About Blink

Founded in 2014 by Immedia Semiconductor in Massachusetts, Blink is a consumer electronics company that manufactures home security cameras. Blink was purchased by Amazon in December 2017, which also owns Ring, whose security cameras are featured in our ratings as well.

Blink stands out in the crowded security camera market for its ability to produce small, inexpensive, battery-powered cameras with most of the features of much larger, less compact, and more power-hungry cameras. Much of this has to do with its background as a chip manufacturer, which gave it the expertise to develop devices that can do more on less power.

Best Blink Security Cameras Review

Least expensive outdoor camera in our ratings, and if you use the local storage option, it doesn’t require any ongoing fees for viewing your recordings
IP65 weather-resistance rating and built-in temperature sensor
DIY installation and flexibility
Can set privacy zones, so the camera never records in certain areas

Doesn’t have advanced imaging features such as HDR or color night vision to improve clarity
Narrowest field of view of any camera in our ratings
No person detection, zoom and track, or 24/7 recording

Indoor or Outdoor:: Both
Integration:: Alexa, IFTTT
Wired or Wireless:: Wireless

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Ranked #4 in Best Home Security Cameras of 2024 (tie)
Ranked #4 in Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras of 2024 (tie)
Ranked #4 in Best Wireless Home Security Cameras of 2024

A wireless, weather-resistant camera that can be used both indoors and out, the Blink Outdoor Camera is easy to install yourself and costs $99 for a camera system (which includes a required Blink Sync Module 2 that must be plugged in indoors) and $89 for any additional cameras. It’s powered by two included AA lithium-ion batteries and works over W-iFi, sending alerts and recording video clips from 5 seconds to 60 seconds long when triggered by motion. It features 1080p Full HD video quality with a 110-degree field of view, two-way audio, and night vision. You can view a live stream through the free Blink Home Monitoring app, and watch recorded video either with a cloud storage subscription (starting at $3 a month or $30 a year), or by storing video locally on the sync module using a USB flash drive (sold separately).

Reviewers praise the Blink Outdoor Camera as a versatile camera, with up to two years of battery life and the option to use it indoors or outdoors. It can be mounted on a wall or ceiling or placed on a flat surface and gives you a 110-degree field of view. It will record a clip of five to 60 seconds when it detects motion, with a 10-second retrigger time before it will record again. An IP65 weather rating means it can withstand rain and water jets from any angle, and it operates in temperatures ranging from -4 to 113 degrees.

Reviewers also note the camera's customizable Privacy Zones and Activity Zones lets you receive alerts only for areas you want to cover, which reduces notifications and protects privacy. However, reviewers say the video quality isn’t as good as cameras offered by Nest or Arlo because there's no HDR imaging or other advanced features that improve video clarity. There’s also no artificial intelligence to distinguish between people, animals, and vehicles when the camera detects motion, meaning you have to check every alert you receive to effectively use this as a security camera.

Blink Security Camera Features

Other Blink Home Security Cameras

Blink Outdoor 4 ($99.99): A battery-powered, weatherproof-rated outdoor camera that supports Alexa voice control. It features HD video, two-way audio, motion detection, and night vision. Person detection is also available with the purchase of a Blink Subscription Plan.
Blink Mini 2 ($49.98): A compact plug-in camera that comes with a weather-resistant power adapter for indoor or outdoor use. It includes HD live video, color night vision, two-way audio, motion detection, a built-in spotlight, and an expanded field of view.
Blink Video Doorbell ($59.99): A wireless or hard-wired doorbell camera that provides remote accessibility from the Blink Home Monitor app. It records 1080p HD video and has two-way talk, infrared night vision, and customized alerts.
Blink Wired Floodlight Camera ($89.99): An outdoor camera that connects to existing wiring and offers bright motion-activated LED lighting. Real-time alerts are available and a built-in siren can be triggered from the Blink Home Monitor app.
Blink Mini Pan-Tilt ($39.99): A small indoor camera that rotates to provide 360-degree views of any room. It comes standard with HD video, night view, real-time motion alerts, and Alexa integration.
Blink Indoor ($79.99): A battery-powered, wireless camera featuring 1080p HD video resolution, night vision, motion detection, and a temperature sensor. It also has local and cloud storage options, two-way audio, and customizable motion alerts.
Blink Outdoor 3 ($99.99): A wireless, weatherproof, and battery-powered camera with the same video and audio features as the Indoor option. It also works with Alexa voice commands and offers the ability to view live recordings through the Blink app.

