Finding the right temperature sensor at the right price in Sri Lanka has never been more important — or more confusing. The local electronics market has expanded significantly, with dozens of sensor types now available across online stores, Colombo showrooms, and marketplace platforms like Daraz. Whether you're comparing a Rs. 190 DHT11 module or a Rs. 3,500 contactless infrared sensor, understanding what drives those prices is the first step to making a smart purchase.
This guide cuts through the noise and answers the questions that matter most: what's actually available locally, what you should expect to pay in 2026, and which sensor fits your specific needs. The Sri Lankan market currently favours digital modules like the DHT11 and DS18B20 for hobbyist use, while demand for industrial-grade sensors and medical body temperature meters has grown steadily since 2023. This guide is written for:
- Students and hobbyists building Arduino or ESP32 projects
- Engineers and technicians sourcing components for industrial or IoT systems
- Small business owners and procurement teams comparing options and prices
- Parents and clinic staff looking for reliable body temperature meters
From entry-level thermistors to precision RTD probes, this guide covers the full spectrum of temperature sensing options available in Sri Lanka — because choosing the wrong sensor doesn't just waste money, it costs time. Read on to find exactly what you need.
What Is a Temperature Sensor and Why Does It Matter?
A temperature sensor detects heat and converts it into a readable signal — a number on your screen, a trigger for your fan, or an alarm when something goes wrong.
They show up everywhere: inside your air conditioner, your car engine, your greenhouse irrigation system. Even the rice cooker in your kitchen uses one.
Real-world example: A fish farmer in Gampaha uses a waterproof DS18B20 sensor to monitor pond water temperature overnight. When it drops below 22°C, an alert fires automatically — no manual checks needed at 3 AM.
Without accurate temperature data, machines overheat, crops fail, and cold chains break. That's why getting the right sensor — at the right price — matters more than most people realize.
What Types of Temperature Sensors Are Available in Sri Lanka?
From a Rs. 80 bare chip to a Rs. 3,500 contactless module — the Sri Lankan market covers a surprisingly wide range. Here's what's actually available and who each one is for.
DHT11 / DHT22
The DHT11 is the sensor most beginners reach for first. Plug it into your Arduino, run three lines of code, and you're reading both temperature and humidity in minutes. It costs around Rs. 200–450 and is widely stocked at Daraz, Duino.lk, and Nilambara Electronics.
The DHT22 is the upgrade. Same form factor, better numbers: it reads down to -40°C and hits ±0.5°C accuracy versus the DHT11's ±2°C. Expect to pay Rs. 380–600. Worth the extra few hundred rupees if your project needs precision.
DS18B20
This small TO-92 chip punches well above its price. It communicates over a single wire, handles temperatures from -55°C to +125°C, and each unit carries a unique address — meaning you can chain dozens of sensors on one Arduino pin.
Bare chips start at just Rs. 80–150. The waterproof stainless steel probe version — sealed in a 1m cable — runs Rs. 300–550 and is the go-to for aquariums, soil probes, and pipe monitoring.
Thermistors & RTDs
Thermistors are the low-cost workhorses hiding inside most household appliances. The NTC MF52 10K variant (available at Tronic.lk for as little as Rs. 30) is a favourite for DIY thermostats and incubator controllers.
RTDs — particularly the PT100 — step in where precision matters. They're slower to respond but far more stable over time. You'll find PT100 probes and MAX31865 interface modules locally, typically ranging from Rs. 800 to Rs. 8,000+ depending on probe length and grade. Industrial buyers in the food processing and pharmaceuticals sectors tend to favour them.
Body Temperature Meters (Infrared & Digital)
Not all temperature meters are for circuits. Body temperature meters are a separate category entirely — and a common search for parents, clinics, and small businesses.
Basic oral/axillary digital thermometers start from around Rs. 790 on platforms like Daraz and Tudo.lk. Infrared forehead models — no contact, one-second readings — begin around Rs. 2,500 and go up from there for branded options.
Temperature Sensor Price in Sri Lanka (2026 Updated)
This is the section most people come here for. Prices below are drawn from active 2026 listings at Senith Electronics, Tronic.lk, Duino.lk, Nilambara Electronics, Daraz.lk, and AnyPrice.lk. Where a single retailer had a confirmed live price, that's noted. Where multiple sellers vary, a realistic range is given.
The market splits cleanly into three groups: hobbyist sensors under Rs. 700, mid-range modules at Rs. 700–2,000, and precision or medical-grade devices above Rs. 2,000. Knowing which group your project falls into saves a lot of browsing time.
