Blink Home Security Review
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Amazon has been selling smart home products like Alexa and Echo for several years now, so it’s no surprise the company has made a foray into home security. Blink is Amazon’s line of security cameras which are designed for self-monitoring through a mobile app. Blink’s main selling points are its inexpensive cameras and its lack of subscription or data fees.
In this review of Blink Home Security, we’ll go over its different home security cameras and take a look at the pros and cons of using Amazon’s home security system. Keep reading to determine if Blink is the best home security option for you and your home.
Our Take on Blink Home Security
Blink Home Security offers self-monitoring at a low cost and has an easy DIY installation process. However, it doesn’t include alarms or sensors, doesn’t offer professional monitoring, and holds an F rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for failing to respond to customer complaints.
Pros and Cons of Blink Home Security
This Old House’s Top Pick: SimpliSafe
Our team rated more than 30 home security companies and found that SimpliSafe is the best DIY security solution on the market.
Blink Home Security Packages and Equipment
The Blink XT home security camera system consists of an indoor camera, a weather-resistant outdoor camera, and a mini indoor/outdoor camera. All record HD video and offer both live views and recording. Here’s a quick comparison chart of the different Blink cameras.
Blink Package Comparison
| Provider | Blink | Blink XT2 | Blink Mini |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Indoor/Outdoor use |
Indoor |
Indoor/outdoor |
Indoor |
|
Power source |
2-year battery life |
2-year battery life |
Outlet |
|
Resolution |
720p HD |
1080p HD |
1080p |
|
Field of view |
110 degrees |
110 degrees |
110 degrees |
|
Night vision |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Motion detection |
Motion-activated |
Customizable |
Motion-activated |
|
Audio capabilities |
Microphone only |
2-way audio |
2-way audio |
|
Water-proof features |
None |
IP-65 rated weather resistance |
None |
|
Temperature monitor |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Free cloud storage |
2 hours |
2 hours |
None |
Blink Home Security Pricing
Blink is very upfront about its pricing—you can buy any of the cameras on an a la carte basis, but you’ll save some money if you buy multiples of the same camera.
Package Pricing Comparison
| Plans | 1 Camera | 2 Cameras | 3 Cameras | 5 Cameras | Additional Cameras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Blink Indoor |
$79.99 |
$139.99 |
$189.99 |
$279.99 |
$69.99 |
|
Blink XT2 |
$99.99 |
$179.99 |
$249.99 |
$379.99 |
$89.99 |
|
Blink Mini |
$34.99 |
$64.99 |
— |
— |
$34.99 |
The Blink Mini is the only camera that requires a subscription to Amazon’s cloud storage service if you want to record motion-activated clips. Amazon is offering a free trial of the subscription plan until December 31, 2020, after which it will cost $3.00 per month per camera or $10.00 per month for unlimited cameras. Amazon is developing a local storage device, called the Blink Sync Module 2, to be released soon, but you’ll have to buy it separately.
Blink Home Security Reviews
Since Blink is offered by Amazon, looking into reviews can get a bit confusing. For example, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives the Blink company itself an F rating for failure to respond to customer complaints, but it gives Amazon itself an A. The cameras themselves have highly positive reviews based on thousands of customer ratings.
Here’s what some customers had to say:
“I’m currently trying to solve issues with their module. It needs to be replaced after not 2 years of service. They’re ignoring me.” — Joyce A. on 8/5/19
“This security camera works GREAT. You can change the sensitivity of motion detecting and lots of other settings to accommodate your security preference.” — Joe on 5/9/20
Blink Home Security vs. Competitors
If you’re unsure whether Blink home security is right for you, compare this home security company to competitors like Vivint and Frontpoint.
Top-Rated Alternatives to Blink
| Provider | Blink Home Security | Vivint Home Security | Frontpoint Home Security |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Pricing |
Not available through This Old House |
View Plans |
View Plans |
|
24/7 monitoring |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Contract required |
No |
No |
No |
|
Professional installation |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
DIY installation |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Mobile app access |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Door and window sensors |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Smart home compatibility |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Video surveillance |
Yes |
With camera purchase |
With camera purchase |
|
Video streaming capability |
Yes |
With camera purchase |
With camera purchase |
|
Money-back guarantee |
1-year limited warranty |
Warranty on equipment |
3-year limited warranty |
More Comparisons
Our Conclusion
Clearly, the biggest limitation of Blink home security is that it’s only a self-monitored camera system. If that’s what you’re looking for, then this is a good option, even for those on a budget. However, if you want professional monitoring—that is, a dispatcher on call to send help if you need it—or motion or entry sensors for doors and windows, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
This Old House’s Top Pick: SimpliSafe
Our team rated more than 30 home security companies and found that SimpliSafe is the best DIY security solution on the market.
More Reviews on Home Security Systems
- ADT Home Security Review
- Vivint Home Security Review
- Alder Home Security Review
- SimpliSafe Home Security Review
- Nest Home Security Review
- Alert 360 Review
Frequently Asked Questions about Blink Home Security
How Does Blink Home Security Work?
You can only purchase Blink cameras through Amazon, and you will need to install them yourself. Once the cameras are in place, you simply download the Blink app, sign in with your Amazon account, and set up your system on your mobile device.
You can control the system through the app, as well as Amazon Alexa and Echo, which you can use to arm and disarm the cameras with voice commands. A motion alert will trigger the camera to begin a 5- to 60-second recording and ping your mobile device, day or night.
How do I set up Blink Home Security?
Setting up Blink is simply a matter of turning on the cameras and downloading the app. Once you sign in through your Amazon account, the Blink home monitor app should walk you through the process of syncing your cameras with your mobile device.
How do I configure Activity Zones?
Activity Zones allow you to section off certain regions to prevent false alerts. This is a great feature to use outdoors if your cameras or set up by trees or bushes that blow in the wind and trigger motion clips. To set up these zones, open up the settings on the camera you’d like to modify and click on the Activity Zone you’d like to mask.
Is Blink owned by Amazon?
Yes. Although Blink began as a Kickstarter project, the company was purchased by Amazon in December of 2017.
Is Blink or Ring better?
If you’re only looking for security cameras, Blink offers less expensive products. However, if you’re looking for a doorbell camera, alarm system, entry sensors, and more, it’s worth looking into Ring.
Do Blink cameras record without Wi-Fi?
Blink cameras must have a Wi-Fi connection or an online Sync Module in order to record and function. Otherwise, the system will go offline.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our home security recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. Our research includes analyzing product specifications, reviewing service and plan information, speaking with customer service representatives, and analyzing customer reviews. We then score the provider against our review standards for system options, special features, installation options, connectivity and smart-home automation features, pricing, contract terms, warranty, usability, availability of a trial period, and trustworthiness to arrive at a final score out of 100.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.