How Much Do Blink Home Security Cameras Cost?

The cost of home security cameras can vary widely based on an assortment of factors. Common features influencing prices are connectivity (wired or wireless), resolution and image quality, smart home integration capabilities, and storage options.

Pricing for Blink security cameras ranges from $39.99 to $99.99. The most affordable option is the Blink Mini Pan-Tilt, while the most expensive cameras are the Blink Outdoor 3 and Outdoor 4. The company offers discounts when buying multiple cameras at a time. For example, whereas one Blink Outdoor 4 model costs $99.99, the price of five is $399.99, providing $99.96 in savings. Bundle deals on equipment are available as well at different price points depending on the system configuration that’s chosen.

Blink Monitoring Plans

Blink monitoring plans are optional. However, they allow you to get much more out of your security system investment. The company offers two subscription plans: the Blink Basic Plan and Blink Plus Plan.

The Basic Plan costs $3 a month or $30 a year and comes with support for just one device. It provides live streaming and recording, motion-activated alerts, motion detection recording, photo capture, video sharing, instant access to videos, and the ability to use local storage backup. It also allows unlimited videos to be stored in the cloud for 60 days.

For $10 per month or $100 annually, the Plus Plan allows an unlimited number of devices to be monitored. This subscription includes everything in the Basic Plan, along with custom snooze functionality, image grouping, 10% off Blink devices purchased from Amazon, and extended warranty coverage.

Neither plan requires a contract, and subscriptions can be canceled for any reason.

Should I Get Blink Home Security Cameras?

Blink security cameras would be a good choice for those who want a budget-friendly, easy-to-use system and are comfortable with self-installation. The company’s website provides detailed instructions and tips for the DIY setup of each device. A solid lineup of weatherproof products can also accommodate customers looking to enhance their outdoor security. It may be an attractive option to anyone who prefers not to subscribe to a monitoring plan as well.

On the other hand, Blink Indoor and Outdoor 3 cameras have a pretty narrow field of view at 110 degrees, which can limit how much of an area you’re able to see. Additionally, Blink cameras don’t offer continuous recording, which means there’s potential to miss important footage. Therefore, they may not work for those concerned about possible gaps in their security.

Before buying security cameras, it’s also essential to consider storage options, privacy, night vision quality, power source, smart home capability, and mobile app access.

FAQ

No, a subscription isn’t required to use Blink cameras. However, not having a plan will limit how your security system works. You’ll only receive motion-activated notifications and live-view streaming. If you purchase Sync Module 2 and USB storage, you’ll also get motion detection video recording and the option for local storage backup.

Certain Blink cameras can be used without the Sync Module 2 hub. These include the Wired Floodlight, Video Doorbell, and Mini devices. The Outdoor 4, Outdoor 3, and Indoor cameras do require the hub to operate. It will connect up to 10 devices to your Wi-Fi so they can all be easily controlled through the Blink Home Monitor app. It also helps to store clips without a subscription and increases camera battery life.

All Blink cameras are covered by a one-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. The Blink Plus subscription plan adds an extended warranty as long as you remain subscribed.

Blink offers a comprehensive support site at support.blinkforhome.com with FAQs, troubleshooting, videos, and tips. You can contact Blink support via a contact form on its website or through the app by clicking on Customer Service. There is also an option to call tech support, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Learn More

For more information about home security cameras, see the following guides.

The Best Home Security Cameras

Ring Stick Up Cam Battery

Other Guides from 360 Reviews

To further protect your home and your family, see our ratings of home security systems, best VPNs, best antivirus software, best identity theft protection, and best home warranties.

How U.S. News Evaluated Home Security Cameras

We explain what matters most to consumers, experts, and professional reviewers when it comes to home security cameras. Then we provide an unbiased evaluation of the cameras available at the time of review. Our goal is to empower consumers with the information and tools they need to make informed decisions. More information about our 360 Reviews methodology for evaluating home security cameras is here.

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Blink Security Cameras Review and Prices