Entry-Level & Hobbyist Sensors (Under Rs. 700)
These are the sensors most students and Arduino builders in Sri Lanka will actually buy. All are readily available, well-documented, and have active community support online.
| Sensor | Confirmed Price (Rs.) | Where to Buy | Key Specs |
|---|---|---|---|
| NTC Thermistor MF52 10K | Rs. 30 | Tronic.lk | Analog, THT, -55°C to +125°C |
| DHT11 Module | Rs. 190 – 250 | Tronic.lk / Senith | Temp + Humidity, 0–50°C, ±2°C |
| Thermal Sensor Module | Rs. 120 – 200 | Senith Electronics | On/off threshold output, NTC-based |
| DS18B20 Bare IC | Rs. 100 – 135 | Senith Electronics | 1-Wire digital, -55°C to +125°C |
| LM35 (Original) | Rs. 350 | Senith Electronics | Analog, 10mV/°C, 0–100°C |
| DS18B20 Waterproof Probe | Rs. 300 – 350 | Senith Electronics | Sealed stainless cable, 1m lead |
| DHT22 Module | Rs. 420 – 620 | Senith / Duino.lk | Temp + Humidity, -40°C to +80°C, ±0.5°C |
| XH-W1209 Thermostat Module | Rs. 670 – 900 | Tronic.lk / Senith | NTC input, relay output, LED display |
The DHT11 sensor price in Sri Lanka sits comfortably at Rs. 190–250 depending on the seller — making it one of the cheapest entry points into temperature sensing for any Arduino or ESP32 project.
Mid-Range & Specialist Modules (Rs. 700 – 2,000)
Once you move past basic sensing into control, high-temperature measurement, or display-ready devices, prices step up — but so does capability.
| Device | Confirmed Price (Rs.) | Where to Buy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5" LCD Digital Temperature Meter | Rs. 400 – 450 | Senith Electronics | Panel-mount display readouts |
| Indoor Temp + Humidity Meter with Clock | Rs. 750 – 800 | Senith / Daraz | Home / office environment display |
| MAX6675 Type K Thermocouple Module | Rs. 900 | Senith Electronics | 3D printers, ovens, kilns (up to 1024°C) |
| Temperature Control Module W1401 | Rs. 1,200 | Senith Electronics | Advanced PID-style temp control |
| MLX90614ESF Contactless Module (GY-906) | Rs. 2,000 – 2,500 | Senith Electronics | Non-contact surface temp, I²C output |
The MAX6675 deserves a mention here. At Rs. 900, it's one of the most cost-effective ways to measure extreme heat — the kind that would destroy a DHT11 in seconds. A ceramic kiln workshop in Moratuwa, a 3D printing lab in Colombo, even a tea factory monitoring roast temperature — this is the module they reach for.
Precision & Medical Devices (Rs. 2,000+)
At this tier, you're either doing industrial-grade sensing or buying a dedicated body temperature meter for health monitoring. The two audiences are very different, but the price range overlaps.
| Device | Price Range (Rs.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MLX90614ESF GY-906-BCC (higher spec) | Rs. 3,500 | Senith Electronics; wider FOV variant |
| Digital Body Thermometer (oral/axillary) | Rs. 790 – 1,500 | Daraz, Tudo.lk, pharmacies |
| Infrared Forehead Thermometer | Rs. 2,500 – 5,000+ | Non-contact; 1-second reading |
| Branded Ear Thermometer (e.g. Mothercare) | Rs. 3,450 – 7,750 | Odel, Kidzline; paediatric use |
| PT100 RTD Probe + Interface Module | Rs. 800 – 8,000+ | Industrial labs, food processing, pharma |
Body temperature meter prices in Sri Lanka vary considerably depending on the type. A basic digital probe from Daraz starts at around Rs. 790 — perfectly adequate for home fever checks. Step up to an infrared forehead model and you're looking at Rs. 2,500–5,000, which is the range most clinics and school nurse stations in Sri Lanka currently use.
What Affects the Price You'll Pay?
A few factors push prices up or down in the Sri Lankan market:
Import timing. Most sensors enter through Colombo port. Delays during peak shipping seasons or Rs./USD fluctuations can bump prices 10–20% overnight. If you spot a good price, buying two or three spares is rarely a bad idea.
Online vs. Pettah. Walk-in shops around Pettah and Maradana often price slightly lower on high-volume basics like DHT11 and DS18B20, but stock is unpredictable. Online stores like Tronic.lk and Senith stock more consistently and ship island-wide.
Original vs. clone. The LM35 "original" at Senith (Rs. 350) specifically notes it's genuine TI stock — relevant because counterfeit LM35s are common and give wildly inaccurate readings. For the DHT11 and DS18B20, clones are generally fine for hobby use.
