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Blink began in 2016 with an inexpensive, battery-powered indoor camera, and since its acquisition by Amazon in 2017 has released an array of self-monitoring home cameras. Today, Blink offers affordable and low-maintenance camera options for those looking for basic security features. While these cameras may lack some of the services and equipment of competitors, they are a great entry point into the world of home security.
Do you really need all the bells and whistles for a quality security camera? Only you can decide, but we can help.
Blink Home Security Camera Review
Product Name: Blink Security Cameras
Product Description: Blink offers various interior and exterior cameras for DIY home monitoring.
Summary
Blink cameras have easy, DIY installation and up to two years of battery life for wireless options. With simple equipment for the tech-averse and affordable video storage, Blink has continued to be a leader in the world of home security. Still, users have given recent app updates a thumbs-down, making us caution anyone considering these security cameras.
Overall Score
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Technology
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Ease Of Use
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Customer Service
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Overall Value
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Wireless and wired camera options
- Easy DIY installation
- Local video storage
- Low-cost cloud storage
- Integration with Amazon Alexa-enabled devices
Cons
- Glitches in app
- Relies on a Wi-Fi connection
- Requires a hub to connect
- No continuous recording
- Must purchase Blink Subscription for cloud storage
- Some customers report that the motion detection is too sensitive
Consumer Review
This is the aggregate score of reader reviews we’ve received. Have you had a good or bad experience with Blink? Feel free to leave your own review in the comments. Please note that only ratings with valid review content will be published and counted.
Alternatives to Blink Security
Don’t like the score you’re seeing? Our home security experts have reviewed over a dozen home security providers. View our best home security systems showdown to see our top three and category winners this year.
15 Key Features
- Blink offers cameras for indoor and outdoor use
- Up to 1080p HD resolution
- Infrared night vision
- Field of view: 110°
- Operating temperature: -4° to 113°F (-20° to 45°C)
- Can connect up to 10 cameras on one account
- Two AA lithium batteries last up to 2 years, depending on device settings, usage, and environmental factors
- Use the Blink Home Monitor app to monitor your cameras while away
- 100-foot range
- Ability to adjust the sensitivity, so pets don’t trigger the camera(s)
- Two-way audio
- Weather-resistant models to withstand elements
- Wired and wireless cameras are available
- Store video clips and photos in the cloud (requires subscription) or save locally to the Blink Sync Module 2 via a USB drive (sold separately)
- Video clips have a default length of 5 seconds, but you can record up to 60 seconds
Packages And Pricing
The basic Blink installation kit comes with one camera, a mount and mounting kit, a USB cable, and a power adapter. From there, you can buy configurations of multi-camera kits to suit your security needs.
- Indoor: $79.99
- Mini (compact indoor): $34.99
- Mini Pan-Tilt: $59.99
- Video Doorbell (wired or wireless): $59.99
- Outdoor: $99.99
- Floodlight Camera (wired or wireless): Starting at $99.99
- Solar Panel Mount: $139.98
How To Install Blink Cameras
Setting up Blink Cameras is a breeze, even for the most technology-illiterate folks:
- Plug the Sync Module into a wall outlet
- Download and launch the Blink Home Monitor app on your iOS or Android phone and scan the camera’s QR code. Follow the in-app instructions to name your cameras and connect them to your smartphone.
- Place your Blink camera(s) where you want them (keeping in mind the 100′ range)
Blink Camera Storage Options
Unfortunately, Blink has discontinued their free cloud storage. Now users are left with using local storage with limited features or purchasing one of Blink’s two subscription plans. The basic plan costs $3 per month ($30 per year) vs. the premium option for $10 a month ($100 per year).
| Local Storage | Basic Plan | Plus Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motion-activated notifications |  | | |
| Live streaming | | | |
| Video sharing | | | |
| Live view recording | | | |
| Video history (60 days) | | | |
| Quick video access | | | |
| Photo capture | | | |
| Number of cameras | 10 | 1 | Unlimited |
| 10% off Blink Products | | ||
| Extended warranty | |
Consumer Feedback
Blink cameras have mixed reviews. While some praise Blink for its simple and effective monitoring, others note that the app has glitches and the motion detection is either too sensitive or misses significant events.
Praise
I love the app and the cameras they are great! The system gets the job done and does it well. The only thing I would like as a customer and to give the app 5 stars would be to have timers for each camera. It’s a shame they all have to be on the same timer. I would like to individually set when certain ones arm and disarm individually. Please add this feature 🙂
Ian Outerbridge, Google Play 11/26/2022
I love blink, it gives me more supervision and check in opportunities with my kids while I work. The only bummer is the clip length. It will cut off in the middle of a recording instead of recording all activity. It’s very frustrating. Also we are unable to check live view of our doorbell. The button has to be pushed or motion activated and in action to have live feed. If these things were fixed it would be 5 stars all the way.
Heather B., Google Play 10/7/2022
Complaints
It’s a disappointing app. The hardware for the camera is fine, but the software is underwhelming. I’ve had many quirks that required a reset through only one month of use. Now, I get motion notifications and clicking them takes me to a live view, even if the notification is an hour old and there is a recording of the motion. Sometimes notifications just stop coming for a couple days at a time. I’ve got tons of old video clips, but I don’t think I can batch delete them or mark them as viewed.
Joel Camins, Google Play 1/20/2023
Motion detection is awful! The camera rarely detects motion, like I literally can here packages being placed by my door and no motion is detected! If I adjust the sensitivity, I pickup every single bit of motion possible, especially street traffic! And if I do try to look at the camera, I get the camera is busy error or there is a delay in the connectivity. For the record, I do have a sync module.
Blush Peach, Google Play 1/14/2023
Blink vs Other Security Cameras
If you want a wireless camera (or cameras) that can record audio and video, Blink is a definite contender. However, Blink’s recent software issues are cause for concern. If you aren’t able to view the video footage, there’s really no point in having cameras.
If you’re considering your options, check out our comparison of Blink versus other security cameras in our comprehensive review. We bring you the pros and cons for each camera and have a comparison table so you can quickly see how the cameras’ features vary.
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