-source smart home technology. Learn more at apolloautomation.com.
Tags: Make It Work Tech, Apollo Automation review, Works With Home Assistant, Made For ESPHome, Home Assistant sensors, ESPHome devices, smart home review, mmWave presence sensor, air quality monitor, Apollo AIR-1, Apollo MSR-2, Apollo MTR-1, Apollo R PRO-1, Kentucky manufacturing, privacy-first smart home, local control IoT, open-source smart home, Home Assistant certified devices