Quantity discounts. Most local stores will negotiate on orders of 10+ units. If you're building a batch of IoT sensors for a school lab or commercial deployment, always ask.
Where to Buy Temperature Sensors in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka's electronics supply chain has changed a lot in the past few years. You no longer have to trek into Pettah on a Saturday morning hoping the right component is in stock. Here's a realistic picture of your options in 2026.
Online Electronics Stores
For most buyers outside Colombo, online is the practical default. These stores ship island-wide, usually within 2–4 working days.
| Store | URL | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Senith Electronics | senith.lk | Wide sensor range, reliable stock info |
| Tronic.lk | tronic.lk | Competitive pricing, NTC / thermistor basics |
| Duino.lk | duino.lk | Arduino-focused, good DHT11/DHT22 stock |
| Nilambara Electronics | nilambaraelectronics.com | Broad component catalog, module bundles |
| TechShop.lk | techshop.lk | Waterproof probes, industrial thermometers |
| Microchip.lk | microchip.lk | Module-level sensors, beginner-friendly |
| Alphatronic.lk | alphatronic.lk | DS18B20, NTC modules at competitive prices |
Most of these stores also run active Facebook pages — worth following for flash sales and restock alerts, especially on higher-demand modules like the MLX90614.
Daraz — The Marketplace Option
Daraz is worth a separate mention. It's not a specialist electronics store, but it carries a huge volume of temperature sensors — DHT11 modules, DS18B20 probes, infrared thermometers, body temperature meters — often from multiple sellers at once.
For body temperature meters specifically, Daraz is one of the best places to compare brands and prices side by side. Basic digital thermometers start from Rs. 790, and customer reviews often flag which models drift after a few months of use — useful information you won't find on a specialist electronics site.
Physical Shops — Colombo & Beyond
If you need something today, or you want to physically inspect a module before buying, a few locations are worth knowing.
Pettah & Maradana remain the heartbeat of Sri Lanka's electronics trade. The stretch along Main Street and the side lanes near the Maradana railway station has dozens of small component shops. Stock is unpredictable — you might find a DS18B20 for Rs. 90, or you might visit three shops and come home empty-handed. Come early, bring cash, and know your part numbers.
Tronic.lk operates a physical showroom in Colombo (076 4485607) alongside its online store. Same-day pickup is available if you call ahead to confirm stock.
Senith Electronics is based in Colombo and handles walk-in customers. For bulk orders or anything above Rs. 5,000, visiting in person often unlocks better pricing than the website shows.
Which Temperature Sensor Should You Choose for Your Project?
The honest answer: most people overthink this. There are really only a few decision points that matter. Run through them in order.
Just Starting Out? Start Here.
If you're building your first Arduino or ESP32 project, the answer is almost always the DHT11. It costs under Rs. 250, has thousands of tutorials online, works with a single data pin, and reads both temperature and humidity — two sensors for the price of one.
The moment you outgrow it — when ±2°C accuracy starts causing problems, or you need readings below 0°C — step up to the DHT22. Same wiring, same libraries, just better numbers.
Matching Sensor to Use Case
Beyond the beginner stage, the right choice depends on what you're actually measuring and where.
| Use Case | Recommended Sensor | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor air temperature / humidity logging | DHT22 | Better accuracy, wider range than DHT11 |
| Water, soil, or pipe temperature | DS18B20 Waterproof Probe | Sealed housing, 1m cable, survives submersion |
| Multiple points on one wire | DS18B20 (bare or probe) | Unique address per chip — chain up to 10+ sensors |
| Simple analog circuit, no microcontroller | LM35 or NTC Thermistor | Direct voltage/resistance output, no coding needed |
| Oven, kiln, or 3D printer hotend | MAX6675 + K-type Thermocouple | Handles up to 1024°C — nothing else at this price does |
| Non-contact surface temperature | MLX90614 (GY-906) | Infrared, no physical contact, I²C interface |
| Automatic temperature control (e.g. incubator) | W1209 or W1401 Module | Built-in relay output, no extra coding required |
| Human body temperature (fever check) | Digital / Infrared Body Thermometer | Medically calibrated — don't use electronic modules for this |
| Industrial / pharmaceutical / food processing | PT100 RTD | Stable, precise, built for long-term continuous operation |
One combination worth highlighting for IoT builders: a DS18B20 waterproof probe paired with a DHT22 covers both liquid/soil and ambient air in a single system — total sensor spend under Rs. 1,000.
Tips to Get the Best Deal Without Compromising Quality
Price shopping for sensors in Sri Lanka has a few tricks worth knowing. Some save you money. Others save you from buying something that simply doesn't work.
Buy Local Before You Look Overseas
It's tempting to order direct from AliExpress when you see a DHT11 listed for Rs. 50. Factor in shipping (often Rs. 800–1,500 for small parcels), 2–4 week delivery, and zero warranty support if the sensor is dead on arrival — and suddenly Rs. 190 from Tronic.lk looks like a much better deal.
Local stores also absorb customs risk. Packages from China occasionally get held at customs, especially post-2023 import regulation changes. When you buy locally, that headache is already resolved.
Check Stock Status Before You Order
Several local stores list products as available when they're actually waiting on a restock shipment. The MLX90614 in particular goes in and out of stock frequently. Before placing an order, a quick WhatsApp message to the store confirming physical stock saves a 10-day wait.
Know When "Original" Actually Matters
For most hobbyist projects, clone sensors work fine. A DHT11 clone from a reputable local store will read temperature within spec. A DS18B20 clone will do the job in your aquarium monitor.
Where it matters:
LM35 — counterfeit versions are widespread and notoriously inaccurate. Senith Electronics explicitly stocks original TI-manufactured LM35s (Rs. 350). Worth paying for if your project depends on analog precision.
MLX90614 — fakes exist. Genuine Melexis-manufactured chips have consistent I²C addresses and stable calibration. Clones often drift badly above 50°C. Buy from a known local supplier, not the cheapest Daraz listing.
Body temperature meters — for medical use, always choose a branded device with ISO or CE certification. The Rs. 790 no-name thermometer from Tudo.lk may be fine; it may also read 0.8°C low. For a child's fever, that gap matters.
Buy in Small Bulk for Projects
Sensors fail. Connections get damaged. If your final project uses one DHT22, buy three. The price difference between one unit and three is small — usually Rs. 400–600 total — and the frustration of a dead sensor on deadline day is not small.
Most local stores offer informal discounts on orders of 5–10 units. It's worth a WhatsApp inquiry, especially for DS18B20 bare chips or NTC thermistors where the per-unit price is already low.
Shopping on Daraz — Do It Right
Daraz is useful but requires a little discipline. A few habits that pay off:
Filter to Local Seller only — delivery in 2–3 days vs. 2–3 weeks. Check the seller's overall rating and specifically look at recent reviews mentioning the word "fake" or "not working." Use Daraz vouchers stacked with 11.11 or 12.12 sale discounts — temperature sensors often drop 20–30% during these events. And always check the return policy before buying any sensor above Rs. 1,000.
Conclusion
Temperature sensors in Sri Lanka span an impressive range — from a Rs. 30 NTC thermistor to a Rs. 3,500 contactless infrared module. Whether you're a student wiring up your first Arduino project, a farmer automating an irrigation alert, or an engineer sourcing components for an industrial system, the local market has what you need at a price that makes sense.
The key is matching the sensor to the job. For most everyday projects, a DHT22 or DS18B20 waterproof probe will get you there without overspending. For serious industrial applications — food processing lines, pharmaceutical cold chains, precision manufacturing — the requirements go beyond what a hobbyist module can deliver. That's where purpose-built industrial sensing solutions come in.
If your project demands that next level of reliability and precision, Vancera offers professional-grade temperature sensing and measurement solutions designed for industrial environments. Explore the full range at van-cera.com and find the right fit for your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the price of a DHT11 sensor in Sri Lanka?
The DHT11 module currently costs around Rs. 190–250 depending on the seller. Tronic.lk and Senith Electronics are reliable local sources.
Q: Which is better — DHT11 or DHT22?
The DHT22 is more accurate (±0.5°C vs ±2°C) and covers a wider temperature range. For basic school projects, DHT11 is fine. For anything more serious, the DHT22 is worth the extra cost.
Q: Where can I buy temperature sensors in Sri Lanka?
Good online options include Senith Electronics, Tronic.lk, Duino.lk, and Nilambara Electronics. Daraz also carries a wide range — filter by Local Seller for faster delivery. Walk-in options are available around Pettah and Maradana in Colombo.
Q: What is the best temperature sensor for an Arduino project in Sri Lanka?
The DHT11 is the easiest starting point. If you need better accuracy or a wider range, step up to the DHT22. For waterproof or multi-point setups, the DS18B20 is the standard choice.
Q: What is the price of an infrared body thermometer in Sri Lanka?
Infrared forehead thermometers typically range from Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 5,000+ depending on the brand. Basic digital oral thermometers start from around Rs. 790 on Daraz and Tudo.lk.
